5 We must note three things in this place: that GOD exercised the patience of his servant, because after that he had brought him out of his own country, he dwelt in the land of Canaan as a stranger. For Abraham possessed not one foots breadth, save only that which he bought to bury in. And that is counted no possession which serveth not for the uses of this life. Secondly forasmuch as that field was bought, Steven doth for good causes say, that God gave Abraham nothing. For that could not be gotten either with money, or by any other means which man could invent, which Abraham did hope for of the promise. Secondly we must note, that though God did not show Abraham the thing it self as yet, yet did he uphold him by his word. And this is our stay, when God promiseth that that is laid up for us, which as yet we possess not. Therefore when as the thing, that is the possession of the land was wanting, Abraham had for his help and stay the promise of God: and being content with the same alone, he desired nothing in the land of Canaan ⟨p. 141⟩save only an uncertain resting place wherein he might sojourn. For as much as epaggellesthai signifieth simply to promise. I thought there was no cause, why with Erasmus I should translate it in this place, to promise again. For I resolve it adversatively. Although he had promised, that by the way we may note as it were a show of deceiving, unless peradventure some man be disposed to apply it unto the promises which are often times repeated. Thirdly we must note that the promise was such that it did not much differ from a mere mock. God promised the land to the seed of Abraham when he was fourscore years old, and had to wife one that was barren, neither had he any hope to have any issue. This seemeth to be more than frivolous. For why doeth he not rather promise that he will give him seed? but this was a notable trial of faith, in that Abraham without asking any question, or any curious disputation, did obediently and meekly embrace that which he had hard proceed out of the mouth of the Lord. Therefore let us remember that God doeth so lift up and comfort his servant with his word, that he doth not only defer the giving of the thing, but also he may seem after a sort to mock him:1 as he dealeth with us also in some respect.
5 Wee must note three things in this place: that GOD exercised the patience of his seruant, because after that hee had brought him out of his owne countrie, he dwelt in the land of Chanaan as a stranger. For Abraham possessed not one footes breadth, saue onely that which hee bought to burie in. And that is counted no possession which serueth not for the vses of this life. Secōdly forasmuch as that field was bought, Steuen doth for good causes say, that God gaue Abraham nothing. For that could not be gotten either with money, or by any other meanes which man could inuent, which Abrahā did hope for of the promise. Secondlie we must note, that though God did not shew Abraham the thing it selfe as yet, yet did he vpholde him by his worde. And this is our stay, when God promiseth that that is laid vp for vs, which as yet wee possesse not. Therefore when as the thing, that is the possession of the land was wanting, Abraham had for his help and stay the promise of God: and being content with the same alone, hee desired nothing in the land of Chanaan ⟨p. 141⟩saue only an vncerteine resting place wherin he might soiourne. For as much as epaggellesthai signifieth simplie to promise. I thought there was no cause, why with Erasmus I should translate it in this place, to promise againe. For I resolue it aduersatiuely. Althogh he had promised, that by the way we may note as it were a shew of deceiuing, vnlesse peraduē ture some man be disposed to apply it vnto the promises which are oftē times repeated. Thirdly we must note that the promise was such that it did not much differ from a meere mocke. God promised the land to the seed of Abraham when he was fourescore yeres old, and had to wife one that was barrē, neither had he any hope to haue any issue. This seemeth to be more thā friuolous. For why doeth he not rather promise that hee will giue him seed? but this was a notable trial of faith, in that Abraham without asking any question, or any curious disputation, did obediently and meekly imbrace that which he had hard proceed out of the mouth of the Lord. Therefore let vs remember that God doeth so lift vppe and comfort his seruant with his worde, that he doth not onely deferre the giuing of the thing, but also he may seeme after a sort to mock him:1 as he dealeth with vs also in some respect.
- 1Jam. 2.5.Iam. 2.5.
