Abraham's servant adjured and sent by him into Mesopotamia, to seek a wife for Isaac, 12. prayeth to God for a sign, findeth Rebecca, 34. and demanding her for this purpose, 50. with her parents, 58. and her own consent, she goeth with him, 67. is married to Isaac: who thereby is comforted for the death of his mother.Abrahams seruant adiured and sent by him into Mesopotamia, to seke a wife for Isaac, 12. prayeth to God for a signe, findeth Rebecca, 34. and demanding her for this purpose, 50. with her parents, 58. and her owne consent, she goeth with him, 67. is maried to Isaac: who therby is comforted for the death of his mother.
And Abraham was old, and of many days: and our Lord had blessed him in all things.AND Abraham was old, and of manie dayes: and our Lord had blessed him in al things.Erat autem Abraham senex, dierumque multorum : et Dominus in cunctis benedixerat ei.
2And he said to the elder servant of his house, which was ruler over all that he had: Put thy hand under my thigh,And he said to the elder seruant of his house, which was ruler ouer al that he had: Put thy hand vnder my thigh,Dixitque ad servum seniorem domus suæ, qui præerat omnibus quæ habebat : Pone manum tuam subter femur meum,
3that I may adjure thee by our Lord, God of heaven and earth, that thou take not a wife for my son of the daughters of the Chanaanites, among whom I dwell:that I may adiure thee by our Lord, God of heauen and earth, that thou take not a wife for my sonne of the daughters of the Cananites, among whom I dwel:ut adjurem te per Dominum Deum cæli et terræ, ut non accipias uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananæorum, inter quos habito :
4but that thou go unto mine own country and kindred, and thence take a wife for my son Isaac.but that thou go vnto mine owne countrie and kindred, and thence take a wife for my sonne Isaac.sed ad terram et cognationem meam proficiscaris et inde accipias uxorem filio meo Isaac.
5The servant answered: If the woman will not come with me into this land, whether must I bring thy son back again to the place, from whence thou didst come forth?The seruant answered: If the woman wil not come with me into this land, whether must I bring thy sonne backe againe to the place, from whence thou didst come forth?Respondit servus : Si noluerit mulier venire mecum in terram hanc, numquid reducere debeo filium tuum ad locum, de quo egressus es ?
6And Abraham said: Beware thou never bring my son back again thither.And Abraham said: Beware thou neuer bring my sonne backe againe thither.Dixitque Abraham : Cave nequando reducas filium meum illuc.
7Our Lord God of heaven, which took me out of my father's house, and out of my native country, which spake to me, and sware to me, saying: To thy seed will I give this land: he shall send his Angel before thee, and thou shalt take from thence a wife for my son:Our Lord God of heauen, which tooke me out of my fathers house, and out of my natiue countrie, which spake to me, and sware to me, saying: To thy sede wil I giue this land: he shal send his Angel before thee, and thou shalt take from thence a wife for my sonne:Dominus Deus cæli, qui tulit me de domo patris mei, et de terra nativitatis meæ, qui locutus est mihi, et juravit mihi, dicens : Semini tuo dabo terram hanc : ipse mittet angelum suum coram te, et accipies inde uxorem filio meo :
8but if the woman will not follow thee, thou shalt not be bound by the oath: only bring not my son thither again.but if the woman wil not folow thee, thou shalt not be bound by the oath: only bring not my sonne thither againe.sin autem mulier noluerit sequi te, non teneberis juramento : filium meum tantum ne reducas illuc.
9The servant therefore put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and sware to him upon this word.The seruant therfore put his hand vnder the thigh of Abraham his lord, and sware to him vpon this word.Posuit ergo servus manum sub femore Abraham domini sui, et juravit illi super sermone hoc.
10And he took ten camels of his lord's herd, and departed, of all his goods carrying something with him, and setting forward went on into Mesopotamia to the city of Nachor.And he tooke ten camels of his lords herd, and departed, of al his goods carying something with him, and setting forward went on into Mesopotamia to the citie of Nachor.Tulitque decem camelos de grege domini sui, et abiit, ex omnibus bonis ejus portans secum, profectusque perrexit in Mesopotamiam ad urbem Nachor.
