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…

6 Spake unto the Priests, &c.) It is like the Priests were admonished for what purpose God would have the Ark to go before, that they might be the more ready to execute the commandment: because all the people is soon after certified of the cutting a sunder of the waters. For when the people before were commanded by ⟨p. 15⟩their captains, to follow the Ark of covenant, the Priests were not ignorant what office they should execute. For it was expressly pronounced, that they should be as it were guides or standards. But when they were all in readiness, Joshua doeth openly rehearse the answer of God which he had received. For it was not meet, that the grace of God should have been more clearly declared to the people than to them. But it followeth immediately, that the people were made privy of the miracle. Wherefore I conclude, that after God had held the Priests in suspense a certain time, with the whole multitude, when he had tried their obedience, he did openly declare unto them what he would do. First of all therefore it is declared, that Joshua commanded the Priests to carry the Ark before the people: and afterward, least any man should think that he attempted the matter rashly, or upon his own head, he declareth the promise, whereby he was instructed so to command them. And although it be not there expressly set down, that the course of Jordan should be stayed: yet we may gather by the speech which Joshua used in the people, that God spake more at large, and did in order expressly declare, what he was purposed to do. For Joshua reporteth nothing, but that which he understood and heard out of the mouth of God himself. Yea, before he uttereth the matter, he commandeth them to hear the words of God, and so by that preface he declareth, that God was the author of all that he would say.

6 Spake vnto the Priestes, &c.) It is like the Priestes were admonished for what purpose God would haue the Arke to goe before, that they might be the more readie to execute the commaundement: because all the people is soone after certified of the cutting a sunder of the waters. For when the people before were commaunded by ⟨p. 15⟩their captaines, to followe the Arke of couenant, the Priestes were not ignorant what office they shoulde execute. For it was expressely pronounced, that they shoulde be as it were guides or standardes. But when they were all in readinesse, Iosue doeth openly rehearse the answeare of God which he had receiued. For it was not meete, that the grace of God shoulde haue bene more clearly declared to the people than to them. But it followeth immediately, that the people were made priuie of the miracle. Wherefore I conclude, that after God had helde the Priestes in suspense a certaine time, with the whole multitude, when he had tried their obedience, he did openly declare vnto them what he woulde doe. First of all therefore it is declared, that Iosue commaunded the Priestes to carrie the Arke before the people: and afterward, least any man shoulde thinke that he attempted the matter rashly, or vpon his owne head, he declareth the promise, whereby he was instructed so to commaund them. And although it be not there expressely set downe, that the course of Iordane shoulde be stayed: yet we may gather by the speache which Iosue vsed in the people, that God spake more at large, and did in order expressely declare, what he was purposed to doe. For Iosue reporteth nothing, but that which he vnderstoode and hearde out of the mouth of God himselfe. Yea, before he vttereth the matter, he commaundeth them to heare the wordes of God, and so by that preface he declareth, that God was the author of all that he would say.