A14350:89
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.
14 But let us weigh how those things agree with the holy scriptures. First, that all things do desire good, it seems to be a certain imitation of God almighty the author of creatures. For he while he made every particular thing, had respect unto a good end. According as it is said in the book of Genesis, that God saw the light, 2the great lights of heaven, the stars, herbs, and plants, and other things, that they were good. Finally, he rested the seventh day, perceiving that all things, which he had made were exceeding good. Wherefore this endeavour of good things, is in all things the steppe and impression of the divine property. As touching arts and doctrines, we will easily grant that they desire good by them selves, & of their own nature, albeit that the same turn to evil and some unto them which be not regenerate in Christ: and therefore it comes oftentimes to pass, that the secrets of salvation are hidden from men, which be furnished and adorned with good arts and sciences, and are open to them that be simple, according to that saying: Thou hast hidden these things from the wise, and hast revealed them unto babes. 3And Paul unto the Corinthians the first Epistle: Take heed to your calling (my brethren) how that God hath chosen not many wise men, 4but the foolish things of the world, that he might make the wise men ashamed. Which words would have no place, if arts & doctrine might attain to the leve good things, and unto that which might make us acceptable unto God. Howbeit these things, although they be good in their own kind and nature, yet to us, if we be unbelievers and arrogant, they are turned to evil. As touching choices and actions, the scripture saith in the book of Genesis, that The hart of man is inclined to wickedness, 5even from his first childhood. And Paul wellnigh in the same sense said unto the Romans; For I know, that in me, that is in my flesh, 6dwelleth no good thing. Wherefore we must say, that it is a fault of nature procured by Adam, that men not regenerate by Christ, are prone unto those things, which are in very deed wicked, unjust, and filthy, and which are exceedingly repugnant to the law of God: