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

Theophilus. Thereof I am much abashed, ¹and yet more, because it is written and ordained in their rules of their divine office, that if it chance that the years mind of those that be dead fall upon a Sunday, or upon any solemn feast, it ought not to be delayed nor put off until the next day, as it is used in the office and feasts of Saints, if they fall upon such days: But must rather advance the office and prayers for the dead in the days before, for to comfort them the better, and to prevent and mitigate the pains that they to suffer in Purgatory. Of which they do give such reasons, saying: that the dead & the ²souls of the dead have need of our aid, but not the Saints. Wherefore the Saints which be in Paradise have more greater leisure to tarry, then the poor souls that are holden in the fire of Purgatory. Whereunto agreeth very well the question which Maioris made: To wit, what Mass is most profitable for the dead, either that which is said quickly and hastily, as the custom is in France to singe them: or else that which is said leisurely, and in which they bestow a great time, as they do in Scotland and in Spain.

Theophilus. Thereoff I am much abashed, ¹and yet more, bicause it is written and ordayned in theire rules of their diuine office, that if it chaunce that the yeres minde of those that be dead fall vppon a Sunday, or vpon any solempne feast, it ought not to be delayed nor put off vntill the next day, as it is vsed in the office and feasts of Saints, if they fall vppon such dayes: But must rather aduaunce the office and prayers for the dead in the dayes before, for to comfort them the better, and to preuent and mittigate the paynes that they to suffer in Purgatory. Of which they do giue such reasons, saying: that the dead & the ²soules of ye dead haue neede of our ayde, but not ye Saints. Wherefore the Saints which be in Paradise haue more greater leasure to tarry, then the poore soules that are holden in the fire of Purgatory. Whervnto agréeth very well the question which Maioris made: To witte, what Masse is most profitable for the dead, eyther that which is sayde quickely and hastely, as the custome is in Fraunce to singe them: or els that which is sayd leasurely, and in which they bestowe a greate time, as they doe in Scotlande and in Spayne.