A14461:1398
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.
Hillarius. A man may easily reply thereon. For according to their doctrine, Purgatory is in the earth. Wherefore, sith hat he is God in earth, he may well have some power. There should be an other reason, if Purgatory were 1between the Moon and the earth, where Plutarch putteth it: except they will say that with the earth they do also compare the air and all the other elements, making the Pope aswell God in the air, water and fire, as in the earth: at the least thou wilt not deny, but that he may well have the keys of hell, for to lead thither the souls: and 2that he is the God of the same, if it be in the centre of the earth, according to the common opinion of his Doctors. But for to come unto the matter, thou which art a Theologian knowest, that there be two manner of ways to 3see and know God. There is a manner to see him before: a•• a manner to see him behind. To see him before, that is to say in his being, glory, and majesty, it is not given unto mortal man. For he shall not be capable of such vision ⟨image 289⟩and knowledge. And therefore he answered unto Moses, who desired to see his glory, that he should not see 4it before, but he would show unto him only his hinder and back parts. I do understand and mean according to that which I have learned of some Theologians, that to see and know the back parts of God, that is to see and know him by his works, by his effects, and in his creatures. For sith that he is incomprehensible unto man in his substance, glory and majesty, the way and manner that he hath given unto man for to know him, is this: to wit, by his word: by his works: by his effects: and his creatures: with which man ought to content himself without enquiring curiously of the nature and essence of God, the which we cannot comprehend. 5For we have no need to enquire what •e is in himself: but what he is towards us: the which he hath manifested unto us chiefly by Jesus Christ his son: by the works that he hath done and made in him & by him, and that he doth always. And the manner of knowledge, after the manner of the speaking