30 When Phinehas, &c.) Phinehas and the Ambassadors do rightly temper their zeal, while they do not frowardly persist, nor urge the prejudice which they had conceived, but gently and willingly do admit their excuse. For many there are, which if they be offended and exasperated with any matter, there is no defence that can pacify them, but they will always find out somewhat, which they may maliciously and unjustly carp and find fault with all, rather than they will seem to gene place to reason. And this example is worthy to be noted, that if at any time we be offended before we have known a matter throughly, we may take heed of frowardness: but rather that we may •eve place immediately to equity and right. Moreover, that the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, are found clear from this heinous offence, Phinehas and the Ambassadors do ascribe it to the grace of God. For by these words, (We know that the Lord is in the middest of us,) they signify, that God hath been merciful unto them, and hath had a care of their health and preservation. Which is to be marked diligently: for there upon again it is gathered, that we never decline altogether from God, or fall away unto impiety, except he forsake us, and being forsaken doth cast us into a reprobate mind. Therefore, all idolatry doth show, that God was estranged from them before, that by just exc•cation & blinding of them, he might take punishment of their wickedness. In the mean time we must note this, that we do no longer continue in godliness, than God is present with us, and holdeth us up with his hand, and confirmeth us with the virtue of his spirit unto continuance and perseverance. Phinehas and the ⟨image 101⟩Ambassadors say they were delivered by the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh: because the vengeance of God is no more to be feared, when all suspicion of wickedness is purged. At the length, the like equity & humanity showeth it self in the whole people: for they received gladly the defence of their brethren, and gave thanks unto God, that he had preserved his people from such an heinous offence. And although they were suddenly set one fire, yet they depart with quiet minds.
30 When Phinees, &c.) Phinees and the Embassadours doe rightly temper their zeale, while they doe not frowardly persist, nor vrge the preiudice which they had conceiued, but gently and willingly doe admitte their excuse. For many there are, which if they be offended and exasperated with any matter, there is no defence that can pacifie them, but they will alwayes find out somewhat, which they may maliciously and vniustly carpe and finde fault with all, rather than they will seeme to gene place to reason. And this example is worthie to be noted, that if at any time we be offended before we haue knowne a matter throughly, we may take heede of frowardnesse: but rather that we may •eue place immediatly to equitie and right. Moreouer, that the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse, are found cleare from this heynous offence, Phinees and the Embassadours doe ascribe it to the grace of God. For by these wordes, (We knowe that the Lord is in the middest of vs,) they signifie, that God hath bene mercifull vnto them, and hath had a care of their health and preseruation. Which is to be marked diligently: for there vpon againe it is gathered, that we neuer decline altogether from God, or fall away vnto impietie, except he forsake vs, and being forsaken doth cast vs into a reprobate minde. Therefore, all idolatrie doth shew, that God was estraunged from them before, that by iust exc•cation & blinding of them, he might take punishment of their wickednesse. In the meane time we must note this, that we doe no longer continue in godlinesse, than God is present with vs, and holdeth vs vp with his hande, and confirmeth vs with the vertue of his spirite vnto continuance and perseuerance. Phinees and the ⟨image 101⟩Embassadours say they were deliuered by the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse: because the vengeaunce of God is no more to be feared, when all suspicion of wickednesse is purged. At the length, the like equitie & humanitie sheweth it selfe in the whole people: for they receiued gladly the defence of their brethren, and gaue thankes vnto God, that he had preserued his people from such an heynous offence. And although they were soudeinly set one fire, yet they depart with quiet mindes.
