A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little…

The taking of the first city was an earnest & pledge unto them of that virtue & power of God, which they should hope for in all the rest, while at the only sound of the trumpets the walls of Jericho were shaken & fell down of their own accord. And yet these nations were not discomfited in one battle, nor chased away by wars of short continuance: but by little & little they were spent and wasted away by many painful conflicts. Where also it is to be noted, that the people had many great difficulties laid in their way, whiles the Kings that were their enemies conspiring together, gathered all their forces into one, and so came to fight against them, so that they had not war with every people severally, & at sundry times, but with an infinite multitude, which might have run over the Israelites all at one brunt. But these their violent attempts in the end have this issue, that whiles the power of God showeth it self to be above them, his mercy also and faithfulness in defence of his elect people shineth more gloriously. Undoubtedly, that continual course of their happy success, & so many wonderful victories, did openly represent the hand of God as it were stretched out of heaven to help them. But this was a most manifest proof that they warred under the conduct of God himself, that at the request of Joshua the course of the Sun was stayed, as though all creatures of the world being armed unto his aide, were present at his commandment.

The taking of the first citie was an earnest & pledge vnto them of that vertue & power of God, which they should hope for in all the rest, while at the only sound of the trumpettes the walles of Hiericho were shaken & fell downe of their owne accorde. And yet these nations were not discomfited in one battell, nor chased away by warres of short continuance: but by litle & litle they were spent and wasted away by many painefull conflictes. Where also it is to be noted, that the people had many great difficulties laid in their way, whiles the Kings that were their enimies conspiring together, gathered all their forces into one, and so came to fight against them, so that they had not warre with euerie people seuerally, & at sundrie times, but with an infinite multitude, which might haue runne ouer the Israelites all at one brunt. But these their violent attempts in the end haue this issue, that whiles the power of God sheweth it selfe to be aboue them, his mercie also and faithfulnesse in defence of his elect people shineth more gloriously. Vndoubtedly, that continuall course of their happie successe, & so many wonderfull victories, did openly represent the hand of God as it were stretcht out of heauen to help them. But this was a most manifest proofe that they warred vnder the conduct of God himselfe, that at the request of Iosue the course of the Sunne was stayed, as though all creatures of the world being armed vnto his aide, were present at his commaundement.