11And when he had made the camels lie down outside · Vulgate: extra the town beside a well of water at evening · Vulgate: vespere, at the time when women are wont to come forth to draw water, he said:And when he had made the camels lye downe without the towne beside a wel of water at euen, at the time when women are wont to come forth to drawe water, he said:Cumque camelos fecisset accumbere extra oppidum juxta puteum aquæ vespere, tempore quo solent mulieres egredi ad hauriendam aquam, dixit :
12O Lord God of my lord Abraham, meet me today, I beseech thee, and do mercifully with my master Abraham.O Lord God of my lord Abraham, mete me today, I beseech thee, and doe mercifully with my maister Abraham.Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, occurre, obsecro, mihi hodie, et fac misericordiam cum domino meo Abraham.
13Behold I stand nigh to the fountain of water, and the daughters of the inhabiters of this city will come forth to draw water.Behold I stand nigh to the fountaine of water, and the daughters of the inhabiters of this citie wil come forth to drawe water.Ecce ego sto prope fontem aquæ, et filiæ habitatorum hujus civitatis egredientur ad hauriendam aquam.
14Therefore the maid, to whom I shall say: Bow down thy pitcher, water-jar · Vulgate: hydriam that I may drink: and she shall answer, Drink, yea to thy camels also will I give drink: she it is, whom thou hast provided for thy servant Isaac: and by this I shall understand, that thou hast dealt mercifully with my master.Therefore the maid, to whom I shal say: Bowe downe thy tankard that I may drinke: and she shal answere, Drinke, yea to thy camels also wil I giue drinke: she it is, whom thou hast prouided for thy seruant Isaac: and by this I shal vnderstand, that thou hast delt mercifully with my maister.Igitur puella, cui ego dixero : Inclina hydriam tuam ut bibam : et illa responderit : Bibe, quin et camelis tuis dabo potum : ipsa est quam præparasti servo tuo Isaac : et per hoc intelligam quod feceris misericordiam cum domino meo.
15Neither had he yet ended these words within himself, and behold Rebecca came forth, the daughter of Bathuel, the son of Melcha wife to Nachor the brother of Abraham, having a tankard on her shoulder:Neyther had he yet ended these wordes within himselfe, & behold Rebecca came forth, the daughter of Bathuel, the sonne of Melcha wife to Nachor the brother of Abraham, hauing a tankard on her shoulder:Necdum intra se verba compleverat, et ecce Rebecca egrediebatur, filia Bathuel, filii Melchæ uxoris Nachor fratris Abraham, habens hydriam in scapula sua :
16a exceedingly · Vulgate: nimis comely maid, and most beautiful virgin, and not known to man: and she was gone down to the fountain, and had filled her tankard, and came back.a passing comely maide, & most beautiful virgin, & not knowen to man: and she was gone downe to the fountaine, and had filled her tankard, and came backe.puella decora nimis, virgoque pulcherrima, et incognita viro : descenderat autem ad fontem, et impleverat hydriam, ac revertebatur.
17And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Give me a little water to drink of thy tankard.And the seruant ranne to mete her, and said: Geue me a little water to drinke of thy tankard.Occurritque ei servus, et ait : Pauxillum aquæ mihi ad bibendum præbe de hydria tua.
18Who answered: Drink my lord. And quickly she let down the tankard upon her arm, and gave him drink.Who answered: Drinke my lord. And quickly she let downe the tankard vpon her arme, and gaue him drinke.Quæ respondit : Bibe, domine mi : celeriterque deposuit hydriam super ulnam suam, et dedit ei potum.
19And when he had drunk, she added: but for thy camels also will I draw water, till all do drink.And when he had drunke, she added: but for thy camels also wil I drawe water, til al doe drinke.Cumque ille bibisset, adjecit : Quin et camelis tuis hauriam aquam, donec cuncti bibant.
20And pouring out the tankard into the troughs, she ran back to the well to draw water: and being drawn gave it to all the camels.And pouring out the tankard into the troughes, she ranne backe to the wel to drawe water: and being drawen gaue it to al the camels.Effundensque hydriam in canalibus, recurrit ad puteum ut hauriret aquam : et haustam omnibus camelis dedit.
21But he musing beheld her with silence, desirous to know whether our Lord had made his journey prosperous, or not.But he musing beheld her with silence, desirous to know whether our Lord had made his iourney prosperous, or not.Ipse autem contemplabatur eam tacitus, scire volens utrum prosperum iter suum fecisset Dominus, an non.
22And after that the camels had drunk, the man plucked forth golden earrings · Vulgate: inaures, weighing two sicles: and as many bracelets of ten sicles weight.And after that the camels had drunk, the man plucked forth golden earlettes, weying two sicles: and as manie bracelets of ten sicles weight.Postquam autem biberunt cameli, protulit vir inaures aureas, appendentes siclos duos, et armillas totidem pondo siclorum decem.
