auenger of bloud vntill he stoode before the Congregation 1 And the Lorde spake c. Whereas it came not in their minde to appoint the cities of refuge vntill they were admonished againe it seemeth that their slacknesse is couertly reproued for this was decreed before by the commaundement of God beyond Iordan When the like and the verie same reason is here wherefore doe they staie why doe they not bring to an end that which they had well begonne considering that it was for great cause that innocent persons should haue safe places of refuge appointed them least the land should be defiled with bloud for except that remedie had bene vsed the kinsemen of them that were slaine by rashly reuenging their death would haue doubled the mischiefe Surely the people ought not to haue bene slacke in prouiding to auoyde that which might be a spot or defiling of the lande Whereby we may see how slowe men are not onely to doe their duetie but also to be carefull of their owne health except God did often pricke them foreward and prouoke them with the spurres of his exhortations Howbeit it appeareth by this that their offence was but of negligence that they are immediatly readie to obey and doe not prolong the matter nor hinder and staie so necessarie a busines with vnprofitable contentions But what was the lawe of these Sanctuaries we haue elsewhere declared For by them was no impunitie geuen to wilfull murders but if any man through error or chaunce had slaine a man that was not his enimie he had safe refuge vnto these cities which were appointed for the same purpose So God helped the poore wretches where they were without fault least they should haue suffered punishment vnworthily when they had committed no wicked facte In the meane time God of his clemencie graunted thus much to the brethren and kinsemen of them that were dead that their sorrowe shoulde not be increased by hauing them daily in their sight by whom they were depriued of their friendes Finally the people was accustomed to detest all manslaughter when such manslaiers as were acquitted of murder should be banished from their house and from their contrie vntill the death of the high priest For that temporall punishment did clearely shewe how pretious mans bloud is in the sight of god So the lawe both to the whole state and euerie priuate member was iust indifferent and profitable But we must note breefly that euerie point is not here sette forth in order For vppon this condition he that had slaine a man by chaunce might be preserued from danger if first he appered in iudgement to answer the cause and after it was throughly discussed and debated he were acquitted of murder as is more at large declared by Moses concerning this whole matter 7 And they appointed c. The verbe KADESH which here is set doeth signifie also To consecrate and appoint Wherefore I iudge that the citties were so chosen out as serued best for the common profite Whereby it is gathered that they did truely moderate themselues that priuate vtilitie gaue place to publique profite But in the next Chapter wee shall see that Kiriath-arba which afterward was called Hebron was translated to the Leuites whereas before it was vnder the dominion of Caleb Wherein the rare yea the incomparable continencie of that holy man appeared which willingly deliuered vp to other men as well the citie as the suburbes which he might well haue challenged to himselfe so soone as the lotte did shew that such was the pleasure of god And it was needefull briefly to touch this chaunge because God would haue the refuge to be only in the cities of the Leuites that their innocencie might be defended among them with more fidelitie and authoritie Chap. 21. THen came the principall fathers of the Leuites vnto Eleazar the Priest and vnto Ioshue the sonne of Nun and vnto the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel 2 And spake vnto them at Shiloh in the land of Chanaan saying The Lorde commaunded by the hand of Moses to giue vs cities to dwell in with the suburbes thereof for our cattell 3 So the children of Israel gaue vnto the Leuites out of their inheritance at the commaundement of the Lord these cities with their suburbes 4 And the lotte came out for the families of the Kohathites and the children of Aaron the Priest which were of the Leuites had by lot out of the tribe of Iudah and out of the tribe of Simeon and out of the tribe of Beniamin thirteene cities 5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim and out of the tribe of Dan and out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh ten cities 6 Also the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar and out of the tribe of Asher and out of the tribe of Nepthalie and out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh in Bashan thirteene cities 7 The children of Merarie according to their families had out of the tribe of Ruben and out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun twelue cities 8 So the children of Israel gaue by lot vnto the Leuites these cities with their suburbes as the Lorde had commaunded by the hand of Moses 9 And they gaue out of the tribe of the children of Iudah and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon these cities whiche are here named 10 And they were the childrens of Aaron being of the families of the Kohathites and of the sonnes of Leui for theirs was the first lotte 11 So they gaue them Kiriath-arba of the father of Anok which is Hebron in the mountaine of Iudah with the suburbes of the same rounde about it 12 But the lande of the citie and the villages thereof gaue they to Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh to be his possession 13 Thus they gaue to the children of Aaron the Priest a citie of refuge for the slayer euen Hebron with her suburbes and Libnah with her suburbes 14 And Iattir with her suburbes and Eshtemoa and her suburbes 15 And Holon with her suburbes and Debir with her suburbes 16 And Ain with her suburbes and Iuttah with her suburbes Beth shemesh with her suburbes nine cities out of those two tribes 17 And out of the tribe of Beniamin they gaue Gibeon with her suburbes Geba with her suburbes 18 Anathoth with her suburbes and Almon with her suburbes foure cities 19 All the cities of the children of Aaron Priests were thirteene cities with their suburbes 1 Then came c. Here is declared afterward that which should haue gone before For the cities of refuge were not geuen before they were assigned to the Leuites As also we must remember that which was saied before that Iosue and Eleazer made an ende of diuiding the lande for the lande was not iustly diuided vntill the Leuites had their dwelling place appointed them
Therefore we must consider that when the lottes were cast in the name of the ten tribes certeine cities in the land of Chanaan were drawen out of euery portion in which the Leuites shoulde dwell For they had their portion alredie appointed them beyond Iordan But whereas the Leuites come and require that the gifte of God may be confirmed that they might possesse their cities with their suburbes it is like they were neglected vntill they pleaded their owne cause For so it falleth out commonly while euery man is busie to prouide for him selfe they forgette their brethren Surely it was a shame for the people to be pulled by the eare and to be brought in remembraunce of that which God had so plainly commaunded concerning the Leuites And yet if they had not spoken earnestly for a house they were in daunger to haue lien abroade in the fieldes Although we may easily gather that the people offended rather of negligence and forgetfulnesse than of purpose to defraud them for they make no delay as soone as they are admonished yea their obedience is praised that according to the worde of the Lorde they performed that which was equall and right 4 And the lotte c. Here is set foorth the number of the cities whereof must be spoken soone after Secondly here is plainely expressed that the lot of the sonnes of Aaron fell in the tribe of Iuda which happened not by chance for God by his meruellous counsell placed them in that seate where he had appointed his Temple to be builded Thirdly the names of the cities are rehearsed whereof Hebron is the first which Caleb suffered to be taken from him with a good will. If any man obiect that Hierusalem should haue bene especially geuen them where they should haue their lawefull abiding place the answere is easie that small and meane cities were deliuered to them such as their state required Moreouer Hierusalem was not yet recouered for the Iebusites had it in possession Finally it had bene against reason that the seate of the kingdome should haue bene appointed to the Priestes And in this their faith and religion was better approued that they went willingly out of their natiue countrie to doe their duetie about the holy affaires For no Priest did his office there but he was aforeigner dwelt in some other place But yet their infirmitie was borne withall when they were rewarded with cities that were neere about least it should be troublesome to them to take along iourney to doe their office But whereas one onely familie and that not verie populous had thirteene cities graunted for their habitation hereof is confirmed that I haue noted elsewhere that the other tribes had manie cities vnder their dominion whereof here is no mention and that shal be confirmed more certeinly soone after 20 But to the families of the children of Kohath of the Leuits which were the rest of the children of Kohath for the cities of their lot were out of the tribe of Ephraim 21 They gaue them the citie of refuge for the slaier Shechem with her suburbes in mount Ephraim and Gezer with her suburbes 22 And Kibzaim with her suburbes and Beth-horon with her suburbes foure cities 23 And out of the tribe of Dan Eltkeh with her suburbes Gibethon with her suburbes 24 Aiialon with her suburbes Gath-rimmon with her suburbes foure cities 25 And out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh Tanach with her suburbes and Gath-rimmon with her suburbes two cities 26 All the cities for the other families of the children of Kohath were ten with their suburbes 27 Also vnto the children of Gershon of the families of the Leuites they gaue out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh the citie of refuge for the slaier Golan in Bashan with her suburbes and Beeshterah with her suburbes two cities 28 And out of the tribe of Issachar Kis-hon with her suburbs Dabereh with her suburbes 29 Iarmuth with her suburbes En-gannim with her suburbes foure cities 30 And out of the tribe of Asser Mishal with her suburbes Abdon with her suburbes 31 Helkoh with her suburbes and Rehob with her suburbes foure cities 32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali the citie of refuge for the slaier Kedesh in Galil with her suburbes and Hammoth-dor with her suburbes and Kartan with her suburbes three cities 33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteene cities with there suburbes 34 Also vnto the families of the children of Merari the rest of the Leuites they gaue out of the tribe of Zebulun Iokneam with her suburbes and Cartah with her suburbes 35 Dimnah with her suburbes Nahalal with her suburbes foure cities 36 And out of the tribe of Ruben Bezer with her suburbes and Iahazah with her suburbes 37 Kedemoth with her suburbes and Mephaath with her suburbes foure cities 38 And out of the tribe of Gad they gaue for a citie of refuge for the slaier Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbes and Mahanaim with her suburbes 39 Heshbon with her suburbes and Iazer with her suburbes foure cities in all 40 So all the cities of the children of Merari according to their families which were the rest of the families of the Leuites were by their lot twelue cities 41 And all the cities of the Leuites within the possession of the children of Israel were eight and fourtie with their suburbes 42 These cities lay euerie one seuerally with their suburbes round about them so were all these cities 43 So the Lorde gaue vnto Israel all the land which he had sworne to giue vnto their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt therein 44 Also the Lorde gaue them rest round about according to all that he had sworne vnto their fathers and there stoode not a man of all their enimies before them for the Lord deliuered all their enimies into their hand 45 There failed nothing of all the good thinges which the Lorde had said vnto the house of Israel but all came to passe 20 But to the families of the sonnes of Kahath c. For what cause it behoued the Leuites to be dispersed into euerie tribe let the reader seeke in Moses Indeed this punishment was laied vppon their father for the vnfaithfulnesse and crueltie which he practised against the Sichemites But in steede of reproch this dispersion was turned into their exceeding great honour that they being placed as watchmen in euerie region might keepe the people in the pure worship of god They were indeede but as tenantes in euerie place but with so great dignitie as ouerseers appointed by God to take heed that the people should not fall away from true godlinesse This is the reason why it is reported so diligently how many cities fell vnto them in euerie tribe that they might be alwayes as watchmen to preserue the purenesse of religion amongst them 41 All the cities of the Leuites c. This place especially doeth teach that which I haue touched once or twise before that the boundes
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 ¶ Imprinted at London for George Bishop 1578. The Argument of the Booke of Iosue COncerning the author of this booke it is better that we shoulde suspend our iudgement than that we should affirme any thing of so vncerteine a matter They which thinke it was Iosue because it is intituled of his name leane vppon a verie slight and weake reason For the holy historie beareth the name of Samuel in which notwithstanding is a rehersal of such maters as followed after his death And surely the booke which followeth next in order is not therfore called the booke of Iudges because it was written by them but because it reporteth such things as were done by them and vnder their gouernment Now that historie which is reported in the. 15. Chapter of the taking of the two cities Hebron Debir was executed after the death of Iosue It were therefore a more likely coniecture to thinke that the principall summes of matters were gathered together by Eliazar the high Priest out of which this booke was compiled made For it was his peculiar charge not only to teach the people of his age by his owne voyce while he liued but also to leaue a testimonie vnto the posteritie of the grace of God in preseruing his Church that true religion might the better be enlarged And before the Leuites grewe out of kinde from their first institutiō they had among them by order as it were publike Notaries or Registrers which committed to perpetuall memorie whatsoeuer was worthie to be remembred in the gouernment of the Church But as for that which is not certeinly knowen vnto vs neither yet is verie necessarie to be knowen let vs not be loath to leaue it in doubt and vncerteintie so long as we are certeine of that which is the cheefest point namely that the doctrine which is conteined in this booke is inspired of the holie Ghost for our profite out of which no small fruite may be receiued of the diligent and attentiue readers For although the people hauing before this time obteined notable victories dwelled in a countrie that was of reasonable commodities and meanelie good fruitfulnesse yet the promise of God concerning the land of Chanaan remained still in suspense wanted execution Yea the chiefest point of the couenant as yet did lacke the effect performaunce as though that God after he had cast the people into a narrowe corner had geuen ouer his enterprise and left it maymed and vnperfect This booke therefore declareth that when the intollerable vngodlinesse of the people had broken off the course of their deliuerance yet God notwithstanding in taking punishment of their sinnes did so temper the rigour of his iudgement that neuerthelesse at the length he performed whatsoeuer he promised of the inheritance of the land of Chanaan Where also we meete with a verie profitable consideration that although men being taken away by death doe faile in the middest of their course yet the faith of Gods promise neuer falleth away There seemed to followe by the death of Moses an heauie chaunge conuersion of the state The people were left as a body whose head was cut off In this so great feare of their dispersion appeared not only the immortall truth of God which neuer dieth though men decay but also in the person of Iosue was declared and shewed as it were in a notable cleare glasse that when God taketh away those men whom he hath adorned with singular gifts he hath enow in store whom he can set vp in their place and that although he will haue some men to excell for a time yet his power is not so tied vnto their persons but he can finde successours for them whensoeuer it pleaseth him yea he can raise vp men of stones which shal be meete to take in hand the greatest affaires First of all therefore when the passage through the redde Sea in the space of 40. yeeres by which God led the people through the wildernesse was almost growne out of remembrance by the same miracle in the passage of the riuer Iordan the continuall tenure course of their deliuerance was againe renewed continued As for the renewing of Circumcision was as much as if God should afresh establish his couenant which through the shamefull negligence of the people was buried or through their infidelitie despaire reiected Then it followeth howe by the hande of God they were brought into the possession of the lande of promise The taking of the first citie was an earnest pledge vnto them of that vertue power of God which they should hope for in all the rest while at the only sound of the trumpettes the walles of Hiericho were shaken fell downe of their owne accorde And yet these nations were not discomfited in one battell nor chased away by warres of short continuance but by litle litle they were spent and wasted away by many painefull conflictes Where also it is to be noted that the people had many great difficulties laid in their way whiles the Kings that were their enimies conspiring together gathered all their forces into one and so came to fight against them so that they had not warre with euerie people seuerally at sundrie times but with an infinite multitude which might haue runne ouer the Israelites all at one brunt But these their violent attempts in the end haue this issue that whiles the power of God sheweth it selfe to be aboue them his mercie also and faithfulnesse in defence of his elect people shineth more gloriously Vndoubtedly that continuall course of their happie successe so many wonderfull victories did openly represent the hand of God as it were stretcht out of heauen to help them But this was a most manifest proofe that they warred vnder the conduct of God himselfe that at the request of Iosue the course of the Sunne was stayed as though all creatures of the world being armed vnto his aide were present at his commaundement Now although the long deferring of the finall discomfiture of these nations was a profitable triall of the constancie of the people yet must we therein consider the wonderfull purpose of God whereof they were admonished in good time by Moses that they shoulde not faint through wearinesse namely that God woulde not haue those nations at once destroyed least the wilde beastes should enter vpon the countrie being voyde of inhabitantes But whereas God by this appointment had verie well prouided for their securitie in time to come they through their wickednes turned it into their owne destruction For when they had once obteined sufficient roome cōmodious for their habitatiō as they thought through their wicked slouth cowardlinesse they turned their course backeward shamefully retired which one offence of theirs
they should haue bene a whole moneth before they had gathered together so much as woulde suffice so great a multitude Wherefore I see not why the interpreters trouble them selues about a matter so cleare and manifest 13 When Ioshua was c. Here is rehearsed a notable vision by which Iosue was incouraged For although he did his office valiantly yet was it profitable for him to be pricked forward when he ranne well And yet the Angel appeared not for his cause only but for the confirmation of all the people yea GOD had a further respect by manifest argumentes to testifie vnto the posteritie that his grace and fauour which was neuer sufficiently considered For although they boasted gloriously that they were planted in the holie lande by the hande of GOD yet they could scarse be brought by so many miracles earnestly to acknowledge that they were there as Gods tenantes Therefore this vision ought to bee profitable vnto all ages that the benefite of GOD might not be called in doubt Where it is sayed that he lifted vp his eyes it signifieth the certeintie of the matter least any man shoulde thinke that his sight was deceiued with a vanishing shewe Nowe this sight at the first was fearefull to beholde for it is like that Ioshue was then alone whether he departed from companie of purpose to pray or to viewe the citie And the latter cause seemeth vnto me likelie that he viewed by him selfe on what parte the citie was best to be assaulted least the rest should bee discouraged by the difficultie of the matter Surely it appeareth he had no companie with him seeing he meeteth with the Angel alone and there is no doubt but that he was redie to haue fought if he had mette with his enimie But he demandeth the question of him as of a man because he knewe him not to bee an Angel but by his answere And this his doubtfull inquirie winneth more credite to the vision while he was brought by little and little from the sight of a man whom he speaketh withall vnto the knowledge of an Angel. Although the wordes sound that he was not one of the common sorte of Angels but one of principall excellencie For he calleth him selfe The Prince of the armie of GOD which may bee vnderstood as well of the chosen people as of the Angels but the former opinion is better because GOD bringeth forth no newe matter but continueth that which we read to haue bene before performed to Moses And we knowe that Moses him selfe preferred that benefite before all the rest and not vnworthily for they by GOD did openly and familiarly shewe his glorie And therefore he is called indifferently An Angel and also adorned with the title of the eternall god Whereof Saint Paule is a sufficient witnesse which doeth expressely affirme that it was Christ him selfe And Moses him selfe acknowledgeth the presence of GOD in the person of the Mediatour for when GOD pronounceth after the calfe was made that he would be no more guide vnto the people and promiseth he would geue them one of his Angels meaning one of the common sorte Moses earnestly entreateth him that he would not so doe For if the Mediatour were taken away he could not hope that GOD would be mercifull Therefore it was a singular pledge of Gods fauour that the Prince and head of the Church with whome Moses was acquainted was present with him And surely the adoption of GOD could not otherwise be stedfast and ratified but by the hand of the Mediator 14 No but the Captaine c. Although thâ— deniall doth aptly agree to both partes of his demand because he was neither an Israelite nor a Chanaanite as if he did precisely denie that he was a mortall man yet we may apâ—ly restraine it vnto the second parte where Iosue demaunded Whether he were one of their enimies But because that is not greatly materiall it is sufficient to hold that which is principall that his comming was to be Captaine of the chosen people whom he calleth honorably The armie of God. That he maketh himselfe an other then GOD there is noted therein the distinction of the persons but the vnitie of the substance is not thereby diuâ—ded We see that in the bookes of Moses the name of Iehouah is often ascribed to the Angel that was their gouernour who was doubtles the only begotten sonne of god Namely for because he is both true GOD and also in the person of the Mediator by dispensation inferiour to god Now I doe willingly receiue that which the olde Doctors teach while Christ appeared in times past in the shape of a man it was a foretokening of that mysterie which afterwardes was exhibited when GOD was shewed in the flesh Yet must we beware that we doe not imagine that Christ did then take fleshe vppon him seeing we reade that GOD sent not his sonne in the fleshe before the fulnesse of time and moreouer as he is man he must be the sonne of Dauid But as we reade in Ezechiel it was the onely similitude of a man But whether it were a substantiall body or onely an outwarde shape it were in vaine to dispute curiously and to striue about it hurtfull There remaineth one question How the Prince of the hoste of GOD is said to come nowe which neuer forsooke the people that was committed to his charge and euen of late in the passage of Iordane had shewed foorth a woonderfull token of his presence Howbeit after the vsuall phrase of the Scripture God is saide to come to vs when we feele his helpe in deede whiche seemeth to be farre off except it be shewed vs plainely by experience It is therefore as muche as if he offered his aide to ouercome those battelles that were at hande and by his prese nce promised a happie ende of the warres which he had in hande By his worshipping of him it cannot be gathered certeinely whether Iosue did throughly knowe Christ that he did giue him diuine honour But when he demandeth What my Lorde Adonai woulde commaunde his seruaunt he ascribeth vnto him suche authoritie as agreeth to none but vnto God him selfe 15 Loose thy shooe c. For no other cause but that the vision may be more holie this greate Angel requireth that Iosue put off his shooes in signe of reuerence feare Moses declareth that the same commandement was giuen to him in the mount Sinai for no other cause but that God did there shewe his glorie For one place is not holier than an other but by the especiall appointment of god So Iacob crieth out that the place where he had a neerer knowledge of God was the house of God a terrible place and the gate of heauen Therefore when this holy man is commaunded to plucke off his shooes God by this ceremonie sealeth vp the faith of his presence and addeth more way to the vision not that the barenesse of his feete by it selfe is accompted a part
