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

Hillarius. It is no need. For among these four, they are already contained in two for fault of one. Hath not Solomon ¹spoken of the fire, who never saith hoe. For one cannot find so much as it consumeth. There was never fire, that molted and consumed so much goods, as the fire of their Purgatory & of their kitchen which is of y• same nature. Again, is not y• hell comprised among those insatiable things? ²May we not well speak that of them which David hath written of his enemies? saying: their throat is an open sepulchre. ³And that which Isaiah speaketh off, saying: hell gapeth and openeth her mouth marvellous wide. For of all ⁴that they can once lay hand on, nothing ever returneth again, no more then from the mouth of hell and grave. But which is worse the grave consumeth & devoureth but the dead bodies: but these do devour both the quick & the dead: And we may very well say y• these are the Harpies of whom ⁵Virgil maketh mention off. But because they are fair and goodly sepulchres, as the Scribes & Pharisees who do never cease to cry: Corban, Corban, give, give, offer, offer: and as the daughter of the Horseleech. Bring, bring to the candles of the good Saint. Because they are so beautiful & polished without, y• poor world cannot know them, although they do see them devour & eat up widows houses before their eyes, under colour of long prayers. For they have those goodly habits of religion, goodly Ornaments, Ceremonies, goodly names & titles, and that goodly appearance of holiness, which do cover & beautify those sepulchres & tombs, in such sort that men cannot perceive the filthiness & infection that is there hidden and kept close within, but pass over it without any advisement, as men do by the Sepulchres.

Hillarius. It is no néede. For among these foure, they are alredy conteined in two for fault of one. Hath not Salomon