29 Then Joshua, &c.) Now is described the taking of those cities, out of which that army was gathered, where God showed his power no less wonderful, then in the field: specially, if we consider the quick dispatch. For although they which fled into them, out of the battle, caused some fear: yet that fear being ceased, they might be profitable for their defence. Surely, the garrison was increased by their number. Therefore, whereas Joshua in a short time obtaineth them all, with the little towns adjoining, undoubtedly in the success, which was no less incredible, than unlooked for, the presence of God did shine manifestly. For although they that were besieged, did but only shut their gates: yet because Joshua did neither bring ladders to scale the walls, nor artillery to break them down, the siege of every one might have been some stay and tediousness. Therefore, when he taketh one city the next day after ⟨p. 57⟩he assaulted it, and an other the same day, these continual victories so easy & ready to obtain, exceed the measure of mans strength. Wherefore, not without great cause, in the end of the Chapter, the grace of God is celebrated with this commendation, that it was made manifest, that he did fight for Israel, while Joshua at once took so many Kings with their dominion: because he could never have passed so speedily from city to city, as it had been only to view them, except all lets being removed, his way had been made open by God himself. This also increased the miracle, that the King of Geser, which came to aide the other, no doubt but with great boldness, was suddenly and with none a do discomfited, and nothing stayed his continual tenor of marching for ward. As for them that were slain in the cities, do as it were in a glass represent those men, whose punishment God suspendeth, while he is doing execution upon others: for although they rejoice in themselves, for the respite of a short time, yet they are in worse case than if they had ben drawn unto death at the first. It had ben a miserable thing, to have ben slain in the field. Well, they escaped, and defend themselves with the malls of their cities. But there (which is more miserable) their wives & children are slain in their sight: and they themselves have a more shameful end, than if they had been slain fighting in the field.
29 Then Ioshue, &c.) Now is described the taking of those cities, out of which that armie was gathered, where God shewed his power no lesse wonderfull, then in the field: specially, if we consider the quicke dispatch. For although they which fled into them, out of the battell, caused some feare: yet that feare beeing ceased, they might be profitable for their defence. Surely, the garrison was increased by their number. Therefore, whereas Iosue in a short time obteineth them all, with the little townes adioyning, vndoubtedly in the successe, which was no lesse incredible, than vnlooked for, the presence of God did shine manifestly. For although they that were beseeged, did but only shut their gates: yet because Iosue did neither bring ladders to scale the walles, nor artillerie to breake them downe, the siege of etterie one might haue bene some staye and tediousnesse. Therefore, when he taketh one citie the next day after ⟨p. 57⟩he assaulted it, and an other the same day, these continuall victories so easie & redie to obteine, exceed the measure of mans strength. Wherefore, not without great cause, in the ende of the Chapter, the grace of God is celebrated with this commendation, that it was made manifest, that he did fight for Israel, while Iosue at once tooke so many Kings with their dominion: because he could neuer haue passed so speedily from citie to citie, as it had bene only to vew them, except all lettes beeing remoued, his way had bene made open by God himselfe. This also increased the miracle, that the King of Geser, which came to aide the other, no doubt but with great boldnesse, was soudenly and with none a do discomfited, and nothing stayed his continuall tenour of marching for warde. As for them that were slaine in the cities, doe as it were in a glasse represent those men, whose punishment God suspendeth, while he is doing execution vpon others: for although they reioyce in themselues, for the respite of a short time, yet they are in worse case than if they had ben drawen vnto death at the first. It had ben a miserable thing, to haue ben slaine in the feelde. Well, they escaped, and defend themselues with the malles of their cities. But there (which is more miserable) their wiues & children are slaine in their sight: and they themselues haue a more shamefull ende, than if they had bene slaine fighting in the feelde.