another shal be brused with a stone yea vnto some the wombe is their graue before they see the light It is certeine that none of these kindes of death doe happen but by the will of god Yet for all this who shall be so bolde as to pleade against him And if any bee so mad that he doe what shall he preuaile Hereof we must be persuaded that none perish by his commandement but such as he hath appointed to die But whereas his oxen his asses his sheepe are rehearsed we may gather that he was rich inough that pouertie could not prouoke him to committe this wicked fact wherein his vnsattable couetousnesse be wrayed it selfe that he desired stollen goodes not for necessitie but for rioâ—â—e and excesse 25 Iosue saide c. This seemeth to be to harde an insultation as though he purposed to driue the miserable man whom he shoulde haue exhorted to patience almost into furie and madnesse Howbeit I doubt not but that he spake this for the peoples sake that it might be a profitable example for them all I iudge therefore that he meant not to ouerwhelme Achan with disperation but in his person to shewe how greeuous an offence it was to trouble the Church of god Although it may be that the proude man complained that his satisfaction was not receiued wherby he thought to haue bene discharged and that therefore Iosue either to reforme or breake his pride and stubbornesse inueihed more sharpely against him For by the interrogation it semeth that he did expostulate with him and when he called God the Iudge he seemeth to stop the obstinate mans mouth That all the people threwe stones it was done in signe of detestation as if they would testifie that they were most clere of that crime which they did reuenge in another and still did abhorre it The heape of stones was partly a monument to the posteritie partly for this cause that if the place had ben voâ—de some man vnawares might gather vp the parcelles of gold and siluer For although God at the first commaunded the gold and the siluer to be offered vnto him yet would he not haue his sanctuarie polluted with thefte Chap. 8. AFTER the Lorde saide vnto Ioshua Feare not neither be thou faint hearted take all the men of warre with thee and arise goe vp to Ai behold I haue giuen into thine hande the King of Ai and his people and his Citie and his lande 2 And thou shalt doe to Ai and to the King thereof as thou diddest to Iericho to the King thereof neuerthelesse the spoile thereof the cattell thereof shall ye take vnto you for a pray thou shalt lie in waite against the Citie on the backeside thereof 3 Then Ioshua arose and all the men of warre to goe vp against Ai and Ioshua chose out thirtie thousande strong men and valiant and sent them away by night 4 And he commaunded them saying Beholde ye shall lie in waite against the Citie on the backeside of the Citie goe not verie farre from the Citie but be ye all in a readinesse 5 And I and all the people that are with me will approche vnto the Citie and when they shall come out against vs as they did at the first time then will we flee before them 6 For they will come out after vs till we haue brought them out of the citie for they will say They flee before vs as at the first time so we will flee before them 7 Then you shall rise vp from lying in waite and destroy the citie for the Lord your God will deliuer it into your hand 8 And when ye haue taken the citie ye shall set it on fire according to the commaundement of the Lord shall ye doe beholde I haue charged you 9 Ioshua then sent them forth and they went to lie in waite and abode betweene Beth-el and Ai on the West side of Ai but Ioshua lodged that night among the people 10 And Ioshua rose vp earely in the morning and numbered the people and he and the Elders of Israel went vp before the people against Ai. 11 Also all the men of warre that were with him went vp and drewe neere and came against the citie pitched on the North-side of Ai and there was a vallie betweene them and Ai 12 And he tooke about fiue thousand men and set them to lie in waite betweene Beth-el and Ai on the West side of the citie 13 And the people set all the host that was on the Northside against the citie and the liers in waite on the West against the citie and Ioshua went the same night into the middest of the vallie 14 And when the King of Ai sawe it then the men of the citie hasted and rose vp earely and went out against Israel to battell he and all his people at the time appointed before the plaine for he knew not that any lay in waite against him on the backside of the citie 15 Then Ioshua and all Israel as beaten before them fled by the way of the wildernesse 16 And all the people of the citie were called together to pursue after them and they pursued after Ioshua and were drawen away out of the citie 17 So that there was not a man left in Ai nor in Beth-el that went not out after Israel and they left the citie open and pursued after Israel 18 Then the Lord said vnto Ioshua Stretch out the speare that is in thine hand toward Ai for I will geue it into thine hand and Ioshua stretched out the speare that he had in his hand toward the citie 19 And they that lay in wayte arose quickly out of their place and ranne as soone as he had stretched out his hand they entred into the citie and tooke it and hasted and set the citie on fire 20 And the men of Ai looked behinde them and sawe it for loe the smoke of the citie ascended vp to heauen and they had no power to flee this way or that way for the people that fled to the wildernesse turned backe vpon the pursuers 21 When Ioshua and all Israel sawe that they that lay in wayte had taken the citie and that the smoke of the citie mounted vp then they turned againe and slue the men of Ai. 22 Also the other issued out of the citie against them so were they in the middest of Israel these being on the one side and the rest on the other side and they slue them so that they let none of them remaine nor escape 23 And the King of Ai they tooke aliue and brought him to Ioshua 24 And when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field that is in the wildernesse where they chased them and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword vntill they were consumed all the Israelites returned vnto Ai and smote it with the edge of the sworde 25 And all that fell that day
their actes and deedes I truly by that worde doe vnderstand either God or Israel rather than the author of the historie 14 And there was no day c. Once againe we reade in the Prophet Esaie and in the holy historie that the ordinarie course of the Sunne was chaunged in fauour of King Ezechias For that he might be persuaded that his life should be prolonged by the space of fifteene yeares the shadowe of the Sunne was drawen backe by tenne degrees whiche he had descended Therefore it is not precisely denied that any such like thing hath bene graunted to any other but the miracle is extolled as singular Whereas some turne the Uerbe SHAMANG to obey I refuse it as to hard For though it is said in the Psalme that God doth according to the desire of his seruantes which is as much in effect as to obey yet it is better to auoide what soeuer seemeth to bring GOD in subiection Simply therefore the excellencie of the miracle is praised because no such thing had bene seene before nor hath happened afterward In the seconde member of the verse as well the gentlenesse and facilitie of God is commended as also his fatherlie fauour towardes the people for whom he is saied to haue fought 15 After Ioshue returned and all Israel with him vnto the campe to Gilgal 16 But the fiue Kings fled were hid in a caue at Mak-kedah 17 And it was tolde Ioshue saying The fiue Kinges are found hid in a caue at Mak-kedah 18 Then Ioshue saide Roll great stones vpon the mouth of the caue and set men by it for to keepe them 19 But stand ye not still followe after your enimies and smite all the hindmost suffer them not to enter into their cities for the Lorde your God hathe giuen them into your hand 20 And when Ioshue and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with an exceeding great slaughter till they were consumed and the rest that remained of them were entred into walled cities 21 Then all the people returned to the campe to Ioshue at Mak-kedah in peace no man moued his tongue against the children of Israel 22 After Ioshue saide Open the mouthe of the caue and bring out these fiue Kinges vnto me foorth of the caue 23 And they did so and brought out those fiue Kinges vnto him foorth of the caue euen the King of Hierusalem the King of Hebron the King of Iarmuth the King of Lachish and the King of Eglon. 