2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan, (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an in49 And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesi-heritance, even the land of Canaan, with the coasts moth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab. 50 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward.

12 And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land, with the coasts thereof round about.

13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:

14 For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance:

15 The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.

21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.

22 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli.

23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Haniel the son of Ephod.

24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.

25 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan.

27 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.

28 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.

29 These Pare they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

CHAPTER XXXV.

16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you; "Eleazar the priest, and Orders having been given before for the dividing of the land of Canaan among the

Joshua the son of Nun.

18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.

19 And the names of the men are these: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel, the son of Ammihud.

i 2 Kings 23. 33. Jer. 39. 5, 6. shoulder. Deut. 3. 17. Josh. 11. 2. 19. 35. Luke 5. 1.

of the faithful, and was the possession of the seed of Israel. This was that little spot of ground in which only, for many ages, God was known, and his name was great, Ps. 76. 1. This was the vineyard of the Lord, the garden enclosed; but as it is with gardens and vineyards, the narrowness of the extent was abundantly compensated by the extraordinary fruitfulness of the soil, otherwise it could not have subsisted so numerous a nation as did inhabit it. See here then, 1. How little a part of the world God has for himself; though the earth is his, and the fulness thereof, yet few have the knowledge of him, and serve him; but those few are happy, very happy, because fruitful to God. 2. How little a share of the world God often gives to his own people. They that have their portion in heaven, have reason to be content with a small pittance of this earth; but, as here, what is wanting in quantity is made up in quality; a little that a righteous man has, having it from the love of God, and with his blessing, is far better, and more comfortable, than the riches of many wicked, Ps. 37. 16.

III. It is observable what the bounds and limits of it were, 1. Canaan was itself a pleasant land, (so it is called, Dan. 8. 9,) and yet it bordered upon wildernesses and seas, and was sur-❘ rounded with divers melancholy prospects. Thus the vineyard of the church is compassed on all hands with the desert of this world, which serves as a foil to it, to make it appear the more beautiful for situation. 2. Many of its borders were its defences, and natural fortifications, to render the access of its enemies the more difficult; to intimate to them that the God of nature was their Protector, and with his favour would compass them as with a shield. 3. The border reached to the river of Egypt, v. 5, that the sight of that country which they could look into out of their own, might remind them of their bondage there, and their wonderful deliverance thence. 4. Their border is here made to begin at the Salt sea, v. 3, and there it ends, v. 12. That was the remaining lasting monument of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; that pleasant fruitful vale in which these cities stood, became a lake, which was never stirred by any wind, bore no vessels, was replenished with no fish, no living creature of any sort being found in it, therefore called the Dead sea; this was part of their border, that it might be a constant warning to them, to take heed of those sins which had been the ruin of Sodom; yet the iniquity of Sodom was afterward found in Israel, Ez. 16. 49. For which Canaan was made, though not a salt sea as Sodom, yet a barren soil, and continues so to this day. 5. Their western border was the Great sea, (v. 6,) which is now called the Mediterranean. Some make that sea itself to be a part of their possession, and that by virtue of this grant, they had the dominion of it, and if they had not forfeited it by sin, might have rode masters of it.

lay-tribes, (as I may call them,) care is here taken for a competent provision for the clergy, the tribe of Levi, which ministered in holy things. I. Forty-eight cities were to be assigned them, with their suburbs, some in every tribe, v. 1-8. Six cities out of those were to be for cities of refuge, for any man that killed another unawares, v. 9-15. In the law concerning these, observe. 1. In what cases sanctuary was not allowed, not in case of wilful murder, v. 16-21. 2. In what cases it was allowed, v. 22-24. 3. What was the law concerning those that took shelter in these cities of refuge, v. 25-34.

ND the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains

A of Moab, by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

mine controversies that might arise, and see that all was done fairly.

1. The principal commissioners, who were of the Quorum, were Eleazar and Joshua, v. 17, typifying Christ, who, as Priest and King divides the heavenly Canaan to the spiritual Israel; yet as they were to go by the lot, so Christ acknowledges the disposal must be by the will of the Father, Matt. 20. 23. Compare Eph. 1. 11.

