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

Eusebius. But how can that be in hell, sith that the pain there is infinite.

Eusebius. But how can that be in hell, sith that the paine there is infinite.

Theophilus. Thou must understand, that there is not so little a pain, which is not infinite and importable, unto him which is forsaken of God, but yet nevertheless God may and can make his judgement, his wrath and indignation to be felt unto some more then to other ⟨p. 289⟩some. But it followeth not therefore, but that all men are constrained to carry it, and but that it is a burden importable to all men. Therefore it is so often written, that those which shall have most sinned shall be most punished. Now those unto whom God hath given more favour and grace, and hath given more knowledge of his will, then the others, do sin most grievously. For they declare a more greater ingratitude, malice and stubbornness, & have less excuse. But it followeth not therefore, that the ignorance and negligence doth excuse the others, but that they ¹have their part, Jesus Christ manasseh with a more grievouser judgement those which shall reject his Gospel because that God hath showed unto them more grace and favour, then unto the Sodomites and Gomorrians. Wherefore they do render themselves more culpable and inexcusable. But although that the Gospel hath not been preached so clearly and plainly unto the Sodomites & Gomorians, as unto us, yet Jesus Christ doth not excuse them therefore altogether, nor absolveth them of the judgement of God. But for to amplify the ingratitude & malice of ²those which reject the benediction and blessing of God, he compareth them to the most execrablest that ever were upon the earth. Not for to justify the others, but the better to confound those here, demonstrating unto them that their iniquity is so abominable, that God condemneth them which may be accounted and taken for good men, in comparison of these: not that they are, but in comparison of the excessive iniquity of those here. After this manner we must understand that place of S. Luke, without dreaming out a Purgatory. For the pain of which Jesus Christ speaketh off, may be here in this world: or at the day of judgement: or in hell, as the same of the Sodomites, Gomorrians and their like. Or thou shalt be constrained to put into Purgatory all the wicked and reprobate, which have been sithence the beginning of the world.