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…

34 Then the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, called the altar Ed, for it shall be a witness between us, that the Lord is God.

34 Then the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, called the altar Ed, for it shalbe a witnesse betweene vs, that the Lorde is God.

21 Then answered, &c.) The state of the cause standeth upon definition. For the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, excuse the matter, that they had an other purpose and intent, and so the crime is wiped away: because the quality of the fact is otherwise than the rest did take it. But whereas they make no stir, nor move any contention, for the injury that was offered unto them, it is an example of rare modesty, which is set forth for us to follow, that if it happen at any time, that that which is rightly & well done of us, be blamed falsely and unjustly by them that are unskilful, it may suffice us to confute the reprehension in such sort, as we may be purged of the crime supposed. But that they may purchase unto themselves the greater credit, and better testify their innocency, with a most weighty obtestation they reject and detest that heinous wickedness, whereof they were suspected. Also the repetition is not without great weight, (The Lord the God of gods, the Lord the God of gods,) with which vehemency also they confirm, how faithfully they desire to continue in the doctrine of the law, and how greatly they abhor all contrary superstitions. But because their purpose was not known to men, and according to every mans head was expounded in diverse sentences and opinions: therefore they appeal to the judgment of God, & offer themselves to suffer punishment, if he know they have attempted any thing of evil purpose or intent. And that they may prove themselves to be unlike to hypocrites, which with devilish impudency will not stick an hundred times ⟨image 100⟩to call upon God to be their Judge, when their conscience never thelesse doeth accuse them within, they do not only pretend their conscience, but also do pronounce, that all the people shall be witness: as if they said, It shall be found manifest in deed, that it came never in their thought, to invent a new worship of God: and they do rightly interpret, how that altar should have been unlawful, namely, if they had determined to offer their sacrifices upon it. For the law did not simply condemn heaps of stones: