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…

If any man will object, That it was a great absurdity, that such as were uncircumcised should hold the Passover: I confess it was so, according to the common usage. For none were admitted unto the Passover, and other sacrifices, but such as were consecrated unto the worship of God. Like as at this day, the mystery of the supper, is not common to other then such as are received into the Church by Baptism. But it was free for God to change the ordinary use for a time, and to make those men partakers of other holy things, from whom he had taken circumcision away for a season. So in one part the people were excommunicated: and yet relieved with sufficient helps, that they might not despair. As if a father being displeased with his son should hold up his fist, as though he would drive him away far from him, and yet with the other hand stay him at home: and should make him afraid with threatenings and stripes, and yet would not suffer him to depart away from him. This seemeth unto me to be the chief reason, why God spoiling the people of the chief pledge of their adoption, yet would not have them be destitute of other helps. If any man will object, That it is expressly said, that none were circumcised in the journey since their departure out of Egypt: I answer, that for bre•ities sa•e, all things are not exactly set down: yet it may be gathered by the text ⟨image 28⟩that none other were uncircumcised, but such as were borne after the rebellion and sedition. For it is said, that Joshua circumcised their sons, whom God had set up in their place. Whereby it appeareth, that the people were then as it were newly created, which did succeed those stubborn backsliders. But this was an hard and heavy trial, that GOD would not have the people to be circumcised, before they were besieged on every side by their enemies. It seemeth, that it had been a more convenient and safer way, to have done it before they came over Jordan, in the land of Bashan, where the country was quiet, and all the inhabitants either slain or chased away. But God waiteth until they were enclosed in the middest of their enemies, and so laid open to their lust and violence: as though he did of purpose offer them to death. For it was necessary, that they all being enfeebled with their wound, should lie sore for a time: so that they might easily have been slain.

If any man will obiect, That it was a great absurditie, that such as were vncircumcised should holde the Passeouer: I confesse it was so, according to the common vsage. For none were admitted vnto the Passeouer, and other sacrifices, but such as were consecrated vnto the worship of God. Like as at this day, the mysterie of the supper, is not cōmon to other then such as are receiued into the Churche by Baptisme. But it was free for God to chaunge the ordinarie vse for a time, and to make those men partakers of other holie things, frō whom he had taken circumcision away for a season. So in one part the people were excommunicated: and yet releeued with sufficient helpes, that they might not despaire. As if a father being displesed with his sonne should holde vp his fist, as though he woulde driue him away farre from him, and yet with the other hande staye him at home: and should make him afrayde with threatenings and stripes, and yet woulde not suffer him to depart away from him. This seemeth vnto me to be the cheefe reason, why God spoyling the people of the cheefe pledge of their adoption, yet woulde not haue them be destitute of other helpes. If any man will obiect, That it is expressely saide, that none were circumcised in the iourney since their departure out of Egypt: I answeare, that for breities sae, all thinges are not exactly set downe: yet it may be gathered by the texte