A17638:910
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…
A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little before his death: translated out of Latin into English by W.F. Whereunto is added a table of the principal matters.A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little before his death: translated out of Latine into Englishe by W.F. Wherevnto is added a table of the principall matters.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for George Bishop, 1578
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
23 Then put away now, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and bow your hearts unto the Lord God of Israel.
23 Then put away now, said he, the straunge gods which are among you, and bow your heartes vnto the Lorde God of Israel.
24 And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
24 And the people said vnto Ioshue, The Lorde our God will we serue, and his voyce will we obey.
15 But if it be grievous, &c.) Joshua seemeth here to have little consideration what becometh a godly and wise Governor. If the people had forsaken God, and been carried after idols, it had been his part to take punishment of their ungodly and wicked defection. But now, when he giveth them leave to choose whether they will serve God or no, he looseth the bridle, that they may boldly run headlong into all licentiousness of sinning. That also which followeth, seemeth to be more absurd, when he denieth that they are able to serve God: as though he would of purpose drive them to cast off his yoke. Howbeit, it is not to be doubted, but that his tongue was governed by the direction of Gods spirit, that he might touch them at the very heart. For when God driveth men into his obedience, they are often times willing enough to profess the desire of godliness, from which notwithstanding they fall away soon after: so they build without a foundation. This cometh to pass, because they do neither distrust their own weakness, so much as they ought to do: nor consider how hard a thing it is, to give over them selves wholly to God. Wherefore, we have need of an earnest examination, that we be not carried up on high through a light motion, & so in the very first attempt, the success do fail us. For this purpose of trial, Joshua setteth the Israelites at liberty, that as though they were free, and at their own choice, they might choose again what God they would worship: not that he would drive them away from true religion, which were too apt of them selves to fall away: