Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 9

Of the Head Cornerstone · Chapter 9

p. 196CHAP. 9.

1 BEing now to digresse vntounto those others that are none of the peculiar Apeople of God, and yet might seeme to be of that company, wee are first to see who they are, and the Story of them: then, howe to apply the same to our vse. Those that we speake of, are but few of them knowne by name: but by these fewe it may probably seeme, that there were many moe besides. Those fewe that are knowne by name, are Iob himselfe, and the chiefe of those others of whom his Story maketh mention, Elephaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu: all Gentiles, and none of that people, that it pleased God to make his peculiar people; but yet the most of them, it seemeth, descended of Abraham, or of such as were neere vntounto him. For Bildad being there tearmed a Shubite, giueth likelihood, that hee descended of Shuah, one Iob. 2: 11.Job 2:11of the Sonnes of Abraham, by Keturah his second Wife: as Elephaz likewise, being there tearmed a Temanite, may thereby seeme to hauehave descended of Esau the son Gen. 25▪ 2.Gen 25:2of Isaac, the Sonne of Abraham, by Teman the Sonne of Eliphaz, the Sonne of Esau. But then, as that first Eliphaz the Sonne of Esau, left vsus this Elephaz that Gen. 36: 11.Gen 36:11now we speake of, of the Line of his Sonne Teman aforesaid (and as it seemeth, by lawfull Wedlocke) whose knowledge of God, and regard to his glory, this Storie will shew to hauehave beene very commendable: so by Timna his Concubine, he left vsus that vngratious seede of Amelek, an Ancient and Mortall Enemy to the people of BGen. 36: 12. Tr…el. Iun. Exod. 17: 8. Iud. 6: 3. 1. Sam. 30: 1. Est. 3: 1. Tr…el. I…. Iob. 2: 11. Ge. 22: 20, 21 Ibid. 1: 3. Gen. 25: 6.Gen 36:12Exod 17:8Judg 6:31 Sam 30:1Esth 3:1Job 2:11Gen 25:6God, often bending themselues against them. A thing very often found in experience, that the Issue of vnlawfull copulation prooue wicked and troublesome things in the World. Elihu also, beeing tearmed the B…zite, yeeldeth like probability, that he descended of the second Sonne of Nahor, Abrahams Brother bearing that Name. As for Iob himselfe, and Zophar one of his Friendes, we hauehave not so great probability for them, whence they should be in particular: but, because Iob himselfe is saide to be the greatest of all the Men of the East, whither Abraham sent his other Sonnes to inhabit, and seeing he could not be farre from his friendes, nor his friends from him, seeing also, that the Countrey where he dwelt, might take the name of the first Sonne of Aram of the selfe-same Name, and Aram himselfe inhabited Syria, and gaue Name vntounto it, therefore is there good probability that hee was of those Gen. 10: 23.Gen 10:23Countries, and like enough to hauehave beene eyther of the line of Aram and Ʋz before, or else of Abraham by Keturah after. Zophar also could not be but in those Ibid. 2: 11.partes too, because he was of the more speciall friendes of Iob, and agreed with the others to come and visite him in that his distresse.

2 The story of those is of two principall matters: one, that is commonly noted Aby all; another, that is noted I thinke but by fewe, as the worthynesse thereof would require. That which is commonly noted by all, is, what a tryall it pleased God to make of Iob. That which is so little noted by others, is, what knowledge of God and what speciall regard to his glory, there was then found euen among those that were none of that peculiar people which God had chosen. But the later of these is so mingled with the former, that wee cannot in any wise gather the one, but that we must deale with the other also. In the tryall therefore that it pleased God to make of Iob, we are first to consider, how low it pleased God to bring him: then, how be raysed him vp againe. To find out how low it pleased God to bring him, wee are first to note, in what estate hee was at that time when God did make this tryal of him: then, how farre vnderunder the same hee brought him. The estate wherein he was when God made this tryal of him was very good: first in such things as are plainely set downe; then, in some others that were implyed. It is p. 197plainly set downe that his estate was good: both towards God; and the world also. Towards God, hee was, first for his owne person vpright or iust; so that both hee BIob. 1: 1.Job 1:1feared God, and eschewed euill: then, so carefull of the wayes of his children likewise, Ibid. 5.least they by offence some of theirs in their feasting should prouoke the wrath of god, that euer in such case he sanctifyed them, & offered burnt offerings for eueryevery of them. Towards the world he was likewise in especiall good estate, not onelyonly in his substance: but also, in his children. His substance was noted to bee, seuen Ibid. 3.thousand sheepe, three thousand Camels, fiue hundred yoake of Oxen, and fiue hundred she-asses: and his familie so great, that he was the greatest of all men of the East. His children were not only a comfortable sort for the number of them, being seauen Sons and three daughters: but hauing the world so much …t their Ibid. 2. Ibid. 4.wils, and being at such concord and louelove among themselues, that they vsually feasted together by course, one after another. Those others that are but implyed, are of his wife and friends: his wife belike being comfortable before in his prosperity, who soone after grew so farre out of temper in his aduersity; and his friends, Ibid. 2: 9. Ibid. 11.by gathering themselues together to comfort him then, sufficiently thereby declaring, that indeed they were friendly, or bare him good will. But though these be but implyed here; yet is there great probabilitie of both, by the most vsual course among vsus: men hauing such comfort of their wiues, as for the most part men hauehave; and the greater sort (such as Iob was yet) euer lightly hauing friends ynow. And for the latter of them, Iob himselfe doth afterward sufficiently declare, that hee was Ibi. 29: 21-24in that rekoning with the people about him, that needes hee must bee very well friended.

3 So was Iob now in so speciall good estate, that when it pleased God to bring Ahim downe (especially so farre as he did) he had then the greater fall: and therein are we first to consider vponupon what occasion he did it; then, how far it pleased God thereon to do it. The occasion was, that Sathan mooued the Lord twice against Ibid. 1: 6-12 2: 1-6.him: once, for all but his person onelyonly; then after, to seize on his person also. Out of which we may assure our selues, both that Sathan is euer busie inough against vsus and yet that he can doe nothing at all, but so farre as it pleaseth God to allow him. It pleased God thereon to doe it, in great measure: first giuing Sathan full libertie in those things that hee desired; then, adding farther vexation besides. For those things that Sathan desired, hee gaue him great liberty: but with speciall charge, to proceed no farther. But therein we are not onelyonly to see, what was done thervpon: but also, in what sort Iob did take it. That which was done, thereuppn, was BIbid. 1: 13-19.that presently Iob was bereft of all his cattell great and small, and of his seruaunts that did attend them, and of all his children; and that in strange and fearefull maner: Ibid 2: 7, 8.then also, that on his owne bodie was cast very great anguish and paine, and he left with a very poore and miserable helpe to himselfe. As the former of which Ibid. 1: 20, 21though then he gaue himselfe, not onelyonly to inward, but euen to outward, and to actuall lamentation; yet both his owne words did well inough witnesse, that hee quietly tooke it: and the Text it selfe doth giuegive him that testimonie also. In the latter of them, we doe not finde, that he complained any more of this, and beeing Ibid. 22.destitute belike of others (abhorring the filthinesse that he thereby was in, and not able himselfe to vse the nayles of his owne fingers therein they being smitten as the rest of his body was) he quietly yeelded to that poore and miserable helpe that was Ibid. 2: 8.left him, with a potsheard or shell to helpe to ease himselfe of some of his paine in some of his botches or sores, and to rest himselfe on the earth or Ashes, whereunto Ibid. 1: 20.hee had betaken himselfe in the way of lamentation before.

4 That farther vexation that it pleased God to adde besides, was by his wife Aand friendes: wherein wee are to consider, what it was; and in what sort himselfe did beare it. Of that which came by his Wife, the Story is short: but that of his Friendes occupyeth almost the rest of all the whole Story of Iob. That of his wife Ibid. 2: 9.was a naughty praeiudice in her, that her Husband had serued God in vaine, to bee p. 198thus requited by him: and that she made so bold with him, as, out of that prophane conceit of hers, bitterly to vpbraid him therewith. Which temptation no doubt was strong: especially, proceeding from one that was so neare vntounto him, and so priuie to all his doings, that she aboue others might know the integrity of all his waies. And it may be that Sathan, hauing power of all besides his owne person, and leauing vntounto him not one of his children to comfort him withall: as neuerthelesse he left him some of his seruants, to helpe to breake his heart by the strange and sorrowfull tidings that they should bring him; so to that end he left him his wife Ibid. 11 15, 16, 17, 19.also, to vpbraide him with that his rare integritie, in so bitter and spightfull maner, as now she did. Whereby also it may appeare, as before I noted, that by likelyhood she was a louing and a comfortable wife vntounto him before, because Sathan reserued Bher to his purpose now, as thereby the meeter instrument for this his purpose. This temptation, strong though it were yet notwithstanding did Iob beare maruellous well: as may appeare, both by his owne words againe; and by the testimony that the Text it selfe doth giuegive him.Ibid. 2: 10.

5 That farther vexation which came by his friendes, and occupieth so great Aa part of the Story, was, that they also, on the like preiudice, did so much condemne him, that he had two great conflicts with them: first with those three that were, as it seemeth, of greatest reckoning; then, with a fourth, who was as it seemeth of lesser account, and so for a time but a stander-by. Yet may it seeme, that hee was strongest of them all in the businesse he tooke in hand: for that, as it seemeth, Iob did put all those others to silence; but by this fourth was put to silence himselfe. So was Iob soundly baited by these, two seuerall times: first by those three that specially goe vnderunder the name of his friends; then, by the fourth, that did set vponupon him a-fresh when they had done with him. To begin therefore with those three, we are first to consider of such things as are common to them all: and then to come to the seuerall Stories of eueryevery of them. Common vntounto them all it is, that they came as friends to comfort him, and for a time, were in great astonishment and sorrow for Ibid. 11-13.him: but afterward altering their mindes, they became heauie aduersaries vntounto him. They came as friends to comfort him, on a setled perswasion of him, that he was a marueilous iust and Godly man. They became so heauy aduersaries vntounto him, for that when they saw him so notably afflicted as he was, and cast downe so very low, they then conceiued, that they had beene fouly beguiled in him, and that he was but a notable hypocrite: else that it could not be, that God would euer hauehave laide his hand so strangely and so heauy vponupon him.

6 To come to the seuerall Stories of eueryevery of them, wee are to note, that none of them all contented themselues once to hauehave bent themselues against him; Abut for a time still renewed their forces vponupon him: yet the first two of them, once more than the third. For each of those made three seuerall speeches against him: and he, but two. But they were all answered by Iob, euen eueryevery of their speeches seuerally. So that the vexation that arose vntounto Iob, from these, came not all at once, but in seuerall portions, and at seuerall times: and therefore are we more distinctly to marke, what vexation it was that out of eueryevery of those speeches arose vntounto him; and in what sort his answeres may shew how he did beare it. Where wee Bare likewise to note, that none of them did vtter their speeches against Iob at once, but as it were successiuely, one after another: eueryevery of them, when at one time hee had once spoken; yeelding the place vntounto the others to say their mindes also. So that all three came vponupon him, one after anorher, obseruing one and the selfe-same order, twice: at the thirde time, but two of them onelyonly, the thirde of their company then falling of, and prosecuting the cause no farther. And the order that still they obserued, was, that Eliphaz began, Bildad followed, and Zophar kept the third place twice, but then, gaue ouer. When Eliphaz therefore first began, wee are to consider, what vexation in that his first speach arose vntounto Iob: then in what sort Iob did beare it. But then that Eliphaz bee not farther charged p. 199than there was cause, we are likewise to marke what cause Iob gaue him thereunto: then, how Eliphaz dealt with him thereon. The cause that Iob gaue him hereunto, was, that now indeede hee curssed the day of his birth, and vttered diuers impatient Ibid 3: 1-26.speeches of that kind: after that, besides those his losses before, his body also had now a sennight beene in such anguish. The vexation that out of the speech Ibid. 2: 13.of Eliphaz did heereupon arise vntounto him, seemeth to be; first, that charging him to Chapt. 4. & 5.bee of a base minde, in that hee tooke his affliction no more quietly; and so defending the Iustice of God, as if Iob had impeached the same: he so calleth Iob to repentance, as if there were no quaestion, but that how well soeuer they had thought of him, yet was he, no doubt, maruellous bad, that had so heauy a iudgement on him. Which so grieuous condemnation of his so closely giuen, Iob did not so quietly take, but that he standeth fast vntounto it, that he had good cause so to poure forth Chapt. 6. & 7.the anguish of his Soule as he did, and reprooueth his friendes that so vnkindly they faile him now: & then renewing the complaint of his afflictions again, after a sort he chargeth God to deale hardlyer with him, than he hath giuen him strength to beare. Whereupon Bildad taking his turne next, chargeth him, ouer-much to lay In-iustice Chapt 8.to God: and so doth set forth the Iustice of God against Sinners, and his fauour towards those that seeke him, that the secrecie of his conclusion sheweth it selfe to be, that Iob was not the man he seemed to be, but such as those strange and heauy iudgements had now bewrayed. Which reproofe of his Iob so taketh, that although he Chapt. 9.plainely acknowledge the great Iustice, Wisedome, and power of God; yet comming to his owne afflictions, he still bindeth much now and then on this, that his desertes were not such, as those his afflictions might seeme to import: and then returning to the bitter sence of his afflictions againe, hee pittifully, and impatiently too, BChapt. 10. Chapt. 11.bemoaneth the same to God himselfe. Whereupon the turne beeing come to Zophar, he plainely chargeth Iob, so to iustify himselfe before God, that no man might abide to heare him; and then plainely telling him, that those his afflictions were but for his sinnes; and as in respect of Gods iustice he suffereth him not to looke for any other so long as he abideth in sinne; so neuerthelesse he assureth him of fauour, if he can repent and turne vntounto him. By which speech of his, Iob finding now by experience, that they all were feathered of one wing, all condemning him for so great an offender (and withall for so close an Hypocrite) as those his great and strange afflictions Ibid. 12, 13: 1-16. Ibi. 13▪ 17-28, and 14.did seeme to import, is much netled there-with, and reiecteth them now, as very partiall against him: and then, turning to God, he so pleadeth his cause with him, in that his perturbation and griefe of minde, on his afflictions, and their praeiudice, as that though he speake many things well; yet diuers such thinges doe slip him withal, as out of which he might easily be very hardly censured.

7 Hauing thus baited him once, yet once more they all set on him againe, in the Asame order they held before. Eliphaz therefore taking his place first againe, according Ibid. 15.as he had occasion giuen him by the last speech of Iob, as in the way of answer to Zophar; so hee did accordingly take it: and now more plainely condemning him than before, doth so lay before him the iudgements of God against Sinners, as plainly sheweth, that in his iudgement, Iob was there to take vp his place, and no where else. Heereunto Iob graunteth, that indeede the Lorde hath smitten him, and Ibid. 16, 17.that so sore, that he maketh no other account, but therein to finish those his miserable dayes: but still he rebuketh those his friendes, and chargeth them with an vnkind and vniust preiudice of him; and shunneth not therein to come to his tryall with God, but plainely professeth, that hee earnestly wisheth the same. Bildad then taking Ibid. 18.the second place againe, againe reprooueth Iob roundly for that great presumption that hee conceiued to bee in him; and very well discourseth of the miserable estate of the wicked, but yet still on their aforesaid supposall, that that must bee the Ibi. 19: 1-4.case of Iob. But Iob againe reprooueth him, and the others withall, for that theyr bad praeiudice of him, and for those bitter reproaches which out of that praeiudice of theirs, they did so plentifully poure foorth vppon him: and then comming to the truth of the cause, there againe, not onelyonly he acknowledgeth that the hand of God p. 200Ibid. 5-22.was heauy vppon him, but himselfe at large describeth the same; but therewithall, Ibid. 23-27. Ibid. 28, 29.both declareth, that he hath good confidence yet, and warneth them (if needs they will so peremptorily condemne all the wicked vntounto the Sword) to take heed to themselues. BNeuerthelesse these thinges so little preuaile with them, that Zophar, whose turne came now againe, was so farre from slipping it yet, that hee seemeth rather to hasten vntounto it, as himselfe also granteth. Where first he taketh it in ill part, that Iob returneth his praeiudice backe to him and his fellowes, and dooth not yeeld himselfe to hauehave beene so bad a man, and so deepe an hypocryte, as he and the others had Ibid. 20: 1-3now lately conceiued him to hauehave beene: then comming vntounto the matter againe, hee sheweth, that euer it hath beene the manner of God, in all their wayes to Ibid. 4-29,afflict, and in the end quite to roote out all the wicked themselues and their vngracious posterity; not putting him in hope of mercy now as he did before, but altogether vrging the hard estate of the wicked vntounto him, as the onelyonly company whereunto he had in truth to sort himselfe. Whereunto Iob replying, both in the beginning and in the end of this his speech, reprooueth those his friends for such Ibid. 21: 1-3, 34. Ibid 4.their dealing with him, insteed of comfort giuing vntounto him such plenty of Gall. and as touching the cause they hauehave in hand, first acknowledging, that if hee had no farther comfort, but so farre as he could cleere himselfe in the iudgement of men, he had but a loose handfast of it indeed: then he declareth, both that the wicked flourish for a time, but hauehave in the end an heauy iudgment; and that himselfe Ibid. 5-33. Ibi. 16, 27, 28hath nothing to doe with them; and that they doe him great wrong to sort him vntounto them.

8 Being thus baited twice by them all, he cannot so rest, but is set on againe Aby a couple of them. Where first Eliphaz, taking him in hand againe, maketh (as it seemeth to me) but a scorne, that Iob should account himselfe to stand so cleere, and not as they conceiued him to doe; and then plainely chargeth him (yet Ibid. 22: 1-4.belike not that himselfe knew any such thing by him particular, but because he was become so mighty before, and the hand of God was now so sore vponupon him) that he Ibid. 5: 20.had beene an hard man and iniurious to many, yea and prophane to God himselfe: Ibid. 21-30. Ibi. 23: 1-12.but withall exhorteth him vntounto repentance, and so assureth him to be restored and set vp againe. Whereupon Iob, seeing his friends cannot, or will not bee otherwise perswaded of him, holdeth himselfe contented for them, but then appealeth vntounto God; and yet there also maketh no question, but that in his vnsearchable wisedome he hath his owne iust designes, which also he wil not faile to execute as himselfe Ibid …3-17. Ibi. 24▪ 1-17, 21-23.thinketh good: and then comming to the common wayes of the looser sort B(which also he recounteth by name in many particulars) he granteth, that those indeed are such, as if they were perswaded that God did not see them, nor know what they did; but sheweth withall, that God will finde them out in the ende. Then b…. 18-20, 24commeth in Bildad also: but as the third, at this third time saith nothing at all; so this also saith but little. But that which he saith, is of that conceiued opinion, that Iob accounted himselfe cleere before God: which now he sheweth, was so grosse a Ibid. 25.thing in it selfe, that looking but little vntounto the great maiestie of God, both in it selfe and by comparison of other excellent creatures, he might easily finde himselfe to be farre out of the way. VntoUnto this Iob doth giuegive him a short answere: but when he seeth that none of them all replyeth againe, then himselfe proceedeth. In his answere vntounto him, he will not take that speech of Bildads, as if hee reprooued him as iustifying himselfe before God (which notwithstanding was Bildads meaning) Ibid. 26: 1-4.but as if his meaning was to helpe God, and obiecteth it, as it seemeth, in the way of a scorne vntounto him: and cleereth himselfe, not to hauehave had it in his purpose Ibid. 5-14.any way to impeach the glory of God, by a farther declaring and acknowledging his wisedome and power in all his works. Himselfe proceeding hath two other speeches: in the former of which, he yet presseth those his friends somewhat farther; but in the latter he doth but bemone his present estate. In that wherein hee presseth his friendes yet somewhat farther, hee so defendeth his owne innocency Ibid, 27. 1-7now, and that God hath some other meaning in sending those afflictions vntounto p. 201him, that he chargeth them to be bad men in hauing and holding that preiudice of him: and then, both he sheweth, at large what will be the portion of such (and that belike to teach them to be better aduised); and sheweth, that the wisedome and Ibid. 8-23.waies of God are vnsearchable or past finding out (and that in like sort, it seemeth Ibid. 18: 1-28to helpe to perswade them, that in the meaning of those his afflictions, they might easily be so wide as they were.) In that wherein he bemoneth his present estate, Ibid. …9-31.first wishing that he were now as before he had beene, he sheweth what his prosperity and honour was then, and what his misery or reproach was now: and yet that his wayes were such, euen in his most stourishing estate, that he would gladly come to his tryall, and wisheth to God, that so he might.

9 The fourth that did set vponupon Iob a-fresh, when the other three had done, Awas Elihu, a man for his yeares (and, it seemeth, in other things also) not of like account vntounto those others: but yet for the businesse he now taketh in hand (the rather of the two) somewhat more able to discharge it than the others. This man therefore now taking Iob in hand, after that he had said some part of his minde vntounto him, giueth him leaue, if he list, to answere: but when Iob would not (it may be euen in the griefe of his minde when he saw no end of contradiction, content n…w they should say their pleasure, and that he would quietly beare it: for otherwise this also dealeth no otherwise, in effect, but as the other) then he proceedeth as himselfe thinketh good. In that part of his speech wherein he affordeth Iob liberty to answer, first he vseth a Preface before: and then commeth to the matter it selfe. His Preface he directeth, first vntounto them all generally: then, vntounto Iob himselfe more specially. In that which he directeth to al generally, he sheweth wherevpon he refrained to speake before; and, whereupon he resolued to speake now: and so Ibid. 34.craueth audience of them. In that which he directeth to Iob more specially first he requireth audience of him: and then telleth him withall, that he meaneth not but Ibid. 33: 1-7good dealing towards him; and that he is but like to himselfe, & so but such as himselfe before desired to hauehave at the hands of God, one with whō he might be able to deale. Comming to the matter it selfe, first he repeateth to Iob certaine of his hard speeches, as charging him with them: & then gathering (it seemeth) out of them al, Ibid. 8-11.that Iob perceiued not, wherefore the Lord had so laide his hand vponupon him, he both sheweth him that God is wont so to doe for our good, to giuegive vsus warning, and to Ibid. 12-30.get vsus right againe when we are wrong; and hauing made this entry with him, hee willeth him if he thinke he hath any thing to say against it, not to spare him, if not, Ibid. 31-35.then to let him alone, and so he will proceede farther. Iob therefore giuing no answere, and he therevpon proceeding farther, first he directeth his speech vntounto those friends of Iob, and to Iob together: then afterward, vntounto Iob alone. In his speech that he directeth vntounto those friends of Iob, and to Iob together (but most vntounto those his friends, as by their Wisedome, at least in opinion, best able to iudge) first Ibid. 34: 1-4.he hath another little Preface to them: then, comming to his matter, by occasion of Iobs iustifying of himselfe, he sheweth that God cannot do but iustly, and therefore Ibid 5-37.when he punisheth, it is certaine there is good cause; yet granteth withall, that Bhe would gladly that Iob had his best tryall euen to the full. In his other speech that he directeth but to Iob himselfe, he breaketh off once, and beginneth againe: first vsing but a short vntounto him; then, a longer. In that shorter hee chargeth him Ibid. 35▪ 1-3.deepely with that his iustifying of himselfe before God, and seemeth so to take it, as if he were perswaded, that he had done God better seruice, then was now required: Ibid. 4-8.and therefore telleth him, first, that seeing the heauens and the cloudes are so farre aboue his reach, therefore he may be sure, that God is so farre aboue him, that neither he can hurt him with any euill he can doe, neither pleasure him by any of his seruice whatsoeuer; then, that such hand of God is wont to be on many, for the Ibid. 9-16.violence they doe vntounto others, though themselues doe not see it. In his longer speech vntounto him, first he vseth a Preface againe: and then commeth vntounto the matter. In his Preface requiring his plyablenesse first to be instructed, he assureth him Ibid 36: 1-4.of good dealing on that behalfe at his hands. Comming to the matter, he assureth page missing p. 204uing relation vntounto the death of those two principall men before: first, of Aaron, and then of Moses. For God had not ordained, that eyther of those should bring that people into the Land that before hee had promised to giuegive them: but had reserued that for Iosuah, who now followed after. So to giuegive those that followed after to vnderstand, that neyther Aaron that figuratiue High-Priest with all his sacrifices, but figures also; neyther yet Moses with the righteousnesse of workes, could euer bring the people of God into his aeternall Kingdome: but that it was wholy reserued to our true High-Priest higher than Angels, then to come, our Iosuah indeede, Iesus Christ. Aaron when the time of his dissolution came, quietly yeelded and made no businesse at all about it: but Moses would faine hauehave gone in also, & made much entreating for it. And true it is, that all men can easily yeelde (the Iewes onelyonly excepted; though they also now now doe not stand much in it neither) that Aaron and his sacrifices could neuer doe it: but there is so erronious a perswasion that naturally groweth in our hearts, that the righteousnesse of our workes should do it, Bespecially of those that are of the richer and deuouter sort therein, that not onelyonly the Iewes before, but euen our wise Maisters of Rome also, euen to this day make much businesse about it. But Moses gained no more in the matter, for all his intreating; than Aaron did by his ready yeelding: and must the best righteousnesse of workes that wee hauehave, bee content to giuegive place (notwithstanding all the wrangling that our Iustitiaries make about it) and bee knowne to so many as knowe the truth, to be no more able to helpe vsus, than Aarons abolished sacrifices are. As touching the Story and order of it, we are first to note, how it pleased God now to authorise him vntounto that function: then, how Iosuah set in hand with it. In that it pleased God now to authorise him to that function, we are likewise to note; first, that he doth it: then, in what manner he doth it. In that he doth it, we are (to our comfort) to marke, that hee dooth not so soone take away one, but that readily hee giueth another. Moses was no sooner gone, but that the Lord then turned to Iosuah, Ios. 1… 1.Josh 1:1and did set him vp in his roome. **This was writen in the yeere of our Lord 1602: soone after which we had that comfortable experience of it, which now we enioy: & God grant that long we may. Nu. 27: 15-31 Mat 6: 32.Matt 6:32Whereas therefore our selues, as our case now standeth, hauehave many doubtfull cogitations, how we are like to be sped of a Leader, after the daies of such, as (God be thanked) yet wee enioy, and long may wee doo, if so it may stand with his good pleasure: out of this wee may conceiue good hope, that whensoeuer that time shall come, we shall not finde, but that God hath thought of vsus also therein. Iosuah was before prouided; and afterward, when the time was come, brought foorth vntounto them: and our trust is, that God hath the like goodnesse in store for vsus also, to bee reuealed and brought foorth vntounto vsus, when neede shall require. As Christ dehorted the people of his time, to bee so carking for the thinges of this life, giuing them to vnderstand, that their heauenly Father knew well enough, that they stood in neede of them: so, no doubt, hee knoweth as well, that wee shall then neede a Leader also; and so our trust is, that hee prouideth accordingly for vsus. If wee in the meane season can serue him, and depend on his good prouidence for that matter; and when the time shall come, readily yeelde our selues vntounto such as it shall please him to appoint: there is good hope, that hee will continue the selfe-same his goodnesse towardes vsus, by that other Instrument, that all this while he hath done by this. But he that was appointed now, was at least a voluntary attendant if not in a manner, euen a Seruant to him that was in place before: and that was like enough Cto be, no small heart-burning to many of the Heads-men among them. Yet were they to holde themselues there-with contented: as also if they layd the one to the other (how it pleased God to blesse him vntounto them, vntounto the meannesse of his estate before) they had no cause to the contrary, but well so they might. So it may bee with vsus also, that in one respect or other, wee may thinke much (when the time shall come) to submit our selues vntounto such, as, it may be, God will appoint: yet euen then also, without all quaestion, it will be the best that so we doe. We hauehave a Story, that on a time when care was taken what was like to befall this Land, when the line of Mat. Westm. in Ann. Dom. 1055. pag. 4…2Edward (before the Conquest) began to faile: answere was giuen, that England was Gods Kingdome; he would not faile to prouide for it. And the more that we may account it to be Gods Kingdom now, when his truth is much better professed among p. 205vsus, and his holy name more truely called vppon throughout the whole, than in those dayes it was, when the power of darknesse so much praeuailed: the more also may we hope, that he will hauehave the same care of vsus now, that hee had then, and still account it as peculiar to him. If it bee heereunto replyed, that right well may that answere bee doubted whence it came, when as the euent did shew, that a Conquest ensued, which also could not but he accompanyed with many heauy things, to those that inhabited heere before: to it may it truly bee said againe, that in comparison of those euils that before it sustained (of the Romaines, a forraine Nation, and farre off from vsus; and then of the Sa…ons so many heades, and so diuided among themselues; and lastly of the Danes a little before) it might well bee accounted to come of the louelove and goodnesse of God, so firmely to settle this Land of ours to one onelyonly line, for so many yeares ensuing. And then, as eueryevery one in that might see, that in respect of those troubles before, it was to good purpose so setled then, notwithstanding the hardnesse that it also brought with it: so not vnlikely, but that the wiser sort will then also see, that in respect of those euils that were otherwise like to ensue, it will be cleerely the best to yeelde vntounto such as God shall send vsus, notwithstanding that euen they also are like enough to bring somewhat with them that may go much against our stomackes, if they be not the better moderated before. In what manner it pleased God then to call Iosuah vntounto that function of his, wee finde set forth Dvntounto vsus in two principall pointes: one, a comfortable and gracious encouraging of him; the other, that he did direct him and teach him, what to doe. In his encouraging of him, we are first to see, what it is: and then to note certaine other thinges besides. The encouragment that he giueth him, is not onelyonly that hee biddeth him Ios. 1: 3-6, 7▪ …Josh 1:3–6Josh 1:7to be of good cheere; but also, that he sheweth him good cause why: namely, that in such sort he would be with him, that none should be able to withstand him, al the dayes of his life; and that he would giuegive vntounto him and to the people, all the whole Countrey whereunto they should come. Those other thinges besides that we may there note, are first such as lie reasonable plaine: then, one other, that it may bee, would not otherwise be so easily noted. Those that are reasonable plaine, are, first, Ios. 1: 9Josh 1:9that wishing him to be of good courage, it doth plainely declare, that such as are in authority, had euer neede to bee of good courage: and telling him withall, that hee Ibid. 5: 9.will be with him, it doth teach when his courage must be, and pointeth to the onelie Fountaine of all other good valour besides. That other, which it may be, woulde not otherwise be so easily noted, is, that commending vntounto him, in all thinges to do Ibid. 7.according to the Law, hee therein requireth againe, that hee bee of good courage: which giueth vsus plainely to vnderstand, as experience also continually teacheth, that euen such as are in authority, and hauehave the power of Earth in their handes, yet often they feare to doe as the word of God requireth of them, vnlesse they bee endewed with some speciall valour. He directeth and teacheth him what to doe, both for his first entring into the Land: and what course to take euer after, in the place wherevnto now he was called. As touching his entry at the first, hee did giuegive plaine liberty Ibid. 2.now, to himselfe, and to all the people to enter in. The course that he should afterward keepe, in respect of the place whereunto now he was called, hee doth not onelyonly giuegive him in charge: but sheweth him good reason withall, why hee should hauehave regard vntounto it. The course it selfe was, diligently to study the Lawe of God Ibid. 7, 8.all the dayes of his life, and to meditate therein day and night: that hee neuer turned aside, neyther to the right hand, nor to the left; but that still he obserued and did, according to all that is written therein. A maruellous good, and a needefull course, for all Christian Princes and Gouernours: and not to bee so abandoned from them, Eas with many of them it is. The reason why Iosuah should hauehave good regard vntounto it, was, that so hee should prosper and hauehave good successe in all his affaires whatsoeuer. A very good motiue, especially to such, as with whom respect of duty little prauaileth.

