A68840:1967
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.
But why Lent was invented, as much as I can gather I will declare.1 The fathers when they saw men live very carelessly and negligently, thought it good that they should be compelled after a sort to renew godliness in some part of the year, & somewhat to bridle the fierceness of the flesh. And for this thing they thought that the .40. days before Easter were most mete, that men should so long have their minds both occupied in repentance, & also in remembering the benefits of God. This invention, although at the first sight it might seem trim,2 yet it agreeth not with Christian liberty. For we must think upon the benefits of god and of our great ingratitude, and other our most grievous sins, not only 40. days, but also continually. Farther by this means they opened a most wide window to live securely and recklessly. For if they once had performed fully those .40. days, they thought that all the whole year after they might give themselves wholly to all kind of pleasures and lusts. For they referred the time of repentance to these .40. days. And although the elders had a lent,3 yet (as Eusebius saith in his .5. book and .24. chapter) it was left free unto all men. For Ireneus after this manner entreated with Victor bishop of Rome, when he would have excommunicated the East church, because in the observing of Easter it agreed not with the church of Rome. What (said he) can we not live at concord, although they use their own rites as we use ours? For some fast in the Lent two days, some .4. days, some ten days, some .15. some .20, and other some .40. days, and yet is concord nevertheless kept in the Church.
But why Lent was inuented, as much as I can gather I wil declare.1 The fathers when they saw men liue very carelesly and negligently, thoughte it good yt they should be cōpelled after a sort to renew godlines in some part of the year, & somewhat to bridle the fearcenes of the flesh. And for this thing they thought that the .40. dayes before Easter were most mete, that men should so long haue theyr minds both occupied in repentance, & also in remembring the benefites of God. This inuention, although at the first sight it might seme trimme,