If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
Ver. 25. If one man sin against another.] The magistrate or umpire may compose the difference in such a case, and piece them together again, if they be not implacable, and if their hearts be not bigger than their suits.
But if a man sin against the Lord,] i.e., Directly in things concerning his service, and purposely to offend him. Lev 15:30 Saul killed the priests to be avenged on the Lord, who had set up David.
Who shall intreat for him?] Who shall be his daysman? Quid ergo si iacerdos ipse peccet? &c. What then if the priest himself, whose office is to offer sacrifice, and to intercede for others, fall into foul offences, as Cyprian a gravely argueth, since the means of atonement is thereby perverted and taken away? I read not in Scripture of a hypocrite's conversion; and what wonder? for whereas after sin, conversion is left as a means to cure all other sins, what means to recover him who hath converted conversion itself into sin?
Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father.] Who should therefore have thrust them out of the priesthood, as the father of Marcion, a godly bishop, expelled him from the Church for fornication.
Because the Lord would slay them.] God withdrew his grace from them, and gave them up to a hard heart that could not repent, that they might perish in their corruptions. This text then maketh nothing at all for the Novatians, who denied pardon to the penitent. b These sinners against their own souls perished by their pertinacy, or rather obstinacy in wicked practices.
a Lib. i. epist. 3.
b Amb., lib. i. De Paenit., cap. 8.