A14461:1317
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.
But for to come to the true and more clear understanding of those words, Saint Paul meaneth here briefly, that all building, all doctrine, and works builded and invented without the word of God, shall turn into smoke and vanish away altogether, without being able to abide and continue firm, notwithstanding that all that shall be builded upon the true foundation, which is Christ, who cannot bear up any building, if it be not pure gold, silver, pearls and precious stones, taken from his word, which is more pure 1then the gold and silver fined and tried seven times. And therefore the Apostle useth here a metaphor, translation, and comparison. For even as he compareth the pure doctrine 2of y• gospel to the gold, silver & precious stones, which cannot be consumed by the fire, but are by the same tried and do appear more fair and clean: So he compareth the doctrines dreamed and invented by the brain of man, unto wood, hay, chaff and stubble, and by good right. For even as those things cannot abide the fire but are consumed and perished as soon as they feel it, so in like manner shall mens doctrines perish, and cannot abide and continue firm, when they shall come to the touchstone. It happeneth unto us oftentimes that we delight and please our selves in our own works, and we think that we have made a fair and a goodly piece of work. But we must bring it to the touchstone: the which shall not be after our own judgement, but according to the same of GOD, who is the judge of us and of our works. Therefore saith he, that the day shall declare it, and that the fire shall try what every mans work shall be. He calleth the day of the Lord, 3all times, in which he manifesteth his presence unto men, by any manner of ways: the which he doth chiefly by the manifestation of his truth, and revelation of his Gospel. ⟨p. 265⟩By the fire, although that in the Scripture it be many 4times taken, for the temptations and tribulations, yet nevertheless it agreeth best here to the sense & meaning of the Apostle, to take the fire for the touchstone which proceedeth of the holy Ghost, which is the true fire, which consumeth all doctrine invented by men, the which cannot abide the spiritual touchstone but vanisheth away as soon as one proveth the spirits, whether they be of God or not.