2 To find out in what sort Iosuah, being called to this charge, did set in hand with Ait, it appeareth that some part of the Story thereof doth appertaine to the East-side p. 206of Iordan, where yet they were: but most part of it vntounto the other. On the East side of Iordan where they were yet, we hauehave two places of their aboade, and, when we see what is done in either of them, then see we all hereunto appertaining. The former of them was the Plaine of Moab, or Sethim, because that Plaine was neere vntounto Sethim, their two and fortieth or last Station, where Moses dyed, and where Num. 31: 49. Ios. 2: 1. Ios. 3: 1.Num 31:49Josh 2:1Josh 3:1the Lord (immediately after) appointed Iosuah to succeede: the other was neare to Iordan-side, and is not otherwise named than so. In the former of these we finde they abode a while after: and then remoued to the other. They aboade here till some what after the spies that were sent returned againe: so first of the sending of those spies; then, that which was done here immediately after. In the sending of those spies, first what time they were sent: then, what may be thought of Iosuahs doing therein. What time they were sent, is therefore to be more specially marked, because the order of the text might seeme otherwise to import: first speaking of the warning giuen to the people to get themselues ready, after three daies to Ios. 1: 10, 11. Ios. 2. 1. Ibid. Ibid. 16. 22.Josh 1:10Josh 1:11Josh 2:1passe ouer Iordan; and afterward speaking of sending the spies. But the text is plaine they were sent from Sethim: and those three daies that they were faine to hide themselues in the mountaines as they returned, together with the time of their going thether and comming home againe, doe sufficiently shew, that they must hauehave a longer time to that their businesse, than those three dayes of the peoples warning were able to yeeld. And if needs he would send in any spies at all, it is most likely, both that he would send them, and that they returned againe, before he gaue the people that warning for their entring so soone: this being his resolution, and the other, the ground-worke whence it proceeded. What may bee thought of Iosuahs doing therein, though most men make no question of it, and some account Bit fully approued: yet seemeth it to me, to bee very doubtfull. There is no Tr…l. I….question, but that in most cases it is good pollicie notwithstanding the promise of God to prosper, yet to vse all lawfull meanes withall, to accomplish the businesse we hauehave in hand. But that in this case there may be doubt of infirmitie also, there may be some things that may seeme to imply: and such others as may seeme to approue it, may neuerthelesse be otherwise taken. Those that seeme to imply it doe some of them goe before: and some follow. Those that goe before, are two: one, that great displeasure of God for sending in spialls before, and the inconuenience that came therof, the people being vtterly discouraged by the most of them & Num. 13: 2-14: 38.Num 13:2–14Num 13:38for their disobedience then (for a long time) excluded; the other, that great assurance, that a little before God himselfe had giuen him for that matter. Those which followed, were in the successe that those spies had, first being faine, by the Ios. 1: 2-9.Josh 1:2–9danger that so they fell into, both themselues to make promise (and, after a sort, to Ios. 2▪14 Ibid. 6: 22-25Josh 2:14make Iosuah and all the people lyable therevnto) to spare certaine of those whom God often before (for their good) had specially aduised thē to destroy: then that, the spies themselues were so ferretted and pursued, that they could bring with them no Exod. 23: 32 33. 34: 12-16 Nu. 33: …0-56 Deut. 7▪ 1-6 Ios 1. 2-9.Exod 23:32Deut 7:1–6Josh 1:2–9intelligence at al, to speake off; yea plainly nothing, in comparison of that which already God had giuen him. Those that seem to approue it, and yet may be otherwise taken, are two: one, that it is no where by name misliked; the other, that Rahab that woman, though none of the best then, yet afterward became one of the ancestors of Christ. That it is no where by name misliked, so are there many others besides: being sufficient, if they be condemned generally. That God vouchsafed Rahab that dignitie, there may be diuers good reasons of his doing therin: & yet the fact altogether vnwaranted to them. And it may be, that as when Dauid had so inordinately 2. Sam. 11: 2, 3, 27. 1. Chro. 28: 4 5. …9: 1.2 Sam 11:22 Sam 11:32 Sam 11:271 Chr 28:4gotten Vriahs wife, al his other Sons he had before were discarded from succeeding him in the kingdome, and one borne of her preferred before them: so because they spared these whom otherwise they were to destroy, therefore should, euen that light one among them, be thus among his owne people aduaunced before many thousands of them. That which was done here immediately after the returne of these spies, was partly concerning all the people: and partly concerning certaine of them. Concerning the whole people it was, that Iosuah caused proclamation to be CIos. 1: 10, 11.Josh 1:10Josh 1:11made throughout the host, to prepare them vitals: and to let them vnderstand p. 207withall, that now after three dayes they should passe ouer Iordan. It was well that so he resolued now: But as Christ afterward saide vntounto Thomas, Because thou hast Iohn. 20: 29.John 20:29seene thou beleeuest; blessed are they that hauehave not seene, and yet hauehave beleeued: so had it beene so much the better, or least more out of question, if he had taken vp that resolution, onelyonly vponupon the assurance that God a little before had giuen him, and had not stayed to hauehave withall the report of those his espials. Those others that were not the whole people but certaine of them, were the two Tribes and an halfe, that by couenant before were bound to goe armed before their brethren: and not to leaue them till they had subdude their enemies on the Nu. 32: …0-33other side, whether they were to goe shortly now. These doth Iosuah put in minde Ios. 1: 12-15Josh 1:12–15of that their promise: and now requireth the performance of it. Who answere againe maruellous well, not only that they will do so much as they promised; but also, Ibid. 16-18.that they would be obedient and ready in all things else, as much at his commandement now, as they were at the cōmandement of Moses before, yeelding also no lesse punishment then death it selfe to those that would not: and desire likewise, at the hands of God, that he would vouchsafe to be with him now, as he was with Moses before: and of himselfe, that he would be strong, & of a good courage. This being done there, then Iosuah getteth vp early (ere those three daies before mentioned Ios. 3: 1. Ibid. 5.Josh 3:1were fully spent, and as as it seemeth the last of the three) and commeth downe he and all the people neerer to the riuer side, in such sort that they lodged there before they went ouer. And that which was now done heere, was partly the doing of Iosuah: and partly, of God. That which was the doing of Iosuah, was no more, but that now those three dayes being spent, he taketh order for their passage ouer: first giuing certaine instructions for the people; then setting in hand with their passage. The instructions that he gaue to the people, were, first to sanctifye themselues, or to stirre vp themselues to some speciall holinesse, because the next day after Ios. 3: 5.Josh 3:5the Lord would doe so wonderfully in their sight, that so they might assure themselues he was present among them: then, for the manner of their iournying, Ios. 3: 2, ….Josh 3:2when to set forward (which was when they should see the Arke going before them) and what distance the formost of them should leaue betwixt them and the Ibid. 4. Ibid. 6.arke (which was about a mile) that so the residue might better see the way that they were to hold. He setteth in hand with their passage, in that he willeth the Priests Dto take vp the Arke and to go forward: which they also accordingly doe. That which was the Lords doing, was, that now when Iosuah had entred so farre alreadie (so farre, as it were proouing what hee would doe of himselfe) then hee commeth in with speciall comfort, giuing him to vnderstand, that he would beginne Ibid. 7.that day to magnifie him before all Israel, that they might see, that as hee was with Moses before, so would he be with him also now: and so willeth him to charge the Ibid. 8.Priests, when they come vntounto Iordan, not to feare to enter into it; yea, and in the bottome of it to make their stand. VntoUnto that part of the Story that belongeth vntounto the other side whither now they are going, we may account to appertaine, first their passage thither: then, such things as were done there. As touching their passage thither, we are first to see the manner of it: then, how the people of the land were touched with it. As for the manner of it; the people are already warned to take their direction from the Arke, when to set forward, and how to follow: the Priests likewise that bare the Arke, are willed already to take it vp, and to bee going; and the text doth beare them witnesse, that so they did. Now therefore the Priests that bare the Arke, are set forward: and the rest of the people hauehave set themselues in order, eueryevery one in their place to follow after, and as it seemeth, are somewhat entred into their way alreadie. And the Priests comming to Iordan while yet the people were as it seemeth but in their way thitherward, in such like distance as to them was appointed; Iosuah giueth the people to vnderstand, that by that mighty worke of God at that time, in giuing them passage on drie ground Ios. 3: 9-11.Josh 3:9–11thorough that great riuer, they might bee assured, that the Lord would cast out their enemies before them: and therefore willed them, out of eueryevery Tribe to make a man, to take vp eueryevery of them one great stone, to pitch or set vp in the midst of Ibid▪ 12: 13.the channell when they came there, for a memoriall of their passage ouer in that p. 208place, on dry Land. The Priestes therefore that bare the Arke, entering into the Ibid. 14-17.Riuer (which, at that time of the yeare, was wont to bee greatest, and to fill all his bankes) the Waters presently gaue them place: those that were on their right hand aboue them, drawing backe and standing on an heape; and those that were on their left hand beneath them, hasting away from them a-pace. So the Priests come to the Channell, and there make their stand till all the people had passed ouer. At which time, though it be not declared in what manner they passed ouer: yet because EIbid. 17. 4: 10 Ios. …: 4, 8, 13 Ibid. 9, 13.the seauen Priestes that blew the Trumpets, were to go immediatly before the Arke, and the forty thousand Armed, of those two Tribes & an halfe, were to go before the rest of the people, therefore it seemeth, that the Priestes that bare the Arke hauing taken their stand, then those that blewe the Trumpets followed next, and first went ouer; then those forty thousandes armed, and lastly all the rest of the people, eueryevery sort of them in such order as before was to them appointed. In which time of theyr passage, it seemeth, that those twelue men that were appointed to bring with them from the East-side of Iordan, eueryevery of them one stone to pitch vp in the bottome of Iordan, were nowe occupied in pitching them vp there. And Iosuah againe, as by Ios. 4: 9.Josh 4:9the Lord hee was directed, caused other twelue men (of eueryevery Tribe, one) to take Ibid. 1-8.twelue stones out of the Channell, and to carrie them with them to the place where they should encamp or lodge that night to be set vp there: which beeing taken out, then Iosuah, as in this also he was directed, caused or gaue leaue to the Priestes that Ibid 14-17.bare the Arke, to come forth out of the Channell. Who also were no sooner come vp out of the course of the Water, but that the Waters flowed againe, and fell into Ibid 18.their wonted course. Which passage of theirs was on the tenth day of their first month much agreeing to our March, and so but Spring-time with vsus, though Haruest Ibid. 19.with them: the distance and site of these diuers Countries ordinarily yeelding such variety in those matters. On which day likewise comming to Gilgal, to encamp Ibid. 19.or lodge there, then, as it seemeth towardes the Euening, did Iosuah cause those twelue stones that they tooke out of Iordan, to be pitched vp there: and taught the Ibid. 20-24.people then praesent, how to deliuer the Story of them, and the cause of their setting vp there, vntounto their posterity ensuing. How the people of the Land were touched with it, to the end we may the better finde, it shall be good not onelyonly to marke what the Tent saith thereof: but withall to note, that one other thing there might in such case be expected, of which notwithstanding we hauehave heere no mention at all. The Text it selfe saith, that all the Kinges, West of Iordan, were vtterly dismaide and out Ios. 5: 1.Josh 5:1of heart, at this strange enterance of the people of Israell. That which in such case might be expected, of which notwithstanding we hauehave heere no mention at all, was, that they neuer repented them of their sinnes, nor turned to God to obtaine his fauour: and yet it seemeth by the Text it selfe, that themselues acknowledged it was Ibid.the Lord that did it. So hard a thing is it when we are growne olde in sinne, truely to repent and turne vntounto God: euen when wee our selues doe see, that his hand is Fstretched out against vsus to cut vsus off cleane, if in no good measure wee will not in time turne vntounto him.

