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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>D E U T E R O N O M Y</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The laws of this chapter provide,
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I. For the preservation of charity and good neighbourship, in the care
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of strayed or fallen cattle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. For the preservation of order and distinction, that men and women
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should not wear one another's clothes
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:5">ver. 5</A>),
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and that other needless mixtures should be avoided,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:9-11">ver. 9-11</A>.
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III. For the preservation of birds,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:6,7">ver. 6, 7</A>.
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IV. Of life,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:8">ver. 8</A>.
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V. Of the commandments,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:12">ver. 12</A>.
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VI. Of the reputation of a wife abused, if she were innocent
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:13-19">ver. 13-19</A>),
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but for her punishment if guilty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:20,21">ver. 20, 21</A>.
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VII. For the preservation of the chastity of wives,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:22">ver. 22</A>.
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Virgins betrothed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:23-27">ver. 23-27</A>),
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or not betrothed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:28,29">ver. 28, 29</A>.
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And, lastly, against incest,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:30">ver. 30</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="De22_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Kindness and Humanity.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray,
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and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them
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again unto thy brother.
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2 And if thy brother <I>be</I> not nigh unto thee, or if thou know
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him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it
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shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou
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shalt restore it to him again.
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3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou
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do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's,
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which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise:
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thou mayest not hide thyself.
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4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by
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the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him
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to lift <I>them</I> up again.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The kindness that was commanded to be shown in reference to an enemy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+23:4,5">Exod. xxxiii. 4</A>,
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&c.) is here required to be much more done for a neighbour,
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though he were not an Israelite, for the law is consonant to natural
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equity.
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1. That strayed cattle should be brought back, either to the owner or
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to the pasture out of which they had gone astray,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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This must be done in pity to the very cattle, which, while they
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wandered, were exposed; and in civility and respect to the owner, nay,
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and in justice to him, for it was doing as we would be done by, which
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is one of the fundamental laws of equity. Note, Religion teaches us to
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be neighbourly, and to be ready to do all good offices, as we have
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opportunity, to all men. In doing this,
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(1.) They must not mind trouble, but, if they knew who the owner was,
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must take it back themselves; for, if they should only send notice to
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the owner to come and look after it himself, some mischief might befal
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it ere he could reach it.
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(2.) They must not mind expense, but, if they knew not who the owner
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was, must take it home and feed it till the owner was found. If such
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care must be taken of a neighbour's ox or ass going astray, much more
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of himself going astray from God and his duty; we should do our utmost
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to convert him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:19">Jam. v. 19</A>),
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and restore him, considering ourselves,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:1">Gal. vi. 1</A>.
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2. That lost goods should be brought to the owner,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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The Jews say, "He that found the lost goods was to give public notice
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of them by the common crier three or four times," according to the
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usage with us; if the owner could not be found, he that found the goods
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might convert them to his own use; but (say some learned writers in
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this case) he would do very well to give the value of the goods to the
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poor.
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3. That cattle in distress should be helped,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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This must be done both in compassion to the brute-creatures (for a
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<I>merciful man regardeth the life of a beast,</I> though it be not his
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own) and in love and friendship to our neighbour, not knowing how soon
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we may have occasion for his help. If one member may say to another, "I
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have at present no need of thee," it cannot say, "I never shall."</P>
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<A NAME="De22_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Various Prohibitions.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man,
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neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so
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<I>are</I> abomination unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God.
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6 If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any
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tree, or on the ground, <I>whether they be</I> young ones, or eggs,
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and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt
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not take the dam with the young:
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7 <I>But</I> thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the
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young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and <I>that</I> thou
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mayest prolong <I>thy</I> days.
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8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a
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battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine
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house, if any man fall from thence.
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9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the
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fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy
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vineyard, be defiled.
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10 Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.
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11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, <I>as</I> of
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woollen and linen together.
