15 Moses gave, &c.) That which he seemed to have spoken clearly enough, now he prosecuteth more distinctly, not only that the reading thereof might provoke the people to give thanks, while the benefit of God shall be registered in the public monuments, and as it were conversant before their eyes: but also, that every one might enjoy their inheritance without trouble or strife. We know how witty the covetousness of men is, to invent pretences of going to law: that no mans right might remain quietly unto him, except a clear and perfect definition of every mans right should take away all controversies. That region was given them without lot. The rest might have objected, because even measure was not kept, that inequality must be corrected. Therefore, that no untimely strife should ever trouble their peace, the bounds are set in all places ⟨image 71⟩by Gods authority, and as it were hedged in, to cut away all contentions. For God doeth not only by one word adjudge the whole kingdom of Sihon to the tribe of Reuben: but draweth the uttermost border from Aroer, to the river Arnon, and so in all the compass doth either restrain them, or enlarge them, that the possession of one acre should not be in doubt. And how profitable so exact a description was, we may know by profane histories, where often times we may see, not only hateful, but also hurtful contentions have arisen between neighbours about their marches. Moreover, this diligence which God disdained not to use, to provide for his people, that they might continue in peace one with another, doth verily declare his fatherly love, because he omitted nothing, that might be profitable for their quietness. And surely, if provision had not been made in time, they would have been consumed by civil and intestine contentions. Once again I would have the readers excuse me, if I labour not carefully, in describing the situation of the cities, & am not curious in the names. Yea I could well abide that some names should be taken appellatively, and so translated, which otherwise I have thought good to leave in their own tongue, as proper names.
15 Moses gaue, &c.) That which he seemed to haue spoken clerely enough, nowe he prosecuteth more distinctly, not onely that the reading thereof might prouoke the people to geue thankes, while the benefite of God shalbe registred in the publike monumentes, and as it were conuersant before their eyes: but also, that euerie one might enioy their inheritaunce without trouble or strife. We knowe how wittie the couetousnesse of men is, to inuent pretenses of going to lawe: that no mans right might remaine quietly vnto him, except a cleere and perfect definition of euerie mans right should take away all controuersies. That region was geuen them without lot. The rest might haue obiected, because euen measure was not kept, that inequalitie must be corrected. Therefore, that no vntimely strife shoulde euer trouble their peace, the boundes are set in all places ⟨image 71⟩by Gods authoritie, and as it were hedged in, to cutte away all contentions. For God doeth not onely by one worde adiudge the whole kingdome of Sihon to the tribe of Ruben: but draweth the vttermost border from Aroer, to the riuer Arnon, and so in all the compasse doth either restraine them, or enlarge them, that the possession of one acre should not be in doubt. And howe profitable so exact a description was, we may knowe by prophane histories, where often times we may see, not onely hatefull, but also hurtfull contentions haue arisen betweene neighbours about their marches. Moreouer, this diligence which God disdained not to vse, to prouide for his people, that they might continue in peace one with another, doth verily declare his fatherly loue, because he omitted nothing, that might be profitable for their quietnesse. And surely, if prouision had not beene made in time, they would haue bene consumed by ciuil and intestine contentions. Once againe I would haue the readers excuse me, if I labour not carefully, in describing the situation of the cities, & am not curious in the names. Yea I could well abide that some names shuld be taken appellatiuely, and so translated, which otherwise I haue thought good to leaue in their owne tongue, as proper names.
