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…

And that they were shamefully contemned of their enemies, appeareth by their boldness and valiantness, that they were not afraid to pursue them almost unto the host, as they ran away cowardly before them. Hereto we may join that trembling which was in all the army, wherewith all their hearts melted for fear. I confess they had great cause to fear, for until this time, as it were in playing, they had obtained so many victories, and now they saw themselves shamefully overcome For matters unwonted do greatly trouble us. But they were stricken with fear from heaven, rather than for the loss of thirty men, and putting to flight of three thousand.

And that they were shamefully contemned of their enimies, appeareth by their boldnesse and valiantnesse, that they were not afraid to pursue them almost vnto the host, as they ranne away cowardly before them. Hereto we may ioyne that trembling which was in all the armie, wherewith all their heartes mealted for feare. I confesse they had great cause to feare, for vntill this time, as it were in playing, they had obteined so many victories, and now they sawe themselues shamefully ouercome For matters vnwonted doe greatly trouble vs. But they were stricken with feare from heauen, rather than for the losse of thirtie men, and putting to flight of three thousand.

6 Joshua rent, &c.) Although it had been an easy matter, to lay the fault of this shame and loss upon some other cause: and that it was not meet for so valiant a Captain as Joshua was, to be so greatly discouraged for the loss of thirty men: especially, seeing that he might easily have made his power an hundred times greater, and ⟨image 39⟩have over taken his enemies being weary of the chase, and so to have distressed them: yet not without a cause he is oppressed with heaviness, and almost discouraged. For the promise of God would not suffer him to admit that cogitation, which useth to comfort and refresh them that are vanquished, namely, that the chance of war is doubtful & uncertain: for God had promised, that they should always be conquerors. Therefore, that the success answereth not to his hope, he judgeth as the trueth was: that there was no other cause of this unlucky battle, but that they were destitute of the promised help of GOD. Therefore, both he and the elders do not only give them selves to sorrow and heaviness: but also take upon them a solemn mourning, as is used in greatest affliction, by rending their garments, and casting dust on their heads. And although this ceremony was used of the unfaithful also, to testify their sorrow: yet the godly, & the religious worshippers of God, had a special respect therein, humbly to entreat him to appease his anger. Therefore, in rending of their garments, and such like signs, was contained a profession of repentance: it is also gathered of the prayer annexed: which partly cometh of faith and sincere affection of godliness, partly it is mingled with immoderate perturbation. That they turn themselves straight unto God, and acknowledge that in his hand, by which the wound was given, there is a medicine ready to heal them, it proceedeth of faith, and yet being carried away with excess of fear and sorrow, they pass the bounds. Hereof cometh it, that they are so bold to reason the matter with God. Hereof cometh that preposterous wish, I would we had tarried in the wilderness. Neither is it a strange matter, that when godly minds are kindled with holy zeal to seek God, the light of faith is covered with the behemencie and force of affections, as it were with a cloud.