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…

19 Then Joshua said, &c.) Although Achan is snared by the lot which seemeth to fall at all adventures: yet, because God pronounced that he would point out as it were with his finger, who was Author of the crime, Joshua doth not examine him doubtfully: but commandeth him to confess the matter as already known. It is like, this was an usual form of charge and adjuration, as in John 9. 24. The scribes and priests do adjure the blind man, whom Christ had restored to sight, by the very same words, to answer them, as concerning the miracle▪ yet there was a special cause why Joshua exhorted Achan to give glory to God, for that by denying & refusing to confess, he should have denied the certainty of his decree. For now the matter was already determined by lot. Wherefore Joshua commandeth him simply to subscribe unto the sentence of God, and not to increase his wickedness by pleading in vain against it. He calleth him son, neither scornfully, nor feignedly, but truly and sincerely doth testify, that he bare a fatherly affection toward him whom he condemned to die. By which example Judges are taught, so to temper their rigour when they punish wickedness, that they put not off the affection of humanity: and again, so to be pitiful that they be not slack and negligent in punishing: finally, let them in such sort be fathers of them, whom they condemn, that severity by gentleness be not much diminished. Many with fair words ⟨p. 38⟩flatter the poor wretches, feigning that they will forgive them: but when they have enticed them to confess, they deliver them straightway to the gallows, which hoped in vain to escape unpunished. But Joshua being content to have cited the guilty person before the judgement seat of God, doeth not feed him at all with vain hope of pardon: and •o he is more free to pronounce the sentence which was decreed by GOD against him.

19 Then Iosue sayd, &c.) Although Achan is snared by the lotte which seemeth to fall at all aduentures: yet, bycause God pronounced that he would point out as it were with his finger, who was Author of the crime, Iosue doth not examine him doubtfully: but commaundeth him to confesse the matter as alreadie knowne. It is like, this was an usuall forme of charge and adiuration, as in