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,…

Caleb had promised him which should conquer the city of Debir, ¹his daughter to wife. What if any wicked person had performed that, should he by the virtue of the promise have ben made the son in law of Caleb? surely it seemeth not. For what other thing had this ben, than to betray his daughter? Therefore it may appear that he promised rashly. For a wise man ought to foresee those things which might happen. How be it we must consider that there were not at that time such wicked and flagitious men among the Israelites, for as long as those elders lived, which governed the public wealth together with Joshua, as it shall be declared in this history, the people feared god. Wherefore it followeth, that they used to put those to death by the law which were guilty of very grievous crimes. Therefore there was no danger lest any such man should conquer the city, to whom for that act Hacsah should be given to wife of duty. But if there remained certain small and common faults in him which had conquered it, the same might be recompensed by his other virtues. For there is is none so absolute and perfect, but that some times he may fall. Moreover there were some hope of amendment of life. And the conqueror might be so nigh of kin, as peradventure this Othoniel was, that he could not marry the daughter of Caleb. Wherefore it seemeth that at the least in that part it was a rash promise. But I do not think it can be accused of rashness,² for as much as all promises ought among the godly so far forth to be of force, as they do agree with the word of god, which thing if Jephthah had diligently considered, he would never have suffered him self to have committed so unworthy things against his daughter. This condition surely in all covenants and promises ought to be counted for a most constant rule.

Chaleb had promised him which should cōquere the citie of Debir, ¹his daughter to wife. What if any wicked persone had performed that, should he by the vertue of the promise haue ben made ye sonne in law of Chaleb? surely it semeth not. For what other thing had this ben, than to betraye his daughter? Therfore it may appeare that he promised rashly. For a wise man ought to foresee those thinges whiche might happen. How be it we must consider that there were not at that tyme such wicked and flagitious men among the Israelites, for as long as those elders lyued, whiche gouerned the publicque wealth together with Iosua, as it shalbe declared in this hystory, the people feared god. Wherfore it followeth, that they vsed to put those to death by the lawe whiche were guiltie of very grieuous crimes. Therfore there was no daunger lest any such mā should conquere the citie, to whom for that act Hacsah should be geuen to wife of duetye. But if there remayned certaine smal and common faultes in him which had conquered it, the same might be recompenced by his other vertues. For there is is none so absolute and perfect, but that some times he may fal. Moreouer there were some hope of amendement of life. And the conquerour might be so nighe of kynne, as peraduēture this Othoniel was, that he could not mary the daughter of Chaleb. Wherfore it seemeth that at the least in that part it was a rashe promise. But I do not thincke it can be accused of rashenesse,