The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 364

tho vileness of tho sin nnd the severity of the penalty, is the baseness and guilt of the man who makes tho accusation falsely. This is a climax of sins of speech, which nothin" cnn surpass. Slander of any sort is heinous sin, and slander against an intirnat~ friend is moro heinous yet; but slander against one's wife-and against her chastity- is most heinous of all. Fines and scourging are lenient punishment for such a monster. . ]II. 'fHE PENALTIES OF BIN ARE IN PROPORTION TO INJURY DONE. On the principle laid down in a previous law, the penalty for false accusation was fixed accordin" to the nature of the deed falsely alleged to be done. In this case, the slanderer well deserver! such a result. But theu the injured wife would be injured all the more. In the dread penalty imposed on him, she would have to share. Hence, for her sake, the husband'; life is spared. To calculate all the effects produced by one act of sin is impossible to the finite mind of man; yet (unless pardon, full and complete, be enjoyed) in proportion to these perpetuated effects will be the penalty meted out to the sinner. We way well "stand in awe."-D. Vers. 22-30.- VariC1Us penalties for unchastity. Purity in domestic life is at the root of national prosperity. I. THE NEGLECT OF VIRTUE'S SAFEGUARDS IS GUILT. (Ver. 24.) If a sentinel reck- lessly leave open a portal in the beleaguered city, it is treason ;·it is as if he had betrayed his king. 'l'o see a house on flame, and to give no warning, is to become accountable for the destruction of a city. To neglect the physician's counsel in time of disease is to be guilty of death. So to make no resistance to the tempter is to court his approach. To go to the battle without sword, or spear, or shield is to invite defeat. Idle \VOrnen may be said to tempt the devil. II. NEGLECT OF DUE PRECAUTIONS OFTEN LE.ADS TO A TERRIBLE SURPRISE. Oftentimes we underrate what strength the tempter has until we are in bis clutches. So long as we knew temptation only by hearsay, we imagined it easy to escape or to overcome ; hut when brought suddenly under its subtle, wily influence, we are surprised how easily we are overcome. ' III. THE OONSENT OF THE WILL IS NEEDED TO CONSTITUTE A SIN. Whatever we are compelled to do by an external power, and ag:aibst all the opposing force of our own will, this is not sin. Injury and loss may follow, but unless the will consents there is no moral culpability. 'l'he essence of sin lies in the inclination. A man may violate ail the precepts of the Decalogue by a glance of his eye-ay, by a volition of his will. Whether the overt act follow or not may depend on favourable or unfavourable outward circumstance. The same mischievous effects will not follow, but the sin is there. Therefore, "Keep thy heart with all diligence." IV. GENEROUS MINDS WILL l'UT THE BEST POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION ON HUMAN CONDUCT. (Ver. 27.) How generously minded a man may be, he is bound to be true. He cannot dissemble facts. He is under obligation to condemn the slightest sin. With the evil thing there must be no connivance. But if it be possible, with due regard to virtue, to give two interpretations on a deed, fairness to the doer requires that we give the inter- pretation the most favourable and generous. To a prisoner at the bar, the judge gives the full benefit of any doubt; and equal justice should be dealt to men in all our jndgments upon them. If there be bright spots in their character and deeds, let us fasten our eyes upon these. It \\'ill do us good. To search out the diseased parts of humanity, and to find secret pleasure in contemplating these moral sores,-this will do us harm. As we measure our sentiments and judgments out to men, they will measure to us acrain. We may be blind to our own blemishes-we usually are; but others will readily°find them out; and if we are harsh and ungenerous in our estimate of men they will return tho treatment, perhaps with compound interest. It is wise, every day: t,, fn,ter in our breast tile charity "that believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."-D, 368 THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [011. xxm. 1-28,