The common places of the most famous and renowmed diuine Doctor Peter Martyr diuided into foure principall parts: with a large addition of manie theologicall and necessarie discourses, some neuer extant before. Translated and partlie gathered by Anthonie Marten, one of the sewers of hir Maiesties most honourable chamber.

VVhether it be lavvfull for the godly to haue peace vvith the vngodlie.

24 This question is now to be discussed and defined, * 1.1 whether it be lawfull for godlie men to make peace, and to kéepe it with the vngodlie. And me thinketh we may say, that it is lawfull: especiallie if it be concluded for the peaceable defending and kéeping of the boundes and borders on either side. Paul saith: As much as lyeth in you, * 1.2 haue peace with all men. So did the most Christian prin∣ces with the barbarous Infidels, in making peace sometime with them. So Iacob in the olde time made a league with Laban. So al∣so did the children of Israell with their other neighbours, excepting the vij. Nations. For God commaunded them not to make warre with all those Nations that dwelled about them. But if thou wilt demaund whe∣ther it be lawfull for the godlie, when they take a common expedition in hand, to ioyne their Armie and power with the vn∣godlie, that séemeth to be denyed: * 1.3 For Iosa∣phat had euill successe, when in making of warre against Ramoth Gilead he ioyned himselfe with the king of Israel. Neither sped the same king luckilie, when he sent ships, together with the king of Israels shippes to Tharsis: insomuch as there arose a tempest in Asehougaber, wherein they suffered ship∣wracke, and so he lost his Nauie. And as it is written in the latter booke of Paralipome∣non: God by the mouth of his Prophet re∣prooued Iosaphat, * 1.4 because he had ioyned him∣selfe with an vngodlie king. * 1.5 The Machabites also made league with the Romans and La∣cedemonians, but what displeasure they had

thereby, their historie declareth. But now that we haue made the matter plaine by ex∣amples, * 1.6 let vs confirme it also by reasons. This no man can deny, but that in such hostes as consist of the godlie, and vngodlie together, the sincere Religion and Idola∣trie are mingled one with an other: whereby it easilie commeth to passe, (of such weake∣nesse is our nature) that the vnpure doe in∣fect them that be holy. And it seldome hap∣peneth, but that some impietie cleaueth vn∣to the children of God. Further when they come to handie strokes, they must call vp∣pon God, and when the victorie is obtained, they must also giue thankes vnto God. And in dooing of these things, what inuocation (I pray you) what Sacrifices, what thankes∣giuing shall there be? The true God shall be mingled with Beliall, Idolatrous rites with lawfull rites, and true godlynesse with su∣perstition. These thinges vndoubtedlie dis∣please God. For if he would haue thinges on this sort mingled together, why choosed he a peculiar people vnto himselfe? Vndoub∣tedlie he did it, that the faithfull might liue purelie by themselues, and woorship the true God sincerelie. And séeing the matter is so, it is not lawfull, confusedlie to deale with the vngodlie: otherwise the order which God hath appointed should be troubled.

* 1.7 25 A man might peraduenture say, that Abraham made league with Abner, Escol and Mambre, and with their ayde tooke in hand an expedition, wherein he deliuered Lot his kinsman who was led away captiue. But they which obiect this example, where finde they that these men were Idolaters? I vndoubtedlie doe not sée that it can be ga∣thered by the holy Scriptures. I rather sup∣pose that they were woorshippers of the true God. * 1.8 For God said vnto Abraham, that he would not straightwayes giue vnto him the land of the Cananites, because the sinnes of that Nation were not yet at the full. Where∣fore it is not absurd to say that those thrée men were yet there, and did woorship the true God simply. Forasmuch as we knowe assuredlie, that Melchisedeck also was in those regions, * 1.9 who blessed Abraham and was the priest of the most high God. But admit that they were Idolaters as these men will haue them: shall that which was lawfull by a certaine special prerogatiue vnto Abra∣ham, be straightway counted lawful vnto all men to doe it iustlie & without punishmēt? I thinke not. Furthermore we must marke, that the Commonwealth of the Iewes was not yet ordained. And Abraham alone could not dwell among the Cananites without some couenants or leagues made with them. Whereunto thou maist adde, that God had not yet giuen a lawe wherein he speciallie forbad anie thing as touching this matter.

26 But if a prince or Christian publike weale (as sometimes it chanceth) should be in danger, * 1.10 may they desire helpe at the hands of Infidels? They may not. For, if Paul will rather haue vs to suffer wrong and hurt, than that we should goe to the iudgement seate of the Infidels, when we are at contro∣uersie with our brethren, how much lesse is it lawfull to vse the helpe of the vngodlie to deliuer vs from other Christians which vn∣iustlie oppresse vs? I know that Asa king of Iuda, sent mony, Gold and siluer vnto Ben∣hadab king of Siria, * 1.11 to make warre against the king of Samaria, that thereby he might be deliuered from him, which in a manner oppressed him. Howbeit I doe not thinke that the Act of this king (though it had good suc∣cesse) is to be followed, séeing he was re∣prooued of God for it. And though it be not expressed in y^e booke of Kinges, yet in Paralip. it is manifestly described. * 1.12 For there we reade that the prophet was purposelie sent of God vnto Asa the king to reprooue him gréeuously for this his act. Yea and there is an other notable example of this sort written in the same booke: * 1.13 namelie that Amasia did hire a∣gainst y^e Edomits C. thousand Israelits, which the prophet in y^e name of God greeuously re∣prehended and commaunded that he should put away the Israelitish soldiers frō his host, * 1.14 because the will and good pleasure of GOD was vtterlie from them. The king answe∣red vnto the Prophet: But now I haue giuen them an hundreth Talents for their stipend. The man of God answered, that the Lorde could aptlie and easilie repay him as manie Talents: and that for so small a losse he should not suffer Idolaters which were ha∣ted of God to be in his campe. I will not tell how often the Iewes were forbidden by the Prophetes that they should not require help of the Egyptians, or of the Assyrians.

