Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…

If these ungodly and rude men had been wise, they would have joined them selves unto him, to assist his endeavour in fighting for the common health. But this they do not impudently deny bread which men use to give unto such as are weary and hungry, although they be strangers. A wonderful diversity undoubtedly of things: The Midianites which were strangers, were afraid and fled: but those which were Israelites, mock Gideon the conqueror. If thou wilt say they were ignorant of his vocation: we may answer, that they could not deny, but that his work was good. But grant that they doubted of the vocation and principality of Gideon, what excuse at the last can their most wanton derision have? For so did Nabal the Carmelite behave himself toward David, when he required some meat of him for his Soldiers, making mention of his faith, and the fidelity of his men, in safeguarding his things. But he did not only deny unto him that humanity, but sent away the messengers laden with contumelies. The things which Gideon required, were just and honesty.¹ For stipends and victuals are due unto the Magistrates, for as much as he laboureth for the public utility. Wherefore Paul sayeth: Therefore ye give unto him tribute, because he is the Minister of God, namely in defending the innocent, and punishing the guilty. Wherefore they of Succoth were bound to give those things which were desired, by the duty of justice. For the same Apostle writeth, render unto every man that which is due: to whom tribute belongeth, tribute, to whom custom is due, custom, &c. The Ethnics also saw this, when as there are many civils laws extant, which do both weightily and most just provide, that Soldiers should have victuals found them, when they goo on warfare. And how much they sinned in mocking so great a man, we may gather by the words of Christ, who sayeth: If a man say unto an other man fool, or Racha, be shall be guilty of judgement and Council: how much more shall he be condemned, which wantonly scoffeth and mocketh his Magistrate? Some princes did severely punish those which with contumelies reproached even their images: what ought this man to do with those, which so mocked him to his face? These things I therefore speak, that we should not think that Gideon did unjustly threaten them.

If these vngodly and rude men had bene wise, they would haue ioyned them selues vnto him, to assiste his endeuor in fighting for the common health. But this they do not impudently deny bread whiche men vse to geue vnto suche as are weary and hungry, although they be straungers. A wonderfull diuersity vndoubtedly of things: The Madianites which were strangers, were afrayd and fled: but those whiche were Israelites, mocke Gideon the conquerer. If thou wilt saye they were ignoraunt of hys vocation: we may aunswere, that they could not denye, but that his worke was good. But graunt that they doubted of the vocation and principality of Gideon, what excuse at the laste can theyr moste wanton derision haue? For so did Nabal the Carmilite behaue hymselfe towarde Dauid, when he required some meate of hym for hys Souldiers, makyng mencion of hys fayth, and the fidelitye of hys men, in safegardyng hys thynges. But he dyd not onely denye vnto hym that humanity, but sent awaye the messangers laden with contumelyes. The thynges which Gideon required, were iuste and honesty.