A14350:1040
The Common Places
The common places of the most famous and renowned divine Doctor Peter Martyr divided into four principal parts: with a large addition of many theological and necessary discourses, some never extant before. Translated and partly gathered by Anthony Marten, one of the sewers of her Majesties most honourable chamber.The common places of the most famous and renowmed diuine Doctor Peter Martyr diuided into foure principall parts: with a large addition of manie theologicall and necessarie discourses, some neuer extant before. Translated and partlie gathered by Anthonie Marten, one of the sewers of hir Maiesties most honourable chamber.
Imprinted at London : In Pater noster Rowe, by Henry Denham and Henry Middleton at the costs and charges of Henry Denham, Thomas Chard, William Broome, and Andrew Maunsell, 1583Imprinted at London : In Pater noster Rovve, by Henry Denham and Henry Middleton at the costs and charges of Henrie Denham, Thomas Chard, VVilliam Broome, and Andrew Maunsell, 1583
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
12 I define free will after this sort; Free will is a faculty or power, whereby we either take or refuse, as we lust our selves, those things, which be judged by reason. But whether such a kind of power be in men or no, or how it is in them, cannot with one answer be defined. First we must of necessity distinguish the state and condition of man. There be verily found in man four differences of state at the least: 2for the state of Adam, when he was created in the beginning, was far differing from the state after his fall; such as is now also the state of all his posterity. Moreover, they which be regenerated in Christ, be in far better state, than they which live without Christ; for we shall become most happy, and most free, when we have put off this mortal body: wherefore we will make answer unto the proposed question, 3according to these four states. We must believe, that Adam in his first creation, had free will: which thing, before I shall declare, three kinds of works, that be in us, are to be noted. Of the which some do appertain unto nature; as to be sick, to be in health, to be nourished, to digest our meat, and such other like: in the which things, albeit the first man was a great deal more happy, than we be at this present; yet he was subject unto some necessity: for it behooved him both to eat, to be nourished, and to take meat. Nevertheless, he was free from all calamities, which might bring death. There are other works also, which after a civill or moral consideration, be either just or unjust. The third kind is of those works, which be liking and acceptable to God. As concerning all these, man was free from the beginning: for He was created unto the image of God, unto whom nothing doth better agree, 4than true & perfect liberty. And of him it is thus written; 5God hath crowned him with glory & honour: and again; When he was in honour, 6he knew it not. And what honour can there be, where liberty wanteth? Lastly, God made subject unto him all things which he had created: