by Peter Martyr Vermigli
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
Part I of Peter Martyr Vermigli's The Common Places focuses on "The Knowledge of God by Nature and Scripture." This part reflects a foundational Reformed theological principle that God can be known both through His creation (natural revelation) and through His Word (special revelation).
Knowledge of God by Nature: Vermigli explores the idea that God has made Himself known through the natural world. This concept is rooted in Romans 1:20, where Paul asserts that God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. Vermigli, like other Reformers, argued that the created order testifies to the existence, power, and divine attributes of God, so that people are without excuse for denying Him. This general or natural revelation is accessible to all people and provides a knowledge of God's existence and power, but it is insufficient for salvation, which requires a more specific knowledge of God's character and will. He notes that due to human corruption, this knowledge is fleeting unless one acknowledges God as He is described in the Holy Scriptures, steering clear of Satan's deceptions.
Knowledge of God by Scripture: Vermigli then transitions to the knowledge of God as revealed in Scripture, emphasizing its necessity for salvation. This special revelation is detailed in the Bible, which provides not only a clearer manifestation of God's nature and attributes but also reveals His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Vermigli held the Bible in high regard, affirming its complete authority, inspiration, and sufficiency for faith and life. This section of Vermigli’s work emphasizes the importance of understanding God both as a Trinity and a unity, and in His role as the creator and sustainer of the universe through His providence. The intention is to outline the foundational aspects of God's nature and His works.
This dual emphasis on knowing God through both nature and Scripture was significant for several reasons:
-- It underscored the Reformer's commitment to the sufficiency and authority of Scripture while acknowledging God's continuous witness through His creation.
-- It provided a theological basis for engaging with the natural world and its study (the early foundations of what would become science) as a means of glorifying God.
-- It highlighted the importance of Scripture for understanding the nature of salvation and the character of God in a way that natural revelation could not achieve.
-- Vermigli's work in this area reflects a broader Reformed emphasis on the clarity of Scripture (perspicuity) and its role in revealing the way of salvation to humankind.
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Table of Contents
TO THE MOST EXCELLENT, MIGHTY, AND RELIGIOUS PRINCESS
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
A BRIEF WAY HOW MINISTERS SHOULD ORDER THEIR STUDIOUS EXERCISES
Ch. 1 - Of the ends of good and evil among the Christians
Ch. 2 - Of the natural knowledge of God by his creatures
- Whether there be any yet that know not God, and after what sort they be inexcusable
Ch. 3 - Of prophecy, and of the name, causes, definition, and effects thereof
- Of prophets, and the difference of them; and of the means to discern the true 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 this life as in the life to come
- What manner of visions the fathers had; and whether God or only angels appeared unto them
Ch. 5 - Of dreams, and of the causes and effects of them
Ch. 6 - Of the Holy Scriptures, and of the dignity and profit of them, and of the means how to understand them
- An exhortation to the reading of the Holy Scriptures
- Of history
Ch. 7 - Whether young and incontinent men, etc. should be excluded from hearing of the Word of God
Ch. 8 - Of lots, and of Urim and Thumim
Ch. 9 - Of miracles, and the definition and difference of them
- Whether it be lawful for the godly to desire miracles, and why there be none in this our age
Ch. 10 - Whether it was Samuel or the devil that appeared unto Saul
- Of the nature, knowledge, power, apparitions and answers of devils
- Whether, and how far, devils do know things to come
- Whether they know men’s thoughts
- Of the power of devils, and of their strength in doing of things
- What bodies they assume to themselves
- Of the illusions called Lamiae, Empusae, and such like
- Whether it be lawful to take counsel of the devil, and to use his help
- Whether we may use enchantments to take away mischiefs
Ch. 11 - Of a good intent, zeal, prescription, and custom
- The means to know which is a good zeal, and which is a bad
Ch. 12 - Of the name of Jehovah, and of sundry attributes of God
- Of the Holy Trinity
- That Christ, being God, is eternal
- That the Holy Ghost is one God with the Father and the Son
- How much the remembrance of wrath, and the affect of repentance is attributed unto God
Ch. 13 - Of the creation of all things
- Of the creation of angels, their sundry names, visions, assuming of bodies, office, dignity, order and degrees
- Of man
- Of the soul
- Wherein consists the image of God
- Of paradise
- The long life of the fathers
- Of giants
Ch. 14 - Of felicity in general
- Of pleasure, and wherein it may concur with the chiefest good
- Of honor
- Of riches, beauty, nobility and such like
- Of contemplation
- That virtue is not the chief good
Ch. 15 - Whether any Man can be Counted Happy, while he liveth in this world.
Ch. 16 - Of the Providence of God
Ch. 17 - Whether God be the author of sin
Ch. 18 - How it may be said that God does repent, and does tempt