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…

16 The people answered, &c.) Now appeareth no small fruit of this free choice offered unto them, when the people do not incline to any other religion, nor receive any thing to obey, which they have heard elsewhere: but pronounce, that it were exceeding great wickedness to fall away from God. And so it availeth not a little to the confirmation of the covenant, that they bind themselves of their own accord. The effect of their answer is, that seeing God by marvellous redemption hath purchased them to be his peculiar people, and hath always assisted them, and showed that he is their God, it should be detestable unthankfulness, if they should forsake him, and fall to strange gods.

16 The people answered, &c.) Now appeareth no small fruite of this free choyce offered vnto them, when the people doe not incline to any other religion, nor receiue any thing to obey, which they haue heard elsewhere: but pronounce, that it were exceeding great wickednesse to fall away from God. And so it auayleth not a little to the confirmation of the couenant, that they binde themselues of their owne accorde. The effect of their answere is, that seeing God by meruellous redemption hath purchased them to be his peculiar people, and hath alwayes assisted them, and shewed that he is their God, it should be detestable vnthankfulnesse, if they should forsake him, and fall to straunge gods.

19 And Joshua said, &c.) Here it seemeth, that Joshua doth altogether unreasonably, which discourageth the prompt and willing desire of the people. For to what end doeth he deny, that they are able to serve God, but that by very impossibility he might cast them in despair, whereby they must needs be alienated from the fear of God: But by this so sharp contestation, it was needful, that the people, which were slack and dull through security, should be awakened, which thing we see lacked not good success, though it continued not long. For they are not discouraged nor made slacker: but having overcome this hinderance, they answer readily, that they will be constant in doing their duty. Finally, Joshua doeth not discourage them from serving God: but only declareth, how stubborn and disobedient they are, that they may learn to change their froward disposition. So Moses, in his song, when he seemeth to make a divorce between God and them, doth nothing else but prick and sharpen them, that they go not forward to be like themselves.