A14461:47
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.
And if I my self cannot do that which I would teach unto others, at the least wise I will serve them in stead of a pattern, wherein they may find some thing for to follow: Or at the least wise, the fault y• they shall find in my manner of proceeding, will admonish them of the vices that they ought to avoid in their writings, the which if they find in my stile, or in my invention, or disposition, I am sure that they shall not find in the sentence and substance of the matters, any thing unworthy for a Christian man. For whatsoever thing that it be, I believe that one shall find nothing which may induce to heresy, except those who of themselves do pretend thereunto, and who as the Spiders do draw the venom from all places, and heresies out of the holy Scriptures, which are given unto us to keep us from all heresy. Although that I do 1mock and jest at the abuses, errors, heresies, superstitions and Idolatries of the Church of Antichrist. Yet nevertheless whosoever shall well mark and consider the matter, and shall have patience to read all the tenor of the sentence and of the Argument unto the end, except he be of a perverse judgement, shall be constrained and compelled to acknowledge and confess that I do not mock or scorn of things which are worthy, not only of mockery, but also of hatred and abomination of all mankind: And that I do not only uncover the abuses without showing by and by the true use of y• things: nor I do not condemn the errors and the lyings, without showing the trueth that we must follow, and wherein the faithful ought to stay themselves: And I do not manifest Antichrist for to avoid and to flee ⟨image 19⟩from him, without showing Jesus Christ for to follow him. Wherefore me thinks, that those which have their ears so delicate and cannot only abide one little word 2against the Idolatry, superstition, & the great abuses which lead all the world into ruin, are not rightful Judges, but of a corrupt and perverse judgement. For what judgement is this, to hear and see the name of God, the death and passion of Jesus Christ to be blasphemed daily so horribly, and not to speak a word? And to be such an unjust and sharp rebuker, and severe Judge, against those who only in scoffing and jesting will admonish & rebuke such blasphemers?