A68840:553
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.
The history declareth first the sin which the Israelites committed: then it showeth the punishment wherewith for the same they were punished. As soon as their good Prince was dead, the people fell again to their old wickedness, neither did they only commit those sins which before they had committed, but to them they added some sins more grievous.1 For the last fallings were for the most part grevouser than they which were past: for at the least they added this, in that they more & more became ingrate for the benefits past, when they again fell from God, with whom they were before reconciled into favour. Their punishment was bondage, wherein they were bound & served the Moabites. Without doubt a grievous kind of punishment: because it is marvellously against the state and nature of man. For all men by nature are borne free. And bondage, as even the Lawyers also do confess,2 was brought in by a common law among men agreeing to natural reason. But it may more truly be said that it was brought in because of sin. Enemies when they were overcome in war, were sometimes saved, & compelled to serve them which overcame them: and there can be no just wars taken in hand, unless it be to revenge some facinorous act. Wherefore we said well, that servitude was derived of sin: & is therefore a grievous punishment, because it is against the nature of man.3 I grant in deed that this is natural, for the children to be obedient unto the parents, the subject unto the Magistrates, the unlearned & unskilful unto the wiser, & the weak ones must apply themselves to the mightier. But this kind of obedience and service, namely toward them which are favourable unto us, and seek for our profit, is voluntary. Wherefore it very much differeth from the servitude, whereof we now entreat. For that voluntary kind of obedience might have been used when men were in perfect state: but this which was brought in for sin could not be there. And bondmen are compelled to serve not such as are their friends, but strangers and enemies, and that in things unprofitable unto ⟨image 87⟩them,4 yea and often times things hurtful and unhonest.