27 But it is a worthie thing for Princes and people to note, * 1.15 that when God was an∣grie, neither dennes, nor caues, nor most strong Castels, coulde helpe the miserable Israelites. For sinners must not onely take héede of outward enemies, but they must chiefelie auoide the anger of God. From the which, vndoubtedly no man can escape by caues, dennes, or munitions. And as long as that indureth, these humane helpes doe not defend from outwarde enemies. But if any man will not beléeue this, * 1.16 let him call to rememberance the bredth of the walles of

Ecbatanus: * 1.17 which, as it is written in the booke of Iudith the first Chapter, was thirtie foote brode, and seuentie foote high, and had in it an hundreth Towers: and yet all those things could not withstand them which be∣sieged it. And of Babylon also it is written, that the walles of it was an hundreth foote in height, and fiftie foote in bredth. And it is said to haue bin so large, as it might haue bin a prouince rather than a Citie: and yet it was conquered and vtterly ouerthrowen. These their hornes are erected against God. These things leade vnto desperation the af∣flicted which thinke not vpon GOD: as though Tyrants by whom they be oppres∣sed, could neuer be plucked out of so strong and well fenced places. Neuerthelesse in the Prophet Abacuk such madde building is woonderfully laughed to scorne by the spirit of God. * 1.18 * 1.19 And Abdia in the name of God threa∣teneth the children of Esawe, that their nest shoulde be throwen downe to the grounde howsoeuer it séemed vnto them that they had set it in heauen. But what more notable example neede we séeke for, thā that Tower, which foorthwith after the floud men began to build, * 1.20 as though they would defend them∣selues against God, if he should goe about a∣gaine to destroy the world with waters. But God from heauen laughed to scorne their madde furiousnesse, as it is largely set foorth in the Booke of Genesis. GOD wanteth no excellent deuises. For first from such as so much trust to munitions, when they haue now a sit occasion to vse them, he is accusto∣med to take awaie the courages and all chéerefulnesse from the hardie, & so to strike them with follie, that he vtterly maketh them voide of wisedome. Wherefore he weakeneth their heartes, and their strength faileth them: yea and they séeme to be made afraide and verie sore abashed, euen of the verie stones, beames and walles of their Ca∣stels. I might here easilie shew things which haue in our age happened, but that I must haue respect to be briefe. Reade the 2. Chap∣ter of Abucuk. * 1.21 What then? Are not Cities and Castels to be fensed? I forbid it not. But I woulde haue Princes which in such sort doe builde, first to be ascerteined of this: to wit, that no things created can defend or suc∣cour men, vnlesse with them be ioyned that power of God, whereby with his becke he ruleth and gouerneth the world. The which when he withdraweth, whatsoeuer men goe about or enterprise, the contrarie altogether happeneth. And euen as out of bread, wine, and other meates, we ought not to looke for nourishment, if God withdrawe to himselfe that power and operation of his which he dayly ministereth to those things: so also without it, there is no defence to be had by walles, nor by most strong Castels. For which cause, before we begin any munitions, we must put our confidence in God, and laie the most profitable foundation of holy pray∣ers, and praie to God to kéepe vs chiefelie in true and sincere godlinesse, to call vs backe from sinnes, and to giue vs continuallie a sound repentaunce. Lastlie we must desire, that when a iust and holie man shall haue néede of defences, he will vouchsafe to giue vnto him that his most mightie and health∣full power. The verie which prayers, wée must vse both in meate, drinke, apparell, or any other thing when we begin to receiue them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In Iud. 4. 17.
• * 1.2

  Ro. 22. 18.
• * 1.3

  An example of Iosa∣phat.
• * 1.4

  2. Par. 18.
• * 1.5

  An example of the Ma∣chabites.
• * 1.6

  The questi∣on is con∣firmed by reasons.
• * 1.7

  Gen. 14. 13 Of the League of Abrahā with the Cananites.
• * 1.8

  Gen. 15. 16
• * 1.9

  Gen. 14. 18
• * 1.10

  Whether a Christian may desire help of In∣fidels. 1. Cor. 6. 6.
• * 1.11

  3. kings. 15. 18. An example of king Asa.
• * 1.12

  2. Par. 16. ver. 7.
• * 1.13

  An example of Amasias
• * 1.14

  2. Par. 25.
• * 1.15

  In Iud. 6. 6.
• * 1.16

  Iudith.
• * 1.17

  The height and breadth of the wals of Ecbata∣nus and of Babylon.
• * 1.18

  Chapter. 2.
• * 1.19

  The Chap∣ter of his Prophesie.
• * 1.20

  Gen. 11.
• * 1.21

  Whether it be lawfull to fence Cities and Castels.