Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
Ver. 22. Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.] This he did not out of hypocrisy; - as did Pope Paschalis II, who when he knew aforehand he should be chosen Pope, hid himself; and being drawn into the light, would not be enthroned, till the people of Rome had thrice cried out, Sanctus Petrus Reinerum virum optimum elegit; a St Peter hath chosen Reyner, who is a very honest man; - or as that Popish Bishop did, who being asked, as the manner at their instalment is, Visne Episcopare? answered, Nolens volo, et volens nolo; - or else our Richard III, who seemed very unwilling to be made king, but out of humility and prudence: [but] as Augustine would not come at those churches that lacked bishops, lest they should choose him, and at length accepted of little Hippo, when leaden Aurelius got the golden bishopric of Carthage: and as the elector of Saxony, Frederick, seriously and upon mature deliberation, refused the empire of Germany when it was offered him.
a Funcc., Chronol.