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,…

This now resteth to be declared, why among the Proprieties of the mercy of GOD, this also was recited before Moses: Visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children, when as this seemeth rather to pertain unto severity. But it is not so, yea rather if we look more narrowly upon the place, we shall understand that it is a point of mercy. For where the sin was first committed, he might straightway if he would, justly be revenged. But he is so good that he will defer the vengeance unto the third and fourth generation, and in the mean time calleth back the father to repentance, by admonitions of the Prophets, by sermons and benefits, and many other ways. At the last, when the third and fourth generation is come, and he made never a whit the better, he goeth to stripes, and yet he doth not then use affliction, as the last punishment, but rather as a medicine. Who seeth not that all this is a work of great mercy? Wherefore justly and worthily are these words numbered among the proprieties of mercy. And it can not be denied, but that the Prophets were oftentimes afflicted together with the people. For Ezekiel and Daniel were led away into captivity, and Jeremiah was caste into prison, and wonderfully vexed in the time of the siege: and afterward going with the Hebrews into Egypt, he was slain. For God will have the thing in this manner ordered, that good men, may not only rightly govern their own life, but also in suffering things grievous, they may admonish and bring to amendment the evil. For they are conversant together with them in the same public wealth and Church, and are after a sort members of one body.

This nowe resteth to bee declared, why amonge the Proprietyes of the mercye of GOD, this also was recited before Moses: Visityng the iniquitye of the Fathers vpon the children, when as this seemeth rather to pertayne vnto seuerity. But it is not so, yea rather if we looke more narrowly vpon the place, we shall vnderstande that it is a pointe of mercy. For where the sinne was firste committed, he myght strayghtwaye if he woulde, iustly bee reuenged. But he is so good that he wyll defer the vengeaunce vnto the thirde and fourth generation, and in the meane tyme calleth backe the father to repentaunce, by admonitions of the Prophetes, by sermons and benefites, and many other wayes. At the laste, when the thirde and fourth generation is come, and he made neuer a whitte the better, he goeth to stripes, and yet he doth not then vse affliction, as the laste punishement, but rather as a medecine. Who seeth not that all this is a woorke of greate mercye? Wherefore iustly and woorthily are these wordes numbred amonge the proprietyes of mercye. And it can not bee denyed, but that the Prophetes were oftentymes afflicted together with the people. For Ezechiel and Daniel were led awaye into captiuity, and Ieremy was caste into prison, and wonderfully vexed in the tyme of the siege: and afterwarde goyng with the Hebrues into Egypte, he was slayne. For God will haue the thyng in thys manner ordered, that good men, may not onely ryghtly gouerne their own lyfe, but also in suffryng thynges greuous, they may admonishe and bryng to amendement the euill. For they are conuersant together with them in the same publique wealth and Churche, and are after a sorte members of one body.