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 notwithstanding that they do show forth the folly of men, and that which ought not to be, yet nevertheless they show not that which ought to be, and what is the true wisdom and the remedy for to redress such diseases. It is very easy to mock and scoff at lyings, and to show that which is not, but it sufficeth not, except one do show the trueth, and what it is. It sufficeth not to know Antichrist, except we know Jesus Christ.

For notwythstandinge that they doe shewe foorth the follye of men, and that which ought not to bee, yet neuerthelesse they shewe not that which ought to bée, and what is the true wisdome and the remedy for to redresse such diseases. It is very easie to mock and scoffe at lyings, and to shew that which is not, but it sufficeth not, ercept one doe shewe the trueth, and what it is. It sufficeth not to knowe Antechriste, excepte wée knowe Iesus Christ.

That is to teach after the manner as Cicero disputed ⟨image 17⟩of the Nature of the Gods, the which is more proper, ¹for to show that which is not God, then who is God. Such manner of doing bringeth no resolution to the conscience, but leaveth it always in doubt and error. And although those shall do no worse, yet that shall be some thing, and they shall not altogether lose their time, for that they have incitated and pricked men forward, and put a desire in them, to inquire of the truth, for to know it. For that is no little profit nor no little advantage, that they have already brought it to that point. But these here of whom I do speak, do not follow the stile, I say not, of some good divine, nor only of some good Panim Philosopher, but do seem that they are altogether given to the imitation of Lucian, a man without God and ²without Religion, a mocker and despiser of God and men. If it be a matter to pastime, to laugh, play, and jest at the superstitions and idolatries, of to devout men, caphardes and hypocrites, and of all the estates of the world, we need not search for none other Author, and we have no need of these new Lusianistes, which are but as his little Disciples, for to carry his book after him. For if we must make comparison of the language, they approach nothing near to his eloquence. If we must compare the spirit and the knowledge, there is as much difference as is between the apprentice and the Master. Wherefore if the writings of Lucian and the matters that be entreated off, were very profitable and necessary unto those which could not read them in the Greek tongue, or being translated into the Latin tongue. I would counsel rather his Disciples to travail and employ their eloquence to translate them in the French tongue, then to forge and invent for us new Lusians, which do but steal from him his inventions and arguments, for to attribute them unto themselves, as if they had been the first Authors and inuutours.