14 No: but the Captain, &c.) Although th• denial doth aptly agree to both parts of his demand: because he was neither an Israelite, nor a Canaanite: as if he did precisely deny, that he was a mortal man: yet we may ap•ly restrain it unto the second part, where Joshua demanded, Whether he were one of their enemies? But because that is not greatly material: it is sufficient to hold that, which is principal, that his coming was to be Captain of the chosen people, whom he calleth honourably, The army of God. That he maketh himself an other then GOD, there is noted therein the distinction of the persons, but the unity of the substance is not thereby divided. We see, that in the books of Moses, the name of Jehovah is often ascribed to the Angel that was their governor: who was doubtless the only begotten son of GOD. Namely, for because he is both true GOD: and also, in the person of the Mediator by dispensation, inferior to GOD. Now I do willingly receive that, which the old Doctors teach, while Christ appeared in times past in the shape of a man, it was a foretokening of that mystery, which afterwards was exhibited, when GOD was showed in the flesh. Yet must we beware, that we do not imagine, that Christ did then take flesh upon him: seeing we read, that GOD sent not his son in the flesh, before the fullness of time: and moreover, as he is man, he must be the son of David. But as we read in Ezekiel, it was the only similitude of a man. But whether it were a substantial 1body, or only an outward shape, it were in vain to dispute curiously, and to strive about it, hurtful. There remaineth one question, How the Prince of the host of GOD, is said to come now, which never forsook the people that was committed to his charge: and even of late, in the passage of Jordan, had showed forth a wonderful token of his presence? Howbeit, after the usual phrase of the Scripture, God is said to come to us, when we feel his help in deed, which seemeth to be far off, except it be showed us plainly by experience. It is therefore as much, as if he offered his aide to overcome those battles, that were at hand: and by his press nce promised a happy end of the wars, which he ⟨p. 27⟩had in hand. By his worshipping of him, it cannot be gathered certainly, whether Joshua did throughly know Christ, that he did give him divine honour.
14 No: but the Captaine, &c.) Although th• deniall doth aptly agree to both partes of his demand: because he was neither an Israelite, nor a Chanaanite: as if he did precisely denie, that he was a mortall man: yet we may ap•ly restraine it vnto the second parte, where Iosue demaunded, Whether he were one of their enimies? But because that is not greatly materiall: it is sufficient to hold that, which is principall, that his comming was to be Captaine of the chosen people, whom he calleth honorably, The armie of God. That he maketh himselfe an other then GOD, there is noted therein the distinction of the persons, but the vnitie of the substance is not thereby diu•ded. We see, that in the bookes of Moses, the name of Iehouah is often ascribed to the Angel that was their gouernour: who was doubtles the only begotten sonne of GOD. Namely, for because he is both true GOD: and also, in the person of the Mediator by dispensation, inferiour to GOD. Now I doe willingly receiue that, which the olde Doctors teach, while Christ appeared in times past in the shape of a man, it was a foretokening of that mysterie, which afterwardes was exhibited, when GOD was shewed in the flesh. Yet must we beware, that we doe not imagine, that Christ did then take fleshe vppon him: seeing we reade, that GOD sent not his sonne in the fleshe, before the fulnesse of time: and moreouer, as he is man, he must be the sonne of Dauid. But as we reade in Ezechiel, it was the onely similitude of a man. But whether it were a substantiall 1body, or onely an outwarde shape, it were in vaine to dispute curiously, and to striue about it, hurtfull. There remaineth one question, How the Prince of the hoste of GOD, is said to come nowe, which neuer forsooke the people that was committed to his charge: and euen of late, in the passage of Iordane, had shewed foorth a woonderfull token of his presence? Howbeit, after the vsuall phrase of the Scripture, God is saide to come to vs, when we feele his helpe in deede, whiche seemeth to be farre off, except it be shewed vs plainely by experience. It is therefore as muche, as if he offered his aide to ouercome those battelles, that were at hande: and by his prese nce promised a happie ende of the warres, which he ⟨p. 27⟩had in hande. By his worshipping of him, it cannot be gathered certeinely, whether Iosue did throughly knowe Christ, that he did giue him diuine honour.
- 1Ezech. 1.