24 And when they had brought out those Kings vnto Ioshue Ioshue called for all the men of Israel and saide vnto the chiefe of the men of warre which went with him Come neere set your feete vpon the neckes of these Kings and they came neere and set their feete vppon their neckes 25 And Ioshue said vnto them Feare not nor be faint hearted but be strong of a good courage for thus will the Lord doe to all your enimies against whome ye fight 26 So then Ioshue smote them and slewe them and hanged them on fiue trees and they hanged still vpon the trees vntill the euening 27 And at the going downe of the Sunne Ioshue gaue commandement that they shoulde take them downe off the trees and cast them into the caue wherein they had bene hid and they layed great stones vpon the caues mouth which remaine vntill this day 28 And the same day Ioshue tooke Mak-kedah and smote it with the edge of the sworde and the King thereof destroyed he with them and all the soules that were therein he let none remaine for he did to the King of Mak-kedah as he had done vnto the King of Iericho 15 And Ioshue returned c. This verse is interlaced not in proper place For immediatly after is annexed the ende of the battell and the punishment that was taken of the Kinges which followed after the battell It is saide also that they pitched in Mak-kedah at length in the ende of the Chapter is repeated that which is here saide without regarde of the order of the time of their returne into Gilgal Therfore that which is told of the fleeing and hiding of the Kinges agreeth with the historie before For when worde was brought to Iosue in the middest of the heate of the battell that they were hidde in a caue he prouideth wisely least if he shoulde haue bene occupied in taking of them the rest should haue escaped Therefore he commaundeth that the mouth of the caue should be stopt vp with great stones setteth men to keepe them that being inclosed as it were in prison they might be drawne foorth in due time to suffer death And hereof it appeareth that it was an exceeding great armie that when the Israelites followed fiercely at the backes of them that fled the Sunne himselfe gaue them leisure to kill them yet it could not be auoyded but that many escaped into the strong cities But this was sufficient to testifie the goodnesse of God that without resistaunce they slue as many as came in their handes vntill they were wearie and returned without losse For where it is saide that none durst stirre their tongue it is noted that the victorie was without bloudshed on the Israelites parte as if they had come foorth not to a battell but to a slaughter 18 Then said Ioshue c. When the armie was discomfited then Iosue did freely and at leisure take punishment on the Kinges wherein we must alway consider the commaundement of god Or else it had bene barbarous crueltie intollerable pride to tread with their feete vppon the neckes of Kinges and to hang vp their dead bodies vppon the gallowes For surely they were not long before lifted vp by God into that excellent dignitie placed in the royall throne Wherefore so to reioyce in despight of them had bene no point of humanitie but that God did so commaunde it But because he would haue it to be so we must rest in his sentence neither is it lawfull to enquire Why he was so seuere Although we must remember that which I touched before that seing from the highest to the lowest they were all worthie of destruction because their iniquitie was come vp to the full the Kings which exceeded the rest in wickednesse deserued the sharper punishment and secondly example of rigour without mercie was to be shewed in their person least the people fondly desiring the praise of vnlawfull clemencie should haue bene made more readie to pardon the rest For God would haue them all to be destroyed and the execution of this iudgement he had committed to his people And except he had sharpely pricked them forwarde to doe their duetie in this behalfe they would haue found out goodly pretences of graunting of pardon But that mercie is detestable which breaketh the authoritie of God for the will and pleasure of men Now when the honour of Kinges is not spared all cause of humanitie towardes the inferiours and the whole
deliuered them from all feare and terror at once but he would not presse his people that were but weake out of measure that by setting against them such an infinite multitude at once they might be ouercome with to much feare and trembling Wherefore he restrained manie nations that otherwise might sooner haue armed themselues and kept them as it were a sleepe in astonishment vntill his chosen people by such notable victories as they obteined were made more bold and couragious to take in hand the rest of the warres First therefore they waste and spoile a large countrie and leaue it bare both of inhabitantes and riches None of the next adioyning nations which should haue restrained them once stirreth against them They returne backe to visite their wiues and children When they had well reposed them selues and are in a redinesse to make new warre soudeinly there is raised against thē an exceeding great armie gathered of diuerse nations which vntill this time had sitten still and geuen them leisure to conquer For that they were no sooner awakened it was as good as if they had graunted a truce with them Wherefore God did not only fight for his chosen people but also by diuiding their enimies into sundrie factions did mightly increase the forces of his souldiers Howe terrible shoulde this assault haue bene if the Israelites by little and little had not bene accustomed to set vppon their enimies holdly and had tried manifestly that God was at hand to helpe them The multitude is compared to the sande of the Sea then is rehearsed their chariottes and horsemen at which furniture it is meruell that they were not altogether discouraged which had no horsemen at all Wherefore they were brought forward by degrees euen as their abilitie was able to beare For certeinly in the former battelles he did but only exercise them as it were but in pleasant pastimes of warre And then by many victories oftentimes obteined he testified his power that it should not be lesse esteemed than it was meete it should be For if they had bene all discomfited at once in deede the praises of God should haue bene notably celebrated but the memorie of the victorie would soone haue fallen into forgetfulnesse Wherefore it was meete that many argumentes of Gods prouidence and power should be distinctly and seuerally set forth left men would haue ascribed one victorie only to Fortune 6 The Lorde saide c. The more harde and difficult it was to ouerthrowe so mightie and well furnished an armie so much the more necessarie it was for them to be newly confirmed in faith that they might haue good courage Wherefore God appeareth to his seruant Iosue and promiseth that he woulde giue him the same successe which he had done in his other warres before And we must note diligently that so often as he repeateth his promises men are admonished either of their forgetfulnesse or of their siouthfulnesse or of their lightnesse For except newe and fresh nourishmentes be often times added to our faith they will soone waxe cold and vanish away And yet we are sicke of a froward lothsomnesse that almost it greeueth vs to heare one thinge twise Wherefore let vs learne whensoeuer newe conflictes are at hande to call to our minde the promise of God which may reforme our slouthfulnesse and stirre vp our dulnesse Especially that which is spoken generally we must applie it to our daily vse like as now God doeth especially confirme in the present matter in hand that which he had pronounced of all the nations But by the circumstance of the time it may be gathered that those Kinges had set them selues forwarde a good way in their iorney that they might haue set vpon Iosue and the people in Gilgal For immediatly after the answer of God is added the iorney of Iosue And the victorie is promised the next day therefore they were not farre off And the lake Meram where they had pitched their campe which adioyneth vnto Iordan is neerer to Gilgal than Genasara out of which coast part of the enimies were come For they say that this lake doeth either diminish or increase as the snowe is either hardened in the mountaines or else mealceth downe But where commandement is giuen to Iosue and the people to hough the horses and burne the charriots no doubt but it did signifie that all such principall furniture of warre as was in vse with the prophane nations must be taken away from the people of god For he would haue them to hold warres and valiantly to fight against their enimies but so that they should depend onely vpon God that they might remember that they were valiant by his power that they might trust onely in him which could scarse haue bene if they had bene furnished with horsmen and charriots For we knowe that glorious furniture doeth dazell our eyes and make our minds dronke with proude confidence Therefore a lawe was geuen that the Kinges should not multiplie vnto them selues horses and charriots because nothing was more like to fall out than that they should transferre to their munitions that which God did challenge peculiarly tohim selfe Hereof came that cōmon saying Some in charriots some in horses but we will aduaunce our standard in the name of the Lorde our god God would also take from his people the matter of foolish boldenesse that they might be quiet and content with their owne boundes and not to set vpon their neighbours vniustly And experience hath taught that when frowarde ambition moued their Kinges to prepare horses they tooke in hand warres no lesse rashly than they ended them vnluckily Wherefore it was neede that the horses beeing houghed should be made vnprofitable for the warres and that the charriots should be destroyed lest the Israelites should be accustomed to the maners of the Gentiles 8 The Lord deliuered c. The greatenesse of the slaughter is hereof gathered that they were slaine euen vnto Sidon which is farre distant from the lake Merom And it was called great Sidon because it was a great mart a verie populous citie aboue the rest For it is not compared with another lesser citie of the same name The Hebrue word MOZEREPHOTH which some retaine as a proper name I thought good to translate Heates because it is like that hotte waters did there spring out of the grounde And as that great feare which caused them to runne away so fast did openly shewe that they were driuen headlong by a secret instinct of God so it is certeine that the Israelites which durst pursue them in their flight through so manie dangers were caried with heauenly force aboue the strength of men Then is praised as well the abstinence of Iosue as his redie obedience for except the feare of God had preuailed in him he would not willingly haue lost so many horses and charriots for such is our readie inuention to finde out pretences that we would haue gladly pretended that although he did
