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,…

Alexander that Macedonian, ¹which by strength and most noble victories had subdued under him the most part of the earth, was so weakened and effeminated by the manners of the Persians, that those whom he ought to have drawn to his own manners and qualities, he himself took their garments, weakness, haughtiness and pride, so far was he from bringing them to the institutions of the Macedonians. Wherefore he ran into great hatred of his soldiers. Neither is this to be passed over, that long conversation of the godly with infidels (except there appear some fruit of their conversion, and that the same be by all means sought for) doth breed a let or hinderance to their salvation. For when they perceive that our men do live so familiarly with them, they think that the superstitions and idolatries, wherewith they are infected are not so evil, and so much to be detested. And peradventure they are brought to this point, that in persevering in them, they distrust not but that they may attain to salvation. For unless it were so, they could not persuade them selves, that our men would dissemble it. Besides those things, there are very many of our men, which by the example of this mingled conversation do think that they also may do the same, which they see others to do. Whereby by the deed or example of certain, evil should spread abroad more amply, and our faith and godliness should be had in derision of the Ethnics and Papists. And that oftentimes cometh to pass, which we know to have happened in the time of Paul (as it is written in the first Epistle to the Corinthians) that they which otherwise were faithful, by this conversation do communicate with wicked and polluted rites. For by overmuch familiarity with the Infidels, is by little and little made a steppe to follow their superstition and Idolatry. Wherefore not without a cause did the Apostle cry: Fly from Idolatry.

Alexander that Macedonian, ¹which by strength and most noble victoryes had subdued vnder him the most part of the earth, was so weakened and effeminated by the maners of the Persians, that those whom he ought to haue drawen to his own maners and qualities, he himselfe tooke their garments, weaknesse, hawtenesse and pride, so farre was he from bringyng them to the institutions of the Macedonians. Wherfore he rā into great hatred of his soldiours. Neither is this to be passed ouer, that long conuersation of the godly with infidels (except there appeare some fruite of their cōuersion, and that the same be by all meanes sought for) doth breede a let or hinderaūce to their saluation. For when they perceaue that our men do liue so familiarly with them, they thinke that the superstitions and idolatries, wherwith they are infected are not so euill, and so much to be detested. And peraduentur they are brought to this poynte, that in perseueryng in them, they distrust not but that they may attayne to saluation. For vnlesse it were so, they could not persuade them selues, that our men would dissemble it. Besides those things, there are very many of our men, whiche by the example of this mingled conuersation do thinke that they also may do the same, which they se others to do. Wherby by the dede or exāple of certain, euill should spreade abrode more amply, and our fayth and godlynesse should be had in derision of the Ethnikes and Papistes. And that oftentymes cōmeth to passe, which we know to haue happened in the tyme of Paul (as it is written in the first Epistle to the Corinthians) that they which otherwise were faithful, by this conuersation do communicate with wicked and polluted rites. For by ouermuch familiarity with the Infidels, is by littell and littell made a steppe to followe theyr superstition and Idolatry. Wherefore not without a cause did the Apostle crye: Flye from Idolatry.