Wherefore▪ as in a doubtful matter, I conjecture, that they gave not over circumcision from the first day of their departure out of Egypt: but only since that time, that for their stubbornness they were drawn backward. And by this reason is expressed, both their falling away, and their punishment. For it is not said, that they were circumcised again, for that in their wandering through the wilderness it behoved them oftentimes to change their place: but because forty years must be expired, till those wicked backsliders were consumed, which wilfully rejected the promised inheritance: Therefore this cause must be well marked, that the children of Israel wandered over the wilderness, until all that generation was abolished, which refused to follow God: Whereupon, in my judgement, we may gather, that in token of Gods curse, and their rejection, the use of circumcision ceased all that time. It is true that this punishment was laid upon the innocent children: but yet it was profitable that their parents should be punished in their person: as if God from that time forward, had forsaken them. Therefore, when they saw, that their children differed nothing from the profane and unholy strangers, ⟨p. 23⟩they might easily see thereby, what they them selves had deserved. Yet hereof seemeth to grow an absurdity: First, that when they were condemned, soon after they were taken to favour: And secondly, because hope of pardon was also left for them: And especially, because they were not deprived of other sacraments, of which they might not be partakers, if they had not been separated from the profane nations. I confess in deed, that God, in forsaking of them, doth also testify that he will be merciful to their children: but yet it was a profitable correction for them, to see the sign of their rejection in their children, until they were all brought to naught. For God withdrew this pledge of his grace but for a time, and kept it as it were laid up with himself, until they were all dead. Wherefore this punishment was not laid properly upon their children, which were borne afterward, but the suspension from it, was of like force, as if God should have openly declared, that he deferred their circumcision, least it should be profaned and unhallowed, until the due time came, in which it should be renewed.
Wherefore▪ as in a doubtfull matter, I coniecture, that they gaue not ouer circumcision from the first day of their departure out of Egypt: but onely since that time, that for their stubbernesse they were drawen backeward. And by this reason is expressed, both their falling away, and their punishment. For it is not sayed, that they were circumcised agayne, for that in their wandering through the wildernesse it behoued them oftentimes to chaunge their place: but because fourtie yeares must be expired, till those wicked backsliders were consumed, which wilfully reiected the promised inheritance: Therfore this cause must be well marked, that the children of Israel wandered ouer the wildernesse, vntill all that generation was abolished, which refused to followe God: Wherevpon, in my iudgement, we may gather, that in token of Gods curse, and their reiection, the vse of circumcision ceased all that time. It is true that this punishment was laid vpon the innocent children: but yet it was profitable that their parentes should be punished in their person: as if God frō that time forward, had forsaken them. Therefore, when they sawe, that their children differed nothing from the prophane and vnholie straungers, ⟨p. 23⟩they might easily see thereby, what they them selues had deserued. Yet hereof seemeth to growe an absurditie: First, that when they were condemned, soone after they were taken to fauour: And secondly, because hope of pardon was also left for them: And especially, because they were not depriued of other sacramentes, of which they might not be partakers, if they had not bene separated from the prophane nations. I confesse in deede, that God, in forsaking of them, doth also testifie that he will be mercifull to their children: but yet it was a profitable correction for them, to see the signe of their reiection in their children, vntill they were all brought to naught. For God withdrew this pledge of his grace but for a time, and kept it as it were laid vp with himselfe, vntill they were all dead. Wherefore this punishment was not laid properly vpon their children, which were borne afterwarde, but the suspension from it, was of like force, as if God shoulde haue openly declared, that he deferred their circumcision, least it should be prophaned and vnhallowed, vntill the due time came, in which it should be renewed.
