A14350:134
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.
112 And forasmuch as God may be known of us three manner of ways; the first is deferred unto another life. Which way when Moses desired, it was said unto him: No man shall see me, and live. Of the second did Paul make mention unto the Romans: For the invisible things of God, 2&c. Last of all, we perceive him by faith, whereof mention is oftentimes made. But in the first to the Corinthians they are both compared together, 3and the one showed to be but smallie profitable, as it was showed in the epistle to the Romans. But in Genesis, when as Moses expresseth unto us the workmanship of the world, 4he showeth things whereby we may pick out the invisible knowledge of God. But this way leaneth altogether upon faith: for except we believe the words of God, we shall obtain nothing. Wherefore it is written unto the Hebrews: 5By faith we understand that the worlds were made. Wherefore in beholding the creatures of God, let us always put to the strength of faith, if we will not loose our labour, and busy our selves to our own hurt. As for these invisible things of God, which we perceive, they are innumerable; but they are all drawn to three principal points: his power, his wisdom, and his goodness. The greatness of the things brought forth, the making of them of nothing, and the sudden making of them by the commandment of his only word, do infer his most mighty power. But the workmanship, the form, the comeliness, and the singular disposition of them, do testify the wisdom of the maker. The profit which we gather of them, declareth how great his goodness is. Of so great importance it is, that we should comprehend this creation of the world by faith, as even the articles of our belief have their beginning hereupon. For this being taken away, neither will the first sin be extant; the promises concerning Christ will fall, and all the strength of religion will be overthrown. And seeing that all the articles of the faith are certain rules and principles of our godliness among them all, this is reckoned the first in order: the which, since we must learn by the revealing of God, as we must also do all other, not by the feigned devises of satan, or precepts of men, we must first speak of all these things, before we come to the creation it self.