2. Beside these, that there might be no suspicion of partiality, a prince of each tribe was employed to inspect this matter, and to see that the tribe he served for, was by no means injured. Public affairs should be so managed, as not only to give their right to all, but, if possible, to give satisfaction to all that they have right done them. It is a happiness to a land, to have the princes of their people meet together, some out of every tribe, to concert the affairs that are of common concern; a constitution, which is the abundant honour, ease, and safety of the nation that is blessed with it.

Some observe, that the order of the tribes here very much differs from that in which they had hitherto, upon all occasions, been named, and agrees with the neighbourhood of their lots in the division of the land. Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, the three first here named, lay close together; the inheritance of Dan lay next them on one side; that of Ephraim and Manasseh on another side; Zebulun and Issachar lay abreast more northerly; and lastly, Asher and Naphtali most northward of all, as is easy to observe in looking over a map of Canaan; this (says Bishop Patrick) is an evidence that Moses was guided by a divine Spirit in his writings. Known unto God are all his works beforehand, and what is new and surprising to us, he perfectly foresaw, without any confusion or uncertainty.

NOTES TO CHAPTER XXXV.

V. 1-8. The laws about the tithes and offerings had provided very plentifully for the maintenance of the Levites; but it was not to be thought, nor indeed was it for the public good, that when they came to Canaan, they should all live about the tabernacle, as they had done in the wilderness, and therefore care must be taken to provide habitations for them, in which they might live comfortably and usefully. That is it, which is here taken care of.

I. Cities were allotted them with their suburbs, v. 2, they were not to have any ground for tillage; they needed not to sow, or reap, or gather into barns, for their heavenly Father fed them with the tithe of the increase of other people's labours, that they might the more closely attend to the study of the law, and might have more leisure to teach the people; for they were not fed thus casily, that they might live in idleness, but that they V. 16-29. God here appoints commissioners for the dividing might give themselves wholly to the business of their profesof the land to them. The conquest of it is taken for granted, sion, and not be entangled in the affairs of this life. 1. Cities though as yet there was never a stroke struck toward it; here were allotted them, that they might live near together, and is no nomination of the generals and commanders-in-chief that converse with one another about the law, to their mutual edifishould carry on the war; for they were to get the land in pos- cation; and that in doubtful cases they might consult one ansession, not by their own sword or bow, but by the power and other, and in all cases strengthen one another's hands. 2. These favour of God; and so confident must they be of victory and cities had suburbs annexed to them for their cattle, v. 3, a thousuccess while God fought for them, that the persons must now sand cubits from the wall was allowed them for out-housing to be named, who should be intrusted with the dividing of the keep their cattle in, and then two thousand more for fields to land, that is, who should preside in casting the lots, and deter-graze their cattle in, v. 4, 5. Thus was care taken that they

2 Command "the children of Israel, that they | shall give of his cities unto the Levites, according give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their to his inheritance which the inheriteth. possession, cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and. for all their beasts.

4 And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward, a thousand cubits round about.

5 And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and *to them ye shall add forty and two cities.

9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. 13 And of these cities which ye shall give, six cities shall ye have for refuge.

14 Ye shall give three 'cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

15 These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger," and for the sojourner among them; that every one that kille th any person unawares may flee thither.

16 And "if he smite him with an instrument of iron so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer

7 So all the cities which ye shall give to the Le-shall surely be put to death. vites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.

8 And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one

a Josh. 14. 3, 4. 21. 2, &c. Ez. 45. 1, &c. 19. 8, &c. b 2 Chr. 11. 14. c ver. 13, 14. Deut. 4. 41-43. Josh. 20. 2, 9. 21. 3, 13, &c. Ps. 62. 7, 8. Heb. 6. 18. above them ye shall give. d Josh. 21. 41. e Josh. 21.3. fc. 26.54. ↑ they inherit.

should not only live, but live plentifully, and have all desirable conveniences about them, that they might not be looked upon with contempt by their neighbours.

II. These cities were to be assigned them out of the possessions of each tribe, v. 8. 1. That each tribe might thus make a grateful acknowledgment to God out of their real as well as out of their personal estates; for what was given to the Levites, was accepted as given to the Lord; and thus their possessions were sanctified to them. That each tribe might have the benefit of the Levites dwelling among them, to teach them the good knowledge of the Lord; thus that light was diffused through all parts of the country, and none left to sit in darkness, Deut. 33. 10. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments. Jacob's curse on Levi's anger, was, I will scatter them in Israel, Gen. 49. 7. But that curse was turned into a blessing, and the Levites, by being thus scattered, were put into a capacity of doing so much the more good. It is a great mercy to a country to be replenished in all parts with faithful ministers. The number allotted them was forty-eight in all; four out of each of the twelve tribes, one with another. Out of the united tribes of Simeon and Judah nine, out of Naphtali three, and four apiece out of all the rest, as appears, Josh. 21. Thus were they blessed with a good ministry, and that ministry with a comfortable maintenance, not only in tithes, but in glebe-lands. And though the Gospel is not so particular as the law was in this matter, yet it expressly proves that he that is taught in the word, should communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things, Gal. 6. 6.

V. 9-34. We have here the orders given concerning the cities of refuge, fitly annexed to what goes before, because they were all Levites' cities. In this part of the constitution there is a great deal both of good law and pure Gospel.

I. Here is a great deal of good law, in the case of murder and manslaughter, a case which the laws of all nations have taken particular cognizance of. It is here enacted and provided, consonant to natural equity,

17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

18 Or if he smite him with an hand-weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

g Deut. 19. 2. Josh. 20. 2. h Ex. 21. 13. by error. i Deut. 19. 6. Josh. 20. 3 -6. k ver. 6. Deut. 4.41. Josh. 20.8. mc. 15. 16. Lev. 24. 22. n Ex. 21. 12-14. Lev. 24. 17. Deut. 19. 11, 12. § a stone of the hand.

from the blood of the murdered, but by the blood of the murderer, v. 33. If murderers escape punishment from men, they that suffer them to escape will have a great deal to answer for, and God however will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgments. Upon the same principle, it is provided, that no satisfaction should be taken for the life of a murderer, v. 31. If a man would give all the substance of his house to the judges, to the country, or to the avenger of blood, to atone for his crime, it must utterly be contemned. The redemption of the life is so precious, that it cannot be obtained by the multitude of riches, Ps. 49. 7, 8, which perhaps may allude to this law. A rule of law comes in here, (which is a rule of our law in case of treason only,) that no man shall be put to death upon the testimony of one witness, but it was necessary there should be two, v. 30; this law is settled in all capital cases, Deut. 17. 6.-19. 15; and lastly, not only the prosecution, but the execution of the murderer, is committed to the next of kin, who, as he was to be the redeemer of his kinsman's estate if it were mortgaged, so he was to be the avenger of his blood if he were murdered, v. 19; the avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer, if he were convicted by the notorious evidence of the fact, and he needed not to have recourse by a judicial process to the court of judgment. But if it were uncertain who the murderer was, and the proof doubtful, we cannot think that his bare suspicion or surmise would empower him to do that which the judges themselves could not do, but upon the testimony of two witnesses. Only if the fact were plain, then the next heir of the person slain might himself, in a just indignation, slay the murderer wherever he met him. Some think, this must be understood to be after the lawful judgment of the magistrate, and so the Chaldee says; "He shall slay him, when he shall be condemned unto him by judgment;" but it should seem by v. 24, that the judges interposed only in a doubtful case, and that if the person on whom he took vengeance was indeed the murderer, and a wilful murderer, the avenger was innocent, (v. 27,) only if it proved otherwise, it was at his peril. Our law allows an appeal to be brought against a murderer, by the widow, or next heir, of the

upon an indictment; and if the murderer be found guilty upon that appeal, execution shall be awarded at the suit of the appellant, who may properly be called the avenger of blood.

2. But if the murder were not voluntary, nor done designedly, if it were without enmity, or lying in wait, v. 22, not seeing him, or seeking his harm, v. 23, which our law calls chance-medley, or homicide per infortunium-through misfortune, in this case there were cities of refuge appointed for the manslayer to flee to. By our law this incurs a forfeiture of goods, but a pardon is granted of course upon the special matter found. Concerning the cities of refuge the law was,

