19 The people, &c.) For what cause the day is noted, in which they entered into the land, and pitched their tents therein, we shall see in the next Chapter. The name of the first station is called Gilgal, by a figure of prevention: because it was afterwards so called up Joshua, after their new circumcision: and the interpretation of that name, in due place, shall be considered. But here is a special treatise of the monument of the twelve stones: whereof, although mention were made before, yet now the solemn dedication thereof is rehearsed, namely, that Joshua did not only make that heap of stones, but also commended the use thereof unto the people, that the famous memory of the grace of God might flourish from the fathers to the children. And whereas he bringeth in their sons asking them, What these stones did mean: We may gather, that they were set up in such order, as moved the sense of them that beheld them. For if they had been cast up, on an heap, without any order, it would never have come into their posterities mind, to enquire of their signification. Therefore, there was some notable order in the placing of them, which would not suffer the beholders to make none account of it. But because the covenant of God, whereby he had adopted the stock of Abraham, was established to have continuance for a thousand generations, because of the unity of the body, that benefit which God had performed to their fathers, which were dead, is made common to their children which should be borne many years afterward. And this conjunction ought greatly to have moved their minds: for by this means, their posterity was admonished, that whatsoever was given in times past unto their ancestors, did also appe•••ine unto them. Or else the answer ⟨p. 21⟩should have been little regarded, if the grace of God had been restrained unto one day. But when their children's children do hear, that the river Jordan was dried up before them, many hundred years ere they were borne, they acknowledge themselves to be that people, towards whom that marvellous favour of God was showed. The same reason it is of the drying up of the red sea, although the matter was not so ancient. Surely there were but two then alive, that is, Caleb and Joshua, which came out of Egypt: yet he speaketh thereof to the whole people, as though they had all seen the miracle with their eyes.
19 The people, &c.) For what cause the day is noted, in which they entered into the land, and pitched their tentes therein, we shall see in the next Chapter. The name of the first station is called Gilgal, by a figure of preuention: because it was afterwardes so called up Iosue, after their newe circumcision: and the interpretation of that name, in due place, shalbe considered. But here is a speciall treatise of the monument of the twelue stones: whereof, although mention were made before, yet nowe the solemne dedication thereof is rehearsed, namely, that Iosue did not onely make that heape of stones, but also commended the vse thereof vnto the people, that the famous memorie of the grace of God might flourish from the fathers to the children. And whereas he bringeth in their sonnes asking them, What these stones did meane: We may gather, that they were set vp in suche order, as moued the sense of them that behelde them. For if they had bene cast vp, on an heape, without any order, it woulde neuer haue come into their posterities minde, to enquire of their signification. Therefore, there was some notable order in the placing of them, which would not suffer the beholders to make none accompt of it. But because the couenaunt of God, whereby he had adopted the stocke of Abraham, was established to haue continuance for a thousand generations, because of the vnitie of the bodie, that benefite which God had perfourmed to their fathers, which were dead, is made common to their children which shoulde be borne many yeares afterwarde. And this coniunction ought greatly to haue moued their mindes: for by this meanes, their posteritie was admonished, that whatsoeuer was geuen in times past vnto their auncesters, did also appe•••ine vnto them. Or else the answeare ⟨p. 21⟩should haue bene little regarded, if the grace of God had bene restrained vnto one day. But when their childrens children doe heare, that the riuer Iordan was dried vp before them, many hundred yeares ere they were borne, they acknowledge themselues to be that people, towardes whom that merueslous fauour of God was shewed. The same reason it is of the drying vp of the red sea, although the matter was not so auncient. Surely there were but two then aliue, that is, Caleb and Iosue, which came out of Egypt: yet he speaketh thereof to the whole people, as though they had all seene the miracle with their eyes.
