A14350:443
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.
2 The philosophers think, that the rightness of the end and means, dependeth of mans reason, or natural understanding; as though that should suffice, to know the difference between things just and unjust. But this we deny, and in any wise require faith, and the word of God, as sure rules: 1which Augustine in many places testifieth, and especially in his treatise upon the 31. psalm, where he saith; Account not thy works good before faith, which (me thinketh) are nothing else, 2but great strength and hasty speed out of the way: and he which maketh such haste, runneth headlong into destruction. Wherefore a good intent maketh a good action, but faith directeth that intent; so that when we purpose any work, we must take heed that our hart have regard unto faith, whereby it may direct his endeavours. 3The school-divines will easily grant, that faith governeth the intent, and maketh it good. But we differ from them in three respects; §1first, because we affirm that faith dependeth only of the word of God: 4but they will have it depend both upon the fathers and councils, which may in no wise be granted them; forsomuch as faith must be constant, & altogether void of error: which two things are not found in the fathers and councils, for they speak one contrary unto another. Fathers do very oftentimes differ from fathers, and councils from councils. And few are the fathers, yea almost none, which have not sometimes erred, and that in most weighty matters. And very many of the councils have need of correction. Doth not the holy scripture in express words testify, 5that All men are liars. §2The second thing, wherein we cannot assent unto the Schoolmen is, because they affirm, that by a good intent our works are made meritorious, yea and that of eternal life. 6But how contrary this is unto truth, the nature of merit may teach; of the which I mind not at this present to entreat.