1 And the lot, &c.) I have showed before, that in setting out the situation of the places, & searching out the reason of their names, I would not be curious, partly because I confess, that I am not so exercised in the knowledge of Topography or Chorography, partly because of great labour bestowed therein, small fruit would come to the readers. Yea, peradventure the greatest part of men should take pain without any profit. But to the purpose, we must note, that the lot of the tribe of Judah, doeth not only fall in a high place, that the very height of the region might commend the dignity of the kingdom that should be therein: but because the name of that tribe, doeth first come forth, as a foreshowing of the same matter. They begin to divide that which was already conquered by war. The names of the ten tribes are cast into a pot. Judah is preferred before all the rest. Who seeth not, that he is lifted up into the highest degree, that the prophecy of Jacob might be fulfilled? Now, within these bounds, which are here set down, it is well known, that there were goodly pastures, noble and fruitful vines. Thus, when the lot doeth answer to the prophecy of Jacob, it is manifest, that it fell not by chance: and that the holy Patriarch did pronounce that, which was delivered to him by the spirit of God. They that are skilful of the places, may with more pleasure and profit inquire more of them. But that the ruder sort be not grieved to read unknown names, let them think, that it is well worth their labour, if they do remember, that short sum which I have touched, namely, that the tribe of Judah is lifted up on high, that it may be seen aloft above the rest, until the sceptre do arise from thence: and secondly, that a region fruitful of vines and pastures is assigned to him: moreover, that all the people might acknowledge, that his lo fell not by chance, which was foreshowed three hundred years before. Furthermore, of the large and manifold compass of the places, the unlearned sort may easily gather, that it was a great province, which was assigned by lot to that one tribe. For, although some diminution happened afterward, yet they had always the largest dominion.
1 And the lot, &c.) I haue shewed before, that in setting out the situation of the places, & searching out the reason of their names, I would not be curious, partly because I confesse, that I am not so exercised in the knowlege of Topographie or Chorographie, partly because of great laboure bestowed therein, small fruite would come to the readers. Yea, peraduenture the greatest parte of men should take paine without any profite. But to the purpose, we must note, that the lot of the tribe of Iuda, doeth not onely fall in a high place, that the verie hight of the region might commend the dignitie of the kingdome that should be therein: but because the name of that tribe, doeth first come forth, as a foreshewing of the same matter. They beginne to diuide that which was alredie conquered by warre. The names of the tenne tribes are cast into a potte. Iuda is preferred before all the rest. Who seeth not, that he is lifted vp into the highest degree, that the prophesie of Iacob might be fulfilled? Now, within these boundes, which are here set downe, it is well knowen, that there were goodly pastures, noble and fruitefull vines. Thus, when the lot doeth answere to the prophesie of Iacob, it is manifest, that it fell not by chaunce: and that the holie Patriarch did pronounce that, which was deliuered to him by the spirit of God. They that are skilfull of the places, may with more pleasure and profite inquire more of them. But that the ruder sorte be not greeued to reade vnknowne names, let them thinke, that it is well worth their laboure, if they doe remember, that short summe which I haue touched, namely, that the tribe of Iuda is lifted vp on high, that it may be seene alofte aboue the rest, vntill the scepter doe arise from thence: and secondly, that a region fruitfull of vines and pastures is assigned to him: moreouer, that all the people might acknowledge, that his loe fell not by chaunce, which was foreshewed three hundred yeres before. Furthermore, of the large and manifold compasse of the places, the vnlearned sorte may easily gather, that it was a great prouince, which was assigned by lot to that one tribe. For, although some diminution happened afterward, yet they had alwaies the largest dominion.
