A commentary upon the whole book of Judges Preached first and delivered in sundry…A commentary vpon the vvhole booke of Iudges Preached first and deliuered in sundrie…

Now Debora having spoken of the chief, doth by that occasion descend ¹to name and mention the meaner sort of the army, to wit, the two tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun, who were willing to take that work in hand against the Canaanites, and were easily drawn to put to their help, as appeareth chapt. 4. 10. They therefore being so forward in so good a cause, and thereby reaping so happy a fruit of their labour, that is, victory over their enemies, even they (I say) lose not their due commendation, but are brought in here by Debora, as the woman in the Gospel who poured ointment on our Saviour, of whom he said this: Wheresoever the Gospel should be preached, that which she had done to him, should be spoken of. So the people that honoured God in this work, are praised by her: which was also to their comfort. David saith of seafaring men, that they could best speak of Gods wonders in the deep: so these being eye witnesses, nay, instruments, and helpers forward of this deliverance, might best (by experience) speak of the goodness of God therein, and so (no doubt) did honour him for it, and therefore God would honour them, by registering their memory: even so there is nothing lost, that we do at Gods commandment, and for his sake, he is a plentiful paymaster and rewarder. But in that both chief and mean, were to praise God for the victory, she calleth them to a renouncing of their own strength, or boasting of their own arm, which possibly they might have done, and to ascribe all to God: as indeed she might well; for what were a few of two ²of the meanest tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali able to do against the entire forces and mighty army of Jabin? even so, they that are forward in Gods business, unless they grossly forget themselves, they are ready to honour and praise him, which cannot be without their own comfort. For these two agree well together, that where there is readiness to obey God, there is the like in praising him, and abasing of our selves, and that also accompanied with joy of heart. And as it was here with Debora, so she sought to have it with them:

Now Debora hauing spoken of the chiefe, doth by that occasion descend ¹to name and mention the meaner sort of the armie, to wit, the two tribes of Naphtali and Zabulon, who were willing to take that worke in hand against the Canaanites, and were easily drawne to put to their helpe, as appeareth chapt. 4. 10. They therefore being so forward in so good a cause, and thereby reaping so happie a fruite of their labour, that is, victorie ouer their enemies, euen they (I say) lose not their due commendation, but are brought in here by Debora, as the woman in the Gospell who powred ointment on our Sauiour, of whom he said this: Wheresoeuer the Gospell should be preached, that which she had done to him, should be spoken of. So the people that honoured God in this worke, are praised by her: which was also to their comfort. Dauid saith of seafaring men, that they could best speake of Gods wonders in the deepe: so these being eye witnesses, nay, instruments, and helpers forward of this deliuerance, might best (by experience) speake of the goodnes of God therein, and so (no doubt) did honour him for it, and therfore God would honour them, by regestring their memorie: euen so there is nothing lost, that we doe at Gods commandement, and for his sake, he is a plentifull paimaster and rewarder. But in that both chiefe and meane, were to praise God for the victorie, she calleth thē to a renouncing of their owne strength, or boasting of their owne arme, which possibly they might haue done, and to ascribe all to God: as indeed she might well; for what were a few of two