Thus far God has proclaimed Himself the avenger of iniquities, and, citing thieves before His tribunal, has threatened them with eternal death. Now follow the civil laws, the principle of which is not so exact and perfect; since in their enactment God has relaxed His just severity in consideration o... [ Continue Reading ]
2._If a thief be found breaking up_. This clause is to be taken separately, and is inserted by way of parenthesis; for, after having decreed the punishment, God adds in connection, “he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he should be sold for his theft;” and this exception as to t... [ Continue Reading ]
3._He should make full restitution_. These words, as I have said, are connected with the first verse, since here the execution of the punishment is only enjoined; as if God forbade thieves to be spared, but that they should pay either twofold or quadruple, or even quintuple, according to the measure... [ Continue Reading ]
5._If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten_. This kind of fraud is justly ranked among thefts; viz., if any man shall have put in his beast to feed in another’s field or vineyard. For if a person have made improper use of his servant to steal by him, he himself is deemed guilty of the o... [ Continue Reading ]
6._If fire break out and catch in thorns_. This injury is somewhat different from the foregoing, for he who kindles the fire is commanded to make good the damage done by him, although there may have been no willful intention to do harm. For the incendiary who had maliciously destroyed either a cornf... [ Continue Reading ]
7._If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money_. It is here determined under what circumstances an action for theft would lie in case of a deposit, viz., if an inanimate thing, as a garment or furniture, be given ill charge, and the person with whom it is deposited should allege that it is stolen... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For all manner of trespass_. An action for theft is here permitted, but with a fine attached if any should rashly accuse his neighbor; for else it might be doubted when or for what reasons the restitution of double or quadruple was to be required. He therefore permits that if any one suspects ano... [ Continue Reading ]
10._If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass_. Since in the passage from whence I have taken these four verses, mention is made of a deposit, and Moses is professedly providing against frauds, and robberies, and thefts, I have thought it well to place them under this head. It has indeed some relati... [ Continue Reading ]
Hence, also, it is manifest that, although God remits the judicial penalty, fornication is displeasing to Him. As to the spiritual judgment of the conscience, there were expiations to propitiate Him; He here only has consideration for young females, lest, being deceived, and having lost their virgin... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. _In these passages the punishment of those is appointed who should in any respect violate the worship of God. We have lately seen how severely God avenged apostasy from the faith; but now He touches upon certain particular points when religion is not profes... [ Continue Reading ]
25._If thou lend money to any of my people _Humanity ought to be very greatly regarded in the matter of loans, especially when a person, being reduced to extremities, implores a rich man’s compassion; for this is, in. point of fact, the genuine trial of our charity, when, in accordance with Christ’s... [ Continue Reading ]
Exodus 22:28._Thou shalt not revile the gods_. These four passages confirm what I have said, that in the: Fifth Commandment are comprised, by _synecdoche _all superiors in authority.: For it was not the design of God to add to the Two Tables, as if something better and more perfect had afterwards co... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Thou shalt not delay. _We may gather from this passage that the first-fruits were offered, to the end that the Israelites should devote themselves and their possessions to God; for Moses enjoins these two things in conjunction, that they should not delay to consecrate to God of the abundance of... [ Continue Reading ]