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12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy
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vesture, wherewith thou coverest <I>thyself.</I>
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here are several laws in these verses which seem to stoop very low, and
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to take cognizance of things mean and minute. Men's laws commonly do
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not so: <I>De minimis non curat lex--The law takes no cognizance of
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little things;</I> but because God's providence extends itself to the
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smallest affairs, his precepts do so, that even in them we may be <I>in
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the fear of the Lord,</I> as we are under his eye and care. And yet the
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significancy and tendency of these statutes, which seem little, are
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such that, notwithstanding their minuteness, being fond among the
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things of God's law, which he has written to us, they are to be
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accounted great things.</P>
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<P>
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I. The distinction of sexes by the apparel is to be kept up, for the
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preservation of our own and our neighbour's chastity,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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<I>Nature itself teaches</I> that a difference be made between them in
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<I>their hair</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+11:14">1 Cor. xi. 14</A>),
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and by the same rule in their clothes, which therefore ought not to be
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confounded, either in ordinary wear or occasionally. To befriend a
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lawful escape or concealment it may be done, but whether for sport or
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in the acting of plays is justly questionable.
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1. Some think it refers to the idolatrous custom of the Gentiles: in
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the worship of Venus, women appeared in armour, and men in women's
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clothes; this, as other such superstitious usages, is here said to be
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<I>an abomination to the Lord.</I>
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2. It forbids the confounding of the dispositions and affairs of the
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sexes: men must not be effeminate, nor do the women's work in the
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house, nor must women be viragos, pretend to <I>teach, or usurp
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authority,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+2:11,12">1 Tim. ii. 11, 12</A>.
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Probably this confounding of garments had been used to gain opportunity
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of committing uncleanness, and is therefore forbidden; for those that
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would be kept from sin must keep themselves from all occasions of it
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and approaches to it.</P>
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<P>
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II. In taking a bird's-nest, the dam must be let go,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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The Jews say, "This is the least of all the commandments of the law of
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Moses," and yet the same promise is here made to the observance of it
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that is made to the keeping of the fifth commandment, which is one of
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the greatest, <I>that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest
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prolong thy days;</I> for, as disobedience in a small matter shows a
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very great contempt of the law, so obedience in a small matter shows a
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very great regard to it. He that let go a bird out of his hand (which
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was worth two in the bush) purely because God bade him, in that made it
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to appear that he <I>esteemed all God's precepts concerning all things
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to be right,</I> and that he could deny himself rather than sin against
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God. But <I>doth God take care</I> for birds?
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:9">1 Cor. ix. 9</A>.
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Yes, certainly; and perhaps to this law our Saviour alludes.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:6">Luke xii. 6</A>,
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<I>Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is
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forgotten before God?</I> This law,
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1. Forbids us to be cruel to the brute-creatures, or to take a pleasure
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in destroying them. Though God has made us <I>wiser than the fowls of
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heaven,</I> and given us <I>dominion over them,</I> yet we must not
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abuse them nor rule them with rigour. <I>Let go the dam</I> to breed
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again; <I>destroy it not, for a blessing is in it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:8">Isa. lxv. 8</A>.
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2. It teaches us compassion to those of our own kind, and to abhor the
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thought of every thing that looks barbarous, and cruel, and
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ill-natured, especially towards those of the weaker and tender sex,
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which always ought to be treated with the utmost respect, in
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consideration of the sorrows wherein they bring forth children. It is
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spoken of as an instance of the most inhuman cruelty that <I>the mother
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was dashed to pieces upon her children</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+10:14">Hos. x. 14</A>),
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and that the <I>women with child were ripped open,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+1:13">Amos i. 13</A>.
