Certaine plaine, briefe, and comfortable notes vpon euerie chapter of Genesis Gathered and laid downe for the good of them that are not able to vse better helpes, and yet carefull to read the worde, and right heartilie desirous to taste the sweete of it. By the Reuerend Father Geruase Babington, Bishop of Landaph.

Chap. 36. (Book 36)

THe principall matter of this Chapter, is the progenie and ofspring of Esau, in the obseruation whereof diuers good things may be noted, respected no doubt of the spirit of God, when hee caused it to bee written. As first it showeth the trueth of Gods promise made concerning Esau,* 1.1 chap. 25. ver. 23. and elsewhere, and yeel∣deth vs this sweete comfort, that if the Lorde be so sure to them, that are not of his household and familie, but hated as Esau was, how assured may wee be, that hee will neuer fayle vs in any thing promised, except he fayle to be God.

2 When it is sayde that Esau remooued his dwelling, and gaue Iacob roome,* 1.2 were it of fauour, or were it for other profita∣ble respects in the world to him, we may well note the ouerruling power and prouidence of the almightie for his euer.* 1.3 Had they li∣ued together, being both so great, as the 7. verse noteth, in all likelyhood quarrels would haue growne, and perrillous conten∣tions. Esau was mightie, fierce and irreligious, and what con∣science such men make, to wrong and wringe a good man, the world yet sheweth too much. All this, God preuenteth in mercy to his Iacob, and maketh Esau giue place. Cast we our care then vpon God, and labour to be his, we shall euer bee cared for.

3 Their riches were so great, that they could not dwell together (saith the text) that they could not dwell together,* 1.4 and the land wherin they were strangers could not receiue their flockes.* 1.5 Let neuer then filthy feare to want in this world, what may be good for vs: wound our soules with distrust in God. The beasts of the field, the foules of the ayre and the fishes of the Sea, be all his, yea the whole earth, and all that is therein is his, as the Psalme sayth. If to Iacob and Esau hee be able to giue such

wealth, when went his powerfull might from him, that hee can∣not do it againe to you, to me, to whom soeuer his good pleasure is and shalbe. If in a straunge country their flockes be so many, let my soule neuer dispaire for place, but dwell where the Lorde appointeth, and with beleeuing heart remember such examples as this. Yea let it go to bed with you, let it rise with you, write vpon your hand, and print it in the very veines of your hart, what the Psalmist saith: The Lorde God is the Sonne, and shield vnto vs, the Lord wil giue grace and glorie,* 1.6 and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke vprightly.* 1.7 He that honoureth me him wil I honour, saith the Lord, and hee will not breake a promise to very Esau, of any good or comfort as you see in this whole chapter. Be not we faithles then but faithfull.

4 A sweete comfort againe I see here in this, that if a man and woman feare the Lord themselues,* 1.8 if religion be setled in the furrowes of their hearts, as it was in Isaac and Rebecca, surely euen vnto their wicked children, if they haue any, yet for the pa∣rents sake, God granteth often worldly fauours, as here to Esau: who would not then with a faithful heart loue such a God He lo∣ued Iacob and hated Esau, yet Esau beeing the sonne of a good father, and of a vertuous and religious mother, the fountaine of mercy, and God of all goodnes to his true seruants, euen the God of heauen, wil shew mercy to this Esau, thus farre as in the world to make him a great one, and to giue him riches. Againe I see worldly slate,* 1.9 no good cause why men should forget themselues and waxe proud: but euer looke at the inward heart what pietie is there, least painted, port, & glistring glory of this fading world be vnited in my person, with the hatred of God concerning future state, as it was in Esau. I haue hated Esau saith the Lord, and yet his pompe thus great: Were this thought of, peraduenture our hearts would chaunge, and with lesse regarde of earthly showe, make earnest search for the fauour of God, how indeed wee may be assured of it towards vs euer.

5 God promised Iacob that Kings should come out of him,* 1.10 but behold as yet all the glory in Esau. How then, hath God for∣gotten,

or will he faile in faithfulnesse toward his seruant? No no: you knowe what glorious Princes came of Iacob in time, and the Prince of Princes that sitteth vppon his throne for euer,* 1.11 Christ Iesus. B••t as yet Iacobs show is lesse, and Esau his ruffe hath the eyes of men. Thereby wee learning, that Gods vsuall maner is to keepe his children vnder faith and hope in this world euer. What pleaseth him hee performeth in Iacobs life, and the rest his faith is exercised within hope assured of it in time, so with an other and an other after him, and still there is vse of faith and hope in this world with the godly. Bee content then with what God granteth, and beleeue the rest if it be promised.

* 1.126 The inuention of mules specified in this Chapter, shew∣eth the busie curiositie of some mens natures giuen to newes and straunge inuentions, not contented with simplicitie and plaine∣nes, nay discontented with the course of gods nature many times. If wee praise this inuention, take heed wee touch not Gods for∣mer distinction of their kindes and sexes which hee had created. Therefore rather blame I, then praise such needles newes as this was.

7 You see in this Chapter as I said before, all the glory in Esau and Iacob hath little, but hereafter these Edomites fall, and the Israelites rise. Therefore thus let vs profit by it, as ne∣uer with the lustie bloods of this sinfull world, to despise the slow going forwarde of the children of GOD, or the cause that they maintaine. Sat citò si sat bene. Soone inough, if well inough, that is, fast inough, if with Gods fauour, and better a stable estate that is in longer time atteined, then a fickle fading estate got in hast. Not vnlike the grasse vpon the wall top, that is, soone vp, but assoone withered and gone againe.

Lastly, for genealogies in this Chapter layd downe, I re∣ferre them to each mans diligence that list to search them, wi∣shing the Apostles counsell followed in this matter euer, 1. Tim. 1. Verse 4. and Tit. 3.9. For our Pedigrees in these dayes as they haue an vse modestly and moderately looked into, so shewe

they mens vanities otherwise vsed, who yet would not like to bee called vaine. Maximilian the Emperour forgot himselfe in it, as I haue shewed before, and of his very Cooke hee was reprooued. Let not the wise man glorie in his wisedome, nor the strong man in his strength (much lesse in ioyned Pedigrees) but hee that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, and that his name is writ∣ten in the booke of life, and he reckoned in the rowle of the righte∣ous. He that is ouer busie in laying downe his auncestors, whilst he seeketh to be esteemed, as descended of them, is often iustly de∣spised as degenerated from them, and not in any measure seeking to expresse the vertues in them. But let thus much serue both of this matter and of the Chapter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The truth of Gods promise euer.
• * 1.2

  Verse. 6.
• * 1.3

  God his sweet care for his.
• * 1.4

  Verse. 7.
• * 1.5

  Gods powrefull proui∣dence for his in all places.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 84 11.
• * 1.7

  1. Sam. 2.30.
• * 1.8

  God is of∣ten merci∣full▪ euen to the euill children of good parents.
• * 1.9

  Worldly glorie, no s••re ••••t••es of Gods loue.
• * 1.10

  The godly st••ll vnder faith and hope.
• * 1.11

  Dukes be his sonnes, &c.

  Ver. 15. &c. Read the Chapter.
• * 1.12

  Mans busie braine.