The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wiseThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise

Theophilus. If it be so, Wherefore then did not S. Hierom enrol it among the Canonicals, in that prologue ¹in which be hath recited them all in order? doest thou think that he would have rather omitted these here, then the other? And in the prologue that he calleth Galeatus, which he hath set before the books of the Kings, both he not make express mention of those books among the Apocriphas? and principally of the second out of y• which the place by thee alleged is taken? For he saith that he hath found the first written in Hebrew: But not the second, the which hath been only written in Greek. The which thing, as he saith, may prove it self by the p•rase and manner of the speaking, the which he used. To the which agreeth well that which he writing against the Pelagians, nameth Joseph for the author of the history ²of the Maccabees, understanding that by him it was written. Then if by the testimony and witness of Saint Hierome, that history hath been written by Joseph, b•ee ought not to esteem it to be of more greater authority, than the other books of Joseph, the which we do read • no receive, ³as histories, very profitable: But a great deal wanteth, that we should attribute unto them so much authority, as unto those, the which we do know without all doubt, to be y• body of y• holy Scripture. Therefore said S. Hierome in the Prologue that he made before the book of the Proverbs of Solomon: The Church doth read the books of the Maccabees, but she receiveth them net among the Canonical.

Theophilus. If it be so, Wherefore then did not S. Hierom enroul it among the Canonicals, in that prolegne ¹in whiche be hath recited them all in order? doest thou thinke that he would haue rather omitted these here, then the other? And in the prologue that hee calleth Galeatus, which he hath set before the bookes of the Kings, both hee not make expresse mention of those bookes amenge the Apocriphas? and principally of the second out of y which the place by thée alleged is taken? For hee saith that hée hath founde the first written in Hebrew: But not the seconde, the which hath bene onely written in Greeke. The whiche thing, as he saith, may proue it selfe by the prase and manner of the speaking, the which hée vsed. To the which agréeth well that which hee writing against the Pelagians, nameth Ioseph for the author of the historye