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,…

¹But least in this thing I should seem to rough, I am content that they have some consideration, even of the act wherein the sin is committed. And surely, as touching that, I cannot see how to sin against the sacraments can be judged a light fault, when as that kind of sin pertaineth to the first table, wherein undoubtedly the worshipping of God is set forth. Which worshipping alone kept whole and sound, other things are easily corrected. And on the contrary, that being corrupted and defiled, all other things whatsoever we do, become most unthankful unto God. Furthermore they think that the fault, whereof we entreat, may therefore be extenuated, because they affirm that they slide not of mind and purpose, but only by constraint. Whom if thou shouldest demand, what manner of compulsory that is which they pretend? They cannot undoubtedly give any other answer, but because they would not incur the loss of their goods,² their fame and their life. But these things make not but that the action is voluntary. For as Aristotle hath taught in his Ethics, when as shipmen in danger do hurl their goods in to the sea, to avoid the danger of shipwreck, they are said commonly to be compelled, when as in deed they willingly throw them in. For they take deliberation, and with knowledge they determine rather to lose their goods than their life. And as they in that work do wisely, so do our men for the love of life and body, & covetousness of the goods of this world, unwisely choose the loss of eternal life, when as with a wicked dissimulation they go unto detestable Masses. Wherefore the excuse which they bring, cannot be received as just. The Corinthians also mought by this reason when they were reproved of Paul, have defended them selves. If we go unto the feasts dedicated to idols, we go not thither of our own affection, as though we would allow such sacrifices, but by just reasons we are compelled to go thither: For if we should fly from such feasts, we should be counted seditious, evil Citizens and without humanity: we should lose pleasant amities, and most profitable defences, and also peradventure our riches and country. If they had said these things to Paul, would he have heard them? No truly.

¹But least in this thing I should seeme to rough, I am cōtent that they haue some consideration, euen of the acte wherin the synne is committed. And surely, as touching that, I cannot see how to sinne against the sacramentes can be iudged a light fault, when as that kinde of sinne pertaineth to the first table, wherin vndoubtedly the worshipping of God is set forth. Which worshipping alone kept whole and sound, other thinges are easely corrected. And on the contrarye, that being corrupted and defiled, all other thinges whatsoeuer we doo, become most vnthankeful vnto God. Furthermore they thinke that the fault, whereof we entreate, maye therefore be extenuated, bicause they affirme that they slide not of minde and purpose, but onely by constraint. Whom if thou shouldest demaund, what maner of compulsory that is which they pretende? They cannot vndoubtedly geue any other answer, but bicause they would not incur the losse of their goodes,