21 Then answered, &c.) The state of the cause standeth upon definition. For the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, excuse the matter, that they had an other purpose and intent, and so the crime is wiped away: because the quality of the fact is otherwise than the rest did take it. But whereas they make no stir, nor move any contention, for the injury that was offered unto them, it is an example of rare modesty, which is set forth for us to follow, that if it happen at any time, that that which is rightly & well done of us, be blamed falsely and unjustly by them that are unskilful, it may suffice us to confute the reprehension in such sort, as we may be purged of the crime supposed. But that they may purchase unto themselves the greater credit, and better testify their innocency, with a most weighty obtestation they reject and detest that heinous wickedness, whereof they were suspected. Also the repetition is not without great weight, (The Lord the God of gods, the Lord the God of gods,) with which vehemency also they confirm, how faithfully they desire to continue in the doctrine of the law, and how greatly they abhor all contrary superstitions. But because their purpose was not known to men, and according to every mans head was expounded in diverse sentences and opinions: therefore they appeal to the judgment of God, & offer themselves to suffer punishment, if he know they have attempted any thing of evil purpose or intent. And that they may prove themselves to be unlike to hypocrites, which with devilish impudency will not stick an hundred times ⟨image 100⟩to call upon God to be their Judge, when their conscience never thelesse doeth accuse them within, they do not only pretend their conscience, but also do pronounce, that all the people shall be witness: as if they said, It shall be found manifest in deed, that it came never in their thought, to invent a new worship of God: and they do rightly interpret, how that altar should have been unlawful, namely, if they had determined to offer their sacrifices upon it. For the law did not simply condemn heaps of stones:
21 Then answeared, &c.) The state of the cause standeth vpon definition. For the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse, excuse the matter, that they had an other purpose and intent, and so the crime is wiped away: because the qualitie of the fact is otherwise than the rest did take it. But whereas they make no stirre, nor moue any contention, for the iniurie that was offered vnto them, it is an example of rare modestie, which is sette forth for vs to followe, that if it happen at any time, that that which is rightly & well done of vs, be blamed falsly and vniustly by them that are vnskillfull, it may suffice vs to confute the reprehension in such sorte, as we may be purged of the crime supposed. But that they may purchase vnto themselues the greater credit, and better testifie their innocencie, with a most weightie obtestation they reiect and detest that heynous wickednes, whereof they were suspected. Also the repetition is not without great weight, (The Lord the God of gods, the Lord the God of gods,) with which vehemencie also they confirme, how faithfully they desire to continue in the doctrine of the lawe, and how greatly they abhore all contrarie superstitions. But because their purpose was not knowne to men, and according to euery mans heade was expounded in diuerse sentences and opinions: therefore they appeale to the iudgment of God, & offer themselues to suffer punishment, if he knowe they haue attempted any thing of euill purpose or intent. And that they may proue themselues to be vnlike to hypocrites, which with diuelish impudencie will not sticke an hundred times ⟨image 100⟩to call vpon God to be their Iudge, when their conscience neuer thelesse doeth accuse them within, they doe not onely pretende their conscience, but also doe pronounce, that all the people shalbe witnesse: as if they saide, It shalbe founde manifest in deede, that it came neuer in their thought, to inuent a newe worshippe of God: and they doe rightly interprete, howe that altar shoulde haue bene vnlawefull, namely, if they had determined to offer their sacrifices vpon it. For the lawe did not simply condemne heapes of stones:
