‏ Deuteronomy 22

* Of humanity towards brethren. (1-4) Various precepts. (5-12)

Against impurity. (13-30)

1-4 If we duly regard the golden rule of "doing to others as we

would they should do unto us," many particular precepts might be

omitted. We can have no property in any thing that we find.

Religion teaches us to be neighbourly, and to be ready to do all

good offices to all men. We know not how soon we may have

occasion for help. 5-12 God's providence extends itself to the smallest affairs,

and his precepts do so, that even in them we may be in the fear

of the Lord, as we are under his eye and care. Yet the tendency

of these laws, which seem little, is such, that being found

among the things of God's law, they are to be accounted great

things. If we would prove ourselves to be God's people, we must

have respect to his will and to his glory, and not to the vain

fashions of the world. Even in putting on our garments, as in

eating or in drinking, all must be done with a serious regard to

preserve our own and others' purity in heart and actions. Our

eye should be single, our heart simple, and our behaviour all of

a piece. 13-30 These and the like regulations might be needful then, and

yet it is not necessary that we should curiously examine

respecting them. The laws relate to the seventh commandment,

laying a restraint upon fleshly lusts which war against the

soul.