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to dwell there, as in Psal. 80. 9. Thou preparedst roome Quest. Answ.( 4 ) ( 5 ) for them. When Isaac sojourned among the Philistines, he digged one well, and the Philistines strove for it, and he called it Esek: and he digged another well, and for that they strove also, therefore he called it Sitnah: and he removed thence, and digged an other well, and for that they strove not, and he called it Rehoboth, and said, For now the Lord hath made roome for vs, and we shall be fruitfull in the Land. Now no Esek, no Sitnah, no quarrell or contention, but now he sits downe in Rehoboth, in a peaceable roome.
Now God makes room for a people 3 wayes:
First, when he casts out the enemies of a people before them by lawfull warre with the inhabitants, which God calls them unto: as in Ps. 44. 2. Thou didst drive out the Heathen before them. But this course of warring against others, & driving them out without provocation, depends upon speciall Commission from God, or else it is not imitable.
Secondly, when hee gives a forreigne people favour in the eyes of any native people to come and sit downe with them either by way of purchase, as Abraham did obtaine the field of Machpelah; or else when they give it in courtesie, as Pharoah did the land of Goshen unto the sons of Iacob.
Thirdly, when hee makes a Country though not altogether void of Inhabitants, yet void in that place where they reside. Where there is a vacant place, there is liberty for the sonnes of Adam or Noah to come and inhabite, though they neither buy it, nor aske their leaves. Abrahamand
