26 And Joshua did write, &c.) I understand that authentical volume which was kept by the Ark of covenant, as if he had laid up a public record in the register for a perpetual memory. And there is no doubt, but when the law was rehearsed, this proclamation of the covenant was also published. But because that which is written, is often times hid in shut books, he appointeth an other help of memory, which might ever be extant in the eyes of all men, namely a stone under the oak which was near the Sanctuary. Not that the abiding place of the Ark was there perpetual: but because it was set there, that they might appear before God. Therefore, as often as they came before God, the testimony or memorial of the covenant, which they made, was before their eyes, that they might be better retained in their fidelity. Where as he saith, that the stone hath heard the words of the Lord, it is indeed an Hyperbolical, but yet not a foolish kind of speaking, to express the efficacy and virtue of the word of God, as if it had been said, That it pierceth into dead rocks and stones: that if men be deaf, their damnation soundeth in all elements. To lie, here, as often times ⟨image 109⟩elsewhere, signifieth to do deceitfully and craftily, to fail and break promise. Who would not think, that a covenant established so surely, should have been firm and holy into many ages of the posterity: And yet Joshua prevailed no more with all his great carefulness, but that it might continue for a few years after.
26 And Iosue did write, &c.) I vnderstand that authenticall volume which was kept by the Arke of couenaunt, as if he had laid vp a publike recorde in the register for a perpetuall memorie. And there is no doubt, but when the lawe was rehearsed, this proclamation of the couenant was also published. But because that which is written, is often times hidde in shutte bookes, he appointeth an other healpe of memorie, wihch might euer be extant in the eyes of all men, namely a stone vnder the oke which was neere the Sanctuarie. Not that the abiding place of the Arke was there perpetuall: but because it was set there, that they might appeare before God. Therefore, as often as they came before God, the testimonie or memoriall of the couenant, which they made, was before their eyes, that they might be better reteined in their fidelitie. Where as he saith, that the stone hath hearde the wordes of the Lord, it is indeede an Hyperbolicall, but yet not a foolish kinde of speaking, to expresse the efficacie and vertue of the worde of God, as if it had bene saied, That it pearceth into dead rockes and stones: that if men be deafe, their damnation soundeth in all elementes. To lie, here, as often times ⟨image 109⟩elsewhere, signifieth to doe deceiptfully and craftily, to faile and breake promise. Who would not thinke, that a couenant established so surely, should haue bene firme and holie into many ages of the posteritie: And yet Iosue preuailed no more with all his great carefulnesse, but that it might continue for a few yeares after.