3 In this sort they being come ouer, and wee beeing now to see, what is the Story of their doings there, we quickly finde, that most of their doinges doe most Aconcerne the whole people: but some of them, but certaine of them. Those that concerne the whole people, are chiefely about the dispatch of that businesse for which they specially came thither, which was to make a Conquest of that Land, and to take it vntounto themselues: but first we hauehave other thinges going before; then, how they got the Land vntounto them. Of those other thinges going before, there bee two sorts likewise: some, that albeit, as it fell out, they were done heere, yet by the Nature of them they were not proper to this place, but might hauehave beene done any where else: others, that were proper to this very place, and so of right were heere to be done. Of those that were not proper to this place, but might hauehave beene done any where else, there be but two: one of them, now required by God himselfe; the other, yeelded of his people, as the time did then put them in minde. That vvhichwhich p. 209was now by God required, was, that all the whole people, in a manner, should nowe Ios. 5: 2.Josh 5:2be circumcised. Concerning which, some thinges there are that are plain enough: others, that hauehave some difficulty in them. Those that are plaine enough, are, that they were vncircumcised before: but that they must be circumcised now. That they were vncircumcised before, it is not onelyonly plaine in it selfe (fot the most part of them) but as strange withall, that so speciall a point of their profession, euen one of they: Sacraments, should be so generally, and so long together, omitted by all, in a manner: especially, at that time also, in the Wildernesse, when by the Law of the Passeouer it was so strictly required, and one Passe-ouer (we are sure of) was helde then Leu. 12: 3. Num 9: 1-5. Ex 12: 43, 48 Num. 9: 13.Lev 12:3Num 9:1–5Exod 12:43Exod 12:48Num 9:13generally of them all (whereof the vncircumcised might not bee partakers) and speciall threatnings cast foorth against those that at any time held it not when it was to be holden; and when so fearefull iudgements were now and then cast vppon diuers of their transgressions. But thereby may we see, that they were exceeding carelesse of this point of duty: and that God bare very much with them, so to spare them as he did, when they notwithstanding were so great offenders in this. That they must bee circumcised nowe, in their Enemies Land, to their very great disaduantage, if the Enemie should set vppon them, it is a good tryall of theyr Fayth; and a reasonable checke to the former slacknesse: a tryall of their Faith, in that it made Bproofe of them, whether they could so firmely rest on Gods protection, as that now they could yeelde to put themselues to such disability of resisting the Enemy if need should be; a checke to their former slacknesse, in that seeing they had so little regard of it before, when safely they might, now must they doe it in speciall danger. Those Ios. 5: 5.Josh 5:5that hauehave some speciall difficulty in them, are two places of the Text it selfe: one, that all the people that came out of Aegypt, were circumcised; the other, that after it was done, the Lord himselfe saide vntounto Iosuah, that hee had that day taken away Ibid. 9.from them the shame or reproach of Aegypt. As touching the former, if the Text may beare it, to bee spoken according to the common reputation, or as they were taken (as if the sense were, that of those that came out of Aegypt, there was no quaestion made of them, but that they were circumcised; but that in the Wildernesse circumcision was for the most part omitted) that may seeme to bee more agreeable to the Story of them: and to that speech of the Lord himselfe. In the Story of them, both there is no such thing recorded of them: and their estate was (for the most part of their time) such there, as that by likelihood circumcision was with them but little regarded. The Story of them (of their first going thither to soiourne; of theyr estate while they were there; and of their deliuerance thence (beginning with the sixe and fortith Chapter of Genesis, endeth with the foureteenth of Exodus: and the Text in all that compasse mentioneth no such matter of them. Iacob himselfe, his Ge. 46: 1. Ex. 14: 31.Exod 14:31twelue Sonnes, and all their Issue Male, when they went downe theither, being, with Ioseph and his two Sonnes, which were there before (to the number of three-score and ten) were, no doubt, all circumcised (certaine of them, without question; the Gen. 34: 14, 15, 22.Gen 34:14Gen 34:15Gen 34:22rest by likely-hood) vnlesse it were then wanting in those two Sonnes of Ioseph, being as then he was so setled in Aegypt: and so by likely-hood al the rest, so long as Ioseph and the chiefe and principall Fathers among them liued, and had not clasped about their neckes that yoake of bondage. For while they were well (as they were for a good time at the first) it is most likely, they did so comfortably inioy that their estate in God, that they looked to enioy the rest of his promises vntounto them, and so the more diligently kept by that Sacrament, in their owne bodies, the memorie of them. But when after they were vsed as bond men, and that in verie hard measure too, and better than fourescore yeares together, whatsoeuer was more (for so old was Moses before their deliuerance, and at his byrth Cthey were exceeding hardly vsed, as also we know not how long before) how far Act. 7: 23, 30Acts 7:23Acts 7:30the most part of them were like to slip such matters then, euen the example of Moses himselfe may giuegive vsus a reasonable faire ghesse, for that himselfe had one of his Exo. 4: 24-26.Exod 4:24–26Sonnes vncircumcised, when hee was of the age aforesaide, and when God did send him about their deliuerance. Neuerthelesse so many of them as feared God indeede, did by all likely-hood (for the most part of them) diligently obserue that p. 210Sacrament: and because it was ministred vntounto them while they were children, and so before them-selues could take knowledge of it, and in such case men are wont to presume the best of themselues, therefore might they all be accounted as circumcised, though so it were that many of them were not. This also is termed Ios. 5: 2. Ge. 17: 9-14 23-27.Josh 5:2the second time of ministring circumcision, in so set and generall manner: and we hauehave no Story of any other, since that of Abrahams. For as for that other which by certaine of the Hebrewes is pretended to hauehave beene, immediately before they departed out of Aegypt, besides that we hauehave no authority for it, wee hauehave verie Lyr. … Ios. 5.Josh 5strong likely-hoods against it. But hitherto I hauehave saide nothing but onelyonly if the Text it selfe may beare such Interpretation: and that must I referre to such as are better able to deale therein. So farre as my selfe do see, the weight of the matter for it, doth lye in the worde (): and that doo I finde to bee interpreted with Epi…. Sanct. Pag. & I…i…s.some by Quum, and Quamuis. Which if they may stand, then, though moe doo otherwise read, yet may the sense (of the Originall) very well bee, that whereas they that came out of Aegypt were circumcised before (not plainely affirming it, but not setting the case there) or, although those that came out of Aegypt were all circumcised (a kinde of speech that hath no meaning to include the affirmatiue, but is farther off from it than the other, which notwithstanding is farre enough also:) yet were not those, that afterward were borne in the wildernesse. And then is not the Text against it. As touching the other, namely, that speech of the Lorde himselfe, that then he had taken away from thē the reproch of Egypt, the difficultie Ios. 3: 9.Josh 3:9of it onelyonly is, if the other be an affirmatiue, or do plainly say, that all the Israelites that came out of Aegypt were circumcised. For then it appeareth not, what the reproach of Aegypt should be: and it would be rather expected, that the Lorde would in that case hauehave tearmed it the reproach of their wandering estate in the wildernesse. Which difficulty hath brought to passe, that sundrie interpretations D(and those farre enough off) are brought by the best Interpreters we hauehave: euen to the darkening of the Text it selfe. Whereas if it may bee taken, but as not medling with those that came out of Aegypt, wherher they were circumcised, or not; and that the Lord, by this his speech, may be presumed to tell vsus the trueth for that matter: then, may we easilie perceiue what the reproach of Aegypt, was; and that the Lord might rather tearme it the reproach of Aegypt as being learned of them there, than the reproach of their wandering estate in the Wildernesse, where they did but put in practise what they had learned before. But that then they did put it in practise, and that in great and straunge measure, is very plaine, for that being none but their children that were then to be circumcised, and those but from time to time as they came, one after another, and seuerally, that might they hauehave done very easily, not onelyonly when they did rest, but also when they: rauelled most: their children at that age being euer carryed, and waies to carry them so easily, that the wound should be no more paineful to them when then trauelled, then when they rested. And therefore was it a wonderfull ouersight in them, who so easily and so long a time slipt so great a dutie: and that, when the eye of the Master was most vponupon them; and the rod euer tyed, as it were, to their backe. That which was yeelded of his people, as the time then did put them in minde, was the obseruing of the Pas-ouer, immediately ensuing. For on the tenth day they came in, and this was to be solemnized the fourteenth day at night; the Feast of vnleauened Bread continuing seauen dayes after. But in this we hauehave not onelyonly this Story it selfe: but also another appendant vntounto it. This Story it selfe Ios. 5: 10, 11.Josh 5:10Josh 5:11is no more, but that the people did not then omit that holy solemnity, or that part of their seruice to God, notwithstanding that now they were in the land of their enemy, and at this their first entring might in reason looke for whatsoeuer hostility the enemie was able to force vponupon them. A better example for vsus to follow, then such direction as flesh and blood doth in such case minister vntounto vsus; telling vsus oft-times, that such matters are to giuegive place for the time, and then to be attended of vsus, when wee hauehave better leisure vntounto them: as if to bee carefull of Gods seruice (of whom onelyonly commeth whatsoeuer good successe wee p. 211hauehave in any thing, whatsoeuer it is we hauehave in hand) were no good way to come to the end of our desire. And it is very true, that in such case such seruice of God is Esometimes to giuegive place, as vntounto some greater seruice of his: but then must it bee greater indeed, and vngodly prophanenesse must neuer giuegive vsus any part of our direction therein. That which is but onelyonly an appendant hereunto, is that ceasing of Manna: and that, by occasion that the people being to keepe this solemnity Ibid. 11, 12.with vnleauened Bread, they, to that end, tooke of the corne of the land (being haruest time then with them) and so entring into the fruition of the fruits of the land, now they had Manna no more. And God is not wont to faile any of his, in such things as are needfull for them heere, vntill he bring them to those better things, that in the land our inheritance he meaneth to giuegive vsus.

4 Of those that were proper to this very place, and so of right where heere Ato be done, some of them were done by God: and some by his people. Those that were done by God, were two: one, that now at the beginning he would giuegive them a tast, whence all their victories were to proceede; the other, in what way or course of theirs they might account to enioy his fauour. The tast that now in the beginning he would giuegive them, whence all their victories were to proceed, was in his manner of giuing Iericho, the next citie vntounto them: wherein first wee are to note, what direction he gaue vntounto Iosuah for the obtaining of it; then, how accordingly he gaue it vntounto him. In the direction that he gaue him we are to consider, first of his appearance to that end: then, of the direction it selfe. In his appearance he did nor onelyonly shew himselfe to Iosuah: but withall, gaue him some priuate instruction vntounto himselfe. He appeared vntounto him, first but shewing himselfe to the eye: but then soone after, telling him plainely who he was. When he did but shew himselfe to the eye, he appeared as a man of armes, of some speciall note, or as some Captaine, Ios. 5: 19.Josh 5:19with his sword in his hand drawne. At which time Iosuah did no more but went vntounto him, and enquired whether he was to be with them, or with their enemies. When, by this accasion, he tould Iosuah what he was, then Iosuah both fell downe and worshipped him, and enquired what it pleased him to say vntounto him. In the Ibid. 14.priuate instruction he gaue to himselfe, we are to note, not onelyonly what it was: but also, what time it was giuen vntounto him. It was, to loose his shooes from his feete; Btelling him withall, that the ground whereon he stood was holy: thereby teaching him (as he taught Moses before) to stirre vp himselfe to some speciall reuerence. Both which if we lay together (the one of Moses, the other of Iosuah) that being a gesture of outward reuerence with them▪ as the putting off of the vpper Bonet with vsus, hence may we gather, that the Lord requireth, in his holy assemblies, such outward reuerence, not onelyonly of meaner men, as of Moses before, but also of the greater sort too (euen of the greatest of al) as of Iosuah now. The time wherein this was giuen vntounto him, was when he had humbled himselfe alreadie euen to the ground: a sufficient warning to vsus, that when we humble our selues most, euen then are wee a great deale short of that which we should. Comming vntounto the direction it selfe, it was about Iericho, a speciall citie thereby, now shut vp for feare of the Israelites, but yet soone after giuen into their hands, without any policie or force of warre. Concerning which, first we are to note, in what case that citie stood yet: then how the people of God were directed, what course to take notwithstanding. The case wherein they stood as yet, was no more but this, that they did not seeke vntounto God (that wee reade of) but gathered themselues vnderunder the protection of their owne Ios. 6: 1.Josh 6:1strength: shutting vp their gates, that neither any of the Israelites might get in; nor any intelligence come forth vntounto them. But as there is no wisdome nor strength against the Lord: so their shutting vp auailed them nothing at al, in the course that God meant towards them. For the course that Iosuah must take, was, that all the men of warre among them should eueryevery day once for sixe dayes together (a faire Ios. 6: 2-4.Josh 6:2–4time giuen them to repent, if they could) compasse the citie round about: the forty thousand of the two Tribes and an halfe first, then the Priests, both those seuen that bare the trumpets, and those others that bare the Arke, and after them the other p. 212Ibid. 6-9.foure battails in their woonted order; the Trumpets onelyonly sounding, and all the rest keeping silence. Which when they had done, then were they the seuenth day to compasse it in like manner seuen seuerall times: and at the last, when the Priests that bare the Trumpets (should at the seuenth time continue their blast long) then should all the people giuegive a shout withal, the best that they could, wherat the wals of Iericho should fall round about; and then were they all to enter, eueryevery CIbid. ….one against the place where they stood. In that he did accordingly giuegive it vntounto them, we are to consider of it, first as it is an earthly blessing: then as it may figure another of better account. As it is an earthly blessing it was, as it were, the first possession of this land giuen vntounto them: but yet, not to bee inioyed of them, but to be to the Lord abandoned; and yet some fewe of them to bee spared also. For when the Priests sounded their Trumpets, and the people shouted thereon, the Ibid. 17-19. Ibid. 20.w… of Iericho round about fell to the ground, and eueryevery where gaue entrance to the enemie without, to their owne distruction within: as not able to abide the power that it pleased God then to put into the blast of those fewe trumpets, and to the shout of those his people ensuing thereon. The abandoning of it vntounto the Lord altogether from their owne priuate vse, was but as touching the spoile of it: sentence being alreadie giuen of all the people, not onelyonly of this Citie, but elsewhere also, to be distroyed. But for the spoile, it was in such sort to bee abandoned vntounto the Lord, as that themselues were not to meddle with any part of it: and Ibid. 17-19.the Lord himselfe would hauehave into his treasure, but onelyonly the mettall (as gold, siluer, brasse, and Iron) such as was able to abide the fire; appointing all the rest (as their cattle both great and small, and most of their houshold-stuffe and apparell) to be vtterly distroyed. Whereunto Iosuah, making an vtter distruction of it for that Ios. 6: 21, 24,Josh 6:21Josh 6:24present, stayed not there, but by the spirit of prophecie also, as it appeared by that which followed, layed a farther cursse vponupon it for the time ensuing: namely, that Ibid. 26. 1. Kin. 16: 34.1 Kgs 16:34it might neuer rise againe, but to some speciall ruine of the builder of it. In those fewe of them that were to be spared we are to consider, not onelyonly who they were; but also, whereupon they were spared. They were Rahab the Harlot, that victualing woman that receiued and hid those two spies of Iosuah, together with her father Ibi. 22, 23, 25and mother, her bretheren also and family, and al that she had: Iosuah himselfe giuing charge to those yong men that had beene his spies, to go and see her and all hers brought forth in safety; and they performing their charge accordingly. The reason whereon they were so spared, was the promise or Oath that those two spies Ios. 2: 2-21.Josh 2:2–21had made vntounto her, for helping to preserue them, from the danger that then they were in. A good example, not onelyonly to all, to see how God prouideth for those that sort themselues to the good of his people: but also for those halfe bretheren Dof ours the Church of Rome, and their adhaerents; who, by the virtue of their profession, make so little conscience of their Oathes, euen of alleagiance to their naturall Princes, whom otherwise in duty and nature they ought by all good meanes to preserue, though they neuer had made any oath at all; when as these so religiously obserue their oath made to their inferiours, to heathenish Idolaters, and to those, whome (for their owne good) they were allowed, and aduised too, by the Lord himselfe, vtterly to distroy. As this entring of theirs to that earthly possession, may figure another of better account, there be diuers coniectures, that the ruine of Babylon, and the dissolution or end of the world, is not far off now: and one speciall token is, that the earth is so lightned as in these dayes it is by the Gospell of Iesus Christ; and that it proceedeth with such power, as it is cleare that it doth. Whereby Ma. 24: 27, 30 Ma. 13: 26, 27 Luc. 21: 17. 2. The. 2: 3, 8. Apoc. 18: 1, 2.Luke 21:17Luke 21:2Rev 18:1Rev 18:2it shall not be amisse, if we also conceaue, that as when the Priests blew their trumpets, and people by their shouting accorded vntounto them, then the wals of Iericho fell: so, when the seruants of God in the Ministery, sound their trumpets, by publishing and deliuering the word of God vntounto the people, and the people applaud or consent vntounto it, in religious and zealous manner, the walls of this Iericho, first of Rome, then of the world, will also come tumbling downe at once. In what way or course of theirs they might account to enioy that fauour of God which then was towards them, is plainely declared in that which followed immediately p. 213after, the businesse of Ay, by the sinne of Achan; the Lord, for one mans sinne, giuing a bitter snub vntounto all: so to teach them, that if they would enioy that his fauour, they must (all the sort of them) diligently keepe themselues from all such offences, as himselfe should expresly forbid them. So are wee first to consider of their hard successe in attempting of Ay: then, how it pleased God, in the end notwithstanding, to giuegive it vntounto them. In their hard successe in attempting of it, wee are first to see what it was: then, what was the occasion of it. The thing it selfe was, that sending thither three thousand men to take it and sacke it, according as they had learned Ios. 7: 2-9.Josh 7:2–9before (by such as they sent to view it) that such forces would bee sufficient, they were put to flight, and sixe and thirty of them slaine: to the great discouragement & sorrow, not onelyonly of the common people; but also, of the Elders, & Iosuah himselfe. EA good warning to all, not slightly to attempt any speciall businesse, though it may seeme neuer so easie to be accomplished: it also seeming to be one of the errors heere committed. For, a while after we read, that there were slaine of all sorts of them twelue thousand: of which, if but the third part onelyonly had beene able to make resistance Ibid. 8: 25.(and that may wee conceiue must needs be so, and many moe rather) yet these being in the Citty within, must needs be a great ouer-match for three thousand to assaile it without. The occasion or cause of it was, that Achan one of the company at the ouerthrow of Iericho, purloyned away to his owne priuate vse certaine Ibi 7: 1, 20, 21things that he ought not to hauehave medled with, being before forbidden to all: some of them such, as should hauehave gone to the Lords treasury; and one that should hauehave beene destroyed. Those that should hauehave gone to the Lords Treasury, were, that tongue or wedge of Golde, of the waight of fifty Shekels: and the two hundered shekels of Siluer. That which shoulde hauehave beene destroyed, was that goodly BABYLONISH garment: nothing at all the more to bee spared before the Lord for the beauty of it; but the rather, as appertaining to the pomp of pride, to be destroyed. The much like fault that many of vsus are of long smitted withal, hauing taken away to our propper vse much of the needfull maintenance of the Ministry, that before was well and orderly giuen vntounto it: and daily yet dooing it more and more: little regarding, in comparison of our owne profit, pomp, or pleasure, either that those things should still hauehave remained to the Lords Treasury; or that the vse that we do make of them, is already condemned vntounto destruction. But if hee, being but one, brought so heauy an hand of God on them all: what may wee iustly doubt to be towards vsus, that are so many; so great, so often, and grosly therein offending? How it pleased God in the end notwithstanding to giuegive it vntounto them, to the end we may the better finde, we are to note, how it pleased God, first to make a way vntounto it: then, how he did afterward yeeld it. He made a way first vntounto it, both by framing them to seeke vntounto him: and by remouing out of the way, that which otherwise might hinder them in it. To the end they might seeke vntounto him, he first Ibid. 5. 9.touched their hearts with amazednesse, discouragement, and sorrow: then, did hee put that also into their hearts withall, namely, to seeke vntounto him, in whom the good of their whole estate they found to consist. That which other-wise might hinder Fthem of it, was some part of it in him that offended: and some part of it in themselues Ios. 7▪ 10-12. Ibid. 13-21. Ibid. 22-26.Josh 7:10–12now. That which was in him that offended, had hindred them before, and (as God himselfe told them) would hinder them still, till it was amended: and therefore did he both direct and helpe them to finde it out; and caused it to be accordingly punished. That which was in themselues now, was that discouragement that they had of that hard accident before, and it may bee, some conceit yet abiding with them, that that being so small a Citty, they should not neede any great forces yet to gaine it. God therefore, first for the former, both encourageth Iosuah, and assureth him Ios 8: 1: 2.Josh 8:1Josh 8:2to giuegive him the Citty; and alloweth the people now, to take the spoile thereof to themselues: for the latter, both he willeth Iosuah to take all the men of warre with Ibid.him; and teacheth them to vse pollicy also. Which if wee can rightly apply vntounto our selues, needs must we graunt, that although God, by his great and infinite power, be able to do the greatest thinges that are, without any meanes, euen with a be…ke: yet are we so weake in our selues, that wee had neede to vse both all our p. 214strength and pollicy also, euen in the least duties we hauehave (that he enioyneth) rightly to do them. Hauing made this way vntounto it, then to yeeld them the thing it selfe, Ibid. 3-17 Ibid. 18-29.both he frameth them to vse the meanes that he appointed: and himselfe doth prosper the same, to the full effecting of it. Those that were done by those his people, by Iosuah and the rest of the Israelites, were of two sorts: one, whereby they directed some worship towardes God; other two, whereby they deriue instruction to men. That one whereby they directed some worship towards God, was the building Ibid. 34, 31.of that Altar, dooing it in such sort as God required to bee but momentane or for the time (to leaue the honour vntounto the other that was to stand:) and their offering of Burnt-offerings, and Peace-offerings thereon. Those other two, whereby they deriue instruction to men, were one of them, that writing of the Law or Ten-Commandements on those stones plaistered for that purpose: the other, the reciting Ibid. 32. Bibl. Angl Annot. in marg. Ibid 33-35.of those blessings and curssings, at those two Mountains Garizim and Ebal, in such sort now, as God himselfe had appointed before. And if we when we come to such earthly blessings heere, as it pleaseth God to giuegive vsus (as they now had this their first entering into that habitation of theirs) should in some set and actuall manner in such sort worship: as it should be so much the more aunswereable vntounto the patterne that God heere prescribed to them, so were it most likely to prooue, both commodious and comfortable to vsus and ours.

5 How they got the Land vntounto them beeing now to bee seene, wee are to note, that they were no sooner left in that matter (as it were) to themselues, but that soone Athey made a foule slip therein: but afterward notwithstanding, did acquite themselues reasonably well. The slip that they made, was with the Gibeonites: who, when all the rest of the Kinges and States of that Countrey, hearing what the people of God had done already, determined, altogether to make warre on Israell, disposed themselues to another course, which was, to assay, whether they could handle the matter so cunningly, as to get a league of the Israelites. Concerning which, the Story doth shew vsus, that although they made a slip therein: yet soone after did it turne to their good. As touching their slip therein, wee are first to note how cunningly they were dealt with: then, how they were ouer-taken with it. In that these Ios. 9: 1, 2. Ibid. 3-13.Josh 9:1Josh 9:2turned to cunning and subtill dealing, we may first note, that now we hauehave two sorts of them, most of them that seeke to make their party good by strong hand, others that fly to craft and subtilty; neyther of them truely repenting, nor seeking vntounto God for his helpe: then also, as touching the manner of it, that they vsed false outward shewes, and plaine vntruths in speech, that so they might more easily deceiue. In that the Israelites (at least Iosuah himselfe, and the Elders) were ouer-taken therein, wee are to note, what may seeme to be the cause: and, how far they were ouer-taken. The cause seemeth to bee the same, that is noted in the Text it selfe: Ibid. 14, 15.namely, that they belieued that smooth tale of theirs, & did not aske counsel of God. A good warning for many of vsus. For this subtility of theirs, was (in a manner) but a very toy: and, on the other side, Iosuah and all the Elders of Israel we may account to bee altogether as wise, as are any of those affectioned Auncientes of this latter Church of Rome, or their adhaerents. Lesse maruaile then, if they bee so fouly beguiled as they are, in matters of Doctrine and Faith, though their illusions were grosser than they are (if grosser might be) seeing they doe not forget, but wittingly, and of set purpose refuse, in those their conceites to aske counsell of God. Howe farre they were ouer-taken with them, it is good to note, both for that which afterward they did vntounto them: and for that which neither they did offer vntounto them, nor durst before God to attempt it. That which afterward they did vntounto them, was, Ios. 9: 16-27.Josh 9:16–27that they made them as Bond-men, to doe seruile worke for them: a Chasticement little enough for so great dissimulation as it; and well that they had so much liberty Bleft in their handes, whereby they might chastice so fraudulent dealing. The people of God in their simplicity, are easily oft-times circumuented by the Children of the World: but God oft-times abaseth them for it; and leaueth in the handes of his, whereby to chastice such dealing with them. That which they durst not (euen before p. 215Ibid. 18, 19.God) offer vntounto them, was, to breake the Oath that they made them: though they were such, as God had, if not strictly willed to be destroyed, yet at least aduised his people so to doe; and they had gotten it onelyonly by fraud. A good example for the adhaerents of this latter Church of Rome, in all Countries and States whatsoeuer that professe the Gospell, so easily breaking their Faith as they do, both to their Princes and to their Countrey: and the same in no ill manner obtained of them; but such as both duty and Nature, before God and Man, doe strictly require. How it turned soone after to their good, wee hauehave in the next Story ensuing. For seeing they had made peace with the Israelites, the rest of their Neighbours ioyned together to make an vtter destruction of them. As with vsus also it falleth out, that wee cannot truely leaue the society we hauehave with the World, and in our waies cleaue vntounto those that are the vndoubted Children of God, but that easily we bring vppon vsus all the rest of our wonted Friendes, now to be our Enemies also: or, at least, so farre forth to diuide themselues from vsus, as we therein diuided our selues from them. Neither could we hauehave so reasonable friendship of them as commonly we hauehave, but that whatsoeuer we would seeme to professe, yet the truth is, that wee make but little (if any at all) separation from them: neyther doe they see any at all, vnlesse their mindes be lesse or more alienated from vsus. All the forces therefore of these parts being by this occasion gathered together against the Gibeonites, and they by that occasion seeking to their newe confederates the Israelites for helpe, so falleth it out, that Iosuah hath them all gathered together, whom otherwise he might hauehave beene forced, with great labour, and long drift of time, to hauehave sought out, if they had still kept in sunder.

