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,…

But now I return to the matter and ask the cause why the Israelites did cut of the thumbs of the hands and feet of Adonibezek. ¹R. Levi answereth to this interrogation, and saith that it was therefore done, that the cruel Tyrant might be made altogether unapt to do any thing, and especially to make war. For they which are so inaymed are neither able to draw sword, neither to take or overcome any man in battle. Moreover by this so sharp punishment other princes which were yet remaining might easily be made afeard to lift any weapon against the Israelites. These things are somewhat likely, but the words of the same tyrant teach us that we must consider some deeper cause, namely that it was so done by the providence of god, that cruel and bloody princes should not at the length escape the judgement of God, yea rather they should have experience on them selves of that which they had committed against others. And in that thing because it is good sometimes to be taught by the example of wicked men, God would now also admonish us by this Adonibezek. He teacheth us that we should not much stay in inferior causes which are next unto us,² but rather by these examples straight ways to lift up the eyes of the mind to consider the wonderful and most high justice of the decrees of God. The self same most cruel tyrant doth not ascribe unto the Israelites that they had feabled him by cutting of his hands and feet, but by and by sayeth. As I have done to other, so God hath done to me again. Which same thing also Christ hath taught us, for this also was his sentence, With what measure ye meat, with the same shall other meat unto you.

But nowe I returne to the matter and aske the cause why the Israelites did cut of the thombes of the handes and feete of Adonibezek. ¹R. Leui aunswereth to this interrogation, and sayth that it was therfore done, that the cruell Tirant might be made altogether vnapt to do any thing, and especially to make warre. For they whiche are so inaymed are neither able to drawe sworde, neither to take or ouercome any man in battaille. Moreouer by this so sharpe punishment other princes whiche were yet remayning might easely be made affeard to lifte any weapon agaynst the Israelites. These thinges are somewhat lykely, but the wordes of the same tyranne teache vs that we must consider some deeper cause, namely that it was so done by the prouidēce of god, that cruell and bloudy princes should not at the length escape the iudgemēt of God, yea rather they should haue experience on them selues of that whiche they had committed agaynst others. And in that thing bycause it is good sometymes to be taught by the example of wicked men, God would now also admonishe vs by this Adonibezek. He teacheth vs that we should not muche staye in inferiour causes whiche are nexte vnto vs,