12 Therefore if ye turn away, &c.) According to the usual method and order of the Law, he addeth threatenings, that if they be not sufficiently touched with the sweetness of the grace of God, yet at the least through fear they may be stirred up to do their duty. It is a shame indeed, that when God doth gently allure men to come to him, they do not immediately run forth to meet him, that they may answer his gentleness with ready & cheerful obedience: but such is the slothfulness of the flesh, that it hath always need of the spurs of threatenings. Wherefore Joshua keepeth the usual order of the Law, while he striketh a terror into the Israelites, if they do not study earnestly and willingly to embrace the favour of God, when it is offered unto them. And this was not once or twice denounced unto them, that the nations of Canaan should be pricks 1in their sides, and thorns in their eyes, if they had any familiarity with them. First, because God had consecrated that land unto him self, he would have it be purged of all corruptions: secondly, because he saw how easy it was to have the people corrupted by evil examples, he would also provide a remedy for that mischief. Now, whereas the people on the one side esteemed it as nothing, that the land was defiled with ungodly superstitions, and that idols were there worshipped in steed of the true God: and on the other side, too greedily drew in the infection of their vices, it was a just reward of so gross contempt, that they should feel them hateful & troublesome, whom they had so evil spared and pardoned. And that that which both Moses & Joshua threatened was throughly fulfilled, it appeareth sufficiently out of the book of Judges. And yet this open threatening of the vengeance of God was not altogether unprofitable: ⟨p. 100⟩for after Joshua was dead, they took courage to make war. But this heat soon vanished away: for not long after, they were defiled with ungodly superstitions of the Gentiles. Whereby we may see the intemperance of mans nature in coveting false religion, which with no bridles can be sufficiently restrained. Now it is good to consider, how far forth this doctrine pertaineth to us. That ancient people had this peculiar commandment, that by destroying the nations of Canaan, they should be separated from all ungodly corruptions.
12 Therefore if ye turne away, &c.) According to the vsuall method and order of the Lawe, he addeth threatenings, that if they be not sufficiently touched with the sweetnesse of the grace of God, yet at the least through feare they may be stirred vp to do their duetie. It is a shame indeed, that when God doth gently allure men to come to him, they doe not immediatly runne foorth to meet him, that they may answere his gentlenesse with redie & cheerfull obedience: but such is the slouthfulnesse of the flesh, that it hath alwayes neede of the spurres of threatenings. Wherefore Iosue keepeth the vsuall order of the Lawe, while he striketh a terrour into the Israelites, if they doe not studie earnestly and willingly to embrace the fauoure of God, when it is offered vnto them. And this was not once or twise denounced vnto them, that the nations of Chanaan should be prickes 1in their sides, and thornes in their eyes, if they had any familiaritie with them. First, because God had consecrated that land vnto him selfe, he would haue it be purged of all corruptions: secondly, because he sawe how easie it was to haue the people corrupted by euill examples, he would also prouide a remedie for that mischiefe. Now, whereas the people on the one side esteemed it as nothing, that the land was defiled with vngodlie superstitions, and that idols were there worshipped in steed of the true God: and on the other side, too greedily drew in the infection of their vices, it was a iust rewarde of so grosse contempt, that they should feele them hatefull & troublesome, whom they had so euill spared and pardoned. And that that which both Moses & Iosue threatened was throughly fulfilled, it appeareth sufficiently out of the booke of Iudges. And yet this open threatening of the vengeaunce of God was not altogether vnprofitable: ⟨p. 100⟩for after Iosue was dead, they tooke courage to make warre. But this heate soone vanished away: for not long after, they were defiled with vngodlie superstitions of the Gentiles. Whereby we may see the intemperance of mans nature in coueting false religion, which with no bridles can be sufficiently restrained. Now it is good to consider, how farre forth this doctrine perteineth to vs. That auncient people had this peculiar commaundement, that by destroying the nations of Chanaan, they should be separated from all vngodlie corruptions.
- 1Num. 33. 55
