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…

1 When Jabin, &c.) In this new conspiracy also doth shine the loving care of God, more than fatherly, in preventing the dangers of his servants: and also his mercy and kindness, in helping their infirmity. If Jabin with his confederates, which are now mentioned, had joined with the former Kings, the weight of the war would have lien more heavy upon the Israelites, and greater care and doubtfulness would have troubled them. Indeed it had been as easy for God, to have overthrown that huge army all together, and to have delivered them from all fear and terror at once: but he would not press his people that were but weak out of measure: that by setting against them, such an infinite multitude at once, they might be overcome with to much fear and trembling. Wherefore, he restrained many nations, that otherwise might sooner have armed themselves, and kept them as it were a sleep in astonishment: until his chosen people, by such notable victories as they obtained, were made more bold and courageous to take in hand the rest of the wars. First therefore they waste and spoil a large country, and leave it bare, both of inhabitants, and riches. None of the next adjoining nations, which should have restrained them, once stirreth against them. They return back to visit their wives and children. When they had well reposed them selves, and are in a readiness to make new war: suddenly there is raised against them an exceeding great army, gathered of diverse nations, which until this time had sitten still, and given them leisure to conquer. For that they were no sooner awakened, it was as good, as if they had granted a ⟨p. 59⟩truce with them. Wherefore God did not only fight for his chosen people: but also by dividing their enemies into sundry factions, did mightily increase the forces of his soldiers. Howe terrible should this assault have been, if the Israelites, by little and little, had not been accustomed to set upon their enemies holdly, and had tried manifestly, that God was at hand to help them? The multitude is compared to the sand of the Sea, then is rehearsed their chariots and horsemen: at which furniture it is marvel, that they were not altogether discouraged, which had no horsemen at all. Wherefore they were brought forward by degrees, even as their ability was able to bear.

1 When Iabin, &c.) In this new conspiracie also doth shine the louing care of God, more than fatherlie, in preuenting the daungers of his seruantes: and also his mercie and kindenesse, in helping their infirmitie. If Iabin with his confederates, which are nowe mentioned, had ioyned with the former Kinges, the weight of the warre would haue lien more heauie vppon the Israelites, and greater care and doubtfulnesse would haue troubled them. Indeed it had bene as easie for God, to haue ouerthrowen that huge armie all together, and to haue deliuered them from all feare and terror at once: but he would not presse his people that were but weake out of measure: that by setting against them, such an infinite multitude at once, they might be ouercome with to much feare and trembling. Wherefore, he restrained manie nations, that otherwise might sooner haue armed themselues, and kept them as it were a sleepe in astonishment: vntill his chosen people, by such notable victories as they obteined, were made more bold and couragious to take in hand the rest of the warres. First therefore they waste and spoile a large countrie, and leaue it bare, both of inhabitantes, and riches. None of the next adioyning nations, which should haue restrained them, once stirreth against them. They returne backe to visite their wiues and children. When they had well reposed them selues, and are in a redinesse to make new warre: soudeinly there is raised against thē an exceeding great armie, gathered of diuerse nations, which vntill this time had sitten still, and geuen them leisure to conquer. For that they were no sooner awakened, it was as good, as if they had graunted a