Commentary on Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Complete John Calvin (continued)
HARMONY OF THE LAW · VOLUME 1 but points out a remedy for present inconveniences, and a provisional arrangement,201 until the people should obtain a peaceful resting-place.
24. So Moses hearkened. Here is a. remarkable instance of modesty, that Moses is not indisposed to submit himself to the counsel of his father-in-law. For although Jethro was his superior in age and in degree of affinity, in other respects he was far inferior to him. This yielding, then, of Moses to his authority, lays down a rule for all the greatest and most excellent Doctors, that they should not refuse to receive the admonitions of those whom they admit to teach rightly, although they are not of such high dignity. For Cyprian202 truly declares that none is a good doctor who is not also docile. It is probable that the old man immediately returned home, not in contempt, or from his dislike to labor or fatigue, but203 on account of his age; but we shall hereafter see in its proper place that his son remained in the camp.
DEUTERONOMY 1 A REPETITION OF THE SAME HISTORY
Deuteronomy 1:9-18
9. And I spoke unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
9. Dixi vobis in tempore illo, dicendo, Non possum solus ferre vos.
10. The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.
10. Jehova Deus vester multiplicavit vos, ita ut sitis hodie sicut stellae coeli in multitudine.
There is an obscurity here in the Latin, which I have not been able to remove. The words are, "atque (ut vulgo loquitur) modum promissionis ostendit." The common language to which C. alludes may probably be that of the ancient grammarians. The Fr. is "par maniere de provision, (comme on dit.)"
"Et ideo vir sanctus Cyprianus, (Ep. 74:12, ad Pompeium,) non solum doctus, sed etiam docibilis, quod in laude episcopi quem designat Apostolus sic intellexit ipse ut diceret: 'etiam hoc in episcopo diligendum, ut non solum scienter doceat, sed etiam patienter discat.'" — Aug. contra Donat, lib. 4:7, vol. 9:125.
"Mais il est vray-semblable, que Moyse l'a volontiers excuse pour sa vieillesse;" but it is probable that Moses voluntarily excused him on account of his old age. — Fr.