A14461:1482
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, First of all as touching those which are 1departed out of this world, without having one grain of that seed of the fear of God, but have altogether resisted his spirit, and the natural light and knowledge that he hath given unto them, or at the preaching of his gospel we cannot leave unto them any preaching, nor any other remedy after their death, for their salvation: except we will fall into the error of the Origenists and Anabaptists. 2For it is written: He which believeth not in the Son of God is already condemned. But if it be a question of the elect, which have had already in this world some grain of the seed of God, which have walked in his fear, although that they have been yet wrapped in many errors. and darkness, there is an other consideration. Not that I do understand that the gospel is preached unto them after they are departed out of this life, otherwise, saying that they shall have more full knowledge of that, that they have only here known, as amongst the midst of darkness. For if they be the sons of God, the seed of god 3which is in them shall save them: As we may judge by the example of Cornelius the Centurion. Before that he had heard the preaching of Saint Peter, he had not perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ. He was yet a Panim: but he was not therefore altogether without the seed of the fear of GOD, nor without some beginning of faith & obscure knowledge of JESUS CHRIST: Or otherwise his prayers and alms ⟨image 308⟩deeds should not have been approved of God, whom 4one cannot please without faith. If he had then dyed before that S. Peter was come unto him, I do not think therefore, that he had ben altogether rejected and forsaken of God: and that that knowledge sufficed him not to salvation: or that he had not given himself more fully to be known of him either by some divine inspiration: or by some other means, such as it pleaseth him: yea, in the Article of the death, or at his last gasp, rather then to suffer him to perish. As we may presume as well of the Jews, as of the Paynims, who before the coming and manifestation of Jesus Christ in the flesh, had the law of God written in their hearts: notwithstanding that they have