A68840:722
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.
As touching the first, we must understand that the men of the old time were wont with common vows to sing certain solemn ditties, both when they gave thanks to god, and also when they endeavoured to obtain any thing of him. Wherefore Orpheus, Linus, Pindatus, and Horace, 1and such like Poets which used the Harp, wrote most part of their hymns for these uses. And in the Roman public wealth, the Priests of Mars, which were called Salii, carried shields, and sang their verses through the City. Furthermore, it was the manner, that Music and verses were had, when the praises of noble men were celebrated, chiefly at feasts: whereby they which stood by, might be admonished to to imitate their noble acts, and to detest such vices, which were contrary unto their virtues. Moreover, they used them to recreate the minds, and to comfort such as were pensive for the dead. For in burials they sang Epitaphs.2 And contrariwise, when any great cause of joy happened, it was expressed by Music and Songs. Wherefore in weddings they were wont to sing wedding songs.3 Al these things, if they be done moderately and in due time, may be both borne withal, and also commended. For Music and Songs contain three kinds of good things, honest (I say) profit, and pleasantness. For although singing of it self delighteth the minds of men, yet when words are joined unto it, which are of a just number, and bound by certain feet (as we see verses are) it is then made much more pleasant. And undoubtedly Poetry had hereof his beginning, and I cannot deny but it is a gift of god:4 but I would wish this that it be kept pure and chaste among men. And that I for this cause say, because certain unclean and unpure men have most filthily defiled it, applying songs and verses to wantonness, wicked lusts, and every filthy thing. Whose verses, although they be eloquent and good latin, yet they are utterly unworthy for Christian ears, neither ought they by any means to be taught unto young men, who being themselves prone enough to vices, need no new fires or motions to ⟨image 109⟩move and inflame them. Verses of this kind, may justly be called the Sirens of tender minds: wherewith young men being infected, it is scarce possible, but that they shall suffer shipwreck.