[It] is clearly said (v. 15): “the option is given you: Choose this day what pleases [you].” But 1.: that word “option” is not in the Hebrew and Greek, yet the thing itself is [there]. 2.: And by that thing, and by that very [word] which is in all the texts — [namely] by the word “choosing” [eligendi] — is signified indeed the liberty of human free-will, by which [they] could choose and elect either of the two: yet in no way did Joshua will, or could rightly will, that [they] should choose the servitude of the [false] Gods. For that [is] utterly contrary to both the laws of God and of nature. 3.: Yet Joshua so spoke, that [he] might more vehemently and more efficaciously bring them to choosing the worship of God, and constantly defending [it]. For when, between two [things], an option is given — of which one [is] the best, and so [best] that [it] is agreed to be of such a kind, but the other [is] the worst and most absurd, and [when] that [it] is so [is] evident — [then] the exhortation is most ardent, by which, as [it were], a certain necessity is imposed on men endowed with reason, [impelling them] to embrace that very [thing] whose goodness is so great and so well-known, and to flee and detest by every means that contrary great evil — as Abulensis rightly observes (q. 11): as if I should say: “Do you wish to lead [your] life utterly lawless, and after the manner of cattle, or after the manner of men, by good and honest laws? One or the other [must] be done by you, O mortals, so that [you] may either enjoy eternal beatitude in heaven, or be slaughtered, day and night, by eternal torments among those below [in hell]. The option is given you: choose whichever [you will].” And in this manner too of exhorting, Elias the Prophet used [it] (3 Kings [1 Kings] 18:21); Ecclesiasticus 15:18; nay, even Pilate, when [he] cried out to those most wicked and most blind [men] (Matt. 26:17 [recte 27:17]): “Whom will you [that] I release to you, Barabbas, or JESUS, who is called CHRIST?” and (v. 21): “Whom of the two will you [that] I release?” Yet so great then, in Israel, was the blindness, senselessness [vecordia], and insanity so great, that Pilate profited nothing, but [that] notorious murderer, rather than the most innocent Saviour and Messiah — [than] JESUS, I say, [who is] CHRIST — was chosen. But these Israelites [chose] far more wisely with Joshua (vv. 16, 17, 18).
(col. 1277)