For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
Ver. 15. For indeed I was stolen away.] Joseph inveighs not against his brethren that he may clear himself; but hideth their infamy with the mantle of charity, which is large enough to cover a multitude of sins. It is a fault to speak of other men's faults, unless it be in an ordinance. Infamy soon spreads. a
Out of the land of the Hebrews.] So he by faith calls the land of Canaan; which yet was detained from them, till the sins of the Amorites were become full. But God's promises are good freehold. Jacob disposeth of this land on his deathbed; though not the least master of it.
And here also have I done nothing, &c.] We may not betray our innocency by a base silence, but make seasonable apology; as did Daniel, Dan 6:12 Paul, Act 24:12-13 Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and other the primitive apologists. Francis, king of France, to excuse his cruelty exercised upon his Protestant subjects to the German princes, whose friendship he sought after, set forth a declaration to this purpose: that he punished only Anabaptists, that preferred their private revelations before the Word of God, and set at nought all civil government. b Which brand set upon the true religion, and all the professors thereof, Calvin not enduring, though he were then a young divine, twenty-five years old, yet he compiled and set forth that admirable work of his, called, "The Institution of Christian Religion." In commendation whereof, one c writes boldly -
“ Praeter Apostolicas post Christi tempora chartas
Huic peperere libro saecula nulla parem. ”
a Bλαβαι ποδωκεις. - -Sophocl.
b Scult., Annal., p. 454.
c Paul. Melissus.