(k) Though 'tis commonly believed that this Book was written by Joshuah.] Most of the Modern Writers are of this Opinion, as was also Isidore in the 6th Book of his Origines, Junilius, and Do∣rotheus, Vatablus, Abulensis, Driedo, and Bellar∣mine say the same, as do likewise the Talmudists Babatra, c. 1. This Opinion is chiefly supported by these Words in the last Chapter, Vers. the 26th, where it is said, that Joshuah wrote all these things in the Book of the Law of God. However, this passage may have a relation only to what is writ∣ten in this Chapter, or else perhaps Joshuah might have written another Book, of which this was an Abridgment. 'Tis said in Ecclesiasticus, Chap. 46. that Joshuah was the Successor of Moses in Prophe∣cies; But this does not prove that he wrote any thing. Theodoret assures us, that the Book of Joshuah is nothing else but an Extract out of the Book of Jasher, which is mentioned in the 10th Chapter, Vers. the 13th.
The Reasons that are brought to prove that this Book was not written by Joshuah, are gene∣rally these. In the first place, say they, it is ob∣served there in the 10th Chapter, Vers. 13. that the Book of Jashar, where the Wars of Joshuah were written, is quoted, therefore the Book of Joshuah is later. 2. We meet there this fashion of speaking, Usque in praesentem diem, unto this day, frequently repeated: As for instance, when it's said in the 4th Chap. Vers. 9. That the twelve Stones which Joshuah took out of the midst of Jordan, continue there unto this day. And in the 5th Chap. Vers. 9. The name of the place is called Gilgal, unto this day. 3. The taking of the City of Lachish is related Chap. 10. Vers. 35. tho' it happen'd not till after the Death of Joshu∣ah, as we may see, Judges, Chap. 18. Vers. 29. So likewise, Chap. 11. Vers. 14. and the follow∣ing, there is an account of Caleb and his Daugh∣ter Achsah, which passage did not fall out till after the Death of Joshuah, as it is written in the first Chapter of the Book of Judges. In the same Chapter, Vers. 28. there is mention made of the Land of Cabul, which received this Name from Hiram King of Tyre, as we may find it in the 9th Chapter of the first Book of Kings. Lastly, in the 9th Chapter, Vers. 23. and the last, it is said, That Joshuah made the Gibeonites Drawers of Waters and Hewers of Wood in the House of his God, which is probably to be understood of the Temple, that was not built long after the death of Joshuah. These Arguments are not wholly unanswerable. First, We don't know what man∣ner of Book the Book of Jasher was; 'tis not said that all the Wars of Joshuah were set down there, but only the relation of the Sun's standing still. Some think that Genesis is there called the Book of Jasher, where, as they pretend, this memorable Event was foretold. Others believe 'tis the Pen∣tateuch; Grotius says it was a Song composed up∣on that occasion. Huetius supposes that it is a Book of Morality. Lastly, others imagine it to have been a Book of Annals. If this last Opini∣on were the only true one, yet it by no means follows, that Joshuah was not Author of that Book where these Annals are quoted. Secondly, Suppossing that Joshuah wrote this Book towards the end of his Life, as is most reasonable to think he did, when he had occasion to speak of those things that happen'd at the beginning of his Mi∣nistry, he might very well make use of that Ex∣pression, Usque in praesentem diem, unto this day, even as St. Matthew himself, who wrote a little after the Death of our Blessed Saviour, tells us, that the Field Aceldama was called The Field of Blood unto this day. These, and the following Objections, may be answered, by saying, that these things have been added since, and particu∣larly the taking of the City of Lachish by the Danites: Or at least we may say that the City of Lachish, mentioned in Joshuah, is a different place from Laish in the Book of Judges. The second Objection may be answered by saying, That whatever is said concerning Othoniel and Achsa in the Book of Judges, is only a Recapi∣tulation of what happened in the time of Joshu∣ah. The Land of Cabul, mentioned in Joshuah, is different from that in the Book of Kings: Jo∣sephus has distinguished them; one is a Country, the other a Village. The House of God, menti∣oned in the Ninth Chapter, may be understood well enough of the Tabernacle and Ark, which was in the time of Joshuah.