49 When they had made an end, &c.) Now at the length here is rehearsed the thankfulness of the people toward Joshua. A•hough there ought to be an equal partition of the land of Canaan among the posterity of Abraham: yet Joshua, through the excellency of his virtues, deserved some honourable reward above the rest. Neither could any man complain, that one man was enriched by the loss of many: for first by his long staying shineth forth the modesty of the holy man, that he provideth not for his private wealth, before the public state was well set in order. For where shall you find a man, which after he hath declared one or two tokens of his manhood, will not straight way make ha•te to be partaker of the prey: But Joshua did not so, which thinketh not of him self, until all the land be divided. Also in the very reward it self, which he obtained, ⟨p. 87⟩the same temperance and frugality is seen. He desireth a city to be granted to him and his family, which was indeed but a •eape of stones: for either it was destroyed and defaced with ruins, or else there was no city at all builded there. But the conjecture may be likely, that to the intent his reward might be without envy, he required some such plot, as was not very wealthy. If any man think it an absurdity, that he bestowed not his labour freely, let him consider, that he obeyed the calling of God most liberally and freely, and that he did not take so great travel, to endure so many dangers and troubles, with the affection of an hireling. But when he had executed his office willingly, he was not to refuse a monument of the grace of God, unless with perverse & froward contempt, he would have overwhelmed his glory. For that prerogative, which was offered unto him, was nothing else but a plain testimony of that heavenly power, which was showed forth by his hand. Neither can any ambition be here noted: because he desireth nothing for him self, nor rashly thrusteth in his covetous appetite: but requireth to have that honour, which God had already bestowed upon him, to be confirmed by the consent of the people. Yea, if he had held his peace, he had given a sign of slothfulness, rather than of modesty.
49 When they had made an end, &c.) Now at the length here is rehearsed the thankfulnesse of the people towarde Iosue. A•hough there ought to be an equall partition of the land of Chanaan among the posteritie of Abraham: yet Iosue, through the excellencie of his vertues, deserued some honourable reward aboue the rest. Neither could any man complaine, that one man was enriched by the losse of many: for first by his long staying shineth foorth the modestie of the holie man, that he prouideth not for his priuate wealth, before the publike state was well set in order. For where shall you finde a man, which after he hath declared one or two tokens of his manhood, will not streight way make ha•te to be partaker of the prey: But Iosue did not so, which thinketh not of him selfe, vntill all the lande be diuided. Also in the verie reward it selfe, which he obteined, ⟨p. 87⟩the same temperaunce and frugalitie is seene. He desireth a citie to be graunted to him and his familie, which was indeed but a •eape of stones: for either it was destroyed and defaced with ruines, or else there was no citie at all builded there. But the coniecture may be likelie, that to the intent his reward might be without enuie, he required some such plot, as was not verie wealthie. If any man thinke it an absurditie, that he bestowed not his labour freely, let him consider, that he obeyed the calling of God most liberally and freely, and that he did not take so great trauell, to indure so many dangers and troubles, with the affection of an hireling. But when he had executed his office willingly, he was not to refuse a monument of the grace of God, vnlesse with peruerse & froward contempt, he would haue ouerwhelmed his glorie. For that prerogatiue, which was offered vnto him, was nothing else but a plaine testimonie of that heuenlie power, which was shewed forth by his hand. Neither can any ambition be here noted: because he desireth nothing for him selfe, nor rashely thrusteth in his couetous appetite: but requireth to haue that honour, which God had alredie bestowed vppon him, to be confirmed by the consent of the people. Yea, if he had held his peace, he had geuen a signe of slouthfulnes, rather than of modestie.
