9 The Lord said to Joshua, &c.) Some expound the shame of Egypt, that the uncircumcision made them like to the Egyptians, that is, unholy and reproachful: as if it had been said, that now they ⟨p. 24⟩were received to be the peculiar people of God, when they were anew beautified, with this mark, that they might differ from the unclean nations. Some take it in the Active signification, that it was done, that they should no more be a scorn unto the Egyptians, as though GOD had deceived them: which interpretation, as far fetched, I can not allow of. Other think, that they should no more be charged with this false reproach, as though they worshipped the Gods of the nations. But I think rather, it is to be understood, that they are delivered from the envy of that crime, wherewith they should otherwise have been charged. It was an hateful matter, that they did cast off the yoke, and fall away from that Rings obedience, under whom they lived. And whereas they boasted, that God was their deliverer from that unrighteous tyranny, it was an easy matter to cast in their teeth, that they did falsely pretend the name of GOD to cloak their treason. Wherefore they might have been taken for fugitives, except circumcision had been received to wash away that reproach: by which sacrament, the election of God was sealed in their flesh, before they came down into Egypt. Wherefore, by renewing of the ancient covenant, it was made manifest, that they were not rebels against a lawful government, nor yet departed of their own rashness, but that liberty was restored to them by GOD, which had long before received them into his protection. And of the taking away of this reproach, the name was given to the place. For they which think, that the foreskin which was cut off, was called Gilgal, because it was like a round circle, depart from the words, & follow a strange devise far fetched, and nothing necessary, when the matter is clear of it self, that the place was called revolution, because GOD did there deliver his people from the reproach, wherewith they were unjustly charged. Whereas Josephus doeth expound it for liberty, it is vain & ridiculous. Whereby it appeareth, that he was no less ignorant of the Hebrew tongue, than he was in the knowledge of the Law.
9 The Lord sayde to Iosue, &c.) Some expound the shame of Egypt, that the vncircumcision made them like to the Egyptians, that is, vnholy and reprochefull: as if it had bene said, that now they ⟨p. 24⟩were receiued to be the peculiar people of God, when they were anewe beautified, with this marke, that they might differ from the vncleane nations. Some take it in the Actiue signification, that it was done, that they should no more be a scorne vnto the Egyptians, as though GOD had deceiued them: which interpretation, as farre fetched, I can not allowe of. Other thinke, that they should no more be charged with this false reproche, as though they worshipped the Gods of the nations. But I thinke rather, it is to be vnderstoode, that they are deliuered from the enuie of that crime, wherewith they should otherwise haue bene charged. It was an hatefull matter, that they did cast off the yoke, and fall away from that Ringes obedience, vnder whom they liued. And wheras they bosted, that God was their deliuerer from that vnrighteous tyrannie, it was an easie matter to cast in their teeth, that they did falsly pretende the name of GOD to cloke their treason. Wherefore they might haue bene taken for fugitiues, except circumcision had bene receiued to wash away that reproche: by which sacrament, the election of God was sealed in their flesh, before they came downe into Egypt. Wherefore, by renewing of the auncient couenant, it was made manifest, that they were not rebelles against a lawfull gouernement, nor yet departed of their owne rashnesse, but that libertie was restored to them by GOD, which had long before receiued them into his protection. And of the taking away of this reproch, the name was geuen to the place. For they which thinke, that the foreskinne which was cut off, was called Gilgal, because it was like a rounde circle, depart from the words, & followe a straunge deuise farre fetched, and nothing necessarie, when the matter is clere of it selfe, that the place was called reuolution, because GOD did there deliuer his people from the reproche, wherewith they were vniustly charged. Whereas Iosephus doeth expound it for libertie, it is vaine & ridiculous. Whereby it appereth, that he was no lesse ignorant of the Hebrue tongue, than he was in the knowledge of the Lawe.
