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,…

¹Even then also when many soldiers get the upper hand, God giveth the victory: but that is not so manifest, as when with a little host we overcome our enemies. God also fedeth us, even then when all things are abundant and good cheap: but that is not so well perceived, as when a great multitude is refreshed with four or five loaves. And undoubtedly it is the power of God, when the gospel is defended and spread abroad by men very well learned and princes most stout. But it is not then so evident as when it is sowed by idiots & power men, and that with great fruit, & incredible felicity. Wherefore Paul said: Brethren see to your vocation: not many noble men, not many mighty men, not many wise men are called, but god hath chosen the foolish, weak, and contemned things of the world, because he would not have the Cross of Christ and the power thereof abrogated, but manifestly to appear, that even as Jeremiah commanded, the strong man should not glory in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches, neither the wise man in his wisdom. God doth very well agree with the Prophet, where he saith to Gideon, Least Israel boast against me. Who soever is proud because of the prosperity which he hath obtained, the same man boasteth against god, and his doing is all one, as if he should choose unto himself an other god. God commandeth a decree to be proclaimed, that they which were fearful, should return home. No new thing is commanded, forasmuch as that precept is found in Deut. the 20.² chap: where precepts of warlike affairs are very well set forth. First, the Israelites are commanded, not to be afeard, when they see the weapons, horses, chariots and multitude of their enemies, because the Lord standeth on their side. Then it is ordained, that the Priest should come forth amongest them, with a sermon, confirming the hearts of the soldiers, that they are the people of god, and therefore ought not they to fear their enemies. Farther it is commanded, that they should be dismissed, which in that year had built an house, which had planted a vineyard, and which had married a wife. First, least if they should fall in the battle, they should dye without tasting the fruit of their own labours.

¹Euen then also when many souldiers get the vpper hande, God geueth the victory: but that is not so manifest, as when with a litle host we ouercome our enemyes. God also fedeth vs, euen then when all thinges are aboundant and good cheape: but that is not so well perceaued, as when a great multitude is refreshed with foure or fiue loaues. And vndoubtedlye it is the power of God, when the gospel is defended and spread abrode by men very well learned and princes most stout. But it is not then so euident as when it is sowed by idiotes & power men, and that with great fruite, & incredible felicitie. Wherfore Paul sayd: Brethren see to your vocation: not many noble men, not many mighty men, not many wise men are called, but god hath chosen the foolish, weake, and contēned things of the world, bycause he would not haue the Crosse of Christ and the power therof abrogated, but manifestly to appeare, that euen as Ieremy commaunded, the strong man should not glory in his strength, nor the riche man in his riches, neither the wise man in his wisedome. God doth very wel agree with the Prophet, where he sayth to Gideon, Least Israel boast against me. Who soeuer is proude bycause of the prosperity whiche he hath obteyned, ye same man boasteth against god, and his doing is all one, as if he should chuse vnto himselfe an other god. God commaundeth a decree to be proclaymed, that they whiche were feareful, should returne home. No new thing is commaūded, for asmuch as that precept is found in Deut. the 20.