A68840:732
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.
1But now let us declare the cautions which are to be observed, to the end we may lawfully and fruitfully use singing in the Church. The first is: That §1in Music be not put the whole sum & effect of godliness, and of the worshipping of God. For among the Papists they do almost every where think that they have in the churches fully worshipped God, when they have long & much sung §2and bleated. Farther, we must take heed that in it be not put merit or remission of since. For there are very many Priests and Monks, which for this cause do think they have very well deserved of God, because they have sung very many Psalms. Yea and the Pope also, Cardinals, Bishops & Abbots, when they have heard songs of Masses and Evensongs, do oftentimes pronounce unto §3the people indulgences of since. This vice also is to be taken away, that singing be not so much occupied in the Church, that there be no time in a manner left for to preach the word of God and holy doctrine, as they do almost every where. For they so chant all things with singing and piping, that there is no part of the time reserved for preaching. Whereby it cometh to pass, that the people depart out of the Church full of Music and harmony, but yet hungerstoruen §4and fasting as touching heavenly doctrine. Moreover, so rich & large stipends are appointed for Musicians, that either very little, or in a manner nothing is provided for the Ministers which labour in the word of God. Neither may that broken §5& quavering Music be lawfully retained, wherewith the standers by are so letted, that they cannot understand the words, no though they would. We §6must also take heed, that in the Church nothing be sung without choice, but only those things which are contained in the holy scriptures, or which are by just reasons gathered out of them, and do exactly agree with the word of God. For if there should be a window opened unto the inventions of men, it were to be feared, least Ecclesiastical Music should at the last be changed into trifles and fables. Yea, we already see, that there are brought into the assembly very many foolish Sequences (as they call them) and feigned Hymns, and many other things also which do stir up unto the hearers rather a laughter and a weariness,