§. 69. Of the judiciall Law of the Iewes.
BEsides the ceremoniall Law, the Jewes had a judiciall Law, proper and pecu∣liar to that polity. This Law concerned especially their civil estate. Many branches of that Law appertained to the Jewish Priest-hood: as, The particular Lawes about the Cities of refuge, whether such, as slew any unawares, fled, and there abode till the death of the High Priest, Numb. 35. 25. And Lawes about Lepers, which the Priest was to judge, Lev. 14. 3. And sundry other cases which the Priest was to judge of. Deut. 17. 9. So also the Lawes of * 1.1 distinguishing tribes, of reser∣ving inheritances to special tribes and families, of selling them to the next of Kin, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. 4. Of raising seed to a brother that died without issue, Gen. 38. 8. 9, Of all manner of freedomes at the year of Jubilee, Levit. 25. 13. &c.
There were other branches of the judiciall Law which rested upon common equi∣tie:* 1.2 and were meanes of keeping the morall Law: as putting to death Idolaters and such as inticed others thereunto: and witches, and wilfull murtherers, and other notorious malefactors: So likewise Lawes against incest, and incestuous Marriages: Lawes of reverencing and obeying Superiours and Governours: and of dealing just∣ly in borrowing, restoring, buying, selling, and all manner of contracts.
The former sort were abolished together with the Priest-hood.
The latter remain as good directions to order even Christian polities accord∣ingly.
- 1. By these kinds of Lawes the wisdome of God was manifested in observing what was fit for the particular kind and condition of people: and in giving them answerable Lawes, and yet not tying all Nations and States thereunto.
- 2. That liberty which God affordeth to others to have Lawes most agreeable to their own Country, so as they be not contrary to equity and piety, bindeth them more obediently to submit themselves to their own wholesome Lawes, and to keep peace, unity, and amity among themselves.