1. That wilful murder should be punished with death, and in that case no sanctuary should be allowed, no ransom taken, nor any commutation of the punishment accepted; the mur-person murdered, yea, though the murderer have been acquitted derer shall surely be put to death, v. 16. It is supposed to be done of hatred, v. 20, or in enmity, v. 21, upon a sudden provocation, (for our Saviour makes rash anger, as well as malice prepense, to be murder, Matt. 5. 21, 22,) whether the person be murdered with an instrument of iron, v. 16, or wood, v. 18, or with a stone thrown at him, v. 17, 20, nay, if he smite him with his hand in enmity, and death ensue, it is murder, v. 21; and it was an ancient law, consonant to the law of nature, that whoso sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, Gen. 9. 6. Where wrong has been done, restitution must be made; and since the murderer cannot restore the life he has wrongfully taken away, his own must be exacted from him in lieu of it, not (as some have fancied) to satisfy the manes or ghost of a person slain, but to satisfy the law and the justice of a nation, and to be a warning to all others not to do likewise. It is here said, and it is well worthy the consideration of all princes and states, that blood defiles not only the conscience of the murderer, who is thereby proved not to have eternal life abiding in him, 1 John 3. 15, but also the land in which it is shed; so very offensive is it to God and all good men, and the worst of nuisances. And it is added, that the land cannot be cleansed

(1.) That if a man killed another, in these cities he was safe, and under the protection of the law, till he had his trial before the congregation, that is, before the judges in open court. If he neglected thus to surrender himself, it was at his peril; if the avenger of blood met him elsewhere, or overtook him loitering in his way to the city of refuge, and slew him, his blood was upon his own head, because he did not make use of the security which God had provided for him.

(2.) If, upon trial, it were found to be wilful murder, the city of refuge should no longer be a protection to him; it was

19 The 'revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. 20 But if he thrust him of hatred," or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

21 Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die; he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him.

29 So these things shall be for a statute of 'judgment unto you, throughout your generations, in all your dwellings.

30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses :" but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

31 Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death; but he

22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without lay-shall be surely put to death. ing of wait,

23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm;

24 Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

26 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;

27 And the revenger of blood find him without

32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but "by the blood of him that shed it.

34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

CHAPTER XXXVI. ̧

We have in this chapter the determination of another question that arose upon the case of the daughters of Zelophebad. Ged had appointed that they should inherit, ch. 27. 7. Now bere, 1. An inconvenience is suggested, in case they should marry into any other tribe, v. 1-4. II. It is prevented by a divine appointment, that they should marry in their own tribe and family, (v. 5-7,) and this is settled for a rule in like cases, (v. 8, 9;) and they did marry accordingly to some of their own relations, (v. 10–12,) and with this the book concludes, v. 13.

families of the chil

of blood;

28 Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

over. 21, 24, 27. Deut. 19. 6, 12. Josh. 20. 3, 5. p Gen. 4. 5, 8. 2 Sam. 3. 27. 20. 10. 1 Kings 2. 31, 32. Prov. 26. 24. 7 Ex. 21. 14. Deut. 19. 11. Tver. 12. Josh. 20. 6. Ex. 29. 7. Lev, 21. 10. no blood shall be to him. Ex. 22. 2. t c. 27. 11. Deut. 17. 6. 19. 15. Matt. 18. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 1. Heb. 10. 28.

already determined, Ex. 21. 14, Thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

(3.) But if it were found to be by error or accident, and that the stroke was given without any design upon the life of the person slain, or any other; then the manslayer should continue safe in the city of refuge, and the avenger of blood might not meddle with him, v. 25. There he was to remain in banishment from his own house and patrimony, till the death of the high priest; and if at any time he went out of that city, or the suburbs of it, he put himself out of the protection of this law, and the avenger of blood, if he met him, might slay him. v. 2628. Now, [1.] By the preservation of the life of the manslayer, God would teach us that men ought not to suffer for that which is rather their unhappiness than their crime, rather the act of Providence than their own act, for God delivered him into his hand, Ex. 21. 13. [2.] By the banishment of the manslayer from his own city, and his confinement to the city of refuge, where he was in a manner a prisoner, God would teach us to conceive a dread and horror of the guilt of blood, and to be very careful of life, and always afraid, lest, by oversight, or negligence, we occasion the death of any. [3.] By the limiting of the time of the offender's banishment to the death of the high priest, an honour was put upon that sacred office. The high priest was to be looked upon as so great a blessing to his country, that when he died, their sorrow upon that occasion should swallow up all other resentments. The cities of refuge being all of them Levites' cities, and the high priest being the head of that tribe, and consequently having a peculiar dominion over those cities, those that were confined to them might properly be looked upon as his prisoners, and so his death must be their discharge; it was, as it were, at his suit, that the delinquent was imprisoned, and therefore at his death it fell; Actio moritur cum persona— The suit expires with the party. Ainsworth has another notion of it, That, as the high priests, while they lived, by their service and sacrificing made atonement for sin, wherein they figured Christ's satisfaction; so, at their death, those were released that had been exiled for casual murder, which typified redemption in Israel. [4.] By the abandoning of the prisoner to the avenger of blood, in case he at any time went out of the limits of the city of refuge, they were taught to adhere to the methods which infinite wisdom prescribed for their security. It was for the honour of a remedial law, that it should be so strictly observed. How can we expect to be saved, if we neglect the salvation, which is indeed a great salvation?

