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…

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, Deut. 18. 10. And sometimes in good part, as Isa. 3. 2. The Lord will take from Hierusalem the strong man, and the man of warre, the Iudge and the Prophet, the Diuiner or prudent man, (who by obseruation of causes can foresee what effects are like to follow) and the aged. And in Micah 3. 6. there is a threatning, that night and darknesse (meaning Gods iudgements vpon their mindes, or bodies, or both) shall keepe them from vision and diuination. And so heere it is prescribed as the Kings dutie, and commended as his vertue, and not reprooued as his fault. And heereby is intimated, that a wise equall manner of proceeding in all causes [should bee in the lips of the King] in the words and sayings of the Ruler, and soueraigne Gouernour, and of the subordinate Magistrates vnder him, who are deputed to supply his place for him: [his mouth should not transgresse in iudgement] neither he nor they ought to passe or award any vniust sentence, or otherwise vtter vnrighteous speeches, but deale vprightly towards euery man in euerie matter.