Verse 1

CONTENTS

This Chapter contains cautions against being seduced to the commission of heathenish practices. Particular laws are enjoined against various pollutions, such as unlawful marriages, unlawful lusts, and the like; and the ruin of the men of Canaan from the indulgence in those things, is mentioned as a means to deter others from the commission of them.

Verse 1-2

The laws which are given in this Chapter, are strikingly introduced by the authority of the lawgiver. I am the LORD your GOD. That LORD, which by right of sovereignty ought to be obeyed. That covenant GOD, which by virtue of the relationship hath a special claim upon Israel. And let the reader observe how frequently, through the Chapter, this authority is repeated.

Verses 3-5

How David speaks of his love to the LORD'S judgments, Ps 119 throughout! But, Reader, did not these statutes, judgments, testimonies, etc. (which as far as I recollect are mentioned, under one term or another in every verse of that Psalm excepting two) refer to the person of JESUS who is the sum and substance of all the law and the commandments? Romans 10:4.

Verses 6-18

These precepts, considered in a moral sense, carry with them conviction of their own propriety. And if explained spiritually, they serve to convey this idea, that the souls who are taken into covenant relation by virtue of their union with their great spiritual head, dare not commit spiritual fornication. Hosea 2:2-3; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1Co_6:15.

Verses 19-30

I do not think it necessary to enlarge, either in notes or references, on the several verses here enumerated. They all speak expressly and plainly to the subjects intended. While the Christian Reader from the perusal of them reflects upon his privileges, I pray the LORD to enable him to keep in view, and find grace to practice what the apostle hath said, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.

Verse 30

REFLECTIONS

READER! when you have perused this chapter, pause and contemplate with me, to what an awful state of sin and corruption is our nature fallen! Is it possible to consider these precepts as truly necessary to have been given, to consider our nature universally capable of perpetrating such horrid crimes and bestialities, without being smitten with a deep sense of our miserable state by reason of the fall. Is the hand that now writes, and the eye that now reads, equally full of the same malignity, unless restrained from these several corruptions by Almighty grace? Dearest and ever-blessed JESUS! how increasingly precious ought to be thy person and holiness in the conscious sense of sin to all thy people! Oh! may it be my happiness to be drawn the nearer to thee, from the conviction of my want of thee. LORD, enable me to mortify the deeds of the body by thy HOLY SPIRIT, that I may live! And while beholding, as I do, in the polluted sinful world around me, the many deplorable instances of sin and uncleanness among the ungodly; may I feel the sweetness of that blessed scripture, brought home personally to my heart, and speaking to my own experience: And such were some of you. But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the LORD JESUS, and by the SPIRIT of our GOD.