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

For not withstanding that they have, goodly ¹mouths, yet nevertheless they speak not, because they have no voice. Wherefore they have the belles for are compence, which have the voices for to speak in stead of them although that they have lso mouths: But the Images have the countenances and do furnish the mouth & the belles the voice, for to fulfil that which is written: except ye speak words that have signification, how shall it be understanded what is spoken? For you shall but speak in the air, and as a tinkling cymbal, and there is yet another secret, which every one understandeth not. All those that did hear the Apostles in Jerusalem upon the day of Pentecost, were cssonyed, because that not withstanding they were Galileans, yet nevertheless all of what language soever they were of, did understand them speak as if it had ben their own & native tongue & common to all the he arers. Now inasmuch as the •els are the Popes & • Priests Apostles, all ⟨image 79⟩of them because that they have not that gift of God, would counterfeit that miracle by their belles. For they do ²speak all languages, and such as it pleaseth the hearers. And what sound soever they have, they speak that which the hearer hath in his fantasy, as every one may know by experience, and I my self can witness the same. For when I was a young child, and that I did hear the bells toll as I went to school, I did think that they said sometimes that which some had put in my head: Lost labour, thou shalt be beat: and I was always afraid that they had said true. Even so it happened unto a widow who ³desired much to marry, but she was ashamed to tell it, therefore he sent her to the belles whom she asked counsel, knowing well her affection, and that she would do but that which was in her fantasy, whatsoever counsel one gave unto her. When it was appointed that she should hear the counsel that the bells gave unto her, she thought that they said unto her: Marry thee: afterwards when she was married, and that her husband which was very jealous had well beaten her for going or gadding abroad many times, and had well drused her bones, seeing that that feast should always last, she rebuked him that did give her that counsel: and said unto him: My friend you have not well understanded the bells: Go presently and give good ear;