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…

20 So the people shouted, &c.) Here the obedience of the people is praised, and also the trueth of GOD is magnified. They testified their faith by their shouting, being persuaded, that they were not commanded to do so in vain: and GOD suffereth them not to loose their labour, but fulfilleth in art, that which he promised by his word. The other virtue was not inferior to this, that despising the unlawful gain, they willingly destroyed all the spoil of the city. For no doubt, but many thought in them selves on this manner: Why will GOD have so great riches to be cast away? Why doeth he envy us to enjoy those things which he hath delivered into our hands? Why doeth he not rather reward us with it, that we might have occasion to give him thanks? But letting, all reasons pass, that might hinder them from doing their du•tie, they do willingly cast away all the spoil, which they had in their hands, even the riches of an whole city, which was a token of care and excellent continency. That they slue all the people, without respect of age or sex, both women and children, young and old, it might seem to be a cruel murder, but that GOD him self commanded it so to be done. But because he, in whose power are life and death, had justly condemned those nations unto destruction, let all argument and disputation cease. Add ⟨p. 31⟩hereunto, that he had borne with them four hundred years already, until their iniquity were come to the full. Who should now complain of immoderate rigour, when God suspendeth his judgement so long? If any man will object, That yet at the least the young infants were free from offence: the answer is ready, Because they were a cursed and a reprobate broad, they were ju•• ly destroyed. This in deed we must confess, that it had been extreme and barbarous cruelty, if the Israelites following their own rage and fury, had slain the tender infants, with their mothers: but now it is accounted godly and laudable fortitude, and defended to be a holy zeal, while they execute the commandment of God, which would have the land of Canaan, which long time had been corrupted with foul and stinking filthiness, in this sort to be purged.

20 So the people shouted, &c.) Here the obedience of the people is praised, and also the trueth of GOD is magnified. They testified their faith by their shouting, being persuaded, that they were not commanded to doe so in vaine: and GOD suffereth them not to loose their labour, but fulfilleth in art, that which he promised by his worde. The other vertue was not inferiour to this, that despising the vnlawfull gaine, they willingly destroyed all the spoile of the citie. For no doubt, but many thought in them selues on this maner: Why will GOD haue so great riches to bee cast away? Why doeth he enuie vs to enioy those thinges which he hath deliuered into our handes? Why doeth he not rather rewarde vs with it, that we might haue occasion to geue him thankes? But letting, all reasons passe, that might hinder them from doing their dutie, they doe willingly cast away all the spoile, which they had in their handes, euen the riches of an whole citie, which was a token of care and excellent continencie. That they slue all the people, without respect of age or sexe, both women and children, young and olde, it might seeme to bee a cruell murther, but that GOD him selfe commanded it so to bee done. But because he, in whose power are life and death, had iustly condemned those nations vnto destruction, let all argument and disputation cease. Adde