A14461:36
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.
1But when they do surmount Demosthenes, may not we rightly •ay that of them which Aeschines hath said of him, comparing him unto a flute, which hath but the beak of bill, 2the which is unprofitable, after that the neck is cut off? What is there also in these here, but the tongue? The which oftentimes hurteth many, and profiteth few. Is not a poor labourer which knoweth his God, and Jesus Christ his Saviour, and which confesseth him in his rude 3language, and which honoureth him through his good life and conversation, to be preferred before all these great Poets, Orators, and Philosophers, who are altogether ignorant, and which do serve but the flesh, the world, and Satan Prince of the same? Are not they great Asses and beasts in comparison of him, and yet worse? For the Ox knoweth his Lord, and an Ass his Masters stall, as saith the Prophet, the which those here, which will be 4counted for true Israelites, Gods people, and Christians, will not acknowledge nor serve him, doing unto him so much honour, as the Ox & the Ass do unto their Masters. How dare they esteem themselves wise, being ignorant of the knowledge of God, the which only is the true knowledge, for to bring us unto everlasting blessedness, in comparison ⟨image 14⟩of which all other which are called sciences, are but mens opinions, errors, and lyings, except they 5have this for a guide. It is very hard to find for such men medicines proper to heal them, and meat for to make them have an appetite, sith that they are so far out of taste with the bread of life, and the heavenly Manna, 6to the which they prefer the garlic, onions, the flesh and fishes of Egypt. For he that shall give them such meat as they desire, shall but increase their grief the greater. And if the meat be not as they would have it, they will not taste of it. Wherefore I leave such to be handled of those which have more cunning then I, and which can better help their disease. There are others which differ but a little from these here, and which care not so much of the language, but they have yet a great vice common with the first: that is, that they delight not in reading any good matter, grave, and which toucheth Gods word, and the health of their souls, but