16 Then answered, &c.) They do not only obey, but also most liberally and frankly they offer such service as was required of them. And this is the way for men to do their duty, cheerfully to perform whatsoever God requireth of them, not with heaviness as 1S. Paul saith. If any man will object, That they do brag of such obedience as they showed to Moses, more than modesty would they should, seeing they had ben often times disobedient: I answer, that Although they did not always follow him with such fervent zeal as they ought to have done, yet they were so reasonably well framed unto obedience, that their modesty was not only tolerable, but also worthy of great commendation, if we consider how proudly their fathers rebelled, and with what obstinacy they attempted to cast off the yoke which God had laid upon them. For in this place speak not those rebels, by whom God complaineth in the Psalm, that he 2was provoked to wrath: but such as being subdued by example of their punishment, had learned quietly to submit them selves. Although in their words they do not so much advance their own virtues, as they do set up and extol the authority of Joshua, whiles they profess that they will take him, even as they took Moses, in whose room he succeeded. The prayer which they add, doeth contain the matter of ⟨image 11⟩their trust & confidence: that God would be present with his servant Joshua, even as he helped Moses. For they declare that they will be in a readiness to fight under the conduct of their new Captain general, because they are persuaded, that he being furnished with the power and aide of God, shall have the victory, as they had often experience before, that God was wonderfully with them to assist them by the hand of Moses. And hereupon it may be gathered, that they had this confidence, both because they rehearse the trial and experience of Gods goodness to encourage them selves therewith, and also in that they acknowledge Joshua to be the successor of Moses, not only in place, but also in happy success. For this addition is not without great weight, Thy GOD: but to show a continuance of the course of Gods grace towards him. Yet the form of speaking may be taken indifferently, both for the confidence of faith, and for a wish or prayer.
16 Then answered, &c.) They doe not only obey, but also most liberally and frankly they offer such seruice as was required of them. And this is the way for men to doe their duetie, cheerefully to performe whatsoeuer God requireth of them, not with heuinesse as 1S. Paul saith. If any man wil obiect, That they doe bragge of such obedience as they shewed to Moses, more than modestie woulde they should, seing they had ben often times disobedient: I answer, that Although they did not alwayes follow him with such feruent zeale as they ought to haue done, yet they were so reasonably well framed vnto obedience, that their modestie was not only tollerable, but also worthie of great commendation, if we consider how proudly their fathers rebelled, and with what obstinacie they attempted to cast off the yoke which God had layed vpon them. For in this place speake not those rebells, by whom God complaineth in the Psalme, that he 2was prouoked to wrath: but such as being subdued by example of their punishment, had learned quietly to submit them selues. Although in their wordes they doe not so much aduance their owne vertues, as they doe set vp and extoll the authoritie of Iosue, whiles they professe that they will take him, euen as they tooke Moses, in whose roome he succeded. The prayer which they adde, doeth conteine the matter of ⟨image 11⟩their trust & cōfidence: that God would be present with his seruāt Iosue, euen as he helped Moses. For they declare that they will be in a readinesse to fight vnder the cōduct of their new Captein generall, because they are persuaded, that he being furnished with the power and aide of God, shall haue the victorie, as they had often experience before, that God was wonderfully with them to assiste them by the hand of Moses. And herevpon it may be gathered, that they had this confidence, both because they rehearse the triall and experience of Gods goodnesse to encourage them selues therewith, and also in that they acknowlege Iosue to be the successor of Moses, not only in place, but also in happie successe. For this addition is not without great weight, Thy GOD: but to shew a continuance of the course of Gods grace towards him. Yet the forme of speaking may be taken indifferently, both for the confidence of faith, and for a wish or praier.
- 11. Cor. 9. 7.
- 2Psal. 65. 8. […] 10. 11.Psal. 65. 8. 〈…〉 10. 11.
