LIBERTY, Freedom, is likewise applicable to People living according to their own Laws, without Dependance on any other. The Kings of Syria, after they had a long Time persecuted the Jews, at last granted them Liberty, when Simon Maccabæus was 1 Macc. xiv. 26.High Priest: Statuerunt eis Libertatem, they suffered them to live according to the Law of Moses, and freed them from Tributes and other Services, which before they paid to the Kingdom of Syria: Jerusalem sanctam esse & liberam, 1 Macc. xv. 6.
Domus libera, an House separated from the Commerce of other Men. King Azariah being smitten with a Leprosy, was separated from the rest of Mankind, and reduced to the Condition of a private Person. 1 Reg. xv. 5. Psalm lxxxvii. 6. במתים חפשי כמו חללים שכבי קבר תהליםHabitavit in domo liberâ seorsum.
The Psalmist says, that he is as one destitute of all Help, free among the dead, Inter mortuos liber. This is explained of Jesus Christ, who descended into Hell, and was all the while perfectly at Liberty to come from thence, and deliver those who were detained there. Or it may be understood of our Saviour shut up in the Grave, and nevertheless having it absolutely in his Power to issue forth from thence when he pleased by his Resurrection. The Hebrew may be translated thus: I am as these dead John viii. 33.Men of Liberty, like those who are dead of their Wounds, and sleeping in the Grave; or otherwise, like those Men of Liberty, those ancient Heroes, who boasted of Liberty and Independency, and are nevertheless dead of their Wounds, and asleep in the Grave.