Ver. 1. And his inheritance,] i.e., Whatsoever by the law belonged to the Lord, as decimae Deo sacrae, &c.
Ver. 4. The firstfruits also.] Pliny tells us, that among the Romans also no man might taste of his own corn, wine, or other fruits, priusquam Sacerdotes primitias libassent, till the priests had offered the firstfruits, and made their use of them. Plin., Hist., lib. xviii.
Ver. 6. With all the desire of his mind.] To do God better service. A good heart holds the best he can do, but a little of that much that he could gladly give the Lord, and is still devising what to do more. (Psalms 116:12)
Ver. 8. Besides that.] He shall not maintain himself of his own private stock, but live of the holy things of the temple.
Ver. 10. That maketh his son.] [See Trapp on “Le 18:21”]
Ver. 11. Or a necromancer.] Bellarmine and other Papists play the necromancers, when they would prove a Purgatory from the apparitions of spirits, that tell of themselves or others there tormented.
Ver. 13. Thou shalt be perfect.] [See Trapp on “Mt 5:48”] In the original there is a bigger tau than ordinary in the word Tamim, rendered perfect, to show, say Hebricians, that we must keep the whole law of God from the first letter thereof to the last— tau is the last letter of the alphabet—and this we must do constantly to the very last, and with the whole man. But how can this be done otherwise than by running to Christ, and in an evangelical way? In sincerity and integrity we must hate such wicked persons, even as God also hateth them. (Psalms 139:21-24) [Hebrew Text Note]
Ver. 14. Hath not suffered thee so to do.] He hath showed thee a more excellent way, and kept thee from these devoratory evils, as Tertullian calleth them; so ordering the matter, that “that evil one toucheth them not” with any deadly touch. (1 John 5:18) For either he suffers not his to be tempted above strength, (1 Corinthians 10:13) or else he withholds the occasion, when temptation hath prevailed to procure consent and purpose, &c.
Ver. 15. Like unto me.] Both in the participation of nature and of office: a true man, and a true Mediator. Similes they are, but not pares: Christ being “worthy of more glory than Moses,” and why, see Hebrews 3:3-6 7:22 9:15.
Ver. 18. And he shall speak unto them.] Christ is that palmoni hammedabbar (Daniel 10:5,6) that excellent speaker that spake with authority, and so as never man spake, being “mighty in word and deed.” See my “True Treasure,” p. 1.
Ver. 22. Thou shalt not be afraid.] Though he speak “great swelling words of vanity,” (2 Peter 2:18) millstones and thunderbolts, as Hacket here did. Camden’s Elisab., fol. 403.