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

Wherefore he must build it altogether new: dost thou not think Eusebius, that this exposition agreeth better to the sense and meaning of the Apostle, then that of your Doctors which would turn and wrest it, to their sense and understanding, against the same of the spirit of God, and of Saint Paul, and of the ancient Doctors, which have never expounded it of the fire of Purgatory, but almost all of them to the sense as I have expounded it, chiefly ¹Saint Ambrose. I cannot be too much abashed of the manner of doing of those which will uphold mans traditions. When we will propone any thing in the Church of Jesus Christ, for a doctrine of salvation and an article of faith, we ought first of all diligently to examine, whether that which we would put forth, hath any certain and sure foundation in the word of God. If we find that it is commanded of God and comprised in the holy scriptures, we may and ought boldly to propound and affirm it. On the contrary, if the Scripture doth make no mention of it, it is not lawful only to open the mouth, for to speak one word, and for to propound for certain a thing uncertain. For cursed is the man, which putteth forth for a sure doctrine, a thing, of which he himself is not certain, and of which he cannot say with the Prophet and the holy ²Apostle: I have believed it and therefore I spake it. For we ought to beware and keep our selves, as from death, to teach unto others, to believe and to do that, which we our selves believe not, and of which we are not certain. Now it is impossible to be assured and certain of such things, then by the word of god the which we ought to follow in all things. But I see clean contrary in those which have taught mens traditions, in stead of the word of God. For in stead to take counsel of it, before they do institute any thing, they have first propounded and persuaded the people, that which cometh in their ⟨p. 267⟩out being much advised, whether God hath commanded or forbidden it. It sufficeth them so that they have some show and appearance. And when they perceive that one will examine their Doctrines by the rule of the word of God, then fearing to be overcome and condemned, they seek if they can find any thing in the Scripture for to prove their intent: the which they ought to have done before they put tho thing forth.