1996, 342 pgs.

Summary: Peter Martyr Vermigli (1499-1562) was a former Augustinian monk and contemporary of John Calvin who joined the Reformed after careful study of the Bible. He taught at Oxford, Strasburg, and Zurich. He like Luther had received the scholastic training of the day.

This work is a compilation of his comments on locus classicus from his commentaries on the Bible and his lectures on “philosophical” topics—free will, natural religion, philosophy and the theology, revelation, and etc.

Exemplar Quotes:

“So it seems that philosophy should be defined as a capacity given by God to human minds, developed through effort and exercise, by which all existing things perceived as surely and logically as possible, to enable us to attain happiness” (7).

“A miracle is a difficult and unusual work of divine power, surpassing every capacity of created nature, made public in order to fill those who perceive it with wonder, and to confirm fain in the words of God. Therefore, the mater of miracles is works; the form is their being difficult and unusual; the efficient cause the power God, which surpasses created nature; and their end is both admiration and confirmation of faith” (199).

“Judgment belongs to the function of understanding, but desire belongs to the will. Reason or understanding has the place of an advisor, but the will desires, accepts, or rejects” (272).

“Augustine reminds us that under the praises of nature lie hidden the enemies of grace.” (298).

Benefits/Detriments: Martyr is at his best when he is defending Reformed doctrine from the Father’s (Augustine, Lombard, etc.). He lacks the wit of Luther and the theological insight of Calvin, but his clarity of thought and expression is a blessing.

The translators’ and editors’ notes—especially their theological and philosophical conclusions—need to be read with a great degree of skepticism. Works by Paul Helm and Richard Muller should be used to supplement and correct the notes.