A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

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.