sixe cities of refuge] Before that there were Cities of refuge, it is like the Tabernacle was a place of refuge, and afterward the Temple, especially the Altar, Exodus 21:14. but they were to yeeld no refuge to a wilfull murderer, who was by force (if he took Sanctuary there) to be plucked thence, as Joab was, 1 Kings 2:31. but for securitie to the unwitting and unwilling man slayer. man-slayer] There was no Citie of refuge for any other offender but a manslayer; whereof the reason may be, because bloud-shed is pursued (especially by those who are of the same flesh and bloud with the man slaine) with most violent and bloudy revenge, without taking leasure to consider the fault as well as the fact, and the degree of it, whether it deserve to be punished with death or no: The man-slayer here allowed a place of protection is such an one as slew another ignorantly and against his will, vers. 11. 15. of this Chapter, and Joshua 20:3. to keepe him from the rage of the pursuer, untill his cause may judicially be heard; and the pursuer was he who was next of kinne to the slaine man; who, if the slayer were condemned to death, was to doe or to see execution done upon him, vers. 19. But in what Citie should he be tried? some thinke in the City whither he hath betaken himselfe for refuge; but it is more probable to be in the City where the man was killed, or in that which was next to the place of slaughter, whither he was to be brought with a sufficient guard, and his cause heard before all the people, vers. 12. and if he were found guilty of witting and wilfull murder, he was to be given up into the hands of the next kindred of the slaine man, to be put to death; if he were cleared of so grosse a guilt, he was to be returned to the Citie of refuge, from whence he was brought, and there to continue untill the High-priests death, before which time if he were taken out of his Citie by the avenger of bloud, (the slain mans living kinsman) he might be slaine.