II. Here is a great deal of good Gospel conched under the type and figure of the cities of refuge; and to them the apostle seems to allude, when he speaks of our flying for refuge to the hope set before us, Heb. 6. 18, and being found in Christ, Phil. 3.9. We never read in the history of the Old Testament, of any use made of those cities of refuge, any more than of other such institutions, which yet, no doubt, were made use of upon the occasions intended; only we read of those, that, in

Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:

2 And they said, The LORD 'commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the chiltfaulty to die. 2 Kings 24. 4. Pa. 106, 38. Mic. 4. 11. Matt. 23. 31-35. 4 there can be no expiation for the land. to Gen. 9.6. Lev. 18. 25. Deut. 21. 23. y Ex. 29. 45, 46. 1 Kings 6. 13. 2 Cor. 6. 16. a c. 26. 29. bc. 26. 55. 33. 54. Josh. 17. 3.

dangerous cases, took hold of the horns of the altar, (1 Kings 1. 50.-2. 28,) for the altar, wherever that stood, was, at it were, the capital city of refuge. But the law concerning these cities was designed both to raise and to encourage the expectations of those who looked for redemption in Israel, which should be to those who were convinced of sin, and in terror by reason of it, as the cities of refuge were to the manslayer. Observe, 1. There were several cities of refuge, and they were so appointed in several parts of the country, that the manslayer, wherever he dwelt in the land of Israel, might in half a day reach one or other of them; so, though there is but one Christ appointed for our Refuge, yet, wherever we are, he is a Refuge at hand, a very present help, for the word is nigh us, and Christ in the word. 2. The manslayer was safe in any of these cities; so in Christ believers that fly to him, and rest in him, are protected from the wrath of God, and the curse of the law. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8. 1. Who shall condemn those that are thus sheltered? 3. They were all Levites' cities; it was a kindness to the poor prisoner, that though he might not go up to the place where the ark was, yet he was in the midst of Levites, who would teach him the good knowledge of the Lord, and instruct him how to improve the providence he was now under. It might also be expected that the Levites would comfort and encourage him, and bid him welcome; so it is the work of Gospel ministers to bid poor sinners welcome to Christ, and to assist and counsel those that through grace are in him. 4. Even strangers and sojourners, though they were not native Israelites, might take the benefit of these cities of refuge, v. 15. So in Christ Jesus no difference is made between Greek and Jew, even the sons of the stranger that by faith fly to Christ, shall be safe in him. 5. Even the suburbs or borders of the city were a sufficient security to the offender, v. 26, 27. So there is virtue, even in the hem of Christ's garment, for the healing and saving of poor sinners. If we cannot reach to a full assurance, we may comfort ourselves in a good hope through grace. 6. The protection which the manslayer found in the city of refuge, was not owing to the strength of its walls, or gates, or bars, but purely to the divine appointment; so it is the word of the Gospel that gives souls safety in Christ; for him hath God the Father sealed. 7. If the offender was ever caught straggling out of the borders of his city of refuge, or stealing home to his own house again, he lost the benefit of his protection, and lay exposed to the avenger of blood; so those that are in Christ, must abide in Christ, for it is at their peril if they forsake him, and wander from him. Drawing back is to perdition.

NOTES TO CHAPTER XXXVI.

V. 1-4. We have here the humble address, which the beads of the tribe of Manasseh made to Moses and the princes, on occasion of the order lately made concerning the daughters of Zelophehad. The family they belonged to was part of that