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…

22 Joshua said to the two men, &c.) How faithful and upright Joshua was to keep promise, appeareth by this carefulness: but because the whole city was subject to the curse, the question may be moved of the exception of one family. For it was not lawful for a mortal man, to change any thing in the sentence of God. But because Rahab had covenanted for her safeguard by inspiration of Gods spirit, I judge that Joshua, in preserving her, did nothing but wisely, & with good consideration. Moreover, the messengers at that time were not tied with any religion, because GOD had not yet pronounced his pleasure, concerning the destruction of the City. For they had heard generally, that all those nations were to be destroyed: yet was it free for them to make a covenant with one woman, which willingly departed and fell away from her own countrymen. Although a more ready answer will follow soon after: namely, while by the commandment of God, the Israelites exhorted all men, against whom they came, to yield them selves, upon hope of pardon, but they blinded with stubbornness refused the peace that was offered because God determined to destroy them all: when all the rest were manifestly hardened unto their own destruction, it followeth that Rahab was exempted by privilege, that when the rest perished, she might be preserved. Wherefore Joshua did wisely consider, that this woman, which willingly removed into the Church of God, not without the peculiar grace of God, was delivered in time from the destruction: In deed the ⟨image 36⟩case of her father, and her whole family, was not l••e: but seeing they did all willingly renounce their former state, by promptness of obedience, they confirmed that preservation which Rahab covenanted for them. But by the example of Joshua, let us learn, that although we do not maliciously and of set purpose break our faith and promise: yet that is not sufficient to testify our honesty: except we give all diligence to perform such covenants as we have made. For he doeth not only suffer Rahab to be saved by her guests, but he taketh heed in time, that at the first tumult, she suffer no injury: and that they might be more ready to do their duty, he putteth them in mind, that they were bound to it by oath.

22 Iosue saide to the two men, &c.) How faithfull and vpright Iosue was to keepe promise, appeareth by this carefulnesse: but because the whole citie was subiect to the curse, the question may be moued of the exception of one familie. For it was not lawfull for a mortall man, to chaunge any thing in the sentence of God. But because Rahab had couenanted for her safegard by inspiration of Gods spirite, I iudge that Iosue, in preseruing her, did nothing but wisely, & with good consideration. Moreouer, the messengers at that time were not tied with any religion, because GOD had not yet pronounced his pleasure, concerning the destruction of the Citie. For they had hearde generally, that all those nations were to be destroyed: yet was it free for them to make a couenant with one woman, which willingly departed and fell away from her owne countriemen. Although a more readie answeare will followe soone after: namely, while by the commaundement of God, the Israelites exhorted all men, against whom they came, to yeelde them selues, vpon hope of pardon, but they blinded with stubbornesse refused the peace that was offered because God determined to destroy them all: when all the rest were manifestly hardened vnto their owne destruction, it followeth that Rahab was exempted by priuiledge, that when the rest perished, she might be preserued. Wherefore Iosue did wisely consider, that this woman, which willingly remoued into the Churche of God, not without the peculiar grace of God, was deliuered in time from the destruction: In deede the