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…

7 I was forty years old, &c.) He seemeth to boast of his virtue more gloriously, than becometh a godly and modest man. But we must remember, that when the matter of it self was odious and subject to many quarrels, he hath need of singular commendation to deliver him from envy. Wherefore he rehearseth how faithfully he reported that, which he knew of the land. For this clause (Even as it was in my heart) doeth doubtless declare sincerity, and so his heart is opposite to deceitful words. For it is a fond interpretation, that he said in his heart: because he durst say nothing by the way, least he should have been slain of his companions. For he meaneth ⟨image 74⟩nothing else, but that without colour and dissimulation, he did faithfully execute that, which was given him in charge, he amplifieth the praise of his upright dealing, that when all his companions (except Joshua) were against him, yet he gave no place to their malice, neither was he overcome with their wicked conspiracy, but abode constantly in his purpose. The words are, (I fulfilled to go after God.) But the sense is clear, that he was not carried away from the faithfulness of his duty, by the wicked practising of those ten men, which was hard to abide: but that he was throughly determined to follow God. Namely, because he was certainly persuaded, that God was the author of the enterprise, from which those unfaithful men assayed to withdraw the people. But let us learn out of this place, that except the last end answer to the beginnings, good beginnings vanish away and come to nothing: and secondly, that this constancy is only worthy of praise, when we follow God.

7 I was fourtie yeres old, &c.) He seemeth to boast of his vertue more gloriously, than becommeth a godlie and modest man. But we must remember, that when the mater of it selfe was odious and subiect to many quarels, he hath neede of singular commendation to deliuer him from enuie. Wherefore he rehearseth how faithfully he reported that, which he knew of the land. For this clause (Euen as it was in my heart) doeth doubtlesse declare sinceritie, and so his heart is opposite to deceitfull words. For it is a fond interpretation, that he said in his heart: because he durst say nothing by the way, least he should haue bene slaine of his companions. For he meaneth ⟨image 74⟩nothing else, but that without colour and dissimulation, he did faithfully execute that, which was geuen him in charge, he amplifieth the praise of his vpright dealing, that when all his companions (except Iosue) were against him, yet he gaue no place to their malice, neither was he ouercome with their wicked conspiracie, but abode constantly in his purpose. The wordes are, (I fulfilled to goe after God.) But the sense is cleare, that he was not caried away from the faithfulnesse of his duetie, by the wicked practising of those ten men, which was harde to abide: but that he was throughly determined to followe God. Namely, because he was certeinly persuaded, that God was the author of the enterprise, from which those vnfaithfull men assaied to withdrawe the people. But let vs learne out of this place, that except the last ende answeare to the beginninges, good beginninges vanish away and come to nothing: and secondly, that this constancie is onely worthie of praise, when we followe God.