A68840:906
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,…
Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity, in the University of Tygure with a very profitable tract of the matter and places. Herein is also added [and] contained two most ample tables, aswell of the matter, as of the words: with an index of the places in the holy scripture. Set forth & allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctions.Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie, in the Vniuersitye of Tygure with a very profitable tract of the matter and places. Herein is also added [and] contained two most ample tables, aswel of the matter, as of the wordes: wyth an index of the places in the holy scripture. Set forth & allowed, accordyng to thorder appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by John Day, 1564London: printed by Iohn Day, 1564
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1R. Levi ben Gerson thinketh that Gideon, when he required these signs, did partly distrust, and partly believe: whose opinion if it be received, then Gideon is guilty of infidelity. And I judge that we must not labour much, utterly to acquit him of all faults. To the Hebrews his faith in deed is commended: but me thinketh that we must not deny but that it was wavering, before it was by divers means confirmed. And undoubtedly it is a great matter, to confirm the heart of man in the word of God. Although I am not ignorant, that they which defend Gideon, do say that he doubted not, but that he was called of god to set at liberty the Israelites. But in requiring these signs, he only asked counsel of God: whither he should then obtain the victory against the Midianites, when now he had collected and host. And that in the old time with the captains of the Israelites was a common custom. For Saul and David, although they were by God chosen kings, namely to save the people, neither did they thereof any thing doubt, yet did they often times ask counsel of God, whither they should ascend to any place, whither their enemies should be delivered into their hands: or contrary, whither they should fall before their enemies, or be delivered into their hands. So peradventure it might be said, that this captain, for that he had not with him the Ark of the Lord, or a Prophet whom he might ask counsel of, as touching the success of the battle, by those signs did ask counsel of the Lord. Augustine in his .63.2 question upon Genesis in this manner excuseth Gideon, and affirmeth that he by these petitions tempted not God, but asked counsel as touching the success. And as concerning this thing, as he is wont, he agreeth with ⟨p. 126⟩Ambrose, who in his first book de spiritu sancto, and .i. chap. affirmeth that Gideon doubted not. And the Rabbins of the Hebrews think that these signs were given unto Gideon by the ministry of some prophet: but what he was, neither the scripture declareth, neither can they tell. And there are some of them which suppose that all this thing was done in a vision. But of these things what need we any more to argue? Forasmuch as there is nothing which letteth, but that Gideon might in very deed both demand, and have experience of these things.