A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…

Verse 10. A sage sentence should be in the lips of the King: his mouth should not transgress in judgement.

Verse 10. A sage sentence should be in the lips of the King: his mouth should not transgresse in iudgement.

A Sage sentence] The word signifieth a divination, being used very often in the evil part for the predictions of the Soothsayers and Astrologers, and so is forbidden in the Law, Deut. 18. 10. And sometimes in good part, as Isa. 3. 2. The Lord will take from Jerusalem the strong man, and the man of war, the Judge and the Prophet, the Diviner or prudent man, (who by observation of causes can foresee what effects are like to follow) and the aged. And in Micah 3. 6. there is a threatening, that night and darkness (meaning Gods judgements upon their minds, or bodies, or both) shall keep them from vision and divination. And so here it is prescribed as the Kings duty, and commended as his virtue, and not reproved as his fault. And hereby is intimated, that a wise equal manner of proceeding in all causes [should be in the lips of the King] in the words and sayings of the Ruler, and sovereign Governor, and of the subordinate Magistrates under him, who are deputed to supply his place for him: [his mouth should not transgress in judgement] neither he nor they ought to pass or award any unjust sentence, or otherwise utter unrighteous speeches, but deal uprightly towards every man in every matter.

A Sage sentence] The word signifieth a diuination, being vsed very often in the euill part for the predictions of the Soothsayers and Astrologers, and so is forbidden in the Law,