A68840:1138
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.
The fable of Aesop of the frogs which desired a king, differeth not much from this Apology which we are now in hand with: for to them after the beam or post which they despised, was given a dragon, which by little & little eat them up all.
The fable of Esope of the frogges which desired a kinge, differeth not muche from this Apology which we ar now in hand with: for to thē after the beame or post which they dispised, was geuen a dragō, which by litle & litle eat thē vp al.
And I will begin at the declaration of the fable wherein it is said: If ye have done rightly and orderly, rejoice with Abimelech, and Abimelech with you. But if not, let a fire come out from him, & consume you. The olive tree, vine tree, & fig tree is the family of Gideon: and the trees which desire a king are the Sechemites. ⟨image 167⟩And as among trees there are some noble and some abject: so also among men there are some noble and excellent, and some unnoble and of no reputation. The bramble brier signifieth Abimelech. 1Pliny in his 24. book and .14. chapt. writeth of this kind of thorn. And as touching this matter, these are the properties thereof: it is a plant vile and abject, as was Abimelech, who was a bastard and borne of a hand maid, so that he was not to be compared with his brethren. And as he without any utility governed the Israelites, so is the bramble wont to bring forth no fruit. The bramble also pricketh, even as Abimelech very much hurted the Israelites. Moreover some write that the bows of brambles are sometimes so vehemently shaken and moved with the wind, that out of them is fire kindled, wherewith not only they themselves burn, but the whole wood wherein they grow is burnt: which thing Jotham now foretelleth to come to pass of Abimelech. Wherefore the properties do wonderfully well agree.
And I wil begyn at ye declaration of the fable wherin it is said: If ye haue done rightly and orderly, reioyse with Abimelech, and Abimelech with you. But if not, let a fire come out from him, & consume you. The oliue tree, vine tree, & fyg tree is the famelye of Gideon: and the trees which desire a king are the Sechemites.