A68840:1112
Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…
Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity, in the University of Tygure with a very profitable tract of the matter and places. Herein is also added [and] contained two most ample tables, aswell of the matter, as of the words: with an index of the places in the holy scripture. Set forth & allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctions.Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie, in the Vniuersitye of Tygure with a very profitable tract of the matter and places. Herein is also added [and] contained two most ample tables, aswel of the matter, as of the wordes: wyth an index of the places in the holy scripture. Set forth & allowed, accordyng to thorder appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by John Day, 1564London: printed by Iohn Day, 1564
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
He useth glorious reasons. First he declareth that the rule of one alone is better than the dominion of many. And that is most easy to persuade humane reason. Wherefore Homer saith: It is not good ye many reign, let there be one Lord.1 Which verse Aristotle bringeth in his Metaphysics. Which thing in deed might be granted as touching the institution & perfection of the nature of man. For in a kingdom occasions in deliberating are not overpassed and corrupted: and the execution of things decreed, is not delayed and slacked, as we see often happeneth where many bear rule. But in this corruption of nature it seemeth to be otherwise, for as much as in it hangeth a danger & that most grievous, le•st the kingdom should fall into the hands of a wicked man. Wherefore it is better to retain Aristocratia, that is, the governance of many good men. Abimelech urgeth not wi•h the other argument, as he did before, namely the public utility, but the proper commodity of his kinsfolks. I am (saith he) your flesh, and your bone. As though he ⟨image 163⟩would have said: When I am created king, I will chiefly have a regard unto you. I will increase you with riches, dignity and power. Wherefore it is better for you to chose me for your king being your kinsman, rather then a stranger. He saith that he is their flesh and bone, when as yet he was more flesh and bone of his brethren, and of his father which was dead. For children pertain more unto the father, then to the mother. But this fellow lieth in all things, and speaketh to get favour,2 and it guilefully. It is an Hebrew phrase, to be the bone and flesh of any man. Laban spake so unto Jacob, when he required of him Rachel for a wife. This said the Israelites also unto David, when they created him king. And Paul to the Ephesians sayeth, that we are the members of Christ, flesh of his flesh, and bones of his bones: for as much as he is our head and the head of the Church, as the husband is joined unto the wife. In sum, it is a speech whereby is declared the greatest conjunction that may be.
He vseth glorious reasōs. First he declareth yt the rule of one alone is better thē ye dominon of many. And yt is most easy to persuade humane reason. Wherfore Homere sayth: It is not good ye many raigne, let there be one Lord.