6 This slip though they made at the first, yet neuerthelesse, that afterward they Aacquitted themselues reasonably well, the Story sheweth vsus, that they did well prosecute their businesse, till they had done whatsoeuer seemed to lie on the charge of all generally: but what they did after, wee finde not so woorthy of commendation. That which seemed to lie on the charge of all generally, was, first, to get the Land vntounto them: then, to make such distribution of it as was appointed. They got the BLand vntounto them, in a manner, by striking two battails with them: and by one peece of seruice besides. Those battailes were, one in the South part of the Land, where now we are: the other, in the North. In the South, by what occasion those Kings and their forces were gathered together, we hauehave heard already. These therefore being come together and besiedging Gibeon, the Gibeonites beeing ouer-matched with them, sent vntounto their new confederates to come to their ayde: whereuppon the Israelites come and ioyne battle with them, and doe giuegive them a great ouerthrowe; and not onelyonly to those that then were assembled, but to many others besides. But heere it shall bee good more specially to consider; first, of the comming of Iosuah with the rest of the Israelites vntounto the ayde of these Gibeonites now: then, of the successe they had therein. As touching their comming vntounto the aide of the Gibeonites now, it is good to note; first, that they came: then also, the manner of their comming. That they came, there is no quaestion: but whereas wee read withall, that Ios. 10: 7, 8. Tremel. I…n.Josh 10:7Josh 10:8God encouraged him to that expedition, which in the Text followeth after, but is conceiued by some to hauehave gone before, eyther of those considered a-part by themselues, may giuegive seuerally instruction to vsus. For if Iosuah and the Israelites resolued, and set in hand with that voyage first, before the Lorde gaue them any such encouragement, then hauehave wee two lessons therein: one, in Iosuah and the people; the other, in the Lord himselfe. In Iosuah and the people, that now they had a faire opportunity (if they could dispense with themselues, for their promise and oath made vntounto them) to be vtterly rid of that whole people, that had so beguiled them before, and thereby were to enioy a good part of the Land (and euen in the heart of the Countrey) which otherwise GOD had giuen to the Israelites: because if they had stayed their handes, those other forces that came against them, were likely enough soone to hauehave made an vtter riddance of them. So shoulde they praesently hauehave bin freed of their Oath made vntounto them, and hauehave seene the ouerthrow of those that p. 216had so ill beguiled them: and shortly after, hauehave had their Land in possession also. But hauing ioyned with them in league before, though not a little to their praeiudice then, and discontentment immediatly after, yet they wil not faile them now: Leauing to vsus a notable example, euer to detest such infidelity and faithles dealing, as so vsuallie is found, as with al the Children of the world generally, so especially (in these dayes of ours) with this latter Church of Rome, and their adhaerents. In the Lord, that he staying till they were resolued, would first see what themselues would doe, before Che would step in with them: and then encouraging them so well as hee did, dooth therein seeme to reward that good and faithfull dealing in them. But if that encouragement of the Lord went before, then seeing they goe now to helpe the Gibeonites, by the vertue of Gods speciall appointment, thereby may wee gather, that it was not a praecise commaundement, that they should desttoy all the Canaanites (as before wee sawe:) but rather, that they were, both allowed so to doe; and, for their good, seriously aduised also, not to suffer any of them to liue among them. In the manner of their comming, it is plaine, euen by the course of the Text it selfe, that first they had that encouragement of GOD, before they did actually finish or Ibid. 8, 9.performe this voyage: and yet notwithstanding they vsed their pollicy and industry in it, trauailing towardes them all the night, that so on the suddaine they might come vponupon them. And so, though we hauehave neuer so faire promises of God: yet must we take heed, that we vse such meanes as he hath ordained, an I neuer despise any works of his wisedome. The successe that they had therein, was some part of it in the ouerthrow of those forces that vnderunder those fiue Kinges of the South were now gathered together: and part of it, in the ouer-throw of others besides. In the ouerthrow of those forces that were now gathered together, the successe that they had, was, partly against them all generally: and partly, against the Kinges more specially. The successe that they had against them all generally, was, partly but such as is vsuall in such ouerthrowes: but other part such, as was peculiar or proper to this. That which is vsuall in such ouerthrowes, was, that the Israelites in such sort pursued Ios. 10: 10, 19 20. Ibid. 11.Josh 10:10Josh 10:19them, that most of them that day were ouer-taken and slaine. That which was peculiar or proper to this, was, both that God himselfe cast vppon the Enemy such a storme of Haile, and the Haile-stones thereof so verie great, that exceeding many were slaine thereby: and, that hee allowed Iosuah to stay both the Sunne and the Moone, for about twelue houres aboue the earth, longer than was their ordinary Ibid. 12-14.course, that so hee might hauehave time to prosecute that execution, to the vttermost that they were able. That which they had against the Kinges more specially, was, that Ibid. 16, 17.whereas they had hid themselues in a Caue altogether, Iosuah both got vnderstanding of them, and making them fast there till hee had ended that daies pursuite, caused Ibid. 18 21. Ibid. 22▪27.them then to bee brought foorth vntounto him, and making his Captaines first to set their feete on their neeks (the better to embolden them against those that remained) he then did execution on them, and left to posteritie a monument of it. Those others DIbid. 28-42.besides, were certaine chiefe and principall Citties in those South-parts, together with their Kinges and peoples: and another King and his Army, who came to the ayde of one of those Citties distressed by Iosuah. Which Citties were, Makkeda, Libnah, Lachish Eglon, Hebron (together with other Citties to it appertaining) and Debir. All which in that voyage hee tooke and destroyed, and put the people thereof to the Sword: and so subdued, in that one voyage, all that South part of the Countrey. Which when he had done, then he returned with all his Hoast to Gilgal againe, where yet they encamped. Of that in the North, the discomfiture that Ibid. 15, 43.the Canaanites had in this, may seeme to be the first occasion. For thereuppon it is said, that Iabin one of the Kinges there, and such as of olde bare a principall sway ouer all the rest, sent for all those other Kings (to the number of foure & twenty, as Ios. 11: 1-5, 10.Josh 11:1–5Josh 11:10it seemeth, or there about) together with the forces of eueryevery of them, and gathered them together to the Waters of Merom (the first Sea, Mere, Lough, or Tarn, that Iordan maketh, spreading it selfe into a great breadth there) to fight against Iosuah and the Israelites: all which beeing gathered together, besides that they had exceeding many Horses and Charets, are said to be (for their multitude) like vntounto the sand p. 217of the Sea, and by others noted to be, Foote-men 300000. Horse-men 10000. and A…, in Neph. num. 12.Charets, some but 2000. others 20000. These beeing thus gathered together, if now he would see what became of them, we are first to see what became of this whole company being yet together: then, what became of their seuerall forces, when once they were broken. While they were yet together, Iosuah beeing first encouraged Ibid. 6-9.by the Lorde, and assured of victory, both hee and all the men of Warre with him, came suddainely vntounto them, set vponupon them, praeuailed against them, destroyed many of them, houghed their Horses, and burnt their Charets. As touching those seuerall forces, that after remained, it is saide, Iosuah had long warre with them, which, Ibid. 18. Tremel. I…n. Ios. 11: 10-17. 23. Ibid. 19, 20.Josh 11:10–17Josh 11:23together with the former, is deciphered to be somewhat better than sixe yeares: but yet that he praeuayled in the end against them all, vtterly destroying the people, and taking the spoyle or prey to themselues. Where also it is specially noted, that none of all these sought any peace at the handes of Israell, and that the Lord left them to their owne wilfulnesse therein, that so they might hauehave no mercy shewed them, but that they might vtterly perish. So came it to passe, that the Israelites mightily praeuailed Ios. 12: 7-24.Josh 12:7–24and destroyed one and thirty Kinges of that people (such as they were, but of Fseuerall Territories onelyonly) together with all their forces to speake of: and nowe became so fearefull to those scattered forces that yet remained, that none of them durst make head against them. That other peece of seruice besides was, that these two Io. 11: 21, 22.John 11:21John 11:22battailes being thus stricken, hee went next against the A…akins (Men of extraordinary stature and strength, and, as it seemeth, but of one stocke, or some few others besides, such as goe vnderunder the Name of Gyants with vsus) and so praeuailed against them, that neither in Iudah nor Israell he left any remaining: taking it belike, to bee a needfull thing to be done while yet their forces were altogether, because such are so vsuall a terror to the common people, and therefore not to bee left, to the particular force of eueryevery Tribe by it selfe. But whereas it is plainely said, that some of that sort were yet remaining in certaine Citties of the Philistims, and those Territories of Ibid. 22.the Philistims, are else-where reckoned vp as part of the Countrey that was to bee possessed by the Israelites: it may seeme, that he was somewhat defectiue therein, if Ios. 13, 3.Josh 13:3wittingly he left any of them at all remaining, in any of those Coasts that were to be the portion of Israell.

