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,…

Thou wilt say peradventure that Paul the Apostle in his first Epistle to the Cor. hath not written these cautions or exceptions of the weak and unlearned ones, when as he plainly writeth: If any that is an infidel shall call you, & ye will go, &c. By these words he seemeth to testify, that all that is referred to our will. Whereunto I answer, that the Apostle did not permit it to be free to every will, but to a will that is rightly & well instructed. For if a man should go to these feasts, to be drunk to pamper his belly or gorge, or to solace himself with filthy talk without doubt he ⟨p. 46⟩can not be excused with the permission of Paul, but is earnestly to be reproved, for his unhonest will and wicked purpose. Likewise if a man being conversant with infidels should doubt of his own constancy, & should see that he could nothing profit them, among whom he dwelleth, undoubtedly the man can not go thither with a sound conscience, or an upright will. And if he should go, he should not direct that which he doth, to to glory of god (as he is commanded.) Furthermore although Paul hath not in the same place by express words put this caution alleged, yet it followeth not thereby, that the same is not to be added: forasmuch as it is both by firm reason manifest, & also proved by other places of the holy scripture, that that is in no case lawful. And that self same Apostle saith in the same Epistle the vi. chap. that he doth well, which surely purposeth in his hart, that he will keep his virgin: Howbeit he addeth this condition, so that he have no need, and that he hath power over his own will. For if he should otherwise appoint them his daughter would, or had need, then undoubtedly he should not do well.¹ Whereby it appeareth that to the goodness & uprightness of the work, it is not sufficient to see that the work it self of his nature be not evil, or repugnant to the word of god. But more over this is required, that we attempt the same with an upright, perfect & whole mind. Wherefore every one that is unlearned & weak, ought to separate himself from the fellowship or familiarity of that unfaithful, as much as natural & civil necessity suffereth. For seeing that he perceiveth that thereby will come some danger to his soul, he can not with a good mind & sound counsel be conversant with them.

Thou wilt say peraduenture yt Paul the Apostle in his fyrst Epistle to ye Cor. hath not written these cautions or exceptions of the weake and vnlearned ones, when as he plainly writeth: If any that is an infidel shal cal you, & ye wil go, &c. By these words he semeth to testifye, yt al that is referred to our wil. Wherunto I answere, yt the Apostle did not permit yt to be free to euery wil, but to a wil yt is ryghtly & wel instructed. For if a mā should go to these feastes, to be dronke to pamper his belly or gorge, or to solace himself wt filthy talke without doubt he