A14461:280
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. You never saw a man that delighteth less 1to speak evil and backbite, and to hear evil speaking and tales: But truth constraineth me, and you ought to understand, that to speak truth for the health of ones neighbour, is not to speak evil, backbite, and slander any man. Would to God I could speak as much good of them, as of the Apostles. For I do love better to praise their virtue, charity and mercy, then to despise their vices, cruelty, avarice, and rapacity. But what will you that I speak? If I do see a poor man, who is wandering alone in a forrest, or wood full of thieves, am not I bound to give him warning of the danger he is like to fall in? If I say nothing unto him, am not I guilty of his death sith that I knew the danger: And if I encourage him to enter, and tell him that there is no danger, am not I then more culpable and worthy to be taken for a murderer of my poor brother? But if I do admonish him of the dangers and of the thieves. Do I wrong unto the thieves in calling them by their name? Should I do better and according to Gods commandment to call them good people for to save their honour, and that I should put my brother into their hands to have them to cut his throat? What goodness can I find in those, who from the greatest 2to y• least are all excommunicated & judged Simoniacs and Heretics, unworthy of all Ecclesiastical honour and ⟨image 60⟩office? not only by the authority of the holy Scriptures, 3but also by their own councils, decrees, and Canons. For how many Councils, Decrees and Canons be there that do forbid to demand and take, gifts, rewards, presents, hire or silver, nor any thing whatsoever it be, for cream, baptism, orders, laying on of hands: for y• earth, nor Sepulture, neither for Sacraments nor whatsoever office is in the Church, under pain of excommunication, and to be holden and reputed Simoniacs, Heretics, and Sacriledgers, and deprived and deposed from their offices and honours? and not only they that receive the money, but also those who do give it for such things.