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…

9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourned among them, that whosoever killed any person ignorantly, might flee thither, and not dye by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the Congregation.

9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the straunger that soiourned among them, that whosoeuer killed any person ignorantly, might flee thither, and not dye by the hand of the auenger of bloud, vntill he stoode before the Congregation.

1 And the Lord spake, &c.) Whereas it came not in their mind to appoint the cities of refuge, until they were admonished again, it seemeth that their slackness is covertly reproved: for this was decreed before by the commandment of God beyond Jordan. When the like, and the very same reason is here, wherefore do they stay? why do they not bring to an end that, which they had well begun? considering that it was for great cause, that innocent persons should have safe places of refuge appointed them, least the land should be defiled with blood: for except that remedy had been used, the kinsmen of them that were slain, by rashly revenging their death, would have doubled the mischief. Surely the people ought not to have been slack in providing to avoid ⟨p. 88⟩that, which might be a spot or defiling of the land. Whereby we may see how slow men are, not only to do their duty, but also to be careful of their own health, except God did often prick them forward, and provoke them with the spurs of his exhortations. Howbeit, it appeareth by this, that their offence was but of negligence, that they are immediately ready to obey, and do not prolong the matter, nor hinder and stay so necessary a business with unprofitable contentions. But what was the law of these Sanctuaries, we have elsewhere declared. For by them was no impunity given to wilful murders, but if any man through error or chance had slain a man that was not his enemy, he had safe refuge unto these cities, which were appointed for the same purpose. So God helped the poor wretches, where they were without fault, least they should have suffered punishment unworthily, when they had committed no wicked fact. In the mean time God of his clemency granted thus much to the brethren and kinsmen of them that were dead, that their sorrow should not be increased, by having them daily in their sight, by whom they were deprived of their friends. Finally, the people was accustomed to detest all manslaughter, when such manslayers as were acquitted of murder, should be banished from their house, and from their country, until the death of the high priest. For that temporal punishment did clearly show, how precious mans blood is in the sight of God. So the law, both to the whole state and every private member was just, indifferent, and profitable.