And what shall I say more?] Vers. 32 Fearing least if he should stand to reckon up every particular example, he might thereby restrain the praises of faith but to a very few; he breaks off, and saith, I should never make an end, if I should recite all of them one by one; seeing those few which he hath already mentioned, may be extended to the whole Church of God. And first he notes the time which was between Joshua and David, during the which God raised up Judges to govern his people: which were these four whereof he makes mention, to wit, Gideon, Barak, Sampson, and Jephthah. 1As concerning Gideon; was it not a thing ridiculous in the eyes of flesh and blood, that he should go to assail an infinite army of enemies, with three hundred men only? and what was the breaking of the pitchers in their hands? Surely a very fond thing, fit in all reason to serve to fray little children only. In like manner the forces that Barak had, 2were far inferior to the strength of his enemies: and besides, he was only governed by the counsel of a silly weak woman. 3Sampson being but a country man, and ⟨p. 279⟩exercised in no other weapons than with tillage and husbandry; what was such a one able to do, think you, against so proud conquerors, that he should bring all the people into subjection unto him by his power? And as for Jephthah, 4who would not even at the first have condemned his enterprise of rashness, seeing he promised to maintain a people, where their state was in a manner remediless? But because all these personages followed the calling, and leading of God, and rested themselves upon his promise, executing the charge that was enjoined them, they all do receive their due commendation by the testimony of the holy Ghost. So then, whatsoever they did which deserved praise, 5that the Apostle attributes to faith: although there was not one of them whose faith wavered not. Gideon was too too backward to take arms; and durst not commit himself unto God, but with great difficulties. Barak was so timorous and fearful even from the beginning, that he was enforced to do his duty by Debora, and that not without some disgrace unto him. Sampson, overcome by the flatteries of his concubine, did undiscreetly betray both his own and the peoples safety.
ANd what shall I say more?] Vers. 32 Fearing least if hee should stand to reckon vp euery particular example, he might thereby restraine the praises of faith but to a very few; hee breaks off, and saith, I should neuer make an end, if I should recite all of them one by one; seeing those few which hee hath alreadie mentioned, may bee extended to the whole Church of God. And first he notes the time which was betweene Ioshuah and Dauid, during the which God raised vp Iudges to gouerne his people: which were these foure whereof he makes mention, to wit, Gedeon, Barac, Sampson, and Iephte. 1As concerning Gedeon; was it not a thing ridiculous in the eyes of flesh and blood, that he should goe to assaile an infinite armie of enemies, with three hundred men onely? and what was the breaking of the pitchers in their hands? Surely a very fond thing, fit in all reason to serue to fray little children onely. In like manner the forces that Barac had, 2were farre inferiour to the strength of his enemies: and besides, he was onely gouerned by the counsell of a sillie weake woman. 3Sampson being but a countrie man, and ⟨p. 279⟩exercised in no other weapons than with tillage and husbandrie; what was such a one able to doe, think you, against so proud conquerours, that hee should bring all the people into subiection vnto him by his power? And as for Iephte, 4who would not euen at the first haue condemned his enterprise of rashnes, seeing he promised to maintaine a people, where their state was in a manner remedilesse? But because all these personages followed the calling, and leading of God, and rested themselues vpon his promise, executing the charge that was enioyned them, they all doe receiue their due commendation by the testimonie of the holy Ghost. So then, whatsoeuer they did which deserued praise, 5that the Apostle attributes to faith: although there was not one of them whose faith wauered not. Gedeon was too too backward to take armes; and durst not commit himselfe vnto God, but with great difficulties. Barac was so timerous and fearefull euen from the beginning, that hee was inforced to do his dutie by Debora, and that not without some disgrace vnto him. Sampson, ouercome by the flatteries of his concubine, did vndiscreetly betray both his owne and the peoples safetie.
- 1Gideon.Gedeon.
- 2Barak.Barac.
- 3Sampson.
- 4Jephthah.Iephte.
- 5Imperfections are in the best.
