A14461:33
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.
Furthermore, although that there are many good men which have already written of the matters of Religion in the French tongue with more haughty style and more eloquent then I can, and of a more deeper and profound knowledge. Yet nevertheless I do not think, that those which know that Christian simplicity and modesty is, will neither despise my language nor my doctrine, but that they will take it all 1in good part, considering that if Amos which was a shepherd, and many other Prophets of base condition, have not used so high a style, nor have spoken so profoundly and learnedly as that kingly Prophet David, or 2that great Orator Isaiah, of the royal linage and brought up in the court, they have not therefore left off to be Prophets and to speak through Gods spirit, and to profit very much in his Church, whose style they have used. And although that the Evangelists and 3Apostles have not written in such pomp of words, nor have not so much travailed after the language of Demosthenes and Cicero, yet we cannot deny but that they have more profited to all mankind, by their •ude stile, then the others, by all their pomp of humane eloquence without any comparison. But if we consider Gods works, we shall know that the holy ⟨p. 6⟩Ghost, although that he do not reject the eloquence, which is one of his gifts, yet nevertheless he delighteth himself more in the simplicity of language, for to declare better his virtue and efficacy, to the end that we do not attribute unto humane eloquence that which appertaineth unto him.
Furthermore, although that there are manye good men which haue already written of the matters of Religion in the French tongue wyth more hautye style and more el•quent then I can, and of a more déeper and profounde knowledge. Yet neuerthelesse I doe not thincke, that those whiche knowe that Christian simplicitie and modestie is, wyll neyther despyse my language nor my doctrine, but that they wyll take it all 1