A14350:352
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.
And for that cause, as we have said, they which by prayers labour to obtain signs, do labour in vain; unless they have believed. For prayers without faith, are of no value with God: and this Christ hath manifestly taught in the 17. chapter of Matthew. 1For when his disciples could not heal the lunatic child; the cause thereof being demanded, he said that it happened by reason of their incredulity: 2whose answer manifestly declareth, what we must judge of these exorcists or conjurers, which endeavour to drive away devils at the sepulchres of the saints, and at their relics. All things be there done feignedly. The dead are called upon without faith; and the devil maketh dalliance with idolaters; feigning to have faith, to the end that damnable worshippings may be still continued: which is therefore manifest, because those exorcists being most unpure, do all things there without faith. Origin upon the 17. chapter of Matthew writeth very well against this abuse; 3If at any time (saith he) it behooveth us to help these men, let us not talk with the spirit, by adjuring or commanding, as though he heard us; but let us only persevere in giving our selves to prayers and fastings. These words spake he even then, when the invocation of the dead, and worshipping of relics were not used in the church. What would he at this time say, if he should see the madness of our age? But to return to the chief point of the doubt, I judge that faith goeth before miracles; as touching those which obtain them by prayers, but not as concerning them which stand by, and have not yet believed the preaching which they have heard.
And for that cause, as we haue said, they which by praiers labour to obtaine signes, doo labour in vaine; vnlesse they haue beléeued. For praiers without faith, are of no value with God: and this Christ hath manifestlie taught in the 17. chapter of Matthew. 1For when his disciples could not heale the lunatike child; the cause therof being demanded, hée said that it happened by reason of their incredulitie: 2whose answere manifestlie declareth, what we must iudge of these exorcists or coniurers, which indeuour to driue awaie diuels at the sepulchers of the saints, and at their rellicks. All things be there doone fainedlie. The dead are called vpon without faith; and the diuell maketh dalliance with idolaters; faining to haue faith, to the end that damnable worshippings may be still continued: which is therefore manifest, bicause those exorcists being most vnpure, doo all things there without faith. Origin vpon the 17. chapter of Matthew writeth verie well against this abuse;