3 You shall compass, &c.) The promise in deed, of it self, was sufficient and of force to make them hope for victory, but the manner of the doing, which was appointed, seemed so ridiculous, that it took away the credit of the promise. God commandeth, that they should compass the City round about every day, until the seventh day, and that day he biddeth them to compass it seven times, to blow the trumpets, and to shout: all which was nothing else, but to play like children. But it was a goodly matter, that their faith was proved by this trial: that while in the thing it self they saw nothing but a deceiving of their hope, yet they might nevertheless stay themselves in the oracle of God: for which purpose ⟨p. 29⟩he doth often hide his power for a season, under infirmity: and seemeth to play with vain trifles, that at the length his weakness may appear stronger than all power, and his foolishness may shine above all wisdom. So, when the Israelites bidding their own reason farewell, depend only upon his word, in playing the fools, they profit much more, than if they had made a violent assault, and shaken the walls with infinite strong engines of munition & artillery. Only God would have them to seem fools for a short time, and not to be to curious and quick witted, subtly to enquire of the end: for that had been as much, as to stop up the way against the power of GOD. And in the mean time, although their walking round about, might be laughed to scorn by their adversaries, yet by their prosperous success at the length it was known, that God commanded nothing in vain. There might also another care and doubtfulness trouble their minds, that if the inhabitants of the city should suddenly break out upon them, the army might easily be discomfited, because they were drawn out into such a length, as compassed the whole city round about, and marched not in battle array ready to encounter with the enemy. But in this behalf also, what care so ever troubled them, it behoved them to repose them selves upon God: for that is an holy security, which resteth upon his providence. This also served to exercise their patience & endurance, that they were commanded to compass the city by the space of seven days. For what was more unseemly, than to weary themselves six times without any profit:
3 You shall compasse, &c.) The promise in deede, of it selfe, was sufficient and of force to make them hope for victorie, but the maner of the doing, whiche was appointed, seemed so ridiculous, that it tooke away the credit of the promise. God commaundeth, that they shoulde compasse the Citie rounde about euery day, vntill the seuenth day, and that day he biddeth them to compasse it seuen times, to blowe the trumpets, and to shout: all whiche was nothing else, but to play like children. But it was a goodly matter, that their faith was proued by this triall: that while in the thing it selfe they sawe nothing but a deceiuing of their hope, yet they might neuerthelesse stay themselues in the oracle of God: for which purpose ⟨p. 29⟩he doth often hide his power for a season, vnder infirmitie: and seemeth to play with vaine trifles, that at the length his weakenes may appeare stronger than all power, and his foolishnes may shine aboue all wisdome. So, when the Israelites bidding their owne reason farewell, depend onely vpon his worde, in playing the fooles, they profit much more, than if they had made a violent assault, and shaken the walles with infinite strong engins of munition & artillerie. Onely God would haue them to seeme fooles for a short time, and not to be to curious and quicke witted, subtily to enquire of the end: for that had bene as much, as to stoppe vp the way against the power of GOD. And in the meane time, although their walking rounde about, might be laughed to scorne by their aduersaries, yet by their prosperous successe at the length it was knowne, that God commanded nothing in vaine. There might also another care and doubtfulnes trouble their mindes, that if the inhabitants of the citie should soudenly breake out vpon them, the armie might easily be discomfited, because they were drawne out into such a length, as compassed the whole citie rounde about, and marched not in battell aray redie to encounter with the enimie. But in this behalfe also, what care so euer troubled them, it behoued them to repose them selues vpon God: for that is an holy securitie, which resteth vpon his prouidence. This also serued to exercise their patience & endurance, that they were commanded to compasse the citie by the space of seuen dayes. For what was more vnsemelie, than to wearie themselues sixe times without any profite:
