Then shalt thou inquire, make search, and ask
diligently
That is, of the witnesses, as the Targum of Jonathan; and this is
a case that is only taken into consideration and judged of by the
great sanhedrim, or that of seventy one, at Jerusalem F15; and
the method they took was this, when it fell under their
cognizance: the great sanhedrim send and inquire and search till
they know clearly that the whole city, or the greater part of it,
are thrust away, and are turned to idolatry; after that they send
two disciples of the wise men to admonish them and bring them
back; if they return and repent, it is well, but if they continue
in their folly, the sanhedrim order all Israel to go up against
them to war, and they besiege them, and set themselves in battle
array against them, until the city be broken up; and when it is
broken up, immediately they set up many courts of judicature, and
they judge them; and against whomsoever two witnesses come that
he served idols, after they have admonished him they separate
him; if all the worshippers be the fewest, they stone them, and
the rest of the city are delivered; if they are found the greater
number, they bring them to the great sanhedrim, and finish their
judgment there, and they slay all those that have served with the
sword:
and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing
certain;
that such wicked men have risen and have prevailed upon the
inhabitants of the city where they live, to leave the worship of
the true God, and go into idolatry, when there is full proof of
this, and it is past all question that
such abomination is wrought among you;
as idolatry is, which is an abomination to God, and ought to be
so to all mankind, and especially to a people that profess his
name.