A14350:299
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.
But in this our philosophy two things are to be performed; one, that the precepts should be understood; the other, that they be put in practise. As touching that first, there is no let, but that young and intemperate men, which live dissolutely, may attain unto. For if they be any thing prompt and witty, they will easily understand those things which be taught; but to express the precepts of this faculty in this life, they will not be brought, partly because they want experience, as Aristotle saith; and partly for that they are carried away with evil affections. 1Perhaps thou wilt demand what manner of experience it is, that we require of them which should be fit hearers? I will show it by examples; namely, by abstinence to overcome lusts. By valiant and temperate actions, if they be often practised, men at the length become valiant and temperate; so as without any grief, yea rather with singular pleasure they exercise themselves in the duties belonging to these virtues. 2And to conclude, we must understand, that there are two kinds of ends of this art; one that we understand what is spoken; the other and that the chief & principal, that what we have learned, we should perform: of which latter end, since Aristotle saw, that as well young as incontinent do fail, therefore he pronounced this kind of hearers to be unfit, if they be compared with others, which have now subdued their affections & motions of their mind to the rule of reason. For these may not only understand what is said, but are able also to judge rightly thereof: which as it is manifest, this philosopher did most respect, since all his whole reason leaneth to this principle, that young and incontinent men cannot rightly judge of these things. Also let us distinguish mankind, 3that some be sound, and some be altogether incurable, and that there be others in a mean between both: and they that be sound, we think have no need of these doctrines, since they be faultless and live perfectly. The incurable and intemperate, and they which have utterly given themselves to filthy pleasures, shall not be holpen, until they have laid away this mind: but they which be in the mean, shall take great fruit hereby. Truly this distinction is well to be liked; so nevertheless, as there be added thereunto, as touching them whose recovery is despaired of;