A14350:128
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.
8 But they that be endued with this kind of knowledge Paul affirmeth to be inexcusable, 1the Greek is [Greek or Hebrew], which signifieth, Not able to answer for their faults. God undoubtedly did not to this end reveal these natural knowledges, 2but this came to pass through our default. Howbeit that which Paul speaketh here, seemeth to be repugnant to those things which are oftentimes mentioned, when we dispute of works and grace. For if it be true that we cannot of our own strength and free will fulfil the law which we know, how shall these men be said to be inexcusable? For if that which we say be true, they might easily be excused, that they in very deed knew this law by a natural light, but that they wanted strength to fulfil so much as they knew, and therefore they seem not to be inexcusable. But entreateth only of that excuse which might be alleged of ignorance. 3here Paul For that which is now brought in as touching weakness, this would not the Ethnics have pretended. For they attributed all things unto free will: wherefore they would not have said that they were destitute of strength. Only this remained to excuse themselves by ignorance, which defence since Paul hath cut from them, it only remaineth, that by their own judgement, they should be said to be inexcusable. But, and if they had said, that although they knew what behooved them to do, yet that they were weak, this is it that Paul laboureth to conclude: namely, that the knowledge of the law of nature made them not the better; because the law, although it be known, yet it cannot alter us, nor give us strength to live uprightly: and that therefore it is necessary for us to fly unto Christ. 4But because he knew that the Gentiles fled not to that excuse, therefore he repelleth that which he saw might easily have been objected; and that is ignorance. Albeit the other excuse also, as concerning the weakness of strength, was not worthy to be admitted. 5For that weakness came by our own fault, that is, by sin. Besides this, they could not have been excusable, because even that little that was in their power; namely, as touching outward actions, they performed not according to their knowledge.