they supposed, from what they had heard, that it was impossible
to get the possession of the country. And when the congregation was
dissolved, they, their wives and children, continued their lamentation,
as if God would not indeed assist them, but only promised them fair.
They also again blamed Moses, and made a clamor against him and his
brother Aaron, the high priest. Accordingly they passed that night very
ill, and with contumelious language against them; but in the morning
they ran to a congregation, intending to stone Moses and Aaron, and so
to return back into Egypt.

4. But of the spies, there were Joshua the son of Nun, of the tribe
of Ephraim, and Caleb of the tribe of Judah, that were afraid of the
consequence, and came into the midst of them, and stilled the multitude,
and desired them to be of good courage; and neither to condemn God, as
having told them lies, nor to hearken to those who had aftrighted them,
by telling them what was not true concerning the Canaanites, but to
those that encouraged them to hope for good success; and that they
should gain possession of the happiness promised them, because neither
the height of mountains, nor the depth of rivers, could hinder men of
true courage from attempting them, especially while God would take care
of them beforehand, and be assistant to them. "Let us then go," said
they, "against our enemies, and have no suspicion of ill success,
trusting in God to conduct us, and following those that are to be our
leaders." Thus did these two exhort them, and endeavor to pacify the
rage they were in. But Moses and Aaron fell on the ground, and besought
God, not for their own deliverance, but that he would put a stop to what
the people were unwarily doing, and would bring their minds to a quiet
temper, which were now disordered by their present passion. The cloud
also did now appear, and stood over the tabernacle, and declared to them
the presence of God to be there.

CHAPTER 15. How Moses Was Displeased At This, And Foretold That God Was
Angry And That They Should Continue In The Wilderness For Forty Years
And Not, During That Time, Either Return Into Egypt Or Take Possession
Of Canaan.

1. Moses came now boldly to the multitude, and informed them that God
was moved at their abuse of him, and would inflict punishment upon them,
not indeed such as they deserved for their sins, but such as parents
inflict on their children, in order to their correction. For, he sa