not make them serue for the warres yet the price of them was not to be despised if they had bene solde But Iosue thought it not good to consider any thing but that which pleased god Now because he had obteined through his vertue that he had the people tractable and obedient that which was performed by all men is reckoned in the praise of one man. 12 All the cities of these Kinges c When the armie was throughly discomfited then they began to waste spoile the contrie to take sacke the cities Where it is said that the cities which remained vntouched were not burned thereof we may gather a likely coniecture that some were taken by force and assault and so destroyed Only Hazor after it was taken the heate appeased was consumed with fire because it was the firebrand to kindle the rest vnto warre Moreouer that which we haue seene before that Iosue refrained not the heate of his wrath vntill he had slaiue all from the greatest to the least it is often and plainely repeated in this place For that which before was not expressed is now plainely set downe that Iosue did faithfully perfourme his duetie because he accomplished that which God by Moses had commaunded Therefore it was euen as much as if he had consecrated his handes vnto God when he destroyed those nations according to his commandement For thus we must take it though all the world condemne vs yet it is sufficient to discharge vs of all crime that we haue God for our authour In the meane time we must wisely consider what euerie mans vocation requireth that no man take vpon him to followe Iosue in the licentiousnesse of his owne zeale least he be iudged a cruel bloudsucker rather than a seuere minister of God. 15 As the Lorde had commaunded Moses his seruant so did Moses commaunde Ioshue and so did Ioshue he left nothing vndone of all that the Lord had commaunded Moses 16 So Ioshue tooke all this land of the mountaines and all the South and all the land of Goshen and the lowe countrie and the plaine and the mountaine of Israel and the lowe countrie of the same 17 From the mount Halak that goeth vp to Seir euen vnto Baal-gad in the vallie of Lebanon vnder mount Hermon and all their Kings he tooke and smote them and slewe them 18 Ioshue made warre long time with all those Kinges 19 Neither was there any citie that made peace with the children of Israel saue those Hiuites that inhabited Gibeon all other they tooke by battell 20 For it came of the Lorde to harden their heartes that they should come against Israel in battell to the intent that they shuld destroy them vtterly and shewe them no mercie but that they should bring them to nought as the Lorde had commaunded Moses 21 And that same season came Ioshue and destroyed the Anakims out of the mountaines as out of Hebron out of Debir out of Anab and out of all the mountaines of Iudah and out of all the mountaines of Israel Ioshue destroyed them vtterly with their cities 22 There was no Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel onely in Azzah in Gath and in Ashdod were they left 23 So Ioshue tooke the whole land according to all that the Lord had said vnto Moses and Ioshue gaue it for an inheritance vnto Israel according to their portions through their tribes then the land was at rest without warre 16 And Iosue tooke c. In the continuall course of these victories when the land of it selfe did spue out the olde inhabitantes to giue place vnto the Israelites it did openly appeare which is said in the Psalme Although they fought valiantly yet they conquered not the land with their swordes nor 〈◊〉 them selues with their owne arme but by the hand and arme and brightnesse of the countenance of God they obteined all thinges For this purpose the places and regions are reckoned vp that we may knowe that God proceeded with a continuall course in that woorke which he began But they are deceiued which thinke a certeine mountaine to be noted by the name of Israel because it will appeare in the end of the Chapter that the hillie part is indifferently called by the name of Israel and Iuda Wherefore the singular number is put for the plurall because the mountaines of the tenne tribes are compared with the mountaines of Iuda Therefore this opposition must be vnderstood In the other hill the name is doubtful some take it for a diuision as though the hill were cutte in two partes other for smooth because it was without trees like as a mans heade becommeth smooth with baldnesse Let the readers take their choise in a matter vncerteine and of small effect 18 Many dayes c. Before within a short time and as it were with a swift course he had conquered fiue kingdomes in the rest there was another respect not through slacknesse or wearinesse or idlenesse but because God did exercise his people diuersly that his manifold grace might appeare more manifestly which for the most part is not esteemed of vs if it shewe it selfe all after one manner Therefore like as before that wonderfull easinesse of victories did set foorth the power of God so this lingering warfare did declare the redie helpe of God by many documentes Neither did it so happen soudenly and vnlooked for for God shewed aforehand by Moses that it should so come to passe least if the lande were streight way made desolate the wilde beastes would increale vpon it Finally we see here as it were in a glasse that whatsoeuer God promised by Moses was performed in deede and plaine effect But with the truth of the promises we must also consider the singular fauour of God toward his chosen people that as a prouident and carefull housholder he neglected or omitted not any thing that might serue for their profit 19 There was no citie which made peace c. At the first sight it is contrarie to this sentence that which is often repeted by Moses that the Israelites should not make any couenant with those nations nor admitte any conditions of peace but vtterly consume and destroy their race â—sâ—ed their name Therefore seeing they were excluded from all couenantes and should haue desired peace in vaine it is against reason that their destruction should be imputed to their owne stubbornesse when they coulde by no entreatie haue obteined pardon For suppose they had sent Embassadours with oliue branches haue desired peace Iosue would streight haue answered that it was not lawfull for him to enter into any treatie with them because God had forbidden him Wherefore if they had assaied an hundred wayes to haue auoyded the warre yet they must needs haue ben destroyed Why are they blamed therefore that they did not desire peace As though they were not constrained of necessitie to fight when they sawe they had to doe with such a
the first verse riseth a question because that after it is said that there were fiue principalities about the Sea coast the Auites are added in the sixt place Some thinke they are not reckoned among the fiue because it was a small prouince But let the readers consider whether there be not a secreat opposition betweene a people that was free and of their owne gouernement and of the fiue principalities Therefore because the state of the Auites was diuerse from the rest they are numbered seuerally And therefore a Nowne plurall is set for distinction sake But as for the rehearsall of these principalities is not made according to the dignitie or wealth of euerie one but Aza occupied the first place because it was next Egypt And the same reson is in Asdod the rest The Grecians after their manner for the Hebrue letter AIN put their GAMMA so they cal that Gaza which the Hebrues call Aza like as of Amorrha they make Gomorrha Wherby their error is sufficiently discouered which faine that Gaza was a Persian name so called of riches because Cambyses when he would make warre in Greece laid vp his treasure there But because in Luke mention is made of the desert of Gazaâ—it appeareth that a citie of the same name was builded neere to it but in another place Asdod is that Citie which the Grecians called Azotus Now all this Sea coast or that which is nigh the Sea is brought a long euen vnto Sidon And there be which thinke that the Phenicians in times past were Lordes both of Gaza and Azotus Nowe farre the mount Libanus extendeth it is well knowne for some time it comprehendeth the mount Hermon And for the length of it one part of it is called Antilibanus Of that mount Hermon the reader shall find Deuteronomie 4. Towarde the East is Hemath which is also called Antiochia of Syria 6 All the inhabitantes of the hill c. Iosue is againe admonished that although