14 And the children of Joseph, &c.) Although they set a fair colour of excuse for their complaint: yet they dissemble amiss, that no more was comprehended in one lot, than served for one tribe. Yet I can not tell, whether the lot was cast confusedly for the sons of Joseph: and surely it seemeth against reason, that it should be so. Joshua was not ignorant, nor yet the other overseers, of the division, that Ephraim and Manasseh made two heads or two stocks: and it hath been often said before, that the land was divided into ten tribes, which number could not stand, except they discerned the tribe of Manasseh from the tribe of Ephraim. Therefore it is certain, that they were not deceived with so gross an error, that they would cast two names upon one lot. For it had been intolerable unrighteousness, to bide two tribes under the name of Joseph, that they might defraud them of the one half of their right. A•de hereunto, that the portion of either of them, was before distinctly described, and set forth with their several bounds. Therefore reason leadeth us rather to this opinion. When the lots were cast upon two tribes, it came to pass, by the wonderful counsel of God, that these brethren which had one father, should be neighbours and lie both together: therefore they do unjustly find fault, that they have but one inheritance given them, because neither was the negligence of Joshua so g•eate, nor his mind so malignant, that either for lack of consideration, or through envy, he would defraud them of their clear and manifest right: but hereof did arise this false complaint of the scantness of their lands, because they made none account of all that ground, which was yet to be conquered by prowess of war: as though the lot had placed all the other tribes beside in a peaceable foil. And therefore Joshua, with one word, ⟨p. 80⟩doeth confute and discuss all their contention and quarrelling, and turneth upon their own heads that crime, whereby they assayed to make him to be envied. If ye have such store of men (saith he) and so great a multitude, why do you not fall upon your enemies, whose region is given unto you▪ For, if ye do valiantly enter into the inheritance granted to you by God, trusting in his promise, the success shall not deceive you.
14 And the children of Ioseph, &c.) Although they set a faire colour of excuse for their complaint: yet they dissemble amisse, that no more was comprehended in one lot, than serued for one tribe. Yet I can not tell, whether the lot was cast confusedly for the sonnes of Ioseph: and surely it seemeth against reason, that it should be so. Iosue was not ignorant, nor yet the other ouerseers, of the diuiūon, that Ephraim and Manasse made two heads or two stockes: and it hath bene often saide before, that the lande was diuided into tenne tribes, which number could not stand, except they discerned the tribe of Manasse from the tribe of Ephraim. Therefore it is certeine, that they were not deceiued with so grosse an errour, that they would cast two names vppon one lot. For it had bene intollerable vnrighteousnesse, to bide two tribes vnder the name of Ioseph, that they might defraud them of the one halfe of their right. A•de herevnto, that the portion of either of them, was before distinctly described, and set foorth with their seuerall boundes. Therefore reason leadeth vs rather to this opinion. When the lottes were cast vppon two tribes, it came to passe, by the wonderfull counsell of God, that these brethren which had one father, should be neighbours and lie both together: therefore they doe vniustly find fault, that they haue but one inheritaunce geuen them, because neither was the negligence of Iosue so g•eate, nor his minde so malignant, that either for lacke of consideration, or through enuie, he would defraud them of their cleere and manifest right: but hereof did arise this false complaint of the scantnesse of their landes, because they made none accompte of all that grounde, which was yet to be conquered by prowesse of warre: as though the lott had placed all the other tribes beside in a peaceable foile. And therefore Iosue, with one worde, ⟨p. 80⟩doeth confute and discusse all their contention and quareling, and turneth vppon their owne heades that crime, whereby they assaied to make him to be enuied. If ye haue such store of men (saith he) and so great a multitude, why doe you not fall vppon your enimies, whose region is geuen vnto you▪ For, if ye doe valiantly enter into the inheritaunce graunted to you by God, trusting in his promise, the successe shall not deceiue you.
