A68840:167
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.
1We learn moreover by this history, that it is lawful for princes to stir up men courageously to enterprise honest acts, and which they ought otherwise of duty to have done, to set forth unto them some rewards. For we see that Caleb did so now, and also Saul, when he promised his daughter to him which could kill Goliath, and we remember Christ hath promised them an hundred fold in this life,2 which for his sake should leave father and mother, children and brothers. Wherefore we must know that good & honest actions, are by them selves sufficient to be sought for, forasmuch as in this world nothing can happen more sweater, than to obey god, & with a good conscience to be joined unto him, in living uprightly according to his commandments. Wherefore admit we should obtain no other thing, yet a sufficient reward & gain should be rendered unto us,3 if we may have a quiet and pacified conscience, and be inwardly filled with spiritual joy, but god (such is his goodness) would moreover set forth unto us gifts and rewards. For he seeth the disposition & nature of a man to be feeble and flow to all things that be good, healthful and honest: he would therefore stir up the same by promising manifold & sundry rewards, which kind of remedy we had not needed, if we had continued perfect and absolute, as we were created. Who I pray you, needeth with reward to be stirred up to drink when he is thirsty, or to eat when he is hungry? surely no body. Wherefore neither need men, if they hungered and thrusted for righteousness, (as they ought to do) a reward to stir them up to it. A mother also useth not to be enticed with rewards to give suck, to feed, and care for her own child, that it perish not.4 Wherefore the promises of god are therefore necessary unto men, because they by reason of sin have waxed cold from a vehement affection and zeal toward godly and holy works, we be altogether dull and sluggish to the offices of godliness and righteousness: wherefore God of his gentleness would add spurs of promises: which appeareth most manifestly in the law, where almost for every commandment are both threatenings & also promises added. Wherefore seeing holy men have done this oftentimes, seeing also the law of God hath done so, and the same is found in the new testament, we may conclude without doubt that it is lawful.