Sermons upon Deuteronomy

It followeth that Gad saw that he had a portion of the Lawmaker hidden, and yet nevertheless that he should go with the Princes, to execute Gods Justice and Judgement. Moses rehearseth that which was already come to pass concerning the tribe of Gad, and excuseth them for desiring to have their portion beyond the Jordan, that is to wit the country of Og king of Bashan, and whatsoever else had been conquered before the death of Moses. It might seem that in this case the two tribes of Gad and Reuben were to be condemned, for their overhasty eagerness in desiring to have partition made afore the people were come into the Land of promise. But yet doth God allow of it, with condition that they should require that partition. And how was that? That Country had else lien desert, and had served to no purpose. Hereupon the two tribes alleged that they had great store of cattle, and that the said country was a Country of very good pasture, so as they might leave their wives and children there, and not be in charge with the whole host. Again they alleged that in the mean while their cattle should prosper,¹ & the Country be inhabited. As touching their own persons, they offered to go with the rest of the people, and to die there rather than not to discharge their duty in the right of brotherhood. Moses then excuseth the request made by the tribe of Gad that they might dwell beyond Jordan, and have their portion and inheritance there. Therefore he saith, That they had a hidden Portion of the Lawgiver, [or at the Lawgivers hand]. This text hath commonly been expounded thus; He saw that this should be the grave of Moses the Lawgiver: but that is overcold & not worthy to be spoken of, notwithstanding that some stick unto it. And why? Because we should be never the surer of the sense, which yet notwithstanding is as fit as any can be. For to what end is the excuse of Moses comprised here? namely that he should have a portion at Gods hand in that Country. As if he should say, that Gad was led by good discretion, when he desired his dwelling place beyond Jordan. If a man should reply, How so? Was it not Gods will to reserve the distributing of the inheritances to his people by the hand of Joshua? And again, was it meet that the Country should have bin conquered afore? But that was not done:

It followeth that Gad sawe that he had a portion of the Lawemaker hidden, and yet neuerthelesse that he should goe with the Princes, to execute Gods Iustice and Iudgement. Moses rehearseth that which was alreadie come to passe concerning the tribe of Gad, and excuseth them for desyring to haue their portion beyonde the Iordan, that is to wit the countrey of Og king of Basan, and whatsoeuer else had beene conquered before the death of Moses. It might seeme that in this case the two tribes of Gad and Ruben were to bee condemned, for their ouerhastie eagernesse in desiring to haue partition made afore the people were come into the Lande of promise. But yet doth God allowe of it, with condition that they should require that partition. And how was that? That Countrey had else lyen deserte, and had serued to no purpose. Heereupon the two tribes alleaged that they had great store of cattell, and that the sayde countrey was a Countrey of very good pasture, so as they might leaue their wiues and children there, and not be in charge with the whole hoste. Againe they alleaged that in the meane while their cattell should prosper,