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3. It further intimates that we must not take advantage against any,
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from their natural affection and the tenderness of their disposition,
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to do them an injury. The dam could not have been taken if her concern
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for her eggs or young (unlike to the ostrich) had not detained her upon
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the next when otherwise she could easily have secured herself by
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flight. Now, since it is a thousand pities that she should fare the
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worse for that which is her praise, the law takes care that she shall
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be let go. The remembrance of this may perhaps, some time or other,
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keep us from doing a hard or unkind thing to those whom we have at our
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mercy.</P>
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<P>
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III. In building a house, care must be taken to make it safe, that none
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might receive mischief by falling from it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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The roofs of their houses were flat for people to walk on, as appears
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by many scriptures; now lest any, through carelessness, should fall off
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them, they must compass them with battlements, which (the Jews say)
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must be three feet and a half high; if this were not done, and mischief
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followed, the owner, by his neglect, brought the guilt of blood upon
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his house. See here,
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1. How precious men's lives are to God, who protects them, not only by
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his providence, but by his law.
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2. How precious, therefore, they ought to be to us, and what care we
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should take to prevent hurt from coming to any person. The Jews say
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that by the equity of this law they were obliged (and so are we too) to
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fence, or remove, every thing by which life may be endangered, as to
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cover draw-wells, keep bridges in repair, and the like, lest, if any
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perish through our omission, their blood be required at our hand.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Odd mixtures are here forbidden,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
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Much of this we met with before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+19:19">Lev. xix. 19</A>.
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There appears not any thing at all of moral evil in these things, and
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therefore we now make no conscience of sowing wheat and rye together,
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ploughing with horses and oxen together, and of wearing linsey-woolsey
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garments; but hereby is forbidden either,
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1. A conformity to some idolatrous customs of the heathen. Or,
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2. That which is contrary to the plainness and purity of an Israelite.
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They must not gratify their own vanity and curiosity by putting those
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things together which the Creator in infinite wisdom had made asunder:
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they must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, nor mingle
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themselves with the unclean, as an ox with an ass. Nor must their
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profession and appearance in the world be motley, or party-coloured,
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but all of a piece, all of a kind.</P>
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<P>
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V. The law concerning fringes upon their garments, and memorandums of
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the commandments, which we had before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:38,39">Num. xv. 38, 39</A>),
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is here repeated,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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By these they were distinguished from other people, so that it might be
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said, upon the first sight, There goes an Israelite, which taught them
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not to be ashamed of their country, nor the peculiarities of their
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religion, how much soever their neighbours looked upon them and it with
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contempt: and they were also put in mind of the precepts upon the
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particular occasions to which they had reference; and perhaps this law
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is repeated here because the precepts immediately foregoing seemed so
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minute that they were in danger of being overlooked and forgotten. The
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fringes will remind you not to make your garments of linen and woollen,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="De22_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="De22_16"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Punishment of Fornication.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>13 If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,
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14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an
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evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came
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to her, I found her not a maid:
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15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take
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and bring forth <I>the tokens of</I> the damsel's virginity unto the
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elders of the city in the gate:
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16 And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my
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daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;
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17 And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech <I>against her,</I>
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saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these <I>are the
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tokens of</I> my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the
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cloth before the elders of the city.
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18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise
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him;
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19 And they shall amerce him in a hundred <I>shekels</I> of silver,
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and give <I>them</I> unto the father of the damsel, because he hath
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brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be
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his wife; he may not put her away all his days.
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20 But if this thing be true, <I>and the tokens of</I> virginity be
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not found for the damsel:
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21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her
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father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with
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stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to
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play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away
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from among you.
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22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband,
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then they shall both of them die, <I>both</I> the man that lay with
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the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from
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Israel.
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23 If a damsel <I>that is</I> a virgin be betrothed unto a husband,
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and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
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24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that
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city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the
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damsel, because she cried not, <I>being</I> in the city; and the man,
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because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put
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away evil from among you.
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25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the
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man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with
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her shall die:
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26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; <I>there is</I> in the
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damsel no sin <I>worthy</I> of death: for as when a man riseth against
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his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so <I>is</I> this matter:
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27 For he found her in the field, <I>and</I> the betrothed damsel
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cried, and <I>there was</I> none to save her.
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28 If a man find a damsel <I>that is</I> a virgin, which is not
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betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be
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found;
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29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's
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father fifty <I>shekels</I> of silver, and she shall be his wife;
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because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his
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days.
