Peter Martyr Vermigli's The Common Places: the Table Of Contents, with an Introduction

Peter Martyr Vermigli's Common Places :
The Table of Contents

1583

Brought to you by

Reformed Books Online

ReformedBooksOnline.com

The Best, Free, Reformed Books and Articles Online, from 1800 to Today
We hope this book helps you to enjoy and glorify God

Table of Contents

Editor's Introduction 2

A General Distribution of the Whole Work 4

First Part - The Knowledge of God by Nature and Scripture 5

Second Part - Christ, our Redeemer, under the Law and in the Gospel 9

Third Part - The Grace Offered us in Christ and its Fruits 15

Fourth Part - The Outward Means of Fellowship with Christ 19

Text in [brackets] is the editor's. Updated English, punctuation, capitalization, formatting and minimal
stylistic changes have been made in order to make this work easier to read, while always seeking to
preserve the original intent of the author. See footnote one of the Editor's Introduction for more details
on the original text. This specific version of this work is licensed under the very sharing-friendly:

Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License 2016
Please share this work in any godly way, shape, or form desired.

1

Editor's Introduction

Peter Martyr Vermigli's Common Places became a standard textbook of Reformed
systematic theology for the second generation of the Reformation. This work translated
into English, however, has remained buried in the archives of Europe. . . until now (2015).
While the Common Places are still not fully available on the internet, this edited Table of
Contents, it is hoped, will spur interest in, and give one a taste for, them. 1

'Common places' were something of a genre of their own during the Reformation.
One of the main methods of teaching by the reformers was by writing running
commentaries on Scripture. Upon reaching a significant Biblical text, the author may
divert into a short, or sometimes lengthy, diversion upon a hot topical issue of the day.
Hence, these important Biblical verses, and the discourses founded upon them, became
known as 'common places'. As these gems, revealing the mind of the esteemed author
on important matters, were scattered all throughout their writings, later editors often
collected them together to form something of a systematic manual of the Protestant faith.

Vermigli (1499-1562), 2 the Italian reformer who also greatly influenced the
continued reformation in Strasburg, Germany and England, had, with a little prodding
from Theodore Beza, expressed his desire for such a book of his to be published, though
the first edition (in Latin) did not see the printing press until 1576, 14 years after his
death. 3 Robert Masson, the editor and a Huguenot minister, arranged the common places

1 The complete work is available for those who have full access to Early English Books Online,
which is usually only at select research universities. This Table of Contents was edited from inside Marten's
1583 London edition (not simply from EEBO's table of contents, which is not as accurate). The page
numbers correspond to that edition. See there for any inquiries into the original text. EEBO's table of
contents is very limited in its readability; hence the need for this contemporary edition. The addition of
significant labor and value, the reworking of the text into a substantially new text, with introduction, new
formatting, etc., makes this contemporary edition fully within copyright laws.

2 See Wikipedia for a life.

3 It is on Google Books here.

2

following the pattern of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion in four books. 4 In
1583 Anthony Marten translated the Loci Communes into English and greatly added to it
from Vermigli's writings (from whence is this contemporary edition). 5 Fifteen editions
in all spread throughout Europe. 6

To feed more upon Vermigli's thoughtful and solid expositions of Biblical
teaching, purchase a few (or more) of his ten volumes that currently comprise his
(incomplete) works translated into English (which set does not include his Common Places,
as they were compiled by another) at Reformation Heritage Books and Amazon. Please
enjoy the Table of Contents to Vermigli's Common Places !

4 Which work of Calvin's was arranged after the Apostles' Creed. This may be discerned in the
Common Places below as well. Thus, it appears that the 'A General Distribution of the Whole Work' and
the prefaces to each part, were by the pen of Masson and/or Marten.

5 Some discourses, propositions and letters at the end of the original work have not been included
in the Table of Contents here. See the original for them.

6 A number of them can be found at Post-Reformation Digital Library.

3

A General Method and Distribution of the Whole Work 7

Since all divinity (wherein man's chief good is expressed) is accomplished in the
true knowledge of God and that we acknowledge God to be partly the Creator of the
world and partly our Redeemer in Christ:

First those things which belong to the knowledge of God, either by the guiding of
nature or by the doctrine of the Scriptures, are to be considered.

Secondly must be declared how God our Redeemer in Christ appeared to the
fathers: first under the Law and afterward unto us in the Gospel.

Howbeit, since it is necessary that we receive the grace which is offered us in
Christ, lest it be frustrated in us, it behooves us besides this to have a respect unto
the fruits and effects [of grace in us].

And last of all we must consider the outward means or helps whereby God brings
us to the fellowship of Christ, and after He has brought us, does retain us in the
same.

Which method we having followed, have distributed all these places into four parts.

7 [This section and the prefaces to each of the four Parts, is by the pen of the editor, either Masson
and/or Marten.]

4

The First Part

Albeit that the knowledge of God is naturally engrafted in the minds of all men
and is also made the more manifest by the things created, yet such is the corrupt nature
of men as it shortly vanishes away, unless we acknowledge God such as He is in the holy
Scriptures and do avoid all illusions and sleights of Satan.

And in the Scriptures, besides diverse praises of God, first. He must be considered
in Trinity and unity; and secondly, as He created heaven and earth and moderates all
things by his providence. Wherefore, in this first part we have set down those places
which pertain to the setting forth of these principal points.

Ch. 1 - Of the ends of good and evil among the Christians 1

Ch. 2 - Of the natural knowledge of God by his creatures 10

Whether there be any yet that know not God, and after what sort they be 13
inexcusable

Ch. 3 - Of prophesy, and of the name, causes, definition, and effects thereof 17

Of prophets, and the difference of them; and of the means to discern the true 19
from the false; and whether and how far forth there be prophets at this day

Ch. 4 - Of visions, and how, and how much, God may be known of men as well in 24
this life as in the life to come

What manner of visions the fathers had; and whether God or only angels 25
appeared unto them

5

Ch. 5 - Of dreams, and of the causes and effects of them 32

Ch. 6 - Of the Holy Scriptures, and of the dignity and profit of them, and of the 39

means how to understand them

An exhortation to the reading of the Holy Scriptures 44

Of history 48

Ch. 7 - Whether young and incontinent men, etc. should be excluded from hearing 52
of the Word of God

Ch. 8 - Of lots, and of Urim and Thumim 58

Ch. 9 - Of miracles, and the definition and difference of them 62

Whether it be lawful for the godly to desire miracles, and why there be none 69
in this our age

Ch. 10 - Whether it was Samuel or the devil that appeared unto Saul 72

Of the nature, knowledge, power, apparitions and answers of devils 77

Whether, and how far, devils do know things to come 81

Whether they know men's thoughts 83

Of the power of devils, and of their strength in doing of things 85

What bodies they assume to themselves 87

Of the illusions called Lamiae, Empusae, and such like 89

Whether it be lawful to take counsel of the devil, and to use his help 90

Whether we may use enchantments to take away mischiefs 91

Ch. 11 - Of a good intent, zeal, prescription, and custom 92

6

The means to know which is a good zeal, and which is a bad 94

Ch. 12 - Of the name of Jehovah, and of sundry attributes of God 99

Of the Holy Trinity 100

That Christ, being God, is eternal 101

That the Holy Ghost is one God with the Father and the Son 103

How much the remembrance of wrath, and the affect of repentance is 109

attributed unto God

Ch. 13 - Of the creation of all things 110

Of the creation of angels, their sundry names, visions, assuming of bodies. 111
office, dignity, order and degrees

Of man 121

Of the soul 121

Wherein consists the image of God 123

Of paradise 125

The long life of the fathers 126

Of giants 128

Ch. 14 - Of felicity in general 132

Of pleasure, and wherein it may concur with the chiefest good 134

Of honor 141

Of riches, beauty, nobility and such like 145

Of contemplation 149

That virtue is not the chief good 176

7

The causes of felicity 154

Whether any man can be counted happy while he lives here 158

Ch. 15 - Of the providence of God 167

Ch. 16 - Whether God be the author of sin 176

Of three sorts of Gods working about his creatures 181

Of the will signified, and the will effectual 201

Ch. 17 - How it may be said that God does repent, and does tempt 206

How it may be said that the kingdom of Saul should be established 208

forever, the same being before appointed to the tribe of Judah

8

The Second Part

The second part comprehends the common places which do express the natural
corruption of all mankind by the Fall of Adam: the which corruption of human nature is
the more clearly discerned by opposing it to the justice of God, which is expressed in the
law. Yet so, nevertheless, as by the acknowledging of sins, we are brought to receive the
grace of God, which was made manifest first to the fathers in the Old Testament, and then
when the time was come, in the Gospel. Afterward is set forth unto us Christ the Messiah,
who is the well-spring and substance of all good things, who all manner of ways fulfilled
all the parts of our salvation.

Ch. 1 - Of sin, especially original, and of the depraving of the whole nature of man 213

By what means the corruption thereof is derived into the posterity 231, 239
That sin is the cause of death 243

That by sin all things are subject to vanity 247

Ch. 2 - Of free-will 252

Of voluntary, and not voluntary 280

Of man's election, or making of choice 293

Ch. 3 - Of the Law 297

Of philosophy, and the comparison thereof, especially moral, with 300

divinity

Necessary rules for the interpretation and keeping of the law 304

Ch. 4 - The First Precept, where is entreated of idolatry, and sundry kinds of idols 307

9

Whether it be lawful for Christians to dwell among infidels 309

Whether it be lawful to have teachers, which believe not in Christ 311

Of the suffering of Jews and heretics 328

What is, to tempt God 331

Of curiosity 332

Ch. 5 - The Second Precept, which concerns images, their beginning, antiquity, and 333
cause

Whether it be lawful to express Christ, the angels and other creatures in 340
images

Whether it be lawful to place images in churches 351

Of Cherubim and Teraphim 356

Of human sacrifices 359

Of the establishing of the Second Commandment, whether the child shall 362
bear the iniquity of the father

Ch. 6 - The Third Precept: of sanctification of the name of God and generally of 368
oaths

Ch. 7 - The Fourth Precept: of sanctifying the Sabbath Day 374

Of other feast days of the Jews 376

Whether it be lawful to solemnize the birthday of any man 377

Ch. 8 - The Fifth Precept: of the honoring of superiors 377

A comparison between the duties of parents and magistrates 377

What dominion the husband has over the wife 379

10

Of ambition

381

Of the desire of praise 382

Of flattery 383

Ch. 9 - The Sixth Precept: of friendship 384

Of homicide 385

Whether Elias did well in killing of the Baalites 386

Of parricide 390

Of sword-play 390

Whether it be lawful for any man to kill himself 391

Of repelling of violence 397

Of cursings, imprecations, and bannings 397

How far it may be lawful to rejoice in our enemy's overthrow 400

Of a curse and shunning of revenge 403

Of the affects in general 405

Of shamefastness 411

Of temperance 412

Of mercy and nemesis 412

Of cruelty, envy, emulation and revenge 414

Ch. 10 - The Seventh Precept: of not committing adultery 418

Of matrimony and concubines 418

Of polygamy 420

11

Of barrenness

430

Whether it be lawful for children to marry without the consent of their 431

parents

Of rapine, or violent taking away 437

Whether marriage be lawful in persons of sundry religions 442

Of degrees forbidden in marriage 447

Dispensation for marriage 453

Of dowries 454

Of divorcements 457

Whether matrimony be a sacrament 462

Ch. 11 - Of whoredom, fornication, and adultery 468

Of bastards 475

Of idleness 479

Of the punishments of adultery 482

Whether the man or woman do sin more grievously in adultery 489

Of reconciliation of man and wife 495

Of wine and drunkenness 497

Of dances 503

Of garments and apparel 506

Of counterfeit and false coloring 507

Ch. 12 - The Eight Precept: of not committing theft 517

Of beneficence and hospitality 518

12

Of benefiting and unthankfulness 523

Of plays and pastimes 524

Of gentleness and affability 528

Ch. 13 - The Ninth Precept: of not bearing false witness 528

Of contumely 528

Of suspicions 533

Of mocking and taunting 534

Of deceit or guile 534

Whether guile be lawful for the rooting out of idolatry and heresies 539

Of dissimulation 541

Of truth, and of a lie 542

Whether it be lawful to lie for preserving the life of our neighbor 546

Whether we may lie for modesty's sake 547

Whether faith against a promise breaker must be kept 548

Of a fable and apology 550

Ch. 14 - The Last Precept: against lusting 551

Of the comparison between sins 553

Of charity, which is the fulfilling of the law 556

Of salutations 560

Whether the commandment of loving God with all the heart, etc. may be 562
kept in this life

Whether the first motions should be accounted sins 565

13

Whether by rewards we ought to be moved to the obedience of God

573

Ch. 15 - Of the use and abrogating of the law 575

Ch. 16 - Of the likeness and unlikeness of the old and new league or covenant 582

A comparison of the sacraments of the fathers with ours 586

Ch. 17 - Of Christ, and his manifestation in the flesh, and by what means He 599

performed all the parts of our salvation

Ch. 18 - An exposition upon the twelve articles of the Christian Faith 612

[The Apostles' Creed]

14

The Third Part

After these things do follow the causes and the general means whereby we are
both put and retained in the possession of Christ and salvation, and there be also showed
the effects of Christ remaining in us. All which things the places following do plainly
teach, to wit, the places of predestination and calling, of faith and hope, of adoption,
justification, Christian liberty, of repentance, of Christian life, of patience in afflictions, of
the prayers of good men, and finally, of eternal life.

Ch. 1 - Of the eternal predestination of God, wherein also are refelled 8 the 1

arguments which the adversaries make against the same

Whether God would destroy any man 42

Ch. 2 - Of the calling of God 44

Of grace 47

How grace and works are unto eternal life 52

Ch. 3 - Of faith and the certainty thereof; and how faith may agree with fear 63

Of security 67

Whether true faith may be separated from charity 69

How faith excels charity, and the contrary 75

What union the godly have with Christ 77

Of the adoption of the sons of God 79

['To fell' is to cut an argument down; to refell is to do it again]

15

The description of Christian hope

82

Ch. 4 - That justification is of faith only, not of works 89

Ch. 5 - Of peace, bondage, Christian liberty, of offense, of conscience, and of the 161

choice of meats

Ch. 6 - Of vows in general 175

Of the vow of Nazareth 177

Of the vow of Jeptha 182

Of the Rechabites 188

Of peregrinations [journeys of pilgrims] 191

Ch. 7 - Of marriage, and the sole life, especially of ministers 192

That chastity is no common gift of God 198

Ch. 8 - Of repentance, of contrition, confession, and satisfaction 203

Ch. 9 - Of the works of supererogation, and imagined perfection of the Papists 227

Of purgatory and papistical indulgences 232

Ch. 10 - Of tears, fasting; and there also of Lent 245

Of watches 256

Ch. 11 - Of a Christian life, and there of sundry vocations 257

Of friendship 258

How we are to take counsel of God 260

16

The example of Naaman declared 263

That the possession of riches is lawful for godly men 267

Ch. 12 - Of liberality and magnificence 269

Of fortitude, mortification, enduring the cross and affliction 270

Of flight 287

Whether David did well in fleeing to the Philistines for fear of Saul 291

Whether the holy men were inferior to the ethnics in abiding adversities 296

Ch. 13 - Of holy prayers 300

Whether prayers be the causes of the benefits of God 310

How God says He will give that which He will not give, and contrariwise 310
Of the abuse of foreign language 309

