A14461:1451
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.
Theophilus. If by bowing the 1knee, S. Paul did understand the true divine service, the true invocation, and the true honour which the elect do owe unto God, there should be some reason & appearance in the argument. But S. Paul by that manner of speaking, 2meaneth none other thing by bowing the knee, but that to Jesus Christ is given such domination, that it is necessary that every creature be subject unto him, and obey him, and acknowledge him to be Judge and Lord: the which the good and the elect do willingly and with a good heart: the wicked and reprobate, in spite of their teeth. But they are nevertheless compelled. For they cannot resist the virtue and power of Jesus Christ, which maketh ⟨image 301⟩his enemies his footstool. But the Apostle useth such 3manner of speaking, for to follow the stile of the Prophets, and to declare unto us that which the Lord hath said by I say: I do live saith the Lord: Every knee shall 4bow unto me. The which the Apostle expoundeth by other words, saying: we shall be all brought before the judgement seat of Christ. Afterwards he confirmeth 5that proposition by the very words of the Prophet, declaring that all that cometh to one effect. For because that the good and evil are compelled to render obedience unto their Lords, and that they do declare commonly their subjection and humility in bowing the knee and doing reverence before their Lord, the Scripture useth such manner of speaking for to signify the obedience, reverence and subjection, that every creature must she we towards God. Although that the same may be done diverse ways either by bowing the knees, and without bowing the knees. For the Angels and the souls can no better bow their knees then the Devils: sith that all of them have no knees: which cannot be but to bodies: if we do not understand any otherwise those figures of speaking. And therefore there is no inconvenience, to understand by those which do bow the knees under the earth, the Devils themselves with all the reprobate, which shall all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, and shall be compelled to acknowledge him to be their Judge, in great