Franciscus Gomarus was a prominent figure in the Reformed tradition during the early 17th century. His theological commitments aligned with the broader Reformed theology, and some key aspects of his theological stance include:

1. Calvinism and Predestination:
   • Gomarus was firmly rooted in the Calvinist tradition, which emphasized the sovereignty of God, predestination, and the total depravity of humanity. He would have subscribed to the five points of Calvinism, often summarized in the acronym TULIP (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints).
2. Covenant Theology:
   • Like many Reformed theologians, Gomarus would have embraced Covenant Theology, which sees God’s relationship with humanity as covenantal, tracing the biblical covenants from Adam to Christ. The covenantal framework is foundational to understanding God’s dealings with His people.
3. Sola Scriptura:
   • Gomarus, consistent with Reformed theology, upheld the principle of Sola Scriptura, emphasizing the Bible as the sole authority for matters of faith and practice. This commitment to the primacy of Scripture was central to his theological framework.
4. Rejection of Arminianism:
   • Gomarus was involved in the Arminian Controversy, a theological dispute with Jacobus Arminius and his followers. Gomarus, representing the orthodox Calvinist position, strongly opposed certain aspects of Arminianism, particularly its views on predestination and free will.
5. Ecclesiology:
   • Gomarus contributed to discussions on church government and ecclesiology. Reformed ecclesiology typically involves a presbyterian or congregational polity, and Gomarus would have engaged in discussions related to the organization and governance of the church.
6. Theological Education:
   • Gomarus served as a professor of theology, and his commitment to theological education aligns with the broader Reformed emphasis on the training of pastors and scholars. Theological education was seen as crucial for the preservation and transmission of Reformed theology.
7. Response to Socinianism:
   • Gomarus engaged with Socinianism, a theological movement that denied the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. His theological commitments would include a defense of orthodox Trinitarian doctrine against Socinian challenges.

These theological commitments were not unique to Gomarus but were shared by many within the Reformed tradition during his time. They reflect the distinctive features of Reformed theology as it developed in the context of the broader Protestant Reformation.

The debate over the use of hexameter in the Song of Deuteronomy reflects broader discussions about the nature of poetic structures in biblical texts. The debate has significance for several reasons:

1. Nature of Hebrew Poetry:
   • The use of hexameter, a poetic form associated with classical Greek and Latin poetry, in a Hebrew text challenges traditional notions of Hebrew poetry. The study of poetic structures in the Hebrew Bible is crucial for understanding the literary features and expressive techniques used by biblical authors.
2. Textual Criticism and Authorship:
   • The debate involves questions of authorship and textual criticism. If a particular section of the biblical text is deemed to have a different poetic structure than the rest, it might raise questions about its authorship or the possibility of later editorial changes to the text.
3. Theological Implications:
   • Discussions about the form of biblical poetry can have theological implications. The form and style of a text can influence how its content is interpreted. Theological perspectives on the inspiration and nature of the Bible may be influenced by views on the literary features of biblical texts.
4. Understanding Ancient Literary Practices:
   • The debate provides insights into the understanding of ancient literary practices. It involves questions about whether biblical authors were influenced by or integrated poetic forms from neighboring cultures, such as the Hellenistic influence on Hebrew literature.
5. Hermeneutical Considerations:
   • Different views on the use of hexameter in the Song of Deuteronomy can lead to different interpretative approaches. Some scholars may see it as evidence of broader cultural influences on Hebrew literature, while others may argue for a more conservative interpretation that aligns with traditional views of Hebrew poetic forms.
6. Academic Discourse:
   • The debate is part of the ongoing academic discourse around biblical studies. It illustrates how scholars engage with each other’s arguments, present evidence, and contribute to the broader understanding of biblical texts.

In summary, the debate over the hexameter in the Song of Deuteronomy matters because it touches on issues related to the nature of biblical poetry, textual criticism, theological perspectives, ancient literary practices, and academic discourse in biblical studies. It reflects the complexities involved in studying and interpreting ancient texts with rich literary traditions.

I don’t have direct access to specific chapters or content from Mercerus’ Commentary on Job. However, if you have access to this work, you may find the speech in the third chapter where Mercerus discusses the topic. If the work is available online or in a library, you could consult that specific chapter for the detailed speech.