the Israelites did not yet possesse those regions yet he shoulde not deferre the partition but trust in the promise of God because men doe maliciously defame his power when they doubt of the end Wherefore it is said Only doe thou thy duetie in distribution of the lande neither let that bee exempted from the lottes which the enimies doe quietly possesse bycause I will haue a care to fulfill that I haue promised Hereof let vs learne in taking affaires in hand so to depend vppon the mouth of God that no doubtfulnesse doe stay vs Indeede it is not our parte to frame vaine hope vnto our selues but when our trust is grounded vppon God onely let vs obey his commandements because it is not to be feared that wee can be deceiued in the successe Afterward he assigneth the land of Chanaan to nine tribes an halfe because the Rubenites Gadites and the halfe tribe of Manasses had their portion geuen them on the other side of Iordan And although there seemeth to be a vaine repetition in these wordes which Moses gaue vnto them as Moses gaue vnto them yet is there nothing super fluous for that in the second member the gift is confirmed as if God ratified that which was done Therfore as Moses gaue theÌ„ that land so let them remaine in quiet possession And for this cause he is adorned with the title of The seruant of God that no man should breke that decree which Gods faithfull minister had published by his authoritie And surely it was needfull to stay all controuersies which otherwise might daily haue arisen 14 Onely to the tribe of Leui c. This exception also was necessarie least the Leuites should complaine that they were vniustly disherited and so might raise great trouble about their right Therefore he admonisheth them that Moses was the authour of this distinction and with all teacheth that they haue no cause to complaine for any thing taken from them because a goodly recompense was geuen vnto them And although the sacrifices were not equally diuided among the Leuites yet it is sufficient that they all had their liuing of the first fruites and tenthes And as God by reward allureâ—h them to take charge of the holy things so likewise he exhorteth the people to performe and pay their holie oblations faithfully when he pronounceth that his sacrifices are their liuing 15 Moses then gaue vnto the tribe of the children of Ruben inheritance according to their families 16 And their coast was from Aroer that is on the brinke of the riuer Arnon and from the citie that is in the middest of the riuer and all the plaine which is by Medeba 17 Heshbon with all the cities thereof that are in the plaine Dibon and Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon 18 And Iahazah and Kedemoth and Mephaath 19 Kiriathaim also and Sibmah Zerethshahar in the mount of Emek 20 And Beth-peor and Ashdoth-pisgah and Beth-ieshimoth 21 And all the cities of the plaine and all the kingdome of Sihon King of the Amorites which reigned in Heshbon whom Moses smote with the Princes of Midian Eui and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba the Dukes of Sihon dwelling in the countrie 22 And Balaam the sonne of Beor the southsayer did the children of Israel slaie with the sworde among them that were slaine 23 And the border of the children of Ruben was Iordan with the coastes this was the inheritance of the children of Ruben according to their families with the cities and their villages 24 Also Moses gaue inheritance vnto the tribe of Gad euen vnto the children of Gad according to their families 25 And their coastes were Iazer and all the cities of Gilead and halfe the land of the children of Ammon vnto Aroer which is before Rabbah 26 And from Heshbon vnto Ramoth Mizpeh and Betonim and from Mahanaim vnto the borders of Debir 27 And in the vallie Beth-aram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon the rest of the kingdome of Sihon King of Heshbon vnto Iordan and the borders euen vnto the Sea coast of Cinereth beyonde Iordan Eastward 28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families with the cities and their villages 29 Also Moses gaue inheritance vnto the halfe tribe of Manasseh and this belonged to the halfe tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families 30 And their border was from Mahanaim euen all Bashan to wit all the kingdome of Og King of Bashan and all the townes of Iair which are in Bashan threescore cities 31 And halfe Gilead and Ashtaroth and Edrei cities of the kingdome of Og in Bashan were geuen vnto the children of Machir the sonne of Manasseh to halfe of the children of Machir after their families 32 These are the heritages which Moses did distribute in the plaine of Moab beyonde Iordan towarde Iericho Eastward 33 But vnto the tribe of Leui Moses gaue none inheritance for the Lorde God of Israel is their inheritance as he saide vnto them 15 Moses gaue c. That
demanded how Caleb was so bolde to promise his daughter before he knew how her affection stoode For although it be the duâ—tie of parentes to geue foorth their daughters in marriage yet they are not allowed suche Tyrannicall rule ouer them that they may marrie them to what husbandes they list without knowing their minde and affection to them For when all contracts ought to be voluntarie in marriage especially there ought to be libertie that no man be constrained to binde his faith against his will. But Caleb was lead with a likelie reason that he doubted not of the consent of his daughter because she could not with shamefastnes refuse so honorable a condition for such a husband was geuen her as was not one of the base multitude but one that excelled al the rest in praise of warlike vertue Albeiâ— it may be that Caleb in the heate of the battell did promise vnaduisedly that which was not in his authoritie altogether to performe yet I thinke the couenant must be expounded according to common righâ— which is so that the good will of the maide were obteined Surely God heard the with of Caleb while he offered him a sonne in Law according to his heartes desire for if he had had free choyce there was no man whom he would more haue wished 18 And it came to passe when she came c. Although we may well thinke that Achsa was a maiden indued with excellent manners and well brought vp whose marriage was promised to the conquerer in place of a singular rewarde yet here is bewrayed her vnlawfull desire and couetous affection She knew that women by the Lawe of God were excluded from the inheritaunce of landes yet neuerthelesse the coueteth and pricketh forward her husband with vniust expostulation For so ambitious and couetous wiues cease not to trouble their husbandes till they compell them to forget all shame modestie and equitie For although the couetousnesse of men also is vnsatiable yet women are carried more headlong into that vice Wherefore all husbandes ought to take heede more diligently that by their importunate counsells they be not kindled to couetousnesse as it were with bellowes But greater disorder bewrayeth it selfe in her when through the gentlenesse of her husband and indulgence of her father she waxeth bolder For not being content with the land that was geuen her she requireth a grounde that is well watered So when one hath passed the measure of right honestie that vice is by and by accompanied with impudencie But whereas her father denied her nothing it is a signe that he loued her tenderly But thereof it followeth not but that the vngratious couetousnesse of lucre is worthie to be hated which blindeth our mindes and peruerteth our right iudgement Where it is said that Achsa allighted from her Asse some referre it to crafte and dissimulation as though she feâ—l downe for greefe and so her fall was a signe of swooning or failing of her heart but it is more simple to think that she fell downe at her fathers feete the more humbly to entreate him Howe so euer it was the woman by crafte and flatterie procured to her selfe the right of other men whereby the portions of her brethren were diminished 20 This is the inheritaunce c. Before he compassed the boundes of the children of Iuda but now after an other manner is declared how large and fruitfull a countrie befelâ— to them in which also the great liberalitie of God towardes them is commended There are numbered a hundred thirtene cities with their townes and villages which number doeth testifie not onely the multitude of men but also the fruitfulnesse of the lande And yet there is no doubt but that a new fruitfulnesse was geuen vnto it by the blessing of god And yet in the verie nature of the land it behoued the grace of God to shine while he chose a countrie for his people replenished with all abundance of good thinges Now if we looke to the men of the tribe halfe that region would haue serued them abundantly for their habitation For if eight hundred were diuided into euerie citie the towns villages remained for the rest of the multitude And certeinly soone after a portion was taken out which was geuen to the tribe of Simeon For so was fulfilled the dispersion whereof Iacob did prophesie that the posteritie of Simeon should be as a straunger in another mans ground Therefore