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…

For certainly, in the former battles, he did but only exercise them as it were but in pleasant pastimes of war. And then by many victories oftentimes obtained, he testified his power, that it should not be less esteemed, than it was meet it should be. For if they had been all discomfited at once, in deed the praises of God should have been notably celebrated: but the memory of the victory would soon have fallen into forgetfulness. Wherefore it was meet, that many arguments of Gods providence and power, should be distinctly and severally set forth, left men would have ascribed one victory only, to Fortune.

For certeinly, in the former battelles, he did but only exercise them as it were but in pleasant pastimes of warre. And then by many victories oftentimes obteined, he testified his power, that it should not be lesse esteemed, than it was meete it should be. For if they had bene all discomfited at once, in deede the praises of God should haue bene notably celebrated: but the memorie of the victorie would soone haue fallen into forgetfulnesse. Wherefore it was meete, that many argumentes of Gods prouidence and power, should be distinctly and seuerally set forth, left men would haue ascribed one victorie only, to Fortune.

6 The Lord said, &c.) The more hard and difficult it was, to overthrow so mighty and well furnished an army: so much the more necessary it was for them to be newly confirmed in faith, that they might have good courage. Wherefore God appeareth to his servant Joshua, and promiseth, that he would give him the same success, which he had done in his other wars before. And we must note diligently, that so often as he repeateth his promises, men are admonished either of their forgetfulness, or of their slothfulness, or of their lightness. For except new and fresh nourishments be often times added to our faith, they will soon wax cold and vanish away. And yet we are sick of a froward loathsomeness, that almost it grieveth us, to hear one thing twice. Wherefore let us learn, whensoever new conflicts are at hand, to call to our mind the promise of God, which may reform our slothfulness, and stir up our dullness. Especially, that which is spoken generally, we must apply it to our daily use: like as now God doeth especially confirm in the present matter in hand, that which he had pronounced of all the nations. But by the circumstance of the time it may