A14461:40
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.
If a poisoner do cover and hide his poison with some delicate meat, for to poison and murder men, shall it not be by more just reason permitted to a Physician to mingle sugar and honey among the wormwood and the bitter Aloes: for to sweeten a little the bitterness of these drinks? Which notwithstanding that they are bitter in the mouth, are yet nevertheless healthful to the boot. ⟨p. 9⟩For if such holy deceits are worthy of praise to the Physicians 1of the body, wherefore shall it be despised to the Physicians of the souls? I would to GOD that he had given unto us the grace to deceive so all the world for his profit and health. For the diseased is happy, which is deceived by the Physician to his health and healing: which is the end to the which both the one and the other do pretend, both the Physician and the diseased. I know 2very well that there be already many books written, which do much discover abuses, and which do sufficiently mock the vain ceremonies, idolatries, and superstitions, which are among the Christians, but that sufficeth not, except one do teach what is the verity, and what is a firm and sound doctrine. The which many have already done, but because they seem and appear too severe and grave unto those with whom we have chiefly to do, they read them not, and do profit nothing. There are others, which have followed a manner to write altogether contrary unto those. For even as those have regard to none other thing, but to entreat of the word of God with all gravity, modesty, and reverence, addressing their writings unto people of good judgements and of temperate senses, and full of the fear of GOD: These here unto the contrary, have not taken their sight but to the white and mark of mans vanity and curiosity, and have purposed to abstain themselves from all weighty, honest and holy matters, and to write only of follies, merry conceits, jests, plays, and pastimes, as of fools, morris dancers, scoffers and jesters. And if they would hold themselves within those limits, they were the more tolerable: But many are not content to play the fools 3amongest men (although that that office is scant meet unto an honest man) do yet worse.