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…

9 For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall compass us, and destroy our name out of the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy mighty Name?

9 For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land shall heare of it, and shall compasse vs, and destroy our name out of the earth: and what wilt thou doe vnto thy mightie Name?

1 But the children of Israel transgressed, &c.) Here is rehearsed the offence of one man, and that done in secret, the fault whereof is ascribed to the whole people: and not that only, but the punishment is laid upon many, that were innocent in the fault. But it seemeth not agreeable to reason, that all the people, which were ignorant of the crime, that was both private and secret, should be charged withal. I answer, it is no strange thing, that the sin of one member should redound to the hurt of the whole body. If the reason thereof were hidden from us, yet it ought abundantly to satisfy us, that transgression is imputed to the children of Israel, when the fault is restrained but unto one man. But because it cometh to pass oftentimes, that not the worst men, by winking at their brethren's offences, do nourish their sins, and so part of the fault is worthily laid upon all them, whom their dissimulation and forbearing linketh in society with them. By this reason S. Paul layeth to all the Corinthians, the private offence of one man: and inveigheth ¹against their pride, who being stained with so great reproach, yet durst be bold to boast and glory. But here it is easy to reply, that all men were ignorant of the theft: & therefore there is no place for that common saying, That he is guilty of the crime, that may let it from being committed, and doth suffer it to be done. I confess in deed, it is not manifest, why this private offence should be imputed to the whole people, except perhaps for that they had not diligently punished offenders before times: whereupon it might grow, that this wretch was made bolder to commit this horrible crime. And verily, evil weeds do spring up and bud out as it were by stealth, and bring fourth hurtful fruits, if they be not plucked up betimes. Although the reason why God maketh all the people guilty of theft, is more high and secret: because he would have them to be admonished in time to come, with an unwonted document and instruction, that by the wickedness of one man, all the rest may be made guilty, that they may learn more diligently to beware & take heed of vices. Wherefore, there is nothing better in this case, than to hold our minds in suspense, until the books be opened, where the judgements of God shall be openly seen, which are now shadowed with our darkness.