A68840:263
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.
1Now resteth only to declare certain cautions or provisos, wherewith lawful treason is to be decked and adorned, and not to be condemned. The first is, that he which betrayeth be by a certain faith assured that the cause is just which he advanceth: which can not be done, except that he have sure proof of the goodness thereof by the word of God. Neither do I at this present argue, whether the same word be revealed unto him in heart,2 or whether it be opened unto him in the holy scriptures. Then must he take heed, that being now well assured of the righteousness and honesty, whereunto he is inclined, he be only provoked thereunto with the love thereof, and not with the hope of reward or gain, or for fear of any misfortune, which he desireth to escape, or to satisfy his hatred and enmities deceived.3 For so should he seek his own, and not justice, neither the obedience of his faith, and of the will of God. Furthermore it is very necessary that a man be not driven to that but then when all other kind of remedies want. For Rahab so did: for except she had then so kept the Hebrew spies, they had been by mans reason undone, neither was there then any other way to save them. And certainly it oftentimes chanceth, that all other ways & means being tried, the worse part will not be brought to soberness, so that there is no other remedy, but only by prodition. And I would therefore have these cautions diligently observed, because that men are to much prone to proditions, and that such as are both filthy and wicked. Wherefore we must take heed that by the example of good men they flatter not them selves as though they were innocent.4 Moreover Paul hath admonished us not only to avoid that which is evil it self, but also the show thereof. Howbeit we must understand this doctrine of his in such sort as we may accomplish it. For it is lawful sometimes to commit a ⟨p. 39⟩thing which is evil to see to, but not evil in very deed: whilst yet there is hope that the thing may be straight way made plain, so that ye which at the first sight seemed evil, may manifestly be known to be good. So the Apostle him self circumcised Timothy, and shaved his head, which of them selves and in very deed were not evil, although they seemed to have had a certain show of evil unto certain of the Ethnics which were converted, & were not yet well strengthened.