Of music and meter 311

Ch. 14 - Of death, and of the consolation of the godly against the same 314

Of mourning for the dead 315

Of burial 319

That souls loosed from their bodies do not sleep 323

Of wandering spirits 326

Ch. 15 - Of the Resurrection 327

Ch. 16 - Of the taking up of Elijah and Enoch, and of their return 370

17

Ch. 17 - Of the end of the world 385

Of the Last Judgment 386

That all men's glory in heaven shall be alike 389

Of the change of all things 393

18

The Fourth Part

Albeit that the Holy Ghost be the only bond that we have with Christ, the most
assured pledge of our salvation and an undoubted Preserver of all things, yet uses He
thereunto diverse, and those external, instruments, for into the church He gathers the
elect by the ministry of the Word and Sacraments, and also by the bond and help of
discipline He begets us unto Christ, and He feeds and preserves us unto eternal life. And
herewithal He raises up and uses magistrates, as well for the preservation of man's
society and public honesty as also for the maintenance of piety and service of God. So
then this last part comprehends an explication of these places.

Ch. 1 - Of the catholic Church 1

Of sundry ministers of the church 3

Of calling to the ministry 9

Of the dignity and contempt of the ministers 15

Of the office of pastors 16

Of the efficacy of the ministry 21

Of the mighty simpleness of the ministry 25

Ch. 2 - Of receiving or refusing of rewards, gifts and offices, especially by ministers 28
of the Church

Of the immunity of ecclesiastical men 32

Ch. 3 - Whether there may be two heads of the Church, one visible and another 35
invisible

19

Ch. 4 - Of ecclesiastical laws 41

An exposition of the place, 'To obey is better than sacrifice/ expounded 44

Of traditions 45

Of discerning of spirits 45

Of the authority of the Councils, Fathers and Canons 46

Ch. 5 - Of ecclesiastical discipline 56

Of excommunication 57

Of order and comeliness in the church 65

Of temples and their ornaments 65

Ch. 6 - Of schism, and whether the professors of the Gospel be schismatics 68

What is become of them which in times past died in the Pope's religion 91

Ch. 7 - Of sacraments in general 96

Of circumcision 107

Ch. 8 - Of baptism, baptizing of infants and the holiness of them 120

Ch. 9 - Of the dedication of temples, the baptizing of bells, of oil, salt, spittle, 123

wax and other papistical corruptions about baptism

Of papistical holy water 138

Ch. 10 - A treatise of the Lord's Supper, with a preface before the same 147

An epitome of the disputation of the Eucharist, against Steven Gardiner 198

20

Ch. 11 - Of the communion under one kind 204

Ch. 12 - Of the Mass 215

Of sacrifice 220

Another common place of sacrifice 223

Of altars 225

Ch. 13 - Of a magistrate, of the difference between civil and ecclesiastical power 226

Of tenths [tithes] 235

Ch. 14 - Of the office of magistrates, especially in exercising of judgment 245

That the charge of religion belongs to princes 246

Of the clemency of princes 248

Whether it be lawful for magistrates to let the guilty go unpunished 248

Whether the excuse of David in not punishing of Joab may be allowed 256

Whether it be lawful to release just punishments which are enjoined by 260
laws

Of executions and hangmen 264

Of sanctuaries 265

Ch. 15 - Of exile or banishment 270

Ch. 16 - Whether it be lawful for a Christian man to go to law 275

Ch. 17 - Of war or battle 280

Whether unto a just war the authority of the magistrate be always required 284

21

Whether it be lawful for the godly to have peace with the ungodly 294

Of fences and of spies 296

Of treason 297

Ch. 18 - Whether captives ought to be put to death or saved 300

Of things which be taken by the right of war 303

Ch. 19 - Of a several combat hand to hand 308

Ch. 20 - Of nobility 311

Of bondage 313

Of debtors 315

Of occupying of merchandise 317

Ch. 21 - Of troubles and sedition 319

Whether it be lawful for subjects to rise against their prince 324

Whether Jehoiadah did right in putting Athalia from the kingdom 325

Of enduring of tyranny by godly men 328

22