7 As touching such distribution as was appointed, the most of it was of the ALand it selfe: but some part also of certaine Citties thereunto appartaining. As Mat. Beroald. M. Broughton. F…ct. Codom. Ios 13: 1-7.Josh 13:1–7touching the Land it selfe, by this time was Iosuah about an hundered yeares olde, though some others account him to want of those yeares yet: and the Text it selfe doth affirme, that he was old and strucken in yeares. Now therefore doth the Lord both put him in mind, that there is much Land yet to be gotten into their possession: and dooth set him in hand, nowe to diuide all among them, that eueryevery one of the Tribes may know their portion, & what it is that they may require as due vntounto them, that yet is kept by the Enemy from them: which when hee hath accordingly done, then doe the Israelites giuegive vntounto him his portion also. As touching which diuision Nu. 34: 16. 29or distribution, order was taken before, who should be the chiefe doers in it: namely, Eleazar the High-Priest (and he hath the first place in it) and Iosuah their Gouernour now: and, with them, one principall Father of eueryevery Tribe; which also are all named before by God himselfe. And albeit these were like to be as indifferent and wise as could be chosen, yet to content all parties the better, and to shew withall that what God hath fore-shewed, would stand vnmooueable euen in the Nu. 26: 52-56. & 33: 54.casualty of lots also, order was in like sort taken, that it should be done by lot: yet in such sort, that wheresoeuer the lot did fall, there if they were moe people, they Bshould hauehave so much the more Land to inhabit; and if they were fewer, so much the lesse. According to which order, it seemeth they set in hand with this distribution, soone after that God had called vponupon them about it: but that some way or other it brake off, and was not finished at that praesent. For first, it seemeth, they Ios. 14: 6. Ibid. 18: 1.Josh 14:6beganne in Gilgal, where first they encamped: and then afterward set in hand with it againe in Siloh. And of Siloh it is said withall, that the whole company of the p. 218Children of Israell brought the Tabernacle of the Congregation thither, and set Ibid.it vp there, after the Land was subiect vntounto them. Iosuah likewise at that time findeth fault with the people, that they were so slacke to enter into the possession Ibid. 3.of the Land which God had giuen them: but seemeth to meane it, but onelyonly in respect of those seauen Tribes, that as yet had not their portions set foorth vntounto them. Whereas therefore other two Tribes and an halfe (besides those that had Ibid. 2, 5, 6. Ios. 14: 6. 15: 10-3 Ios 14: 6. 16: 1-9. Ios. 14: 6. 17: 1-18.Josh 14:6Josh 14:15Josh 14:10Josh 14:16Josh 14:1–9Josh 14:17Josh 14:1–18their portions allowed them on the East-side of Iordan before) had their portions set out in Gilgal; namely, the Tribe of Iudah, the Tribe of Ephraim, and the other halfe of Manasses: it seemeth, by the scituation or placing of them, that these did settle themselues to their portions first; and that the others did but shuffle in themselues among them (for there was so much roome in a manner among them, as wherein three other Tribes were afterward placed) or as neere vntounto them as well they might. For these two Tribes and an halfe that had their portions set them out in Gilgal, were so placed, that Iudah had a great part of the South ende of the Land, especially the East-side of it, and that very large, hauing the length of it Ios 15. Adric… in Theat. ter. san. Ios. 19: 9. Ios. 16. 1-10. Chr. Adric▪Josh 15Josh 19:9Josh 16:1–10North and South: Ephraim likewise had his place neere thereunto; but a prettie distance off (so much as afterward was all the portion of one Tribe) but towardes the North and heart of the Land, and being coasted crosse on the other, hauing his length from the East to the West, and reaching throughout the whole breadth of the Land, from Iordan vntounto the West-Sea. And as for this halfe of Manasses, it was placed on the North of Ephraim, close vntounto it, and occupying al the breadth Ios 17: 1-18. Chro. A…tic.Josh 17:1–18of the Land for the length of it, euen from Iordan vntounto the Sea. So it seemeth, that these hauing their lots thus giuen foorth at Gilgal, did thereuppon sort themselues thither, and began there to inhabit: and then soone after brought the Tabernacle of the Congregation to Siloh, a Mountaine with a Citty thereon in that middle space betwixt Iudah and Ephraim, and as it were in the midst betwixt them: hauing Iudah, a great Tribe, on the South of it, and that other Tribe and an halfe on the North. Which Siloh notwithstanding did appertaine to the Tribe of Ephraim Cthough it stood out of the boundes of it, a… an exemtion or peculiar iurisdiction with vsus: or as, by our Maps, Foord and Thorncomb lying in the boundes of Dorsetshire, doe neuerthelesse appertaine to Deuonshire; Shipton likewise, and diuers C…. Sa…, in D…se… Ibid. …n Wor…o…ers in the boundes of Warwickeshire, Paxford, Cutsden, and Aulston in seuerall parcels, but all within the boundes of Glocester, doe all notwithstanding appertain to Worcestershire, and diuers such like. These two Tribes and a halfe hauing therefore … this …ort taken their place there, and erected the Tabernacle among them, the rest of the people (which were the other seauen Tribes remaining; and those forty thousands of the other two Tribes and a halfe beyond Iordan, who yet were with them to helpe them to subdue their Enemies) had great reason to sort themselues there about also so neere as they could: those seauen Tribes, till they had their portions also set foorth vntounto them; and those forty thousand (but when they were else-where imployed in seruice) till they were dismissed, as now shortly after they were. Heereuppon it is, as it seemeth, that Iosuah nowe findeth fault with Ios. 18: 1-3.Josh 18:1–3those seauen Tribes (for the Text dooth shew it was done in Siloh) that they were slacke to take into their handes the Land that God had giuen them: in whom it seemeth he had noted ouer great carelesnesse of that matter as yet. But whereas hee farther requireth that they would bring vntounto him three men of their owne choyce, Ibid. -46out of eueryevery Tribe of them, whose helpe hee might vse in the matter, it may seeme, that diuers of those twelue that God before had named, were now deceased: or els, that Iosuah would vse these as a farther helpe of assistants vntounto them. Howsoeuer that matter went, nowe dooth that businesse sort it selfe to an end indeede: both for the placing of those seauen Tribes aforesaide; and for some other such like thinges besides as were to be done. As for the placing of those seauen Tribes, when those one and twenty indifferently chosen out of them all, had taken the view of the land Ios. 18: 8, 9.Josh 18:8Josh 18:9that remained, and hauing set downe the particulars of all into a Booke, brought the same to Iosuah beeing nowe at Siloh, hee commending the same to Lot before the Lorde, it so fell out, that Beniamins place fell out to bee in that voide space betwixt p. 219Ibid. 10. Ibid. 11-28.Iudah and Ephraim, beginning of Iordan and beeing brodest there, and running downe West-ward towards the Sea but comming short of it, and that ende being the narrowest: the Lot of Simeon comming forth next, fell out Ios. 19: 2-9.Josh 19:2–9to bee much of it mingled with the Tribe of Iudah, especially on the West side of Ibid. 10-16.the East end of it: Zebulon the third, next but one beyond that halfe of Manasseh Dthat last was placed, on the North side of it, and so coasted as it was, from Iordan or the lake of Genasereth on the East, vntounto the maine sea on the West: Isachar the Ibid. 17-23.fourth, betwixt the last halfe of Manasses on the South, and Zebulon placed before on the North, altogether coasted as are those betwixt which it lyeth, from Iordan vntounto the maine Sea. So that these foure, Ephraim, that halfe of Manasses that last Chr. Adric.was placed, Isachar and Zebulon lie all alike together, of one coast, and all hauing their length from Iordan vntounto the Sea, as foure long beds in a Garden, or foure corne lands that are of one fore-shot or flat in the field. These foure being placed, there remaine but three: for which three we hauehave but the North end (about halfe so big as of the two other parts on this side of Iordan, towards the South) of this maine land, and one voide corner besides. The North end was crossed in two ouer-thwart Chr. Adric.to those foure that were mentioned last, the line going from the South (or mid-side of Zebulon) vntounto the North: and so casting the one halfe of this North end, vntounto the West, close to the Sea; and the other, vntounto the East, close vntounto Iordan. Of these two, Asser hauing the fift lot, had the west part: and Nephthalie by the Ios. 19: 24. 31 Ibid. 32: 39. Ibid. 40-48.Josh 19:24Josh 19:31sixt lot, the East. The seuenth remaineth, which fell to Dan, who by it had that voide corner that before wee spake of: on the West side of the North end of Iudah, betwixt the chiefe part of the lot of Simeon on the South, and of Ephraim and part of Beniamin on the North, ioyning on the West to the Sea: but this was found to be too little roome for them; and so they holpe themselues with more, shortly after. That which the Israelites gaue vntounto Iosuah for his portion among them was Ios. 19: 49, 50Josh 19:49Josh 19:50a Citie that himselfe desired: Timnath-serath, in mount Ephraim. An example of good moderation in him: who notwitstanding the place that now he was in, neither would he be his owne caruer, nor first serued; but serued them first, and afterward stood to their reward also. The Citties thereunto appertaning, of which there was a kind of distribution likewise to be made, and now was to them prescribed, were, to one purpose, but sixe: to another, those sixe againe, and two and forty more besides. That former purpose, whereunto it is first required, that sixe be appointed, was, for the preseruation of life: in case when one had slaine a man by Ios. 20: 1-9.Josh 20:1–9casualtie, and some friend of the party slaine would in his rage auenge it on him. In which case, his remedie was, to speede himselfe to one of those Cities, which hee might be able best to recouer, there to be safe, till his cause should come to indifferent hearing, or to the death of the High-Priest that should be in those dayes. EOf which, three of them were appointed before, on the East side of Iordan: Bezer, Deut. 4: 41-43Deut 4:41–43among the Rubenites, Ramoth, among the Gadites; and Galon, in that halfe tribe of Manasses which on that side of Iordan was placed. Whereunto there are three moe added on the other side of Iordan, for such casualties as should fall out there: Ios. 20: 7.Josh 20:7Kedes, in Nephtalie, a little beneath the midway betwixt the Waters of Merom and the lake of Genasereth, Westward; Sichem, in the tribe of Ephraim, euen in the heart of the land in a manner; and Hebron: in the tribe of Iudah, and about the midst of it. That other purpose, whereunto those sixe againe, and other two and forty were to be set out, was, that the Leuites might be sorted vntounto them indifferently, Ios. 21: 41. Num. 35: 6. Ios. 21: 42.Josh 21:41Num 35:6Josh 21:42for the better instruction of the people. Concerning which, we are in this case not onelyonly to note, that such Cities are giuen vntounto them: but also, in what sort they were giuen. That such were giuen them, it is plaine inough in it selfe. For the chiefe fathers of the Leuites comming to Eleazar the High-Priest, and vntounto Ios. 21: 1, 2.Josh 21:1Josh 21:2Iosuah the Gouernour, and putting them in minde, what order God had alrready taken for that matter, by the ministery of Moses, while yet they were not entred their land, they presently set in hand with the matter, and fully satisfied them therin: yeelding to afford them their habitation in so many Cities, together with the Ibid. 3. 8.subburbs of them; and, to the better contentment of themselues withal, they committed p. 220the same to Lo…, as they had done for the whole land before. Wheras therfore there were three families of them, the Koathites, the Gersonites, and the Merarites, and the familie of the Koathites consisted partly of the Priests, and partly of Leuites besides, & were the greatest familie of them al, those that were Priests of that familie had by the first lot to them appointed, out of the tribes of Iudah, Simeon & Beniamin, thirteen Citties: & the residue of that family, which were but Leuites, other ten Cities Ibid. 4: 9-19. Ibid. 5, ….besides, out of the two tribes of Ephraim and Dan, and out of that halfe tribe of Manasses which to them was adioyning. The Gersonites and Merarites in like manner being all but Leuites, had for their portion, the former of them, out of three tribes, of Isacher, Asher, and N…phe…a…, and out of the other halfe tribe of Manasses, thirteene Citties: the latter out of the three tribes remaining, Ruben, Gad, and Ze…l…, twelue Citties. So were they in all forty and eight: and all seuerally scituate Ibid. …, …7 33 Ibid 7, 34-40. Ibid. 41, 42.indifferently throughout the land, that so the Priests & Leuites which were therin, Fmight better instruct the people about them, and altogether the whole country. In what sort they were giuen them, we are likewise to marke, not onelyonly for that we may see good sparkes of the glory of God therein: but also, for that it seemeth some are in that matter deceiued. Good sparks of Gods glory appeare therein, because although they were appointed by lot; yet in all things they fell out so fit for Ios 21: 4 5, 6, 8. 10. Ibid 9, 13-19Josh 21:4the purpose: the Priests being placed so neare to the place that God afterward chose whereon the Temple should bee builded, and the rest of the Koathites (who had, next to the Priests, most to doe with the holiest things of the Tabernacle yet, and Temple after) so neare vntounto them; and that none of the Cities fell out Ibid 42.to bee in a cluster together, but all seuerall, a-part by themselues. The errour, that it seemeth is conceiued herein, is, that the Leuites should hauehave all those forty and eight Citties to themselues alone: which because I finde in some of speciall reckoning, and seeing that one conceiueth thereby, that Cal… i… Ios. 21 41 & alibi. T…l I…. in Ios. 24. 1. pro Hebr….Josh 21:41Josh 24:1the Cities of diuers other tribes, were many mo then are named vntounto them (and that notwithstanding may be so indeede) when as the Leuites, the least tribe of all by farre, had themselues so many, therefore was it needfull heere to say something thereof more specially. But so he doth conceiue likewise, that the Citties of Refuge were not giuen, vntill they were assigned to the Leuites first: and yet it is certaine, Ibi. in Ios. 21: 1 Deu. 4: 41-43Josh 21:1Deut 4:41–43that Moses set out three of them in his time, when as there were none giuen to the Leuites; and that heere the setting out of the Citties of Refuge, is recorded before the other. As also lesse maruell, if prouision for sauing of life be first made; and for instruction, to come something after: yet, as close vntounto it as may bee, euen in the Chapter next ensuing. But for the matter that now wee are in, I maruell much he could so conceiue, first in respect of that which may bee gathered of them all: then, in respect of that which in one of them we hauehave plainely set downe vntounto vsus. That which may be gathered of them all, is, that they were but to dwell with others in those their Citties and not to hauehave those Cittes wholy vntounto themselues: both for that the Leuites were a great many to few to furnish or people Num. …6. 62Num 6:62so many citties; and for that the Subburbes allowed vntounto the Leuites were no greater. First, for their number, it is plaine, that all the males of them, towards the ende of their Pilgrimage in the Wildernesse, from one monethmonth olde and Ios. 21: 41.Josh 21:41aboue, where but three and twenty thousand. Now their Citties were forty and eight, and those none of the least, but of the greatest, as may bee Ggathered for many of them, and is most probable for most of the rest: which if they were one thousand mo, yet could they make but fiue hundred a-peece one with another, of a monethmonth olde and aboue for eueryevery Citie; ouer fewe, a great deale, to such a purpose. A… was but a little one: and yet were there, out of the inhabitants of it Ios. 7: 3. Ibid. 8: 25.Josh 7:3onelyonly, as it seemeth, of both Sexes slaine, no lesse then twelue thousand. What their Subburbs were is else-where declared, in a place more propper for it: namely, but one thousand cubits forth out-right, from the Citty to be proper to the Leuites, after one thousand cubits likewise next to the wals for the common vse of them all Which Num. 35: 4. 5Num 35:4Num 35:5by proprotion may plainely shew, that they were not many, for whom that measure was ordained: and giuegive great likelihood, that there were many others there besides, p. 221that were to occupy all the rest of the groundes or fieldes, that to that Citty were In Harm in Num. 35: 4. Ibid.Num 35:4appertaining. For that Maister Caluin seemeth to allot it to other bordering Citties adioyning, to eate vp these euen to their Gates (sauing onelyonly for one thousand cubits next to the Wals: for so doth hee take that also) mee thinketh it is not like to his iudgement in other thinges. That which in one of them wee hauehave plainely set downe vntounto vsus, is, that of Hebron it is said, that the Land of the Citty, and the Villages thereof, were giuen vntounto Caleb to bee his possession. Which place albeit Tremelius Ios. 21: 12. In Ios …4: 1.Josh 21:12Josh 4:1and Iunius doe so interpret, as if the whole Citty were exempted from him and his, and giuen vntounto the Leuites onelyonly: yet, doe I take it to bee as a Key to open this Locke, both for it selfe, and all the rest; teaching vsus thereby to gather, that the other Tribes also were to dwell in those Citties, but that they were not to fraght them so full of their companies, but that they might withall receiue so many families of the Leuites, as should befall them. This place Maister Caluin in a manner, omitteth In Ios 21. Ibid 21. 4.Josh 21in his interpretation: and a little before, speaking of that Citty, Qua pri…ari; saith he, aequo animo passus est Caleb. So that hee seemeth to take it, as if Caleb and his company were content to giuegive place to the Leuites, leauing it wholy vntounto them, as if they might not both dwell together: and thereupon he giueth him special commendation a little before. In which perswasion being so setled as he was, he conceiueth In. Ios. 27. In H…rm. in Num. 35: 4.Num 35:4that the Leuites must be the iudges of the cases of Refuge: and that therefore the Cities of Refuge should be none other, but such as were appointed for the Leuites. And true it is, that the cities of Refuge were none other but sixe of those that were appointed for the Leuites also: but the cause may as well be for their bettar instruction there, as to hauehave their tryall and iudgement by them; neither do we read (to my remembrance) that matters of life and death were to them committed, HIos. 14: 6-15.Josh 14:6–15a-part from other Magistrates besides. But as touching Hebron, it was the portion that he so specially required, and as it seemeth by his speech, the same that Moses, and the same that the Lord himselfe did meane vntounto him, as the recompence (of that kinde: for there was a better reserued for him) that they did meane him for Ibid. 9: 12, 14 Ibid 9. Ibid 14. Ecc…. …6: 9. 10 1. Mac 2▪ …6. 2. Sam. 2: 1 31 Macc 2:62 Sam 2:1his good and faithfull seruice before: and it is there termed the inheritance of him and his children for euer; and that so it was to that day when the Story was written, which seemeth likewise to be the thing, that long after went vnderunder the name of his heritage for that his seruice. Sure it is, that when Dauid (who was no Leuite) was to come to his Kingdome he being directed by God himselfe to goe to Hebron, and to beginne his Kingdome there, went vp thether, himselfe and his company, together with their families, and dwelt there and in the cities thereunto appertaining: which it may seeme, would not hauehave beene so, if that place had beene by so strong and so ancient right, for the Leuites onelyonly. Debir also, or Kinah-Sepher, as before it was called, of the Tribe of Simeon, was a Leuiticall Citty too: and Ios. 21▪ 15. Iud 1: 11-15. Ios. 21: 17. Ibid. 10▪ 2.Josh 21:15Judg 1:11–15Josh 21:17yet did Caleb giuegive it to Othniel in marriage with his Daughter Aksah: and together with it the springs or groundes, both aboue and beaneath. Likewise Gibeon, of the Tribe of Beniamin, was another (and the same a great one too, greater than Ay, and so not proportionable to so small a company:) and may wee thinke Ibid. 9: 18. 2. Sam. 21: 2. 1. S…m. 9: 1, 22 Sam 21:22 Sam 21:1that the Gibeanites also gaue place vntounto the Leuites, to be there alone? They were an eye-sore vntounto the people, to dwell in the heart of the Land among them; and afterward Saul, being a Beniamite himselfe, to please the people, destroyed certain of them: but it is probable enough, that their heart-burning would not hauehave bin so great against them, if so they had parted wtih the principall seat that they had. Sichem was another of them, of the Tribe of Ephraim, and a Citty of refuge withall. Bot seeing the Sichemites stroue so soone, to hauehave a King of theirs to reigne ouer Ios. …1: 21. Iud. 9. 1. b, …2. Ibid. 4, 46.Josh 1:21Judg 9:1the rest, and so mand it forth for the time; and before that time had receiued Idolatry also: as the former of these plainely declareth there were many mo than the Leuitet there; so the latter may as much imply, that such Leuites as were, could beare but little sway among them. So farre off must it be thence (though wee had no more but this) that it was a Cittie of the Leuites onelyonly. But now the truth is, that it is plainly said to be possessed by the Sons of Ioseph: and then not otherwise by the Leuites, but as dwelling with them. Of the rest much more I thinke might be said p. 222IIos. 24: 32.Josh 24:32to this purpose also, but that this I hope is sufficient. That which afterward they did, we finde not so worthy commendation, is first set downe of certaine of them more specially: then, of them all generally. Those that are more specially noted, are Iudah, Ephram, and Manesses, three of the mightiest Tribes: so belike, leauing vntounto our selues what to iudge of the rest. For if the mightiest of them all, neuerthelesse failed in that point of duty of casting out the Canaanites, then may we conceiue, that the same fault was much more to bee found in the rest: as afterward, in the Story of the Iudges wee hauehave farther place to declare. But heere it is said concerning these, that Ephram did not cast out the Canaanite out of Geser, one of their Citties, but onelie made them to serue vnderunder tribute: and that Iudah and Manasses Ios. 16: 10.Josh 16:10could not cast out, the one, the Iebusites out of Hierusalem; the other, others of the Cannanites out of diuers Citties of theirs. Of them all it is said generally, that Ibid. 15: …. Ibid. 17: 12. Ibid. 13.when they were strong, they put the Canaanites vnderunder tribute, but did not wholy cast them out.

