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

Thomas, I do understand well of whom you speak. ⟨p. 259⟩I remember, that at the disputation which was holden at Lausanne, he spake clearly, not only against the Purgatory of Priests, but also against the transubstantiation and corporal presence of Jesus Christ in the host.

Thomas, I doe vnderstand well of whom you speake. ⟨p. 259⟩I remember, that at the disputation which was holden at Lausanne, he spake cléerely, not onely against the Purgatory of Priestes, but also against the transubstanciacion and corporall presence of Iesus Christ in the hoast.

Theophilus. It is true, but in the mean time, thou takest no heed of the subtlety of Satan, and by what means he would be served of that Sorbonist doctors. Because y• Satan did see those errors to be already too much uncovered and opened, & that he had no more hope to uphold them, chiefly in those Churches here abouts, he hath chosen this instrument, for to set forth that opinion, the which could not serve to any edification, but for to trouble the Church, chiefly in this time now, that the opinions of men are so diverse, For how goodly a reason soever he can allege, notwithstanding that he condemneth openly the Purgatory of the Priests, and their suffrages for the dead, yet nevertheless, sith that he putteth forth that proposition: we must pray for the dead: It were impossible, but that in every point, it should he evil spoken ¹off and offensive. For the Idolaters and superstitions, which were yet in their old error, touching that matter, do draw that proposition to their advantage, to the confirmation of their Purgatory, and care not for all his other reasons and sophistries, the which the most part cannot understand, others will not. It is mough for them that they can say: Monsieur the Doctor hath preached, that we must pray for the dead. They do arm themselves with that proposition, against the truth, as with a buckler, and do condemn more boldly the wholesome doctrine. The other poor simple people, which have already some knowledge of the abuses, were not also without being troubled, fearing to have ben evil taught. For all could not easily comprehend those sophistical subtleties, but do abide in perplexity. Notwithstanding that that dream which he did put forth, was not new: It hath already at an other time been put forth by others, the which yet nevertheless they have not followed. Those which were