23And he said: Whose daughter art thou? show me: is there any place in thy father's house to lodge?And he said: Whose daughter art thou? shew me: is there anie place in thy fathers house to lodge?Dixitque ad eam : Cujus es filia ? indica mihi, est in domo patris tui locus ad manendum ?
24Who answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the son of Melcha, whom she bare to Nachor.Who answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the sonne of Melcha, whom she bare to Nachor.Quæ respondit : Filia sum Bathuelis, filii Melchæ, quem peperit ipsi Nachor.
25And she added, saying: Of straw also and hay we have good store, and a large place to lodge in.And she added, saying: Of strawe also and hay we haue good store, and a large place to lodge in.Et addidit, dicens : Palearum quoque et fœni plurimum est apud nos, et locus spatiosus ad manendum.
26The man bowed himself, and adored our Lord,The man bowed himselfe, and adored our Lord,Inclinavit se homo, et adoravit Dominum,
27saying: Blessed be the Lord God of my lord Abraham, that hath not taken away his mercy and truth from my lord, and hath brought me the straight way into the house of my lord's brother.saying: Blessed be the Lord God of my lord Abraham, that hath not taken away his mercie & truth from my lord, and hath brought me the streight way into the house of my lords brother.dicens : Benedictus Dominus Deus domini mei Abraham, qui non abstulit misericordiam et veritatem suam a domino meo, et recto itinere me perduxit in domum fratris domini mei.
28The maid therefore ran, and reported into her mother's house all things that she had heard.The maid therfore ranne, and reported into her mothers house al things that she had heard.Cucurrit itaque puella, et nuntiavit in domum matris suæ omnia quæ audierat.
29And Rebecca had a brother named Laban, who in all haste went forth to the man, where the fountain was.And Rebecca had a brother named Laban, who in al haste went forth to the man, where the fountaine was.Habebat autem Rebecca fratrem nomine Laban, qui festinus egressus est ad hominem, ubi erat fons.
30And when he had seen the earlets and bracelets in his sister's hands, and had heard all her words reporting: These words spake the man unto me: he came to the man which stood beside the camels, and nigh to the fountain of water:And when he had seene the earlettes and braceletts in his sisters hands, and had heard al her words reporting: These words spake the man vnto me: he came to the man which stoode beside the camels, and nighe to the fountaine of water:Cumque vidisset inaures et armillas in manibus sororis suæ, et audisset cuncta verba referentis : Hæc locutus est mihi homo : venit ad virum qui stabat juxta camelos, et prope fontem aquæ :
31and said to him: Come in, thou blessed of our Lord: Why standest thou without? I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.and said to him: Come in, thou blessed of our Lord: Why standest thou without? I haue prepared the house, and a place for the camels.dixitque ad eum : Ingredere, benedicte Domini : cur foris stas ? præparavi domum, et locum camelis.
32And he brought him into his lodging: and he unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and hay, and water to wash his feet, and of the men that were come with him.And he brought him into his lodging: and he vnharnessed the camels, and gaue strawe and hay, and water to wash his feet, and of the men that were come with him.Et introduxit eum in hospitium : ac destravit camelos, deditque paleas et fœnum, et aquam ad lavandos pedes ejus, et virorum qui venerant cum eo.
33And bread was set before him. Who said: I will not eat till I speak my message. He answered him: Speak.And bread was set before him. Who said: I wil not eate til I speake my message. He answered him: Speake.Et appositus est in conspectu ejus panis. Qui ait : Non comedam, donec loquar sermones meos. Respondit ei : Loquere.
34And he said: I am the servant of Abraham:And he said: I am the seruant of Abraham:At ille : Servus, inquit, Abraham sum :
35And our Lord hath blessed my lord wonderfully, and he is magnified: and he hath given him sheep, and oxen, silver and gold, menservants and women servants, camels, and asses.And our Lord hath blessed my lord wonderfully, and he is magnified: and he hath geuen him sheepe, & oxen, siluer and gold, men seruants & women seruants, camels, and asses.et Dominus benedixit domino meo valde, magnificatusque est : et dedit ei oves et boves, argentum et aurum, servos et ancillas, camelos et asinos.
