A68840:1371
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.
In the country of Taurus there was a custom, to kill strangers and guests. The Persians had a custom, never to deliberate of weighty matters, but in feasts, and when they were drunk. Among the Sauromates there was a custom, that when they were drinking, they sold their daughters. These prescribe not, when as they are manifestly vicious and evil. But that custom prescribeth, which is neither against the word of God, nor the law of nature, nor the common law. For the right of custom cometh of the approbation, and secrete assent of the people. Otherwise, why are we bound unto laws? but because they were made,1 the people consenting and agreeing unto them? For this is the difference between a custom and a law, because in the one is a secrete assent, but in the other an open assent. Wherefore such customs cannot be revoked without danger. Aristotle in Politicis admonisheth, that men which have learned to do sinister things, ought not to be compelled to do things dextere. Wherefore in things indifferent, and of no great value, custom is to be retained. It is an old Proverb, [Greek or Hebrew], that is, Law and Country. For every region hath certain customs of their own, which cannot easily be changed. But as it is said, when they are against the word of God, or against nature, or the common law, they do not prescribe. For then are they not customs, but beastly cruelties.
In the country of Taurus there was a custome, to kyll straungers and gests. The Persians had a custome, neuer to deliberate of waighty matters, but in feastes, and when they were dronke. Among the Sauromates there was a custome, that when they were drinking, they solde their daughters. These prescribe not, when as they are manifestly vicious and euyll. But that custome prescribeth, which is neither against the woord of God, nor the law of nature, nor the common law. For the right of custome commeth of the approbation, and secrete assent of the people. Otherwise, why are we bound vnto lawes? but bicause they were made,1 the people consenting and agreing vnto them? For this is the difference betwene a custome and a lawe, bicause in the one is a secrete assent, but in the other an open assent. Wherfore such customes cannot be reuoked wythout daunger. Aristotle in Politicis admonisheth, that men which haue learned to doo sinister thinges, ought not to be compelled to do thinges dextere. Wherefore in thinges indifferent, and of no great value, custome is to be retayned. It is an old Prouerbe, , that is, Law and Country. For euery region hath certaine customes of their owne, which cannot easelye be chaunged. But as it is sayde, when they are againste the woorde of God, or againste nature, or the common lawe, they do not prescribe. For then are they not customes, but beastly cruelties.