A14461:157
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.
And therefore they put them in the buck, wherein they drive, beat and wash them very clean. Besides those there are other more weightier and heavier and altogether earthly, whom neither the wynd• ⟨image 39⟩nor the water can make clean. And therefore y• Souls that have ben so defiled with y• filthiness of their vile & wicked body, & so much given unto y• pleasures of y• body, that they are almost degenerated & become earthly, are purged by the fire. For they have need of a hotter & stronger element for to purify them, and for to consume all filth and dross, that there remain nothing but the pure metal of the celestial nature. For contraries are healed by contraries. But least you should think that I am the author and inventor of that Philosophy, and that I speak these things of mine own head and for my profit, behold how the Poet speaketh, in whose verses you shall find comprised in few words a great part of that Platonical & Plutarchall Theology, where he writeth of the souls separated from the body after this manner. Moreover, when their end of life, and light doth them forsake.1 Yet can they not their sins, nor sorrows all poor souls of shake. Nor all contagions fleshly, from them voids, but must of need Much things cogendred long, by wondrous means at last out spread. Therefore they plagued been, and for their former faults and sins Their sundry pains they bide, some high in air doth hang on pins. Some fleeting been in floods, & deep in gulfs themselves they tire Till sins away be washed, or cleansed clear with purging fire. Each one of us our penance here abides, then sent we be To Paradise at last, we few fields of joy do see.2 Till compass long of time, by perfect course hath purged quite, Our former cloddred spots, and pure hath left our ghostly spirit And senses pure of soul, and simple sparks of heavenly light.
And therefore they put them in the bucke, wherein they driue, beat and wash them very cleane. Besides those there are other more wayghtyer and heauyer and altogether earthlye, whome neyther the wynd