A68840:606
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.
Truth (as saith Tullius de Inuentione) is, whereby things which are,1 which have ben, & which shall be are spoken unaltered. Wherein we first note, that it consisteth in words: for (saith he) they are spoken, not that I am ignorant, that both dumb men, & also other men speak sometime by signs,2 but because (as saith Augustine in his first book de doctrina Christiana) words among other signs are the principal & most plain. Farther we are hereby taught, that truth is not only to be considered as touching one difference of time, but as concerning three differences, for he saith, both those things which are, and which have ben, & which shall be. These things undoubtedly are then spoken truly, when they are set forth unaltered, that is, even as they are, & by speaking made neither more ample nor less than they are.3 This self same thing almost hath Augustine said in his book de vera Religione chap: 36. where he writeth, that the truth is, whereby ye which is, is signified.4 And it is a virtue because by it men are made prone & ready to speak that which is true. The general word of it is equality,5 whereunto is joined in stead of difference, this voice, namely, of words, to the things which are signified. And as it is well known of all men, all virtues level unto the middest, & fly from extremities.6 Wherefore in kind of speeches thou shalt find two faults namely if thou shalt speak more than the thing is, or else less than the thing is. Neither is virtue content with the middest only: for we must add also circumstances, which use continually to follow it. Wherefore the truth is not alway to be spoken to every man, neither at all times, nor yet of every thing, & yet we must not lye: but it is wisdom sometimes to keep close those things which we will not for just occasion have known. He which should vaunt abroad every where & unto all men the gifts of God given him, he should be counted foolish & unwise: as contrary, he which should boast of a crime,