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…

The Argument of the Book of Joshua.

The Argument of the Booke of Iosue.

Concerning the author of this book, it is better that we should suspend our judgement, than that we should affirm any thing of so uncertain a matter. They which think it was Joshua, because it is entitled of his name, lean upon a very slight and weak reason. For the holy history beareth the name of Samuel, in which notwithstanding is a rehearsal of such matters as followed after his death. And surely, the book which followeth next in order, is not therefore called the book of Judges, because it was written by them: but because it reporteth such things as were done by them, and under their government. Now that history which is reported in the. 15. Chapter of the taking of the two cities Hebron & Debir, was executed after the death of Joshua. It were therefore a more likely conjecture to think, that the principal sums of matters were gathered together by Eleazar the high Priest, out of which this book was compiled & made. For it was his peculiar charge, not only to teach the people of his age by his own voice while he lived: but also to leave a testimony unto the posterity of the grace of God in preserving his Church, that true religion might the better be enlarged. And before the Levites grew out of kind from their first institution, they had among them by order as it were public Notaries or Registers, which committed to perpetual memory, whatsoever was worthy to be remembered in the government of the Church. But as for that which is not certainly known unto us, neither yet is very necessary to be known, let us not be loath to leave it in doubt and uncertainty: so long as we are certain of that which is the chiefest point, namely, that the doctrine which is contained in this book, is inspired of the holy Ghost for our profit, out of which no small fruit may be received of the diligent and attentive readers.

COncerning the author of this booke, it is better that we shoulde suspend our iudgement, than that we should affirme any thing of so vncerteine a matter. They which thinke it was Iosue, because it is intituled of his name, leane vppon a verie slight and weake reason. For the holy historie beareth the name of Samuel, in which notwithstanding is a rehersal of such maters as followed after his death. And surely, the booke which followeth next in order, is not therfore called the booke of Iudges, because it was written by them: but because it reporteth such things as were done by them, and vnder their gouernment. Now that historie which is reported in the. 15. Chapter of the taking of the two cities Hebron & Debir, was executed after the death of Iosue. It were therefore a more likely coniecture to thinke, that the principall summes of matters were gathered together by Eliazar the high Priest, out of which this booke was compiled & made. For it was his peculiar charge, not only to teach the people of his age by his owne voyce while he liued: but also to leaue a testimonie vnto the posteritie of the grace of God in preseruing his Church, that true religion might the better be enlarged. And before the Leuites grewe out of kinde from their first institutiō, they had among them by order as it were publike Notaries or Registrers, which committed to perpetuall memorie, whatsoeuer was worthie to be remembred in the gouernment of the Church. But as for that which is not certeinly knowen vnto vs, neither yet is verie necessarie to be knowen, let vs not be loath to leaue it in doubt and vncerteintie: so long as we are certeine of that which is the cheefest point, namely, that the doctrine which is conteined in this booke, is inspired of the holie Ghost for our profite, out of which no small fruite may be receiued of the diligent and attentiue readers.