8 Of those their doings that concerne but certaine of them, we hauehave but little AStory remaining: but that which we hauehave, is first of those two Tribes and an halfe, that came ouer to helpe their Bretheren; then, of certaine other particular persons. That which we hauehave of those two Tribes and an halfe, resteth in two principall matters: one, how they were dismissed or sent away; the other, of a speciall care that themselues had, neuer to bee disclaimed by the rest of their Brethren. As touching their dismissing or sending away, we are to consider first of the time, when it was done: then of the manner of doing it. For the time we hauehave but two limitations of it: namely, that it was not till the Tabernacle was brought vntounto Siloh (which was before the Land was fully diuided, as wee saw before;) nor till the Land was in rest from all their Enemies. For the former of these the Tabernacle was brought vntounto Siloh in the eighteenth Chapter: and these are not dismissed but in the two and twentith. At which time also, it is not to bee doubted, that the Tabemacle was at Siloh, both because these two Tribes and an halfe were dismissed thence, and for that the Congregation assembled thither immediatly after. In like sort, that it was Ios. 22: 9. Ibid. 12.Josh 22:9not till the Land had rest, is as plainely set downe a little before they were dismissed. A manifest token of their good dealing with their Bretheren, in that they stayed so Ios. 21: 43. 45Josh 21:43Josh 21:45constantly with them from their own homes so many yeares: fully performing whatsoeuer Na. 32. 20 33Moses had giuen them in charge, and they had promised. In the manner of Btheir dismissing wee are likewise to note, in how good sort Iosuah did it: and, howe they accordingly departed home-ward. That hee doth it in good sort, wee may easily see, both in that he calleth vponupon them to that end: and much more, in that which proceedeth from him, when hee hath so called them. In that to this end he calleth them, it doth sufficiently argue, that hauing done their duty already, he would not Ios 22: ….Josh 22trouble them any longer. That which proceedeth from him is partly in word: and partly in deede. In word, both hee acknowledgeth that they had very well discharged that point of their duty: and giueth them a good exhortation withall, howe to Ios 2-…. Ibid 5, 8. Ibid 6. 4, ….Josh 2behaue themselues after. His deed is, that he doth blesse them, & dismisse them: and in dismissing them, dooth likewise let them so goe, withall that great and rich prey which they had gotten: a thing that diuers Captaines since would much hauehave stuck at. They being thus dismissed, do accordingly repaire home-wards. As touching the care that themselues had, neuer to be disclaimed by their Bretheren, there beganne Ibid. 6, 9.to bee some businesse about it: but then taking a moderate course, it was quickly stayed. There began to be businesse about it, in their manner of vttering of it: and in their Bretheren mistaking of their meaning therein. Their manner of vttering Ios. 22▪ 10.Josh 22:10that feare of theirs that they conceiued, and their deuise to praeuent the same, was, that on the one side of Iordan as they went ouer (for the Text doth not to certainelie shew on whether side it was, but that the learned vame about it: though it seeme vntounto me, there is greater likelihood, they should doe it on their owne side rather than on the other) they erected a large Altar (in the way of a Monument) such as easilie might be seene some good distance off. In doing of which, although they had no p. 223such ill meaning as was conceiued: yet was it such as was very subiect to such suspition; and therefore not so aduisedly done, without the priuitie of their Bretheren, as had beene expedient. Their Bretheren did so farre mistake it, that they were in Ibid. 11, 12.great feare, that they had turned themselues from their profession, and were setting vp Idolatry among them: and therefore gathered themselues to warre vppon them. But then inclining themselues to some more moderate course, in the meane season Idid. 13-34.they sent to their Bretheren to vnderstand their meaning therein; and (so perceiuing that it was not done of any such purpose, but onelyonly set vp as a monument vntounto posterity, that although they dwelt on the other side of Iordan, yet were they all one people with the other, both in linage, and in profession of Religion) they were contented, and so departed: leauing a notable example to vsus, the one sort of them, to nourish in vsus a singular care, both for our selues, and for our posterity, euer to keepe fast vntounto God; and the others, in no wise to beare with any starting from the truth Cof Religion, no not in our Bretheren, nor when our variance about it might bee extreamely (as with them it was) dangerous to both. That which we hauehave of certaine other particular persons, is most of Iosuah himselfe: but something of others. That which we hauehave of Iosuah himselfe, is but how well hee did close vp the course of his life: and then, of his death. In the closing vp of the course of his life, wee finde, that as he was carefull (in all the time of his gouernment) of them, to keepe them to God: so now at his death hee was very desirous to leaue them with him. A good example for all: when we see that our time cannot be long heere now, but that God will shortly take vsus hence, then to hauehave some speciall care of such as we leaue behind vsus, especially of those of whom wee hauehave charge, to leaue them with God the best that we may. A point of duty that on all handes is of vsus neglected: the most part of vsus hauing had so little respect to godlinesse in our life time for our selues, that wee hauehave it not in vsus at our deaths for others; but dropping away altogether as senselesse of such matters at our deaths, as wee hauehave beene carelesse thereof in our liues. In what sort Iosuah sought to performe that good peece of seruice to God, though the Text bee plaine enough for the sustance of it; yet in one point of lesse importance, Maister Caluin on Ios. 24: 1.Josh 24:1one of our best Interpreters otherwise conceiueth than seemeth to bethe iudgment of others generally: namely, that whereas by the course and reading of the Text, it seemeth, that Iosuah called in the Heades of the people two seuerall times about this matter; and some there be, that in plaine tearmes set down their iudgement so to be, Lyr. in Ios. 23. & 24.Josh 23(one, taking the former of these to shewe the disposition of Iosuah in the time of peace, the latter, at the time of his death; others, plainely vsing the word iterum, againe, for that which we hauehave in the foure and twentith or last Chapter of Iosuah) Fr. vatab. in Ios. 24: 1. Chro. Adrichō. in Chron. in an. 2499.Josh 24he notwithstanding taketh both those to bee but one, and the latter to bee a farther declaration of the former. But because, beside his owne iudgement (which in most thinges indeede is great, and not lightly to be aesteemed) hee bringeth no other reason, but that it was not Consentaneum, bis eadem de causa populum extrahere in alienum Ibid.locum: that is, That it was not meete to drawe the people so farre from home, twice for one matter, I do not see but that according to the iudgement of most men, and as the Text it selfe doth seeme rather to incline, wee may safeliest take it, as done at twice: both because the matter is of so special importance, that none of them had any iust cause to thinke much to bee called together twice about it; and because the course of proceeding in the one going farther then the other, doth yeeld that kinde Dof variance betwixt them. At the first time therefore, because it appeareth not they gaue him any answer, it may well be, that his good admonition took not such place with them, as on their partes it ought to hauehave done: and that, for that cause the rather, he tooke some other time shortly after, to see if yet hee could praeuaile any farther with them; and that God then did vouchsafe him a blessing of good successe, euen to his owne heartes desire. In the former of them hee frameth all his whole speech vntounto them, but as from himselfe: in the latter, the most part of it from the Lord. In his former speech which he vttereth vntounto them but as from himselfe, first he speaketh vntounto them of his owne declining age: and then commeth to the matter that was in his minde to deliuer vntounto them. Of his owne declining age (it seemeth) p. 224he speaketh, as now wearing away so fast, that he cannot long be with them: Ios. 23: 1, 2.Josh 23:1Josh 23:2and therefore would gladly disburthen his mind vntounto them, in that which now hee had to deliuer. The matter that now hee would deliuer vntounto them tended altogether to this end, to draw them to bee of mind, soundly to settle themselues to the Lord: and neuer to depart from him againe. To the end he may settle them soundly to the Lord, first he teacheth: then, he exhorteth. That which he teacheth, is of Ibid. 3-5.the great goodnesse of God towardes them: that of it they had good experience already, both in his hand on those other Nations for their sakes, and that now they had the whole Land diuided vntounto them; and should hauehave more, in expelling the rest, that themselues might hauehave quiet possession. Hee exhorteteh two seuerall times: first, some-what more largely; then, but briefly. In that which is more large, wee are to consider whereunto hee did exhort them: and what reasons he vsed to moue them thereto. To find out whereunto he did exhort Ibid. 6.them, we are to note, that first he requiereth but generally, to obserue and do whatsoeuer is written in the Lawe, and not to turne aside, neither to the right hand, nor to the left; and therefore to bee of a valiant courage (insinuating thereby that such valour is to nothing more needfull, than to the obseruation of the lawe of God:) Ibid. 7, 8.then more specially, that they hauehave no societie with those Canaanites that are left, nor euer incline to their ill waies; but euer cleaue fast vntounto the Lord in such sort, as (for that matter) yet they had done. The reasons hee vseth are two: one, for that he so stoode with them hitherto against their enemies; the other, for that hee Ewould do so still. In that wherein hee doth it but briefly, hee requiereth no more, Ibid. 9. 10.but that they take good heede to themselues, that they louelove the Lord their GOD. To the end they neuer depart from the Lord againe, he letteth them vnderstand how Ibid. 11.great euils shall in that case befall them: and howe they may assuredly know, that they cannot escape them. The euils that should find them, were, that God would driue out no mo of their enemies: and that, being left, they should become exceeding Ibid. 12: 13.grieuous vntounto them. They might assueredly know, that they could not escape them (though himselfe must be gone, and could not tarry to giuegive them warning, or Ibid. 14-16.protest vntounto them) by those things which already they saw to be accomplished: the consequence being very infallible, that as (now that they stoode in some feare of God) he had performed all that he promised vntounto them, as themselues could witnes; so whensoeuer they should leaue him and turne vntounto Idols, then should all those euils be likewise as certainely cast vponupon them. In the latter, the most part whereof hee vttereth vntounto them from the Lord, first for a time hee keepeth the speach to himselfe onelyonly: then after, hee ioyneth with them in mutuall conference about the same that he had deliuered vntounto them. While he keepeth the speach to himselfe alone, first hee speaketh vntounto them in the name of the Lord: then, in his owne. That which he speaketh vntounto them in the name of the Lord, resteth in two principall points: one, that of his owne goodnesse hee had taken them vntounto him, when there was no desert Ios. 24: 1-3.Josh 24:1–3in them, but were deepely sunke into grosse Idolatrie: the other, that euer since hee had stoode a good and a gracious Lord vntounto them, first where they were but strangers, in Canaan, and Egypt; then, bringing them to a Countrey that hee would giuegive them to bee their owne, both in the Wildernesse as they came thither, and in their Ibid. 3-7. Ibid. 7-13.Countrey when they came there, both on the one side of the Riuer, and on the other. Speaking in his owne name vntounto them, most of that hee saith concerneth them: but some part of it, himselfe also. That which concerneth them, is another exhortation vntounto them, to cleaue fast to the Lord, which that hee may the soundlier obtaine of them, he first exhorteth them vntounto it: and then neuerthelesse doth leaue them vntounto their owne liberty in it. In exhorting them vntounto it, hee doth not onelyonly Ibid. 14.require them sincerely to serue the Lord: but also (as a thing that inseperably goeth withall) to put away the Gods that their Fathers worshipped before. In leauing Ibid. 15.them vntounto their owne libertie in it, he taketh the way, that may more surely bind them vntounto it. For now they could not, in that fresh memorie of Gods great fauours towardes them, nor in the presence of so reuerend a personage, for very shame betake Fthemselues to any other: and yet taking it vponupon their owne choyce too, needs must p. 225they cleaue faster vntounto it. That which concerneth himselfe, was, that whatsoeuer choyce they should make, whether the Gods of their Fathers of old, or of that people whereunto they were come now, himselfe notwithstanding, and his Familie, Ibid.would serue the Lord. Hitherto hauing kept the speach to himselfe (a thing to be wished, that such as among vsus do euer delight themselues to be heard, would bee prouided of so godly and gracious speach as Iosuah now vsed) now doth hee as readily ioyne with them, about the matter he hath moued vntounto them: the effect whereof was (as also of his speach before, as it seemeth) to draw them to make a couenant with God. Wherein we may see, first, that certaine speaches thereof passed too and fro betwixt them: then, that the thing it selfe was after effected. Of those speaches that thereof passed too and fro betwixt them, the first was of the people, giuing in their answere to this aforesaid speach of Iosuah: but then some other besides, as Iosuah did after giuegive them occasion. In this their answere to that former speach of his, first they desire God to forbid (and God forbid it to all his people, Ibid. 16.now also) that they should forsake the Lord to serue other Gods: then, they shew whereon they ground that resolution of theirs, vponupon those great deserts of God towards them, both in times before passed, and then also; and so conclude, that he was Ibid. 17, 18.their God, and they would serue him. In those others besides, as Iosuah did occasion them, we are to consider what occasions he gaue them: and how they thereupon gaue him answere againe. Those occasions were, one of them (as it were) to hould them off: others, but in some sort to receiue them. First he did (as it were) hould them off, so to make them prease-on more earnestly: telling them, that they were too rechlesse or carelesse, or at least too brittle a people, to serue him, for that he Ibid. 19, 20.was an holy, and iealous God; and therefore neither could he, nor would hee beare with their sinne, when they offended. But to this they answered, that they would not so bee held off: but that they would serue the Lorde. The other occasions that Iosuah gaue them, were both to this end, that but in some sort he did receiue Ibid. 12.them. So first he gathered them to this consideration, that now they witnessed or Gspake much against themselues, in that they would needes make their choyce of the Ibid. 22.Lord, if they should not afterward do accordingly. To which they granted it was so indeed. Then he willed them, to put away their strange Gods, and to bow their Ibid.hearts vntounto the Lord the God of Israell: as if otherwise, they did but in vaine professe Ibid. 23. Ibid. 24.him. To that they did not fully answere: saying nothing of putting away those strange Gods that Iosuah conceaued they had among them; but yet protesting, that the Lorde their GOD they would serue, and that his voyce they would obey. Whereby it way seeme, that either they had none, as he conceaued: or else that they were not so ready yet to part with them; as indeede it is the manner of men to conceaue they may do both, as those mungrell. Isralites before, and our Romish Catholiques 2 King. 17: 29, 32, 33, 40, 41.2 Kgs 17:292 Kgs 17:322 Kgs 17:332 Kgs 17:402 Kgs 17:41now. Howsoeuer it was, whether they had none indeed, or whether Iosuah could get no better of them, and so thought good to take what they gaue (rough hauer, of ill debters) he thereupon grew to the couenant with them. The thing it selfe therefore was now effected, Iosuah making a Couenant with them on the Ibid. 25-28.same: and both setting it downe it writing, and pitching vp a stone (with the peoples consent too) for a Monument of it, and so dismissing the people withall. As touching his death, there is one thing that followeth so close vponupon it, that although it respecteth others besides, yet seeing we find it there to be placed, and there is non that had better interest therein than he, therefore may we most safely so take it. So are we first to consider of his death it selfe: then, of that other, that doth follow so close vponupon it. In his death it selfe wee hauehave no more, but that, after those thinges, being an hundred and ten yeare old he died, and was buried in his owne possession Ibid. 29, 30. Iud. 2: 8, 9. Ibid. 31. Iud. 2: 7.Judg 2:8Judg 2:9Judg 2:7at Timnah-Serah. That other thing that followeth so close vppon it, is that Israell serued the Lord all the dayes of Iosuah, and all the dayes of the Elders that out-liued Iosuah, who had knowne all the workes of the Lorde, that he had done for Israel. So blessed a thing is it for the people to hauehave good Leaders: and especially such, as hauehave seriously giuen themselues, out of the word of God to learne, how it hath pleased God from time to time to deale with his people. Those others that are but two: p. 226Ioseph, and Eleazar. Ioseph had giuen commaundement to his Bretheren in Ge. 50: 24-26Egypt, when they should goe thence to the Land of promise, then to take his bones with them, to bury them there: and he tooke them sworne thereunto. So they did Ezod. 13: 19.Balme him and Chest him then: and when they went out of Aegypt, they likewise Htooke away that Coffin with them. This nowe they bury in a parcell of ground Ios. 24: 32.Josh 24:32neere vntounto Sichem, that Iacob had bought in his time long before. Wherein as Ioseph had witnessed his Faith then: so did these well discharge themselues of that their promise now. Of Eleazar the Sonne of Aaron, and High-Priest for his time Ibid. 33.after his Father, wee hauehave no more, but that hee also about that time dyed, and that they buryed him in the Hill of Phinehas his Sonne, which was giuen him in Mount Ephraim: the second High-Priest among men that hath dyed; but therein a sufficient Testimony, together with Aaron his Father before (two Witnesses beeing by the Law of God, sufficient) that wee may not looke to hauehave an euerlasting High-Priesthood among men, but for the same must euer come to Iesus Christ, the onelyonly begotten Sonne of God.