36And Sara my lord's wife hath borne my lord a son in her old age, and he hath given him all things that he had.And Sara my lords wife hath borne my lord a sonne in her old age, and he hath geuen him al things that he had.Et peperit Sara uxor domini mei filium domino meo in senectute sua, deditque illi omnia quæ habuerat.
37And my lord adjured me saying: Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the Chanaanites, in whose land I dwell:And my lord adiured me saying: Thou shalt not take a wife for my sonne of the Cananites, in whose land I dwel:Et adjuravit me dominus meus, dicens : Non accipies uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananæorum, in quorum terra habito :
38but thou shalt go to my father's house, and of mine own kindred shalt thou take a wife for my son:but thou shalt goe to my fathers house, and of mine owne kinred shalt thou take a wife for my sonne:sed ad domum patris mei perges, et de cognatione mea accipies uxorem filio meo.
39but I answered my lord: What if the woman will not come with me?but I answered my lord: What if the woman wil not come with me?Ego vero respondi domino meo : Quid si noluerit venire mecum mulier ?
40Our Lord, saith he, in whose sight I walk, will send his Angel with thee, and will direct thy way: and thou shalt take a wife for my son of mine own kindred, and of my father's house.Our Lord, saith he, in whose sight I walke, wil send his Angel with thee, & wil direct thy way: and thou shalt take a wife for my sonne of mine owne kinred, and of my fathers house.Dominus, ait, in cujus conspectu ambulo, mittet angelum suum tecum, et diriget viam tuam : accipiesque uxorem filio meo de cognatione mea, et de domo patris mei.
41Thou shalt be innocent from my curse, when thou shalt come to my kin, and they will not give her thee.Thou shalt be innocent from my curse, when thou shalt come to my kinne, and they wil not giue her thee.Innocens eris a maledictione mea, cum veneris ad propinquos meos, et non dederint tibi.
42I came therefore today to the well of water, and said: O Lord God of my lord Abraham, if thou hast directed my way, wherein I now walk,I came therfore today to the wel of water, and said: O Lord God of my lord Abraham, if thou hast directed my way, wherein I now walke,Veni ergo hodie ad fontem aquæ, et dixi : Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, si direxisti viam meam, in qua nunc ambulo,
43behold I stand besides the well of water, and the virgin, that shall come forth to draw water, when she shall hear me say: Give me a little water to drink of thy tankard:behold I stand besides the wel of water, and the virgin, that shal come forth to draw water, when she shal heare me say: Geue me a litle water to drinke of thy tankard:ecce sto juxta fontem aquæ, et virgo, quæ egredietur ad hauriendam aquam, audierit a me : Da mihi pauxillum aquæ ad bibendum ex hydria tua :
44and she shall say to me: Drink both thou, and for thy camels I will draw also: that is the woman, which our Lord hath prepared for my master's son.and she shal say to me: Drinke both thou, and for thy camels I wil drawe also: that is the woman, which our Lord hath prepared for my masters sonne.et dixerit mihi : Et tu bibe, et camelis tuis hauriam : ipsa est mulier, quam præparavit Dominus filio domini mei.
45And whilst I pondered these things secretly with myself, Rebecca appeared coming with a tankard, which she carried upon her shoulder: and she went down to the fountain, and drew water. And I said to her: Give me a little to drink.And whilest I pondered these things secretly with my selfe, Rebecca appeared comming with a tankard, which she caried vpon her shoulder: & she went downe to the fountaine, & drewe water. And I said to her: Geue me a litle to drinke.Dumque hæc tacitus mecum volverem, apparuit Rebecca veniens cum hydria, quam portabat in scapula : descenditque ad fontem, et hausit aquam. Et aio ad eam : Da mihi paululum bibere.
46Who speedily let down the tankard from her shoulder, and said to me: Drink both thou, and to thy camels I will give drink. I drank, and she watered the camels.Who speedily let downe the tankard from her shoulder, and said to me: Drinke both thou, and to thy camels I wil giue drinke. I dranke, and she watered the cammels.Quæ festinans deposuit hydriam de humero, et dixit mihi : Et tu bibe, et camelis tuis tribuam potum. Bibi, et adaquavit camelos.
47And I asked her, and said: Whose daughter art thou? Who answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the son of Nachor, whom Melcha bare him. I hung therefore earlets to adorn her face, and I put bracelets upon her hands.And I asked her, and said: Whose daughter art thou? Who answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the sonne of Nachor, whom Melcha bare him. I hoong therfore earlettes to adorne her face, and I put braceletts vpon her hands.Interrogavique eam, et dixi : Cujus es filia ? Quæ respondit : Filia Bathuelis sum, filii Nachor, quem peperit ei Melcha. Suspendi itaque inaures ad ornandam faciem ejus, et armillas posui in manibus ejus.
