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

Hillarius. Behold yet to confirm better my purpose I do not doubt for my part, but that that Character is the mark, wherewith is marked the conscience of those ¹which shall give heed unto spirits of error and devilish doctrine, and which are Apostates of the faith, according to the prophecy of saint Paul. That is the mark of the great whore of Babylon without which one cannot sell ²nor buy, nor have any place in the Popish Church. That is a mark clean contrary, unto that which the Angel printed in the foreheads of the elect of God. Now sith ³that the Apostles of Jesus Christ, and the true bishops and priests, which by them were ordained, have not had that Cautor that is to say Mark (I had thought to have said Character) I am not abashed, if they have not such power in the other world, as the Pope hath in the same and in this. But it is an other thing of him and of his which do depart out of this world, with this Cauter (I do beguile my self always) I do say ⁴with that Char••ter, which they do bear always with them. Wherefore they ought to have no lesser power there then here. And y• same I will prove by y• example of Friar Rogers a C•rdelier, which is recited in the book of the conformities of saint Francis. It is there written, that after that he was dead, he appeared unto a certain woman, who confessed unto him all her sins, & he gave her absolution. If h• being dead had the power to come to hear the confession of the living, and to absolve them, wherefore shall not his other companions being dead have, and chiefly the Popes and Bishops, who have ordained them and confirmed them, as much power ⟨image 287⟩among the dead? Furthermore, if according to the witness of your Doctors, others may satisfy for us, not only during our life, but also after that we be dead, wherefore