Here is reported that solemn contestation, which Joshua used a little before his death, that he might leave the pure worship of God alive behind him. And although the peace and rest, which the Israelites had obtained among the nations of Canaan, be here rehearsed for an excellent benefit of God: yet it is meet we call to remembrance, that which I taught before, as it came to pass through their own slothfulness, that they dwelled among their enemies, whom they ought to have chased away and destroyed. But yet the mercy of God is worthily praised, that he pardoned their unthankfulness. Also this godly carefulness of Joshua is here set forth to be followed of all them that be in authority. For as he shall not be counted a good father nor a provident, which thinketh of his children but unto the end of his life, except he extend his care further, and as much as lieth in him doeth provide for them after his death: so good magistrates & governors ought to foresee, that such good and well ordered state as they leave, they confirm & prolong for a long time after them. For this cause Peter saith, that he would endeavour, 1that after he was departed out of the world, the Church might still be mindful of his admonitions, and receive some fruit of them. Where it is said, that he called all Israel, it followeth immediately after, the Elders, and Heads, and Judges, and Rulers, which I do thus interpret, that it was free for all men to come, but that assembly was appointed of Heads and Rulers. And so this later member of the sentence seemeth to me, to be an exposition of the former. And surely, it is by no means credible, that the whole people was ⟨image 102⟩called together, neither could it be. Therefore after this manner, the people were called, because the •l•ers, Judges, and such like, were commanded to come, and to bring with them as many as would willingly come. Here is indeed rehearsed a double speech of Joshua: but the writer of the history seemeth to me first to touch the sum of his whole oration briefly, as the use of the tongue is, and afterward to prosecute more at large, and to comprehend that which he omitted. In this part, which hath the first place, Joshua doth briefly exhorts and encourage the people to a certain trust in the continual and unwearied grace of God.
Here is reported that solemne contestation, which Iosue vsed a little before his death, that he might leaue the pure worship of God aliue behinde him. And although the peace and rest, which the Israelits had obteined among the nations of Chanaan, be here rehersed for an excellent benefit of God: yet it is meete we call to remembrance, that which I taught before, as it came to passe through their owne slouthfulnesse, that they dwelled among their enimies, whom they ought to haue chased away and destroyed. But yet the mercie of God is worthily praised, that he pardoned their vnthankfulnesse. Also this godlie carefulnesse of Iosue is here set forth to be followed of all them that be in authoritie. For as he shall not be counted a good father nor a prouident, which thinketh of his children but vnto the end of his life, except he extend his care further, and as much as lieth in him doeth prouide for them after his death: so good magistrates & gouernours ought to forsee, that such good and well ordered state as they leaue, they confirme & prolong for a long time after them. For this cause Peter saith, that he woulde endeuour, 1that after he was departed out of the world, the Church might still be mindfull of his admonitions, and receiue some fruite of them. Where it is said, that he called all Israel, it followeth immediately after, the Elders, and Heads, and Iudges, and Rulers, which I doe thus interprete, that it was free for all men to come, but that assemblie was appointed of Heades and Rulers. And so this later member of the sentence seemeth to me, to be an exposition of the former. And surely, it is by no meanes credible, that the whole people was ⟨image 102⟩called together, neither coulde it be. Therefore after this manner, the people were called, because the •l•ers, Iudges, and suth like, were commaunded to come, and to bring with them as many as woulde willingly come. Here is indeede rehearsed a double speach of Iosue: but the writer of the historie seemeth to me first to touch the summe of his whole oration breefly, as the vse of the tongue is, and afterwarde to prosecute more at large, and to comprehend that which he omitted. In this parte, which hath the first place, Iosue doth breefly exhorts and incourage the people to a certeine trust in the continuall and vnwearied grace of God.
- 11. Pet. 1. 1•.