48And prostrate I adored our Lord, blessing the Lord God of my lord Abraham, who hath brought me the straight way to take the daughter of my lord's brother for his son.And prostrate I adored our Lord, blessing the Lord God of my lord Abraham, who hath brought me the streight way to take the daughter of my lords brother for his sonne.Pronusque adoravi Dominum, benedicens Domino Deo domini mei Abraham, qui perduxit me recto itinere, ut sumerem filiam fratris domini mei filio ejus.
49Wherefore if you do according to mercy and truth with my lord, show me: but if it please you otherwise, that also tell me, that I may go to the right hand, or to the left.Wherfore if you doe according to mercie and truth with my lord, shew me: but if it please you otherwise, that also tel me, that I may goe to the right hand, or to the left.Quam ob rem si facitis misericordiam et veritatem cum domino meo, indicate mihi : sin autem aliud placet, et hoc dicite mihi, ut vadam ad dextram, sive ad sinistram.
50And Laban and Bathuel answered: From our Lord the word hath proceeded: we cannot speak any other thing with thee besides his pleasure.And Laban and Bathuel answered: From our Lord the word hath proceded: we can not speake any other thing with thee besides his pleasure.Responderuntque Laban et Bathuel : A Domino egressus est sermo : non possumus extra placitum ejus quidquam aliud loqui tecum.
51Behold Rebecca is before thee, take her and go, and let her be the wife of thy lord's son, as our Lord hath spoken.Behold Rebecca is before thee, take her and goe, & let her be the wife of thy lords sonne, as our Lord hath spoken.En Rebecca coram te est, tolle eam, et proficiscere, et sit uxor filii domini tui, sicut locutus est Dominus.
52Which when Abraham's servant heard, falling down he adored our Lord to the ground.Which when Abrahams seruant heard, falling downe he adored our Lord to the ground.Quod cum audisset puer Abraham, procidens adoravit in terram Dominum.
53And taking forth vessels of silver, and gold, and garments, gave them to Rebecca for a present. To her brothers also, and to her mother he offered gifts.And taking forth vessels of siluer, and gold, and garments, gaue them to Rebecca for a present. To her brothers also, and to her mother he offered gifts.Prolatisque vasis argenteis, et aureis, ac vestibus, dedit ea Rebeccæ pro munere : fratribus quoque ejus et matri dona obtulit.
54A banquet was made, and eating and drinking together they lodged there. And in the morning the servant arose, and said: Dismiss me, that I may go to my lord.A banket was made, and eating and drinking together they lodged there. And in the morning the seruant arose, and said: Dismisse me, that I may goe to my lord.Inito convivio, vescentes pariter et bibentes manserunt ibi. Surgens autem mane, locutus est puer : Dimittite me, ut vadam ad dominum meum.
55And her brother and mother answered: Let the maid tarry at the least ten days with us, and after she shall depart.And her brother and mother answered: Let the maid tarie at the least ten days with vs, & after she shal depart.Responderuntque fratres ejus et mater : Maneat puella saltem decem dies apud nos, et postea proficiscetur.
56Stay me not, said he, because our Lord hath directed my way: dismiss me that I may go to my lord.Stay me not, said he, because our Lord hath directed my way: dismisse me that I may goe to my lord.Nolite, ait, me retinere, quia Dominus direxit viam meam : dimittite me ut pergam ad dominum meum.
57And they said: Let us call the maid, and ask her will.And they said: Let vs call the maid, and aske her wil.Et dixerunt : Vocemus puellam, et quæramus ipsius voluntatem.
58And being called, when she was come, they asked: Wilt thou go with this man? Who said: I will go.And being called, when she was come, they asked: Wilt thou goe with this man? Who said: I wil goe.Cumque vocata venisset, sciscitati sunt : Vis ire cum homine isto ? Quæ ait : Vadam.
59They dismissed her therefore, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his company,They dismissed her therfore, and her nurce, and Abrahams seruant, and his companie,Dimiserunt ergo eam, et nutricem illius, servumque Abraham, et comites ejus,
60wishing prosperity to their sister, and saying: Thou art our sister, increase thou into thousand thousands, and thy seed possess the gates of their enemies.wishing prosperitie to their sister, and saying: Thou art our sister, increase thou into thousand thousands, and thy seed possesse the gates of their enemies.imprecantes prospera sorori suæ, atque dicentes : Soror nostra es, crescas in mille millia, et possideat semen tuum portas inimicorum suorum.
61Therefore Rebecca and her maids being set upon camels, followed the man: who with speed returned unto his lord; andTherefore Rebecca and her maids being set vpon camels, folowed the man: who with speed returned vnto his lord; andIgitur Rebecca et puellæ illius, ascensis camelis, secutæ sunt virum : qui festinus revertebatur ad dominum suum.
62the same time Isaac walked along the way, that leadeth to the well of the Living and the seeing, so called; for he dwelt in the south country:the same time Isaac walked along the way, that leadeth to the wel of the Liuing and the seeing, so called; for he dwelt in the south countrie:Eo autem tempore deambulabat Isaac per viam quæ ducit ad puteum, cujus nomen est Viventis et videntis : habitabat enim in terra australi :
63and he was gone forth to meditate in the field, the day now being well spent: and when he had cast up his eyes, he saw camels coming afar off.and he was gone forth to meditate in the field, the day now being wel spent: and when he had cast vp his eyes, he saw camels coming a farre of.et egressus fuerat ad meditandum in agro, inclinata jam die : cumque elevasset oculos, vidit camelos venientes procul.
64Rebecca also, when she saw Isaac, lighted off the camel,Rebecca also, when she saw Isaac, lighted of the camel,Rebecca quoque, conspecto Isaac, descendit de camelo,
65and said to the servant: Who is that man which cometh towards us along the field? And he said to her: The same is my lord. But she quickly taking her cloak, covered herself.and said to the seruant: Who is that man which cometh towards vs along the field? And he said to her: The same is my lord. But she quickly taking her cloake, couered her selfe.et ait ad puerum : Quis est ille homo qui venit per agrum in occursum nobis ? Dixitque ei : Ipse est dominus meus. At illa tollens cito pallium, operuit se.
66The servant told Isaac all things that he had done.The seruant told Isaac al things that he had done.Servus autem cuncta, quæ gesserat, narravit Isaac.
67Who brought her into the tent of Sara his mother, and took her to wife: and he loved her so much, that it did moderate the sorrow, which was chanced of his mother's death.Who brought her into the tent of Sara his mother, and tooke her to wife: and he loued her so much, that it did moderate the sorrowe, which was chanced of his mothers death.Qui introduxit eam in tabernaculum Saræ matris suæ, et accepit eam uxorem : et in tantum dilexit eam, ut dolorem, qui ex morte matris ejus acciderat, temperaret.
Annotations
24:14The maid to whom I shall say. Observation of speeches called ominous, which are interpreted to signify good or evil luck, are sometimes superstitious, and suggested by evil spirits, who now and then telling, or insinuating some truth, get credit, and so allure men to attend to such vain, uncertain, and unlawful signs, as St. Augustine testifieth (li. 2. de Gen. ad lit. c. 17. and li. 12. c. 22.) Nevertheless such signs are sometimes lawfully observed, and desired of God, as the same Doctor disputeth (li. quaest. super Gen. q. 53.) and St. Chrysostom teacheth more clearly (ho. 45. in Gen.) likewise St. Theodoret (q. 73. in Gen.) But whosoever will not err in particular cases, must follow either express Scripture, or the judgement of the Church, which is always directed by the spirit of truth. And touching this prayer of Abraham's servant, and his desire of this determinate sign to know the maid whom God had provided to be Isaac's wife, the fathers generally hold that it was religious, devout, and discreet. For he being careful of his Master's business, and not trusting his own judgement, but relying upon that which Abraham had said (Our Lord shall send his Angel before thee) commended so weighty a cause to God by prayer, the Angel suggesting both to him to desire, and to the maid to perform (as the event showed) such qualities and virtues in her, as were most agreeable to the great charity and hospitality daily practiced in Abraham's house, most convenient and necessary (as he discreetly considered) for that family, and good of many. The like observations were approved in Gedeon, and Jonathas. And to pray for such signs in some case, or for manifest miracles, is also approved by the Apostles example, praying God to show by lot which of the two he had chosen to the Apostleship, in place of Judas; and that he would extend his hand to cures, and signs, and wonders, to be done by the name of his holy son JESUS.