A68840:153
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.
It may also be manifestly enough declared by an other reason,1 ye incestuous marriages were forbidden by the light of nature, seeing that they were earnestly forbidden by the Roman laws, which were counted among the excellentest & honestest laws, & these by name, whereby any man should marry his niece by the brother. Although Claudius Caesar when he would marry his brothers daughter Agrippina, caused the first law to be abrogated, and to be decreed that every man might have his brothers daughter to wife. But there was never a one at Rome except it were one or two which would follow his example. And the Romans observed the first law which was most honest.2 Nevertheless we must understand, ye diverse persons were prohibited by the laws of the Romans, of whom the law of god hath made no mention, and yet their prohibition was not without a reason. Wherefore the Citizens of Rome were bound to observe them, although by the light of nature they could see no cause why they should so do, which laws were wont to be called a peculiar kind of laws, because it seemeth to be private for certain places. I will make the thing more plain by examples.3 The Romans would not as it is written in Codice that matrimonies should be contracted between the tutor and pupil committed to his charge. Because they saw that this would easily come thereby, that that tutor which had consumed his pupils goods, least he should be compelled after his tutorship to render account of those goods, might solicit the maiden to marriage, which being obtained, he should be free from giving account of her goods. This surely was a good law, but yet it was not perfectly observed. Cicero otherwise a grave man,4 was evil spoken of for the same cause: for being far in other mens debt, when he had forsaken his wife Terence, he married his pupil, of whose goods & affairs he had charge over as a tutor.
It may also be manifestly ynough declared by an other reason,1 ye incestuous mariages were forbidden by the light of nature, seing that they were earnestly forbidden by the Romane lawes, which were counted among the excellentest & honestest lawes, & these by name, wherby any man should marrye his niepce by the brother. Although Claudius Caesar whē he would marry his brothers daughter Agrippina, caused the fyrst law to be abrogated, and to be decreed that euery man might haue his brothers daughter to wife. But there was neuer a one at Rome except it were one or two which would follow his example. And ye Romaines obserued the first law which was most honest.