Common Places, Table of contents – Errata
To the Readers.
Beloued Readers, if ye find that the diſtribution of euerie ſeuerall chapter or Common place of the foure parts is not ſo amplie deſcribed in this Table, as they are in the like table in the Latine copie, vnderſtand yee that I thought it but ſuperfluous; bicauſe of the large alphabeticall tables in the latter end of the booke, where ye shall find euerie thing as amplie and particularlie ſet downe as your ſelues would wish. And where I hauehave noted anie more whole Common places than are in the Latine, thoſe hauehave I ſignified by a *.
A GENERALL METHOD AND DISTRIBVTION OF THE WHOLE WORKE.
SInce all Diuinitie (wherein mans cheefe good is expreſſed) is accompliſhed in the true knowledge of GOD, and that we acknowledge GOD to be partlie the Creator of the world, and partlie 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. Secondlie muſt be declared how God our Redeemer in Chriſt, appeared to the fathers, firſt vnderunder the Lawe, and afterward vntounto vsus in the Goſpell. Howbeit, ſince it is neceſſarie that we receiue the grace, which is offered vsus in Chriſt, leaſt it be fruſtrate in vsus; it behooueth vsus beſides this, to hauehave a reſpect vntounto the fruits and effects. And laſt of all we muſt conſider the outward meanes or helps, whereby God bringeth vsus to the fellowſhip of Chriſt, and after he hath brought vsus, doth reteine vsus in the ſame. VVhichWhich method we hauing followed, hauehave diſtributed all theſe places into foure parts.
A PARTICVLAR METHOD OF THE FIRST PART.
ALbeit that the knowledge of God is naturallie ingraffed 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 ſhortlie vaniſheth awaie, vnleſſe we acknowledge God ſuch as he is in the holie ſcriptures, and doo auoid all illuſions and ſleights of Satan. And in the ſcriptures, beſides diuers praiſes of God; firſt he muſt be conſidered in Trinitie and vnitie; and ſecondlie, as he created heauen and earth, and moderateth all things by his prouidence. Wherefore, in this firſt part we hauehave ſet downe thoſe places, which perteine to the ſetting foorth of theſe principall points.
THE CHAPTERS AND COMMON PLACES OF THE FIRST PART.
chapter I OF the ends of good and euill among the Chriſtians, pag. 1.
chapter II Of the naturall knowledge of God by his creatures, pag. 10.
Whether there be anie yet that knowe not God, and after what ſort they be inexcuſable, pag. 13.
chapter III Of propheſie, and of the name, cauſes, definition, and effects thereof, pag. 17.
Of prophets, and the difference of them; & of the meanes to diſcerne the true from the falſe: and whether and how far foorth there be prophets at this daie, pag. 19.
chapter IIII Of viſions, & how, and how much God may be knowne of men, as well in this life, as in the life to come, pag. 24.
What maner of viſions the fathers had; and whether God or onelie angels appeared vntounto them, pag. 25.
chapter V Of dreames, and of the cauſes and effects of them, pag. 32.
chapter VI Of the holie ſcriptures, and of the dignitie and profit of them, and of the means how to vnderſtand them, pag. 39.
An exhortation to the reading of the holie ſcriptures, pag. 44.
Of hiſtorie, pag. 48.
chapter VII * Whether yong and incontinent men, &c. ſhould be excluded from hearing of the word of God, pag. 52.
chapter VIII Of lots, and of Vrim and Thumim, pag. 58.
chapter IX Of miracles, and the definition and difference of them, pag. 62.
Whether it be lawfull for the godlie to deſire miracles, and whie there be none in this our age, pag. 69.
chapter X Whether it was Samuel or the diuell that appeared vntounto Saule, pag. 72.
Of the nature, knowledge, power, apparitions, and anſwers of diuels, pag. 77.
Whether, and how far diuels do knowe things to come, pag. 81.
Whether they knowe mens thoughts, pag. 83.
Of the power of diuels, and of their ſtrength in dooing of things, pag. 85.
What bodies they aſſume to themſelues, pag. 87.
Of the illuſions called Lamiae, Empuſae, and ſuch like, pag. 89.
Whether it be lawfull to take counſell of the diuell, and to vſe his helpe, pag. 90.
Whether we may vſe inchantments to take awaie miſcheefes, pag. 91.
chapter XI Of a good intent, zeale, preſcription, and cuſtome, pag. 92.
The meanes to knowe which is a good zeale, and which is a bad, pag. 94.
chapter XII Of the name of Iehouah, and of ſundrie attributes of God, pag. 99.
Of the holie Trinitie, pag. 100.
That Chriſt being God is eternall, 101.
That the holie Ghoſt is one God with the Father and the Sonne, pag. 103.
How much the remembrance of wrath, and the affect of repentance is attributed vntounto God, pag. 109.
chapter XIII Of the creation of all things, pag. 110.
Of the creation of angels, their ſundrie names, viſions, aſſuming of bodies, office, dignitie, order and degrees, pag. 111.
Of man, Pag. 121.
Of the ſoule, Ibidem.
Wherein conſiſteth the image of God, pag. 123.
Of paradiſe, pag. 125.
The long life of the fathers, pag. 126.
Of giants, pag. 128.
chapter XIIII * Of felicitie in generall, pag. 132.
* Of pleaſure, and wherein it may concur with the cheefeſt good, pag. 134.
Of honour. pag. 141.
* Of riches, beautie, nobilitie, and ſuch like, pag. 145.
* Of contemplation, pag. 149.
* That vertue is not the cheefe good, pag. 176.
* The cauſes of felicitie, pag. 154.
* Whether anie man can bee counted happie while he liueth here, pag. 158.
chapter XV Of the prouidence of God, pag. 167.
chapter XVI Whether God be the author of ſinne, pag. 176.
Of three ſorts of Gods working about his creatures, pag. 181.
Of the will ſignified, and the will effectuall, pag. 201.
chapter XVII How it may be ſaid that God dooth repent, and dooth tempt, pag. 206.
How it may be ſaid that the kingdome of Saule ſhould be eſtabliſhed for euer, the ſame being before appointed to the tribe of Iuda. pag. 208.
A method of the Common places of the ſecond Part.
THe ſecond Part comprehendeth the Common places, which doo expreſſe the naturall corruption of all mankind by the fall of Adam: the which corruption of humane nature is the more cleerelie diſcerned, by oppoſing it to the iuſtice of God, which is expreſſed in the lawe; yet ſo neuertheleſſe, as by the acknowledging of ſinnes, we are brought to receiue 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 Goſpell. Afterward is ſet foorth vntounto vsus Chriſt the Meſſias, who is the wel-ſpring and ſubſtance of all good things; who all maner of waies fulfilled all the parts of our ſaluation.
THE CHAPTERS AND COMMON PLACES OF THE SECOND PART.
chapter I OF ſinne, eſpeciallie originall; and of the deprauing of the whole nature of man, pag. 213.
By what means the corruption thereof is deriued into the poſteritie, 231, 239.
That ſinne is the cauſe of death, 243.
That by ſinne all things are ſubiect to vanitie, pag. 247.
chapter II Of free will, pag. 252.
* Of voluntarie, and not voluntarie, 280.
* Of mans election, or making of choiſe, pag. 293.
chapter III Of the lawe, pag. 297.
Of philoſophie, & the compariſon therof, eſpeciallie morall, with Diuinitie, 300.
Neceſſarie rules for the interpretation and keeping of the lawe, pag. 304.
chapter IIII The firſt precept, where is intreated of idolatrie, and ſundrie kinds of idols, 307.
Whether it be lawfull for Chriſtians to dwell among infidels, pag. 309.
Whether it be lawfull to hauehave teachers, which beleue not in Chriſt, pag. 311.
Of the ſuffering of Iewes & heretiks, 328.
What is, to tempt God, pag. 331.
Of curioſitie, pag. 332.
chapter V The ſecond precept, which concerneth images, their beginning, antiquitie, and cauſe, pag. 333.
Whether it be lawful to expreſſe Chriſt, the Angels, and other creatures in images, pag. 340.
Whether it be lawfull to place images in churches, pag. 351.
Of Cherubim and Teraphim, pag. 356.
Of humane ſacrifices, pag. 359.
Of the eſtabliſhing of the ſecond commandement, whether the child ſhal beare the iniquitie of the father. pag. 362.
chapter VI The third precept: of ſanctification of the name of God; and generallie of oths, pag. 368.
chapter VII The fourth precept: of ſanctifieng the ſabboth daie, pag. 374.
Of other feaſt daies of the Iewes, 376.
Whether it be lawfull to ſolemnize the birth daie of anie man, pag. 377.
chapter VIII The fift precept: of the honouring of ſuperiours, pag. 377.
A compariſon betweene the duties of parents and magiſtrates, Ibidem.
What dominion the husband hath ouer the wife, pag. 379.
Of ambition, pag. 381.
Of the deſire of praiſe, pag. 382.
Of flatterie, pag. 383.
chapter IX The ſixt precept: of freendſhip, 384.
Of homicide, pag. 385.
Whether Elias did well in killing of the Baalites, pag. 386.
Of parricide, pag. 390.
Of ſword-plaie, Ibidem.
Whether it be lawfull for anie man to kill himſelfe; pag. 391.
Of repelling of violence, pag. 397.
Of curſſings, imprecations, and bannings, Ibidem.
How far it may be lawfull to reioiſe in our enimies ouerthrowe, pag. 400.
Of a curſſe & ſhunning of reuenge, 403.
* Of the affects in generall, pag. 405.
* Of ſhamefaſtneſſe, pag. 411.
* Of temperance, pag. 412.
Of merciemercy and Nemeſis, Ibidem.
Of crueltie, enuie, emulation, and reuenge, pag. 414.
chapter X The ſeuenth precept: of not cōmitting adulterie, pag. 418.
Of matrimonie and concubins, Ibid.
Of polygamie, pag. 420.
Of barrenneſſe, pag. 430.
Whether it be lawfull for children to marrie without the conſent of their parents, pag. 431.
Of rauine, or violent taking awaie, 437.
Whether marriage be lawfull in perſons of ſundrie religions, pag. 442.
Of degrees forbidden in marriage, pag. 447.
Diſpenſation for marriage, pag. 453.
Of dowries, pag. 454.
Of diuorſements, pag. 457.
Whether matrimonie be a ſacrament, pag. 462.
chapter XI Of whoordome, fornication, and adulterie, pag, 468.
Of baſtards, pag. 475.
Of idleneſſe. pag. 479.
Of the puniſhments of adulterie, 482.
Whether the man or woman doo ſinne more greeuouſlie in adulterie, pag. 489.
Of reconciliation of man & wife, 495.
Of wine and droonkenneſſe, pag. 497.
Of danſes, pag. 503.
Of garments and apparell, pag. 506.
Of counterfet and falſe colouring, 507.
chapter XII The eight precept: of not committing theft, pag. 517.
Of beneficence and hoſpitalitie, 518.
Of benefiting and vnthankfulnes, 523.
Of plaies and paſtimes, pag. 524.
* Of gentleneſſe and affabilitie, pag. 528.
chapter XIII The ninth precept: of not bearing falſe witneſſe, Ibidem.
Of contumelie, Ibidem.
Of ſuſpicions, pag. 533.
Of mocking and taunting, pag. 534.
Of deceit or guile, Ibidem.
Whether guile be lawfull for the rooting out of idolatrie and hereſies, 539.
Of diſſimulation, pag. 541.
Of truth, and of a lie, pag. 542.
Whether it be lawfull to lie for preſeruing the life of our neighbour, pag. 546.
Whether we may lie for modeſtie ſake, pag. 547.
Whether faith againſt a promiſe breaker muſt be kept, pag. 548.
Of a fable and apolog, pag. 550.
chapter XIIII The laſt precept: againſt luſting, 551.
Of the compariſon betweene ſins, 553.
Of charitie, which is the fulfilling of the lawe, pag. 556.
Of ſalutations, pag. 560.
Whether the commandement of louing God with all the hart, &c. may bee kept in this life, pag. 562.
Whether the firſt motions ſhould bee accounted ſinnes, pag. 565.
Whether by rewards we ought to bee mooued to the obedience of God, 573.
chapter XV Of the vſe and abrogating of the lawe, pag. …75.
chapter XVI Of the likeneſſe and vnlikeneſſe of the old and new league or couenant, pag. 582.
A compariſon of the ſacraments of the fathers with ours, pag. 586.
chapter XVII Of Chriſt, and his manifeſtation in the fleſh, and by what meanes he performed all the parts of our ſaluation, pag. 599.
chapter XVIII An expoſition vponupon the twelue articles, pag. 612.
The method and order of the Common places of the Third part.
AFter theſe things doo followe the cauſes, and the generall meanes, whereby we are both put and reteined in the poſſeſſion of Chriſt and ſaluation: and there be alſo ſhewed the effects of Chriſt remaining in vsus. All which things, the places following doo plainelie teach; to wit, the places of predeſtination and calling, of faith and hope, of adoption, iuſtification, Chriſtian libertie, of repentance, of Chriſtian life, of patience in afflictions, of the praiers of good men; and finallie, of eternall life.
THE CHAPTERS AND COMMON PLACES OF THE THIRD PART.
chapter I OF the eternall predeſtination of God, wherein alſo are refelled the arguments, which the aduerſaries make againſt the ſame, pag. 1.
Whether GOD would deſtroie anie man, pag. 42.
chapter II Of the calling of God, pag. 44.
Of grace, pag. 47.
How grace and works are vntounto eternall life, pag. 52.
chapter III Of faith and the certeintie thereof; and how faith may agree with feare, pag. 63.
Of ſecuritie, pag. 67.
Whether true faith may be ſeparated from charitie, pag. 69.
How faith excelleth charitie, and the contrarie, pag. 75.
What vnion the godlie hauehave with Chriſt, pag. 77.
Of the adoption of the ſonnes of God, pag. 79.
The deſcription of Chriſtian hope, 82.
chapter IIII That iuſtification is of faith onelie, not of works, pag. 89.
chapter V Of peace, bondage, Chriſtian libertie, of offenſe, of conſcience, and of the choiſe of meates, pag. 161.
chapter VI Of vowes in generall. pag. 175.
Of the vow of Nazareth, pag. 177.
Of the vow of Ieptha, pag. 182.
Of the Rechabites, pag. 188.
Of peregrinations, pag. 191.
chapter VII Of marriage, and ſole life, eſpeciallie of miniſters, pag. 192.
That chaſtitie is no common gift of God. pag. 198.
chapter VIII Of repentance, of contrition, confeſſion, and ſatisfaction, pag. 203.
chapter IX Of the works of ſupererogation, & imagined perfection of the Papiſts, pag. 227.
Of purgatorie and papiſticall indulgences, pag. 232.
chapter X Of teares, faſting; & there alſo of Lent, pag. 245.
Of watches, pag. 256.
chapter XI Of a Chriſtian life, and there of ſundrie vocations, pag. 257.
Of freendſhip, pag. 258.
How we are to take counſel of God, 260.
The example of Naaman declared, 263.
That the poſſeſſion of riches is lawfull for godlie men, pag. 267.
chapter XII Of liberalitie and magnificence, 269.
Of fortitude, mortification, enduring the croſſe and affliction, pag. 270.
Of flight. pag. 287.
Whether Dauid did well in flieng to the Philiſtines for feare of Saule, pag. 291.
Whether the holie men were inferior to the Ethniks in abiding aduerſities, 296.
chapter XIII Of holie praiers, pag. 300.
Whether praiers be the cauſes of the benefits of God, pag. 310.
How God ſaith he will giuegive that, which he will not giuegive, and contrariwiſe, Ibid.
Of the abuſe of forreine language, 309.
Of muſicke and meeter, pag. 311.
chapter XIIII Of death, and of the conſolation of the godlie againſt the ſame, pag. 314.
Of moorning for the dead, pag. 315.
Of buriall, pag. 319.
That ſoules looſed from their bodies do not ſleepe, pag. 323.
Of wandering ſpirits, pag. 326.
chapter XV Of the reſurrection, pag. 327.
chapter XVI Of the taking vp of Elias and Enoch, and of their returne, pag. 370.
chapter XVII Of the end of the world, pag. 385.
Of the laſt iudgement, pag. 386.
That all mens glorie in heauen ſhall be alike, pag. 389.
Of the change of all things, pag. 393.
The method of the Common places of the fourth part.
ALbeit that the holie Ghoſt be the onelie bond that we hauehave with Chriſt, and the moſt aſſured pledge of our ſaluation, and an vndoubted preſeruer of all things; yet vſeth he thervnto diuers, and thoſe externall inſtruments for into the church he gathereth the elect, and by the miniſterie of the word and ſacraments, and alſo by the bond and helpe of diſcipline, he begetteth vsus vntounto Chriſt, and he feedeth and preſerueth vsus vntounto eternall life. And herewithall he raiſeth vp and vſeth magiſtrates, as well for the preſeruation of mans ſocietie, and publike honeſtie; as alſo for the maintenance of pietie and ſeruice of God: ſo then this laſt part comprehendeth an explication of theſe places.
THE CHAPTERS AND COMMON PLACES OF THE FOVRTH PART.
chapter I OF the catholike church, pag. 1.
Of ſundrie miniſters of the church, 3.
Of calling to the miniſterie, pag. 9.
Of the dignitie and contempt of the miniſters, pag. 15.
Of the office of paſtors, pag. 16.
Of the efficacie of the miniſterie, 21.
Of the mightie ſimplenes of the miniſterie, pag. 25.
chapter II Of receiuing or refuſing of rewards, gifts and offices, eſpeciallie by miniſters of the Church, pag. 28.
Of the immunitie of eccleſiaſticall men, pag. 32.
chapter III Whether there may be two heads of the church, one viſible, and an other inuiſible, pag. 35.
chapter IIII Of eccleſiaſticall lawes, pag. 41.
An expoſition of the place, To obeie is better than ſacrifice, expounded, pag. 44.
Of traditions, pag. 45.
Of diſcerning of ſpirits, Ibidem.
Of the authoritie of the Councels, Fathers, and Canons, pag. 46.
chapter V Of eccleſiaſticall diſcipline, pag. 56.
Of excommunication, pag. 57.
Of order and comlineſſe in the church, pag. 65.
Of temples and their ornaments, Ibid.
chapter VI Of ſchiſme, and whether the profeſſors of the Goſpell be ſchiſmatikes, pag. 68.
What is become of them, which in times paſt died in the Popes religion, 91.
chapter VII Of ſacraments in generall, pag. 96.
Of circumciſion, pag. 107.
chapter VIII Of baptiſme, baptiſing of infants, and holines of them, pag. 120.
chapter IX Of the dedication of temples, the baptiſing of bels, of oile, ſalt, ſpittle, wax, and other papiſticall corruptions about baptiſme, pag. 123.
Of papiſticall holie water, pag. 138.
chapter X A treatiſe of the Lords ſupper, with a preface before the ſame, pag. 147.