Mercerus’ Commentary on Job, like many historical texts, may be available in libraries, rare book collections, or through digital archives. Here are a few steps you can take to find it:

1. University Libraries: Check with university libraries that have a strong focus on theology, classical studies, or ancient languages.
2. Digital Libraries: Explore digital libraries and archives that specialize in historical texts. Websites like Project MUSE, JSTOR, or Google Books might have it.
3. Online Bookstores: Check online bookstores that specialize in rare or antique books.
4. Specialized Archives: Some theological or historical archives may have digital or physical copies of Mercerus’ Commentary.
5. Request from Interlibrary Loan: If you can’t find it locally, you might request it through interlibrary loan services. Librarians can help you with this.

Keep in mind that the availability of such historical texts can vary, and access may depend on your location and the resources of the libraries you have access to. If you’re affiliated with a university or research institution, their library services could be valuable in your search.

Franciscus Gomarus, in his work “Davidis Lyra,” appears to be engaged in a broader theological and scholarly discussion about the nature of poetry, specifically in the context of Hebrew Scriptures. The emphasis on hexameter, a poetic meter commonly associated with classical epic poetry in Greek and Latin traditions, seems to be a point of contention and inquiry.

The discussion about the presence or absence of metrical patterns, such as hexameter, in Hebrew poetry, particularly in the Psalms and other biblical books, was a topic of interest among scholars during that time. Some scholars, like Gomarus, may have sought to explore whether classical poetic forms, such as hexameter, were applicable or present in Hebrew poetic compositions.

Understanding the poetic structure of biblical texts was not merely a matter of literary curiosity. It had implications for the interpretation of the sacred texts, their divine inspiration, and their relationship with classical literature. The debate also touched upon questions related to the nature of Hebrew poetry, linguistic characteristics, and the cultural and historical context of biblical writings.

In summary, Gomarus’ interest in hexameter and the broader discussion about poetic forms in Hebrew Scriptures reflect a scholarly effort to explore the intricacies of biblical poetry, potentially influenced by contemporary debates and the intellectual climate of his time.

The exact perspective of scholars like Gomarus may vary, but generally, during periods of intense scholarly engagement with biblical texts, there was a debate regarding the influence of classical forms, such as those found in Greek and Latin literature, on the interpretation of Hebrew Scriptures. Some scholars, influenced by the classical traditions, may have sought to identify and apply classical poetic forms, like hexameter, to the understanding of Hebrew poetry.

This does not necessarily imply an insistence that the ancient scriptures were directly applicable in form for a Hellenized audience and culture. Rather, it could be an attempt to find common ground or parallels between the literary forms of the biblical texts and those of classical literature. Scholars were grappling with questions related to the universality of literary forms, the influence of cultural exchange, and the broader implications for understanding the nature of the biblical texts.

It’s important to note that interpretations and scholarly perspectives can vary widely, and individuals like Gomarus might have had nuanced views within the broader context of discussions about the relationship between classical and biblical literature.

Discussions about the relationship between classical and biblical literature have a rich history and involve various perspectives. Here are a few examples:

1. Allegorical Interpretation:
   • Some early Christian scholars, like Origen of Alexandria, used allegorical interpretation to find hidden meanings in biblical texts. This approach often drew on classical philosophy and literature, attempting to reconcile biblical narratives with Greek philosophical ideas.
2. Hexameter in Hebrew Poetry:
   • As seen in the case of Gomarus, there were discussions about the presence of classical poetic forms, such as hexameter, in Hebrew poetry. Scholars debated whether the structure of classical poetry could be applied to the understanding of biblical verses.
3. Philological Studies:
   • Scholars like Lorenzo Valla in the Renaissance engaged in philological studies, comparing linguistic features of the Bible with classical texts. This included discussions on language structure, vocabulary, and stylistic elements.
4. Humanism and Classical Influences:
   • During the Renaissance, the Humanist movement emphasized a revival of classical learning. Scholars, including Christian humanists, sought to integrate classical knowledge into the study of the Bible. Erasmus, for instance, produced a Greek New Testament, applying humanist philological methods to the biblical text.
5. Poetics and Literary Forms:
   • The Renaissance and later periods saw discussions about the poetics and literary forms of the Bible. Scholars explored whether biblical writings followed classical literary conventions and whether these conventions should influence the interpretation of the text.
6. Christian Apologetics and Classical Rhetoric:
   • Christian apologists, especially during the early centuries of Christianity, often employed classical rhetorical techniques in their writings. Figures like Augustine were influenced by classical rhetoric in their theological and apologetic works.

These examples highlight the varied ways in which scholars engaged with the relationship between classical and biblical literature. The discussions were not uniform, and interpretations often depended on the theological, philosophical, and cultural context of the scholars involved.