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30 A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his
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father's skirt.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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These laws relate to the seventh commandment, laying a restraint by
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laying a penalty upon those fleshly lusts which war against the
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soul.</P>
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<P>
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I. If a man, lusting after another woman, to get rid of his wife
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slander her and falsely accuse her, as not having the virginity she
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pretended to when he married her, upon the disproof of his slander he
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must be punished,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:13-19"><I>v.</I> 13-19</A>.
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What the meaning of that evidence is by which the husband's accusation
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was to be proved false the learned are not agreed, nor is it at all
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necessary to enquire--those for whom this law was intended, no doubt,
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understood it: it is sufficient for us to know that this wicked
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husband, who had thus endeavoured to ruin the reputation of his own
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wife, was to be scourged, and fined, and bound out from ever divorcing
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the wife he had thus abused,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>.
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Upon his dislike of her he might have divorced her if he had pleased,
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by the permission of the law
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+24:1"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 1</A>),
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but then he must have given her her dowry: if therefore to save that,
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|
and to do her the greater mischief, he would thus destroy her good
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|
name, it was fit that he should be severely punished for it, and for
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ever after forfeit the permission to divorce her. Observe,
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1. The nearer any are in relation to us the greater sin it is to belie
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|
them and blemish their reputation. It is spoken of as a crime of the
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|
highest nature to <I>slander thy own mother's son</I>
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:20">Ps. l. 20</A>),
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|
who is next to thyself, much more to slander thy own wife, or thy own
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|
husband, that is thyself: it is an ill bird indeed that defiles its own
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|
nest.
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|
2. Chastity is honour as well as virtue, and that which gives occasion
|
|
for the suspicion of it is as great a reproach and disgrace as any
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|
whatsoever: in this matter therefore, above any thing, we should be
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|
highly tender both of our own good name and that of others.
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|
3. Parents must look upon themselves as concerned to vindicate the
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|
reputation of their children, for it is a branch of their own.</P>
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<P>
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|
II. If the woman that was married as a virgin was not found to be one
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|
she was to be stoned to death at her father's door,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:20,21"><I>v.</I> 20, 21</A>.
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|
If the uncleanness had been committed before she was betrothed it would
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|
not have been punished as a capital crime; but she must die for the
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|
abuse she put upon him whom she married, being conscious to herself of
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|
being defiled, while she made him believe her to be a chaste and modest
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|
woman. But some think that her uncleanness was punished with death only
|
|
in case it was committed after she was betrothed, supposing there were
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|
few come to maturity but what were betrothed, though not yet married.
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|
Now,
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|
|
1. This gave a powerful caution to young women to flee fornication,
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|
since, however concealed before, so as not to mar their marriage, it
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|
would very likely be discovered afterwards, to their perpetual infamy
|
|
and utter ruin.
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|
|
|
2. It is intimated to parents that they must by all means possible
|
|
preserve their children's chastity, by giving them good advice and
|
|
admonition, setting them good examples, keeping them from bad company,
|
|
praying for them, and laying them under needful restraints, because, if
|
|
the children committed lewdness, the parents must have the grief and
|
|
shame of the execution at their own door. That phrase of <I>folly
|
|
wrought in Israel</I> was used concerning this very crime in the case
|
|
of Dinah,
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+34:7">Gen. xxxiv. 7</A>.
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|
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|
All sin is folly, uncleanness especially; but, above all, uncleanness
|
|
in Israel, by profession a holy people.</P>
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<P>
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|
|
|
III. If any man, single or married, lay with a married woman, they were
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|
both to be put to death,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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|
|
|
This law we had before,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+20:10">Lev. xx. 10</A>.
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|
|
For a married man to lie with a single woman was not a crime of so high
|
|
a nature, nor was it punished with death, because not introducing a
|
|
spurious brood into families under the character of legitimate
|
|
children.</P>
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|
|
<P>
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|
|
|
IV. If a damsel were betrothed and not married, she was from under the
|
|
eye of her intended husband, and therefore she and her chastity were
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|
taken under the special protection of the law.
