wept] (Chap. 43. 30.) Joseph had acted the part of a severe Inquisitour towards his brethren untill now, and now he can hold out his hypocrisie no longer; nature puts forth eyewitnesses of good affection to them, while art pretends both cause and purpose, of rigorous dealing with them: which was an assured proofe that he troubled them to doe them good, and not because they did or meant him hurt: and here we see how naturall affections are too strong to be kept in by artificiall disguises. Joseph was wise, yet could he not so keepe on his dissimulation, but his kindnesse overcame his craft; hence it is that hypocrisie will not long be hid, and that a lying tongue is but for a moment, while the lip of truth is established for ever, Prov. 12. vers. 19. bound him] Simeon had a chiefe hand in the massacre of the Shchemites, and it is like he shewed himselfe most harsh. nd hard hearted to his brother, for if he had been but as well inclined to him as Reuben and Judah were (he being the eldest sonne but one) they three by their senioritie might have prevailed much with the rest in their brothers behalfe, wherefore he had most need of humbling; and it may be Joseph feared his perverse disposition would disswade his father from sending Benjamin unto him, and hoped that Simeon being the worst of his brethren, the detaining of him would be the least affliction to his father; howsoever he being left in his hands, Joseph wanted neither meanes, nor mind to use him with more respect, when he saw a meet season for it.