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…

23 Now therefore take away, &c.) How could it be, that they which were of late so sharp revengers of superstition, have suffered idols to have place among them, and yet the words sound so, that they should take away from amongst them the strange gods. If we understand, that their houses were yet polluted with idols, we may see as it were in a clear glass, how sweetly the greatest part of men do flatter themselves in their vices, which against other they pursue with extreme •igour and severity. But because it seemeth not like unto me, that after the punishment of Achan, they durst be so bold to de••le themselves with such manifest sacrileges, I do rather refer it to their affection, that they should drive away far from them all inventions of feigned gods. For before, in the same Chap. he exhorteth ⟨image 108⟩them to take away the gods, whom their fathers served beyond the river, and in Egypt. But no man will think, that the idols of Chaldea were laid up in their closets, or else that they brought those filthy corruptions out of Egypt, which should be cause of hateful discord between God and them. Wherefore, the simple sense is, that they should renounce all idols, and deliver themselves from all corruptions, that they may worship the only true God purely. For hitherto pertaineth that clause, That they may incline their heart to the Lord, which is as much, as to rest only upon him, or to set their love upon him, and that they should delight and be content with him alone.

23 Nowe therefore take away, &c.) How could it be, that they which were of late so sharpe reuengers of superstition, haue suffered idols to haue place among them, and yet the wordes sound so, that they should take away from amongst them the straunge gods. If we vnderstand, that their houses were yet polluted with idols, we may see as it were in a cleare glasse, how sweetly the greatest part of men doe flatter themselues in their vices, which against other they pursue with extreme •igour and seueritie. But because it seemeth not like vnto me, that after the punishment of Achan, they durst be so bold to de••le themselues with such manifest sacrileges, I doe rather referre it to their affection, that they should driue away farre from them all inuentions of feigned gods. For before, in the same Chap. he exhorteth