A14461:1176
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.
Theoph••••. There is first of all this evil, that those that require such baptism, are of an opinion that it is so necessary unto […], that without the same their child cannot be saved. Wherein they do […] unto the grace of Jesus Christ, and do presume […] of the virtue of his holy spirit, and do render public and open witness of their superstition and infidelity. Again, they sin in that that they do dishonour the Sacraments, when they give and bestow them unto others then unto those unto whom God hath given the charge to administer them. Wherefore they cannot fail, either on the one side or on the other, but that they are greatly to be rebuked. For if they do add to it necessity, it appeareth already into what error they are. If they say that they do not put to it necessity, and that they do not tie the grace of God unto the corruptible elements, and exterior ministry, wherefore then do they give that authority ⟨image 248⟩unto women, without the word of God? Wherefore do they take any other […] then the same which is given them of Jesus Christ? Wherefore do they separate that which God hath joined together? For the baptism & the administration of Sacraments are joined together with the […], and […] be separated, without over throwing the orna• which Jesus Christ hath put and set in his Church. Now even as the institution of the Sacraments is a public Ceremony and joined together with the ministry of the Gospel, so ought they to be 1administered publicly in the Church, by those self same unto whom the ministry of the Gospel is committed, and which of God and of the same are elected pastor• and ministers. And therefore Jesus Christ hath not given charge to baptise unto others then unto those unto whom 2he hath commanded to preach his gospel, & to exercise the Evangelical ministry in his Church. For it is expressly 3forbidden women to speak in the Church, and to usurp upon them any ecclesiastical office: the which thing is not permitted but unto women, & yet not unto all indiffer ly, but unto those which are elected & lawfully ordained to the same, the which he doth sufficiently declare, when he commanded by his Apostle, y all things should be done honestly