A14350:742
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.
19 But thou wilt say, that In inferior matters, many things are done either without order, or else disorderly: for we see often-times the godly to be oppressed, and the wicked to flourish. Admit it be so; but is there no providence therefore, because we do not see the causes thereof? If peradventure thou shouldest be in a smiths shop, 2and seest many tools, some crooked, some bowed, some hooked, and some sawed in; wouldest thou strait-way condemn them all for naught, because they appear not straight and handsome? I think not; but thou wouldest rather confess thy self to be ignorant of the use of them. Such an honour must be given to God, as when thou seest tyrants and wicked men to enjoy wealth and prosperity, thou must say, that they be instruments of the providence of God, although thou canst not perceive what God intendeth by them. Augustine saith, that God is so good, as he is able to draw out some goodness even out of the wicked. Further, if there were no tyrants, what virtue & patience of martyrs should there be? God will have some to be the triumph of his goodness, he will have some also upon whom he may exercise his might and power. But perhaps thou wilt say; Is it not enough that men be martyrs in the preparation of their mind? Indeed there be noble virtues hidden in the minds of the godly, but yet oftentimes this doth not satisfy God: he will bring them forth into act, that they may be seen. Wherefore our eyes must be lifted up, that we think not of the ungodly, but of God. So the prophets call Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, 3and Sennacherib, hatchets, hammers, saws, and swords in the hand of God.
19 But thou wilt saie, that In inferior matters, manie things are done either without order, or else disorderlie: for we sée often-times the godlie to be oppressed, and the wicked to flourish. Admit it be so; but is there no prouidence therefore, bicause we doo not sée the causes thereof? If peraduenture thou shouldest be in a smithes shop, 2and séest manie tooles, some crooked, some bowed, some hooked, and some sawed in; wouldest thou strait-waie condemne them all for naught, bicause they appeare not straight and handsome? I thinke not; but thou wouldest rather confesse thy selfe to be ignorant of the vse of them. Such an honor must be giuen to God, as when thou séest tyrants and wicked men to enioie wealth and prosperitie, thou must saie, that they be instruments of the prouidence of God, although thou canst not perceiue what God intendeth by them. Augustine saith, that God is so good, as he is able to drawe out some goodnes euen out of the wicked. Further, if there were no tyrants, what vertue & patience of martyrs should there be? God will haue some to be the triumph of his goodnes, he will haue some also vpon whom he may exercise his might and power. But perhaps thou wilt saie; Is it not enough that men be martyrs in the preparation of their mind? Indéed there be noble vertues hidden in the minds of the godlie, but yet oftentimes this dooth not satisfie God: he will bring them foorth into act, that they may be séene. Wherefore our eies must be lifted vp, that we thinke not of the vngodlie, but of God. So the prophets call Nabuchadnezar, Pharao,