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 because we are fallen into talk of the Gibeonites, ¹I think it good to say thus much of them.² First that God did ratify that oath which the Israelites performed unto them, for as much as he aided the host of the Hebrews in delivering their city from the other Canaanites. But if so be that they had violated the curse, which was set forth of God, he would not then have done it. For, because of the sin of Achan, who had by stealth saved somewhat of that which was cursed in Jericho, he did not help his people, but suffered them foully to be slain, when they fought against the city Hay. Besides this it is written in the latter book of Samuel that God plagued the Israelites three years continually with most grievous famine, because the Gibeonites were contrary to the oath slain & of Saul miserably dispersed. Wherefore (according to their request) they had seven of Sauls posterity delivered them to be hanged. These are most certain signs that God ratified the covenant which was made with the Gibeonites, although the Hebrews did grievously sin because they asked not counsel of God. Augustine saith upon the x. chap. of the Judges,³ when he interpreteth that place where it is written, that God promised Joshua that he would be with him in the defence of the city Gabaon. For he said, be not afeard: for I will deliver them (namely the Canaanites which besieged that city) into thine hands, if this league (saith he) now made with the Gibeonites had displeased God, then would he have commanded Joshua, not to take in hand that expedition, but rather to have broken the covenant made with that nation. But contrarily he encouraged him, and of his own accord, not called upon, promised to aide him in the fight, as it may appear by the history.

But bycause we are fallen into talke of the Gabaonites, ¹I thincke it good to say thus much of them.² First that God did ratifye that othe whiche the Israelites performed vnto them, for as muche as he ayded the host of the Hebrues in deliueryng their citie from the other Chananites. But if so be that they had violated the curse, whiche was set forth of God, he would not then haue done it. For, bycause of the sinne of Achan, who had by stealth saued somwhat of that whiche was cursed in Iericho, he did not helpe his people, but suffred them fowly to be slayne, when they fought against the citie Hay. Besides this it is writtē in the latter booke of Samuel that God plagued the Israelites thre yeares continually with most grieuous famine, bycause the Gabaonites were contrary to the othe slayne & of Saul miserably dispersed. Wherfore (according to their request) they had seauen of Sauls posteritie deliuered them to be hanged. These are most certayne signes that God ratified the couenaunt which was made with the Gabaonites, althoughe the Hebrues did grieuously sinne bycause they asked not counsell of God. Augustine sayth vpon the x. chap. of the Iudges,