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…

2 Joshua sent, &c.) To search out the situation of the city, and to consider always that might be to come unto it, was a point of wisdom: least marching forward rashly in places unknown, they might be circumvented by the lying in wait of their enemies. But when it was needful, that the whole army should soon after march further, to send such a small power to take a city by assault, it seemeth to be a great imperfection in warlike knowledge. Wherefore, it had been no marvel, if two or three thousand men by sudden issuing out of their enemies, were made afraid: and put to flight. And surely, it had been profitable for the multitude that twenty or thirty thousand had ben sent abroad thereabout, to gather victuals. Moreover, if they had had the upper hand, yet in execution of the ⟨p. 34⟩slaughter, though all their enemies had held out their throats to be cut, yet it would have soon tired so small an army to kill them. Therefore, that three thousand, or thereabouts, were driven back, it seemeth to be a just reward of their security & negligence. But the holy Ghost expressly affirmeth, that the fewness was not the cause why they were discomfited, so that the default of this loss is not therein to be sought. But rather it came to pass by the secret counsel of God, that when he would show a sign of his wrath, yet he would have it to be in a small number, that it might be with less hurt. And sure, it was a singular token of his clemency, that by chastising the people gently, and without great slaughter, he would awake them to seek remedy in time for the mischief: peradventure also the Citizens of Hai, durst not have set upon the Israelites if they had besieged the city with a sufficient army. Wherefore, GOD made a way for his judgement, which yet he did mitigate in such sort, that he did only uncover the secret offence wherewith otherwise the whole people might have been consumed, as with a pestilence. And although it was no marvel, that the Israelites were overthrown that fought upon an even ground in the going down of an hill, yet did it openly appear, that through fear and faint harts, they were vanquished before they came to handstroks: because they turned their backs, and ran away down into a deep valley out of an higher place.

2 Iosue sent, &c.) To search out the situation of the citie, and to consider alwayes that might be to come vnto it, was a point of wisedome: least marching forwarde rashely in places vnknowen, they might be circumuented by the lying in wayt of their enimies. But when it was needfull, that the whole armie should soone after march further, to send such a small power to take a citie by assault, it semeth to be a great imperfectiō in warlike knowledge. Wherefore, it had bene no maruell, if two or three thousand men by soudaine issuing out of their enimies, were made afraide: and put to flight. And surely, it had bene profitable for the multitude that twentie or thirtie thousand had ben sent abroad thereabout, to gather virtuals. Morouer, if they had had the vpper hand, yet in execution of the