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. 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 ⟨image 266⟩best instructed and most firm in the doctrine of the Gospel, although that they had their spirits sharp enough for to comprehend that which they said, yet they were not out of danger. For sith that this proposition abideth and continueth: we must pray for the dead: And this here, the Church hath always duly p•ayde for them that they should be delivered from death:

Theophilus. It is true, but in the meane time, thou takest no héede of the subtiltie of Sathan, and by what means he would be serued of that Sorbonist doctors. Bicause y Sathan did sée those errors to be already too much vncouered and opened, & that hée had no more hope to vphold them, chiefely in those Churches héere aboutes, hée hath chosen this instrument, for to set foorth that opinion, the which could not serue to any edification, but for to trouble the Church, chiefly in this time now, that the opinions of men are so diuerse, For how goodly a reason soeuer he can alledge, notwithstanding that he condempneth openly the Purgatory of the Priestes, and their suffrages for the dead, yet neuerthelesse, sith that hée putteth foorth that proposition: we must praye for the dead: It were impossible, but that in euery pointe, it should he euill spoken