In continuation of Matthew Henry's commentary of Ex 22:18, Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
II. A law which makes witchcraft a capital crime, v. 18. Witchcraft not only gives that honour to the devil which is due to God
alone, but bids defiance to the divine Providence, wages war with God’s government, and puts his work into the devil’s hand,
expecting him to do good and evil, and so making him indeed the god of this world; justly therefore was it punished with
death, especially among a people that were blessed with a divine revelation, and cared for by divine Providence above any
people under the sun. By our law, consulting, covenanting with, invocating, or employing, any evil spirit, to any intent
whatsoever, and exercising any enchantment, charm, or sorcery, whereby hurt shall be done to any person whatsoever, is made
felony, without benefit of clergy; also pretending to tell where goods lost or stolen may be found, or the like, is an iniquity
punishable by the judge, and the second offence with death. The justice of our law herein is supported by the law of God
recorded here. - Matthew Henry
Chris |
