A14461:1156
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
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take great pleasure in the reading thereof. Translated out of French into English, by John Brooke of AsheThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take greate pleasure in the reading thereoff. Translated out of French into English, by Iohn Brooke of Ashe
London: printed by Thomas East, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Theophilus. Thy exposition doth please me very much. Wherefore if thou makest it no difficulty, to take in that place the fire, for the spirit of God & for more ample exposition of his nature & properties, wherefore oughtest thou to make a doubt to take y• water in that place for that same signification, seeing y• agreeing y• the water hath with the nature of y• holy Ghost? For there is no less reason: but a great deal more appearance. For Saint John putteth the holy Ghost first, & the fire afterwards. Wherefore it seemeth, either that he understandeth two things separated: or that he expoundeth the thing more clear, by a more darker thing: Although that thy answer doth sufficiently satisfy that objection. But in that place Jesus Christ putteth y• water first: & afterwards, as if he would 1expound his Metaphor and comparison, and give unto it more greater brightness, he declareth what he would signify by that water: to wit, the holy Ghost: unto whom he giveth that name for many causes. First, because that as the fire is an element marvellous pure and clean, and so necessary unto mans life, that it is impossible for men to lack it, so is it of y• water: the which is also by nature clear, pure and clean and very proper for to represent the same of the holy Ghost. For it washeth, purifieth, cleanseth and refresheth the hearts and consciences, for to comfort them, and to make them bring forth fruit pleasing unto God: in such sort that the water causeth the earth to fructify & reneweth and maketh it fertile, & washeth away the filthiness 2from the body. It quencheth and putteth out in like manner the fire and heat of wicked carnal concupiscences, as the water quencheth out the fire: and quencheth the thirst and alteration of the poor feebled souls, & refresheth them for ever. The second cause is, that he would have opened unto us the intelligence and understanding of ceremonies, baptisms and purifications contained in the law of Moses & of y• prophets in like manner, by which the holy ghost was promised, chiefly by Isaiah & Ezekiel: unto