they were admitted as ghestes by the children of Iuda 63 But the Iebusites c. This maketh nothing for excuse of the people neither is it set downe for that ende for if they had endeuoured to the vttermost of their power and had bene destitute of successe the reproch had fallen vppon God him selfe which had promised that he would be their Capteine continually till he had deliuered them the lande voide of their enimies and that he would send hornettes or waspes which shoulde driue away the inhabitantes Therefore it was onely through their owne slouthfulnesse and cowardlinesse that they obteined not the cittie of Hierusalem They could not therefore because slouth would not let them while through desire of quietnesse they neglected the commaundement of god A place worthie to be noted that we may learne to bend all our force cheerefully to accomplish that which God commaundeth and to omitte no occasion lest if we loyter the gate be shut vp against vs If they had deferred it but a shorte time they should not haue bene reprehended but the negligence and dastardlinesse of so long time did after a sorte reiect and driue backe the blessing of God. Chap. 16. AND the lot fell to the children of Ioseph from Iordan by Iericho vnto the water of Iericho Eastwarde and to the wildernesse that goeth vp from Iericho by the mount Bethel 2 And goeth out from Beth-el to Luz and runneth along vnto the borders of Archiataroth 3 And goeth downe Westward to the coast of Iaphleti vnto the coast of Beth-horon the nether and to Gezer and the endes thereof are at the Sea. 4 So the children of Ioseph Manasseh and Ephraim tooke their inheritance 5 Also the borders of the children of Ephraim according to their families euen the borders of their inheritance on the East-side were Atroth-addar vnto Beth-horon the vpper 6 And this border goeth out to the Sea vnto Micmethah on the Northside and this border returneth Eastwarde vnto Taanath-shiloh and passeth it on the Eastside vnto Ianoha 7 And goeth downe from Ianoha to Ataroth and Naarath and commeth to Iericho and goeth out at Iordan 8 And this border goeth from Tappuah Westwarde vnto the riuer Kanah and the endes thereof are at the Sea this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families 9 And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh all the cities with their villages 10 And they cast not out the Chanaanite that dwelt in
of other tribes were not so streight but they conteined a greater number of cities than was set foorth before It is well knowen that the tribe of Leuie was the least of them all Therefore what equitie had it bene that it should haue bene enlarged fourefolde more than the tribe of Zabulon which we see had but twelue cities although it was much more populous In the tribe of Isachar are numbered onely sixeteene cities The tribe of Nepthalie nineteene The tribe of Aser twentie two Surely the diuision had bene vnequall if more cities had bene geuen to them that were fewer to dwell in Whereof it is gathered that not only the townes which are rehearsed as the appurtenances of the cities were apte for habitation but that other cities also were comprehended of which there was no mention made Finally by the lot of the tribe of Leui it appeareth plainly how large and how ample the dominion of the other tribes was 43 The Lord gaue c. If any man moue question of the rest the answere is easie that the nations of Chanaan were so terrified and amased with feare that they thought nothing more profitable for them than by slauish flatterie to redeeme peace of the children of Israel Therefore the contrie was throughly subdued and their habitation peaceable seeing that no man did either trouble them or durst enterprise any thing against them seeing there was no threatening no treason no violence or conspiracies But of the second point it is doubted how the children of Israel were placed in the possession of the promised land enioyed it so that not one syllable wanted in the promises of God of the fruition thereof Whereas before we sawe that manie enimies were dispersed amongest them The sentence of God was that not one should remaine aliue yet many they expelled not but admitted them for their neighboures as though they had bene partakers of the inheritaunce with them yea they make couenantes also with them How doe these thinges agree together that God gaue the people the possession of the land as he promised it which yet was excluded from some parte thereof by the force or stubbornesse of their enimies That this shew of coÌ„trarietie may be taken away we must discerne betweene the certeine cleere and stedfast faithfulnesse of God in keeping his promises and the â—â—ouch and negligence of the people whereby it came to passe that the benefite of God did fall away as it were out of their hands What warres so euer the people tooke in hand into what parte so euer they moued their standard the victorie was readie neither was there any other let or stay but that they might roote out all their enimies sauing their owne voluntarie slouthfulnesse Wherefore although they chaced them not away that the possession might be voyded of them yet the manifest trueth of God did appeare and set forth it selfe because it had bene no trouble for them to haue obteined the rest if the had listed to embrace the victories that were offered The summe of all this is that it was through their owne cowardise that they enioyed not the full and perfect benefite of God which we shall see in the next Chapter more plainly Chap. 22. THEN Ioshue called the Rubenites and the Gadites the halfe tribe of Manasseh 2 And said vnto them Ye haue kept all that Moses the seruant of the Lorde commaunded you and haue obeyed my voyce in all that I commanded you 3 Ye haue not forsaken your brethren this long season vnto this day but haue diligently kept the commandement of the Lorde your God. 4 And now the Lorde hath giuen rest vnto your brethren as he promised them therefore now returne ye and goe to your tentes to the land of your possession which Moses the seruant of the Lorde hathe giuen you beyond Iordan 5 But take diligent heede to do the commandement and Law which Moses the seruant of the Lorde commanded you that is that ye loue the Lord your God and walke in all his wayes and keepe his commandements and cleane vnto him and serue him with all your heart and with all your soule 6 So Ioshue blessed them and sent them away and they went vnto their tents 7 Now vnto one halfe of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had giuen apossession in Bashan and vnto the other halfe thereof gaue Ioshue among their brethren on this side Iordan Westwarde therefore when Ioshue sent them away vnto their tentes and blessed them 8 Thus he spake vnto them saying Returne with much riches to your tentes and with a great multitude of cattell with siluer with gold with brasse with yron with great abundance of raiment diuide the spoile of your enimies with your brethren 9 So the children of Ruben and the children of Gad and halfe the tribe of Manasseh returned and departed from the children of Israel from Shiloh which is in the land of Chanaan to goe vnto their countrie of Gilead to the land of the possession which they had obteined according to the worde of the Lorde by the hand of Moses 1 Then Iosue c. Here is reported the discharging of the two tribes an halfe which followed the rest of the people not that they should conquere any thing for them selues but because they had alredie obteined houses and landes without casting of lottes that they might holde out the common warre with their brethren vntill they also had obteined their quiet inheritaunce Now because they haue bene faithfull companions and helpers vnto their brethren Iosue pronounceth that they haue serued out their full time and so sendeth them home discharged and at libertie Yet it may be demaunded howe he iudgeth them to haue accomplished their lawfull time of warrefare when as yet a parte of the lande was possessed by the enimies the onely possession whereof ought to haue made a perfect end of that warre But if we call to minde that which I saied before this knot would be easie to loose If they had followed the calling of God and bene obedient to his power yea if they had not shamefully drawen backe when he reached out his hand to helpe them they might easily without any danger and with small trouble haue dispatched the remnantes of that warre Therefore through their owne slouth fulnesse they refused that which God of his liberalitie was readie to haue geuen them And so it came to passe that the couenaunt was fulfilled whereby the two tribes and the halfe had bound themselues For they bound themselues no otherwise but to accompanie the ten tribes and to fight as manfully for their inheritaunce as they would haue done for their owne Now seeing they haue continually shewed themselues faithfull companions and the ten tribes being content with their present estate doe not require but rather doe secreatly refuse their further aide they are by right permitted to returne freely vnto their owne And their patience is worthie of commendation that they are not