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…

Let it suffice, that the whole people was infected with one mans disease, because the highest Judge hath so pronounced, before whom we ought now as well to keep silence, as when we shall ⟨image 38⟩be brought before his judgement seat. It is showed of what stock Achan was come, as it were to increase and enlarge the reproach of his wicked lust, as if it were said, that he was the shame to the stock and kindred that he came of. For the writer of the history ascendeth even unto the tribe of Judah, of whence he was descended. Whereby we are taught, that when any of them that are near unto us, behaveth himself shamefully and wickedly, a note of shame is laid upon us in his person, that we may be humbled: not that it is meet we should insult against all the kindred of a wicked man: but that all men might apply themselves the better, to the reformation of their kindred, and such as be near unto them: and secondly, that they may acknowledge their winking at their offences, or else their own sins are punished in the shame of their kindred. Now in this crime here was a greater occasion of offence, that might trouble them all, that such an heinous fact was found in the tribe of Judah, which was the flower and honour of all the nation. And doubtless, it was by the wonderful counsel of God, that the prerogative should remain in that tribe, which might nourish the hope of the promised kingdom. But when, even in the beginning, this honour is stained with deformity, through the offence of one man, the matter might not a little trouble the weak minds of many. Howbeit, by sharp correction, the offence, which otherwise was conceived, was clean taken away. Whereupon we gather, that when occasion is given to the ungodly to speak evil, there is no more apt remedy to deliver the Church from reproach, than if we do severely punish the offenders.

Let it suffice, that the whole people was infected with one mans disease, because the highest Iudge hath so pronounced, before whom we ought nowe as well to keepe silence, as when we shall ⟨image 38⟩be brought before his iudgement seate. It is shewed of what stocke Achan was come, as it were to increase and enlarge the reproche of his wicked lust, as if it were said, that he was the shame to the stocke and kinred that he came of. For the writer of the historie ascendeth euen vnto the tribe of Iuda, of whence he was descended. Whereby we are taught, that when any of them that are neere vnto vs, behaueth himselfe shamefully and wickedly, a note of shame is layed vpon vs in his person, that we may be humbled: not that it is meete we should insult against all the kinred of a wicked man: but that all men might applie themselues the better, to the reformation of their kinred, and such as be neere vnto them: and secondly, that they may acknowledge their winking at their offences, or else their owne sinnes are punished in the shame of their kinred. Now in this crime here was a greater occasion of offence, that might trouble them all, that such an heynous fact was founde in the tribe of Iuda, which was the flowre and honour of all the nation. And doubtlesse, it was by the wonderfull counsell of God, that the prerogatiue should remaine in that tribe, which might nourish the hope of the promised kingdome. But when, euen in the beginning, this honour is stained with deformitie, through the offence of one man, the matter might not a little trouble the weake mindes of many. Howbeit, by sharpe correction, the offence, which otherwise was conceiued, was cleane taken away. Wherevpon we gather, that when occasion is geuen to the vngodly to speake euill, there is no more apt remedie to deliuer the Churche from reproche, than if we doe seuerely punishe the offenders.