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|
|
1. If her chastity were violated by her own consent, she was to be put
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|
to death, and her adulterer with her,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:23,24"><I>v.</I> 23, 24</A>.
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|
|
And it shall be presumed that she consented if it were done in the
|
|
city, or in any place where, had she cried out, help might speedily
|
|
have come in to prevent the injury offered her. <I>Qui tacet,
|
|
consentire videtur--Silence implies consent.</I> Note, It may be
|
|
presumed that those willingly yield to a temptation (whatever they
|
|
pretend) who will not use the means and helps they might be furnished
|
|
with to avoid and overcome it. Nay, her being found in the city, a
|
|
place of company and diversion, when she should have kept under the
|
|
protection of her father's house, was an evidence against her that she
|
|
had not that dread of the sin and the danger of it which became a
|
|
modest woman. Note, Those that needlessly expose themselves to
|
|
temptation justly suffer for the same, if, ere they are aware, they be
|
|
surprised and caught by it. Dinah lost her honour to gratify her
|
|
curiosity with a sight of the <I>daughters of the land.</I> By this law
|
|
the Virgin Mary was in danger of being made a public example, that is,
|
|
of being stoned to death, but that God, by an angel, cleared the matter
|
|
to Joseph.
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|
|
2. If she were forced, and never consented, he that committed the rape
|
|
was to be put to death, but the damsel was to be acquitted,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:24-27"><I>v.</I> 24-27</A>.
|
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|
|
Now if it were done in the field, out of the hearing of neighbours, it
|
|
shall be presumed that she cried out, but there was none to save her;
|
|
and, besides, her going into the field, a place of solitude, did not so
|
|
much expose her. Now by this law it is intimated to us,
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|
|
(1.) That we shall suffer only for the wickedness we do, not for that
|
|
which is done to us. That is no sin which has not more or less of the
|
|
will in it.
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|
|
(2.) That we must presume the best concerning all persons, unless the
|
|
contrary do appear; not only charity, but equity teaches us to do so.
|
|
Though none heard her cry, yet, because none could hear it if she did,
|
|
it shall be taken for granted that she did. This rule we should go by
|
|
in judging of persons and actions: <I>believe all things, and hope all
|
|
things.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That our chastity should be as dear to us as our life when that is
|
|
assaulted, it is not at all improper to cry <I>murder, murder,</I> for,
|
|
<I>as when a man riseth against his neighbour and slayeth him, even so
|
|
is this matter.</I>
|
|
|
|
(4.) By way of allusion to this, see what we are to do when Satan sets
|
|
upon us with his temptations: wherever we are, let us cry aloud to
|
|
heaven for help (<I>Succurre, Domine, vim patior--Help me, O Lord, for
|
|
I suffer violence</I>), and there we may be sure to be heard, and
|
|
answered, as Paul was, <I>My grace is sufficient for thee.</I></P>
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|
<P>
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|
|
|
V. If a damsel not betrothed were thus abused by violence, he that
|
|
abused her should be fined, the father should have the fine, and, if he
|
|
and the damsel did consent, he should be bound to marry her, and never
|
|
to divorce her, how much soever she was below him, and how unpleasing
|
|
soever she might afterwards be to him, as Tamar was to Amnon after he
|
|
had forced her,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>.
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|
|
This was to deter men from such vicious practices, which it is a shame
|
|
that we are necessitated to read and write of.</P>
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|
<P>
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|
|
|
VI. The law against a man's marrying his father's widow, or having any
|
|
undue familiarity with his father's wife, is here repeated
|
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+22:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>)
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|
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|
from
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+18:8">Lev. xviii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, probably, it is intended (as bishop Patrick notes) for a short
|
|
memorandum to them carefully to observe all the laws there made against
|
|
incestuous marriages, that being specified which is the most detestable
|
|
of all; it is that of which the apostle says, <I>It is not so much as
|
|
named among the Gentiles,</I>
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:1">1 Cor. v. 1</A>.</P>
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