An epitome of the diſputation of the Euchariſt, againſt Steeuen Gardiner, 198.
chapter XI Of the communion vnderunder one kinde, pag. 204.
chapter XII Of the Maſſe, pag. 215.
Of ſacrifice, pag. 220.
Another Cōmon place of ſacrifice, 223.
Of altars, pag. 225,
chapter XIII Of a magiſtrate, of the difference betweene ciuill & eccleſiaſticall power, 226.
Of tenthes, pag. 235.
chapter XIIII Of the office of magiſtrates, eſpeciallie in exerciſing of iudgement, pag. 245.
That the charge of religion belongeth to princes, pag. 246.
Of the clemencie of princes, pag. 248.
Whether it be lawfull for magiſtrates to let the giltie go vnpuniſhed, Ibidem.
Whether the excuſe of Dauid in not puniſhing of Ioab may be allowed, 256.
Whether it be lawfull to releaſe iuſt puniſhments, which are inioined by lawes, pag. 260.
Of executions and hangmen, pag. 264.
Of ſanctuaries, pag. 265.
chapter XV Of exile or baniſhment, pag. 270.
chapter XVI Whether it be lawfull for a chriſtian man to go to lawe, pag. 275.
chapter XVII Of warre or battell, pag. 280.
Whether vntounto a iuſt warre the authoritie of the magiſtrate be alwaies required, pag. 284.
Whether it be lawfull for the godlie to hauehave peace with the vngodlie, pag. 294.
Of fenſes and of ſpials, pag. 296.
Of treaſon, pag. 297.
chapter XVIII Whether captiues ought to be put to death or ſaued, pag. 300.
Of things which be taken by the right of warre, pag. 303.
chapter XIX Of a ſeuerall combat hand to hand, 308.
chapter XX Of nobilitie, pag. 311.
Of bondage, pag. 313.
Of debtors, pag. 315.
Of occupieng of merchandize, 317.
chapter XXI Of troubles and ſedition, pag. 319.
Whether it be lawfull for ſubiects to riſe againſt their prince, pag. 324.
Whether Iehoiadah did right, in putting Athalia from the kingdome, pag. 325.
Of induring of tyrannie by godlie men, pag. 328.
The contents of thoſe things which be added to this booke of Common places, are ſet downe at the end of the foure parts.
Certaine faults eſcaped.
THere is no garden ſo well trimmed, but hath ſome weeds; no ſiluer ſo well tried, but hath ſome droſſe; no wine ſo well fined, but hath ſome leeze; no honie ſo well clarified, but hath ſome dregs; finallie, no humane action, but hath ſome defect: meruell not then (good Readers) that in ſo huge a volume, conſiſting of ſo manie leaues, lines, and letters, oftentimes varied both in forme and matter, a fault or two doo eſcape; were the Correctors care neuer ſo great, his diligence neuer ſo earneſt, his labour neuer ſo continuall, his eies neuer ſo quicke, his iudgement neuer ſo ſound, his memorie neuer ſo firme; breeflie, all his ſenſes neuer ſo actiue and liuelie. Such faults therefore as are paſſed, being but few in number, if it pleaſe you in reading fauourablie to amend, according as they be here corrected; your ſelues ſhall be profited, and I ſatiſfied.
| Fault. | Correction. | Part. | Page. | Colum. | Line. |
| They, | Men. | 1 | 143 | 2 | 19 |
| anger, | pride. | 2 | 529 | 2 | 49 |
| fathers, | father. | 2 | 600 | 1 | 25 |
| renewed, | remoued. | 4 | 59 | 1 | 58 |
| whordome, | idolatrie. | 4 | 245 | 1 | 11 |
| Lord my, | my Lord. | in the additions. | 113 | 2 | 10 |
Theſe are thought neceſſarie to be noted; others (if anie be) I refer vntounto your owne ſelues that ſhall take paines to peruſe the whole booke aduiſedlie.