A68840:1602
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.
There ariseth a doubt, because Samson was a Nazarite, & by his profession it was not lawful for him to drink wine, nor to cut his hear,1 nor to touch any dead corps. But he must needs touch their bodies, whom when he had slain he stripped out of their clothes. There are divers & sundry answers brought. Some say he was a Nazarite, but not as touching this third condition. For the Angel only admonished his Parents that he should drink no wine, nor pole his head: but commanded nothing for touching of dead bodies. But other say that he did in deed kill the Philistines, but yet he stripped of their garments, while they were yet breathing and on live. And there are some which think that he caused that one or two of them which were left a live, should strip the other, and should go free for their labour. But these seem mere feignings. The difficulty may be dispatched by one word: a Nazarite was bound by religion, not of his own accord to touch dead bodies. But this man was moved by the spirit of God: neither did he these things of his own will. Wherefore the commandment of the religion of a Nazarite ought in this stead to give place unto the holy ghost. I am not ignorant how men do easily marvel, that the holy ghost would mingle it self with plays and trifles of young men. For that can scarcely seem to be agreeable unto the majesty of God. Let humane reason marvel at these things, as much as it list:2 yet is it nothing contrary unto the majesty of God, if it mingle it self with things never so light. For hereby the providence of God appeareth more bright, when men understand that it also converteth things most base and most light, unto the glory of the name of God. For, for a man with apt and meet instruments, to bring any thing to pass, it is no great matter: but with things unapt and deformed, to fabricate any excellent thing, this seemeth to pertain to a cunning workman. These things seem in deed to be light, but what is more light then dreams? which yet God useth to the glory of his name, as the history of Pharaoh and Nabuchad-Nezar do manifestly declare. But what do I speak of Kings? God would by dreams exalt Joseph being a prisoner and poor man, unto a kingdom. So would he have the inheritance of Esau turned unto Jacob, in a manner by a play.
There ariseth a doubt, bicause Samson was a Nazarite, & by his profession it was not lawful for him to drinke wine, nor to cut his heare,