A68840:392
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 let us return to treat of that commodity which Augustine hath declared. §3There are very many (sayeth he) that would peradventure think, that those things, which we declare of the ancient people, and of the Prophets are vain and feigned of us, unless they saw the Jews yet remaining on live,1 which with their books maintain our sentence even against their will. Wherefore although the Hebrews be blinded in hart, & are against us as much as they may, yet are they with their books most plain witnesses of our faith. And undoubtedly of all testimonies, that testimony is most of value,2 which is witnessed by our enemies. And god hath wonderfully provided for this kind of testimonies for his church, For we have not only the books of the Hebrews witnessing with us, but also Verses of the Sibyls, which were borne in sundry countries. Neither is it to be supposed that our elders feigned those Verses of themselves.3 For in the time of Lactantius, Eusebius of Caesarea, & Augustine, which alleged those Verses, the books of the Sibyls were rife in every mans hand. Wherefore if our elders should have adjoined unto them any counterfeit Verses, the Ethnics which were then many in number, and were full of eloquence, and deadly enemies to our religion, would have reproved them as vain and liars. What then remaineth, but that god would wonderfully defend his church even by the testimonies of our adversaries? Therefore the Jews are now suffered among Christians, partly for the promise sake, which they have that salvation should be given to their kindred: partly because of the commodities, which I have now rehearsed out of Augustine. Wherefore they are not only suffered but also they have Synagogues, wherein they openly read the books of the holy scriptures, and also call upon the god of their fathers. In which thing nevertheless the diligence of the Magistrates and bishops is much to be required, who ought to provide that they do there no other thing, and by all means to beware that in their common prayers, exhortations, and Sermons, they curse not nor blaspheme Christ our God. If the Magistrates and bishops have not a care over these things, they can not but be most justly accused.4