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…

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: ⟨image 107⟩but that they should not promise unadvisedly that which they would break in short time after. For the purpose of Joshua was to renew the covenant, and to confirm that which was already made with God, as we shall see. Therefore, not without cause he giveth them liberty to choose, that they should not afterward pretend, that it was of necessity, when they had bound them selves by their own consent. In the mean while to touch them with shame, he doth testify, that he and his house would continue in the worship of God.

15 But if it be greeuous, &c.) Iosue seemeth here to haue little consideration what becommeth a godlie and wise Gouernour. If the people had forsaken God, and bene carried after idols, it had bene his parte to take punishment of their vngodlie and wicked defection. But now, when he geueth them leaue to choose whether they will serue God or no, he looseth the bridle, that they may boldly runne headlong into all licentiousnesse of sinning. That also which followeth, seemeth to be more absurde, when he denieth that they are able to serue God: as though he woulde of purpose driue them to cast off his yoke. Howbeit, it is not to be doubted, but that his tongue was gouerned by the direction of Gods spirite, that he might touch them at the very hearte. For when God driueth men into his obedience, they are often times willing enough to professe the desire of godlinesse, from which notwithstanding they fall away soone after: so they build without a foundation. This commeth to passe, because they doe neither distrust their owne weakenesse, so much as they ought to doe: nor consider how harde a thing it is, to geue ouer them selues wholy to God. Wherfore, we haue neede of an earnest examination, that we be not carried vp on high through a light motion, & so in the very first attempt, the successe doe faile vs. For this purpose of triall, Iosue setteth the Israelites at libertie, that as though they were free, and at their owne choyce, they might choose againe what God they woulde worshippe: not that he would driue them away from true religion, which were too apte of them selues to fall away: