1 And the Lord spake, &c.) Whereas it came not in their mind to appoint the cities of refuge, until they were admonished again, it seemeth that their slackness is covertly reproved: for this was decreed before by the commandment of God beyond Jordan. When the like, and the very same reason is here, wherefore do they stay? why do they not bring to an end that, which they had well begun? considering that it was for great cause, that innocent persons should have safe places of refuge appointed them, least the land should be defiled with blood: for except that remedy had been used, the kinsmen of them that were slain, by rashly revenging their death, would have doubled the mischief. Surely the people ought not to have been slack in providing to avoid ⟨p. 88⟩that, which might be a spot or defiling of the land. Whereby we may see how slow men are, not only to do their duty, but also to be careful of their own health, except God did often prick them forward, and provoke them with the spurs of his exhortations. Howbeit, it appeareth by this, that their offence was but of negligence, that they are immediately ready to obey, and do not prolong the matter, nor hinder and stay so necessary a business with unprofitable contentions. But what was the law of these Sanctuaries, we have elsewhere declared. For by them was no impunity given to wilful murders, but if any man through error or chance had slain a man that was not his enemy, he had safe refuge unto these cities, which were appointed for the same purpose. So God helped the poor wretches, where they were without fault, least they should have suffered punishment unworthily, when they had committed no wicked fact. In the mean time God of his clemency granted thus much to the brethren and kinsmen of them that were dead, that their sorrow should not be increased, by having them daily in their sight, by whom they were deprived of their friends. Finally, the people was accustomed to detest all manslaughter, when such manslayers as were acquitted of murder, should be banished from their house, and from their country, until the death of the high priest. For that temporal punishment did clearly show, how precious mans blood is in the sight of God. So the law, both to the whole state and every private member was just, indifferent, and profitable.
1 And the Lorde spake, &c.) Whereas it came not in their minde to appoint the cities of refuge, vntill they were admonished againe, it seemeth that their slacknesse is couertly reproued: for this was decreed before by the commaundement of God beyond Iordan. When the like, and the verie same reason is here, wherefore doe they staie? why doe they not bring to an end that, which they had well begonne? considering that it was for great cause, that innocent persons should haue safe places of refuge appointed them, least the land should be defiled with bloud: for except that remedie had bene vsed, the kinsemen of them that were slaine, by rashly reuenging their death, would haue doubled the mischiefe. Surely the people ought not to haue bene slacke in prouiding to auoyde ⟨p. 88⟩that, which might be a spot or defiling of the lande. Whereby we may see how slowe men are, not onely to doe their duetie, but also to be carefull of their owne health, except God did often pricke them foreward, and prouoke them with the spurres of his exhortations. Howbeit, it appeareth by this, that their offence was but of negligence, that they are immediatly readie to obey, and doe not prolong the matter, nor hinder and staie so necessarie a busines with vnprofitable contentions. But what was the lawe of these Sanctuaries, we haue elsewhere declared. For by them was no impunitie geuen to wilfull murders, but if any man through error or chaunce had slaine a man that was not his enimie, he had safe refuge vnto these cities, which were appointed for the same purpose. So God helped the poore wretches, where they were without fault, least they should haue suffered punishment vnworthily, when they had committed no wicked facte. In the meane time God of his clemencie graunted thus much to the brethren and kinsemen of them that were dead, that their sorrowe shoulde not be increased, by hauing them daily in their sight, by whom they were depriued of their friendes. Finally, the people was accustomed to detest all manslaughter, when such manslaiers as were acquitted of murder, should be banished from their house, and from their contrie, vntill the death of the high priest. For that temporall punishment did clearely shewe, how pretious mans bloud is in the sight of God. So the lawe, both to the whole state and euerie priuate member was iust, indifferent, and profitable.
