Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 4:1

FOr this is] This may be understood of the Law of God in it self, which is the light and rule of all wisdom: Or of the observing of the Law, which is the true wisdom in practice, the true disposer of the soul, to attaine unto the last end of soveraigne welfare.

Deuteronomy 4:7

What Nation is there so great] Namely a whole and entire Nation: For there were some particular and small kindreds, or families amongst idolatrous people, which served the true God, as that of Job. Melchisedeck and Jethro &c So nigh] Present in the efficacy of his grace and power, and in the pawnes, tokens, and shewes of his Majesty, and ready to help and assist That we call] The Italian, Whensoever we call] Or in any thing we desire from him: Psal. 46. 2. and 148. 14

Deuteronomy 4:11

Miast of heaven] That is to say, in the midst of the aire.

Deuteronomy 4:15

Unto your selves] The Italian hath it, Upon your soules] As you love your lives, and regard the salvations of your soules or persons: Or for feare lest your bodies do beare the punishment for it.

Deuteronomy 4:16

Corrupt] By inclining unto, or participating of idolatry, which is the spirituall whoredome, contrary to the purity of conscience in Gods service Of any figure] Or God absolutely none at all, nor yet of any other creature, to consecrate it, or to fasten any opinion of Deity upon it, or to attribute any religious honour unto it, see Exodus 20:4-5

Deuteronomy 4:17

Any beast] Because that the Egyptians and other heathens, did represent and worship the God-head in such shapes, and figures of beasts, Romans 1:23

Deuteronomy 4:19

Hath divided] The meaning is: They are meere creatures; and therefore ought not to be set in the Creators place. God hath created them for mans use & service, it is therefore an unworthy thing for man to submit himself to them, by worshipping, which is the basest manner of serving. The use, and effect of them are common to all men: therefore it is unseemely for the Church, which hath this advantage to have her peculiar God, to prostrate her selfe to serve creatures which are common to all: see Deuter. 29. 26.

Deuteronomy 4:20

Furnace] A place of cruell affliction, for to trie and purifie. A terme taken from founders and refiners of metals Of inheritance] Which I have taken, and gotten to my selfe, as a proper and particular inheritance for ever, from father to son: Exodus 19:5. Deuteronomy 7:6. Titus 2:14.

Deuteronomy 4:22

But I must] Seeing that according to Gods irrevocable decree I must die shortly, I am bound to make these last protestations unto you, to keep you in obedience after my death: see 2 Peter 1:14-15

Deuteronomy 4:26

I call] The Italian, I take] A kinde of publick denunciation and protestation used in Scripture for a provocation, and an upbraiding of mens wilfull dulnesse: Deuteron. 32. 1. Isaiah 1:2. Jerem. 2. 12. and 6. 19

Deuteronomy 4:30

In the latter] In the end, after a long time of suffering or towards the end of the time of Gods patience, before he shall shut up the gates of repentance. Others understand this of the Messias his days, which are the latter times of the world, as Ho〈…〉. 1. Cor. 10. 11. and do believe that here is pointed at, the great and last conversion of the Jews.

Deuteronomy 4:33

Heare] Hath been able to endure the presence of Gods glorious Majesty without being consumed and sunke: see Exo. 24. 11. and 33. 〈◊〉

Deuteronomy 4:34

Hath God] Or any God amongst the false Gods of the Gentiles Assayed] An excellent and admirable effect of Gods infinite power, to confound his enemies boldnesse, which have presumed to make triall of it.

Deuteronomy 4:37

In his sight] The Italian hath it, With his sight] With the immediate presence of his son, who is called the Angel of his presence: Isaiah 63:9 see Exodus 33:14-15. Psalms 44:4

Deuteronomy 4:42

He might live] He might have secure freedom, out of danger of the encounter or meeting of the neerest Kinsman, who was the avenger of the bloud.

Deuteronomy 4:44

This is the] These verses serve for a preface to the Laws, which are contained in the chapters following.

Deuteronomy 4:48

Sion] An abbreviation of the name Sirion: Deuteronomy 3:9