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…

1 And it came to pass after, &c.) That which he had briefly and darkly touched before concerning the twelve men, now he ⟨image 22⟩setteth it forth more at large and plainly. He had said, that they were chosen out of every tribe: but breaking off that speech, he declared not for what end they were chosen. Now he saith, that by the commandment of Joshua, they took up twelve stones, and set them up in Gilgal, that they might be a notable monument unto the posterity. And for so much as he rehearseth what was done after the people were passed over, that which is interlaced, must be translated by the Preterpluperfect tense. As for the Conjunction copulative, it is easy to consider, that it may be taken for a Causal or Illative. The sum is thus much, that before the Priests removed one foot cut of the middest of the river, where they stood, that the stones were taken from their feet, and placed in Gilgal, that they might be perpetual witnesses of the miracle: and so Joshua did faithfully perform that he was commanded by God. Wherefore Joshua calleth the men, whom he had chosen out before, but not without the commandment of God, that the testimony might be of greater authority. For if Joshua had set up such a trophy, of his own mind, his godliness in deed might well have been praised: but the instruction perhaps would have ben little set by, as erected only by the will of man. But now, when God himself doeth set up a monument, it is by no means tolerable to pass it over negligently. Wherefore it was a monument worthy to be diligently considered, when he bringeth in their children demanding of them, What these stones meant?

1 And it came to passe after, &c.) That which he had breefely and darkely touched before concerning the twelue men, nowe he ⟨image 22⟩setteth it foorth more at large and plainely. He had sayd, that they were chosen out of euerie tribe: but breaking off that speache, he declared not for what end they were chosen. Now he saith, that by the commaundement of Iosue, they tooke vp twelue stones, and set them vp in Gilgal, that they might be a notable monument vnto the posteritie. And for somuch as he rehearseth what was done after the people were passed ouer, that which is interlaced, must be translated by the Preterpluperfectense. As for the Coniunction copulatiue, it is easie to consider, that it may be taken for a Causall or Illatiue. The summe is thus muche, that before the Priestes remoued one foote cut of the middest of the riuer, where they stoode, that the stones were taken from their feete, and placed in Gilgal, that they might be perpetuall witnesses of the miracle: and so Iosue did faithfully perfourme that he was commaunded by God. Wherefore Iosue calleth the men, whom he had chosen out before, but not without the commaundement of God, that the testimonie might be of greater authoritie. For if Iosue had set vp suche a tropheie, of his owne minde, his godlinesse in deede might well haue beene praised: but the instruction perhaps woulde haue ben little set by, as erected onely by the will of man. But now, when God himselfe doeth set vp a monument, it is by no meanes tollerable to passe it ouer negligently. Wherefore it was a monument woorthie to be diligently considered, when he bringeth in their children demaunding of them, What these stones meaned?