A14350:708
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.
1And Aristotle showeth what manner of oppression or blemish it is; Griefs (saith he) do bring in these things, and are a hinderance unto excellent actions. Hinderance riseth of two causes; first, they which be sore grieved become unapt to bring things to pass. And when the instruments be lost, we cannot without them do as we would: thus doth the loss of outward good things hinder him that is happy. Yet doth he mitigate this oppression or blemish; For an honest man (saith he) doth shine even in these adversities, as bright things do in obscure places. Wherefore the darkness of adverse fortune extinguisheth not felicity so, but that it spreadeth out his bright beams, even in that state; which is a token that honesty is still retained, which in blessedness beareth the chief sway: otherwise it might not give forth her brightness. And not to go far from the example already set forth: Even as if a man, or a most beautiful woman bereaved of her ornaments, should be constrained to go in rags and vile clothes, assuredly it could not be, but that same beauty would after some manner show it self even in that attire. Neither doth Aristotle conceal wherein that brightness doth consist; to wit, in enduring patiently and with a quiet mind those hard chances: indeed not Stoically, by a certain insensibleness of grief; but of a nobleness of mind and excellent courage. These things may suffice to resolve this question; whether that we may affirm that a man can be blessed in this life. And hereby may we fitly answer those things, which were before alleged, as touching the dead.
1And Aristotle sheweth what maner of oppression or blemish it is; Gréefes (saith he) doo bring in these things, and are a hinderance vnto excellent actions. Hinderance riseth of two causes; first, they which be sore gréeued become vnapt to bring things to passe. And when the instruments be lost, we cannot without them doo as we would: thus dooth the losse of outward good things hinder him that is happie. Yet dooth he mitigate this oppression or blemish; For an honest man (saith he) dooth shine euen in these aduersities, as bright things doo in obscure places. Wherefore the darknes of aduerse fortune extinguisheth not felicitie so, but that it spredeth out his bright beames, euen in that state; which is a token that honestie is still reteined, which in blessednes beareth the chéefe swaie: otherwise it might not giue foorth hir brightnes. And not to go far from the example alreadie set foorth: Euen as if a man, or a most beautifull woman bereued of hir ornaments, should be constrained to go in rags and vile clothes, assuredlie it could not be, but that same beautie would after some maner shew it selfe euen in that attire. Neither dooth Aristotle conceale wherein that brightnes dooth consist; to wit, in enduring patientlie and with a quiet mind those hard chances: indéed not Stoicallie, by a certeine insensiblenes of gréefe; but of a noblenes of mind and excellent courage. These things may suffice to resolue this question; whether that we may affirme that a man can be blessed in this life. And hereby may we fitlie answer those things, which were before alledged, as touching the dead.