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. We must well note and mark that which Hillarius hath said of Allegories. How much difference there is between thi• here of Jesus Christ, and those which y• expositors do make commonly. For in these words ¹of Jesus Christ, there i• an example & a comparison wrapped in with an Allegory. For Jesus Christ would not here declare any other thing, but into what dangers & inconu• niences those do put themselves, which had rather to go ⟨image 279⟩to the •igour of right then to agree friendly with the adverse party, before they do come to judgement: to that end that he doth the better incitate and stir forward men unto amity and brotherly reconciliation, of which he speaketh in this place. After the same forte doth Saint ²Chrysostom expound it, without making any mention of Purgatory, and he alloweth not those which do understand by the adverse party the devil, but interpreteth that place o• •lees an• process. Now our Lord Jesus the better to move the hearers to brotherly reconciliation, taketh example upon the pleaders, as if he should say: If thy adverse party do bring thee into judgement, th•• canst do no better for thy honour and profit, then to agree with him, before thou prove and try the rigour of right. For if thou agree friendly with the party, he may show thee some favour and forgive thee the deb•e, and thou shalt avoid the dishonour, shame, and the costs, which is bestowed upon the plaints. On the contrary if thou do not agree, thou canst not so well avoid the payment: but the Judge shall know it, and thou shal• be condemned and compelled to pay to the uttermost all the debt, without rebating one farthing, even as those which for debt are detained and kept in prison, until the end of th payment. Behold the example and the similitude which Jesus Christ propounded unto us, for to bring us to reconciliation. But he declareth not amply that which he would have us to understand by the same: but it suseth him to have set us in the way, and he hath opened unto us the understanding of that which he would teach us, which availeth as much as if he had said: Whilst that thou art yet alive and that thou hast time, return in grace, and agree with thine adversary, that is to say with thy brother and neighbour, whom thou hast offended, and to whom thou art bound.