A14350:640
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.
17 Wherefore I think it is now sufficiently concluded, and made apparent, that the moderate desire of honours is not to be blamed: yet because many do soon over-reach themselves herein, and that the place is slippery, therefore must we declare some things, which we ought to take heed of, least in seeking for virtue, we shamefully fall into vices. To this must we have a special regard, that even Aristotle being an Ethnic saw, that we desire not honour for it self: 1for this were of a mean good, to make the principal good, and to enjoy those things which we ought but to use. Let the same desire therefore tend both to the glory of God, and to the edifying of our brethren. Next of all let us beware, that we take not too much care for honour; 2for so would the mind be soon disquieted, which when many, who were accounted civill, did not avoid, they with the desire of praise became in a manner mad. We know with what a fury Alexander of Macedonia was carried in a manner through the world, seeking glory without measure and reason, who at length was brought to that pass, as he thought that there were other worlds to be conquered besides this; One world sufficeth not for young Pellaeus. With the very which disease, Julius Caesar being infected, set upon his country, and rashly violated the laws and liberty thereof. So then let this desire be moderate, and let it be bounded within certain and just limits. And in receiving of honours, let us follow Augustine's counsel; Neither receive thou (saith he) all that is offered, nor yet refuse thou all: for he that rejecteth all the honour, which is yielded unto him, for the things that he hath rightly and very well done, seems as it were to suppress the gifts of God, and that he would not have them acknowledged, which in very deed is against true godliness. And on the other side, he that embraceth whatsoever is offered him, doth many times pass the limits of modesty.
17 Wherefore I thinke it is now sufficientlie concluded, and made apparant, that the moderate desire of honors is not to be blamed: yet bicause manie doo soone ouer-reach themselues héerein, and that the place is slipperie, therefore must we declare some things, which we ought to take héed of, least in séeking for vertue, wée shamefullie fall into vices. To this must we haue a speciall regard, that euen Aristotle being an Ethnike sawe, that we desire not honor for it selfe: