will perchaunce finde fault with our doings; but let it suffice vs to haue God for our warrant, when we shall not haue offended him, nor with∣stood his ordinance. The meaning then of Mo∣ses is, that Gad knewe he demaunded not aught which was not conformable to the purpose of God: and yt in so doing he was not to be blamed, forasmuch as he had followed Gods ordinance.
Againe, he termeth it A hidden portion, mea∣ning that he did not take his part by violence, [ 10] but that he tooke it as a thing belonging to him, and which was lawefull for him to doe. For al∣though it fell not to him by lot, but by consent of the people and of al the other tribes: yet not∣withstanding, God declared that it was his will it should be so, and that it was good. And why? For it was a hidden portion; that is to say, God had foreappoynted it to that vse, and he would not that in that behalfe they should followe the common rule, nor that they should tarry till the [ 20] cōmon partitions were to be made by lot. And thereupon it is sayde, that he should goe with the Princes, that is to say with the rest of the tribes, to execute Gods Iustice and Iudgement vnto Is∣raell: so as his dwelling in that countrey shoulde not holde him backe to deceiue his brethren, and to fayle them at their neede: but that not∣withstanding that they saw they might haue a∣bidden in a fat and fertile Countrey, yet hee would not inioy his state, but followe ye warres [ 30] still vntill all were at an ende, and that the Lord had giuen rest to all the other tribes. Nowe we see what Moses meant in effect.
And by this place we be put in minde, that in all our doings we must haue an eye to Gods wil. For as soone as we swarue from that, there re∣maineth no excuse for vs, what colour or couert soeuer we pretende. Heere then is a good rule to discerne betweene good and euill: namely yt if men submit themselues to Gods ordinance, so [ 40] as they attempt not any thing, ne take libertie to do one thing or other, except they knowe it pleaseth God it should be so: then shal all things go well. And it is a lesson well worthy to be mar∣ked, to the intent we wander not in our life, ne stande in dout and grudge of conscience, to in∣quire of the thinges that are to be done. Then let vs alwayes haue Gods will before our eyes, to do whatsoeuer he cōmandeth vs, and to fol∣lowe whithersoeuer he calleth vs: and then let vs [ 50] not passe though men slaunder and condemne vs; so we may be acquit before God, that ought to suffise vs. For we see whereupon the acquitall which Moses setteth downe heere to iustifie the tribe of Gad, is grounded; namely that he saw that he had that Portion from the Lawegiuer; that is to say, that he might require the present partition, without gainestanding the will of God. For it is Gods iustifying of vs that maketh vs to stande vpright: & contrariwise as soone as he pronoun∣ceth [ 60] the word to condemne vs, we must needes tūble down though al ye world should hold vs vp.
And this word Lawgiuer is to be marked wel: for it is the same wherunto S. Iames had an eie, where he sayth that there is but one Lawegiuer, who can condemne and destroy, and who can also saue. He sheweth vs that it is not for vs to giue sentence against our brethren; for then we take too much vpon vs. Why so? Because (sayth he) there is none but God to whom it belongeth to condmne or to acquit. And why? For he is the only Iudge, and we be his vnderlinges. It is his office to lay Lawes vpon vs, and to put vs to the yoke, vnder the which he will haue both great and small to humble themselues. After the same maner it is sayde in this text, that Gad knowing how there was a portion layde vp for him with the Lawegiuer, might lawefully require to haue his partition made there, (that is to wit vpō the hill of Basan,) yt hee might not continually driue his cattell from place to place. Now then we see, that in the person of those whō Moses speaketh of, we haue a generall rule, to shewe that when we followe the thinges which God liked of, and passe not beyond our boundes; it is a good war∣rant for vs to defie the whole worlde when they finde fault with our doinges. And on the contra∣ry part, when we haue not Gods worde to guide vs and rule vs by, nor warrant of his will: al that we can alleage wilbe to no purpose. And why? For we be set in this worlde to none other ende, but to do homage vnto God with our life. Now if we intende to obey him vnfainedly; wee must shewe it by the obedience which we yeelde vnto his woorde. That is the thing in effect, which we haue to gather vpon this place.
Now it is sayde, that he shall followe the Princes of Israel, to performe Gods Iustice and Iudgement. Heereby Moses sheweth that Gad should not be turned away from God by the cōmodities which he was to inioy. For although hee had alreadie gotten him a certaine dwelling, and was nowe in a place of rest: yet notwithstanding he should not forbeare to go suffer cold and heat, to ly vp∣on the hard ground, to followe the wars, to put himselfe to all maner of daunger, and to indure trauaile and all maner of peines of warfare. See∣ing he ceased not to serue GOD in his calling, surely he was to be excused. And we haue a good lesson to gather vpon this place; which is, that we may then well inioy the aduauntages which God giueth vs, when they holde▪ vs not backe from the discharge of our dueties, and from im∣ploying ourselues faithfully in the things which God inioyneth. For although a thing be lawfull of it selfe: yet doe we abuse it when we be hinde∣red by it that we keepe not on our way whither our Lorde appointeth vs. And heerein wee see howe there are very few nowadayes, which are not giltie of peruerting the true and right vse of all the benefits which God bestoweth vpon thē. We may wel say we haue not stolne. and yt we do iustly possesse the things which God hath giuen vs: but yet for all that, who is he which is not o∣uer combered with earthly cares, when he hath goods & lāds? Who is he which is not too much wedded to them, & which resteth not too much vpon them? Who is he which doeth not so giue himselfe vnto them, that he mindeth not ye hea∣uenly life. Yee shall see a great number which become cold, when God hath once giuen them goods: and othersome become altogether bloc∣kish.