The Second Part of the Old Testament: Historical Books

The¹ argument of the book of Josue.

WHETHER Josue himself writ this book ( which is the common opinion ²) or some other, it was ever held undoubtedly by all, for Canonical Scripture: and according to the distribution of the whole Bible into Legal, Historical, Sapiential, and Prophetical Books, this is the first of the historical sort. But as the five precedent called Legal, besides the Law, comprehend also the history of the Church, from the beginning of the world near 2500. years³, and withal contain much divine Wisdom, & Prediction of things to come: so these books now following called Historical, and likewise the Sapiential and Prophetical ensuing after, participate each with others in their several arguments: every one more or less inducing God's servants to keep his Law; recording things done; teaching what is most meet to be done; and foreshewing before hand, things done afterwards, or which yet shall come to pass. So this book doth not only set forth the Acts of Josue,⁴ who succeeded Moyses in temporal government of God's people, commanding and directing them by law and wisdom; but also the same things done by him, and his very name ( as S. Jerome, & other Fathers teach ⁵) prefigure our Lord JESUS Christ. For in Hebrew JEHOSUA is the name both of this Captain General, the leader of The Israelites over Jordan into the Land of promise, and of our Lord and SAVIOUR, who by his Baptism, and other Sacraments bringeth his people of all Nations, into the true Land of the living, where is life and felicity everlasting. Touching therefore the history, these four special things are here described.⁶ First, the passage of the Israelites over Jordan. In the five first chapters. Secondly, their conquest of the promised Land. In the seven chapters following. Thirdly, the partition of the same Land amongst nine Tribes and a half. from the. 13. chap. to the 22. Fourthly, In the three last chapters, the return of the other two Tribes and a half to their possessions, on the east side of Jordan; with Josue's last admonition to them all, to serve God sincerely; and his, and Eleazar's death.