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

And if we cannot glory but in the foolishness of his cross, as the Apostle saith, the which yet nevertheless is the true wisdom ¹of GOD, although that the world reputeth it foolishness. For we do well perceive what profit there cometh of their so hidden preachings, of which none can almost receive any fruit, except he understand the matter that they entreat off, almost as well as they themselves. For what utility and profit can there come unto the poor […]rant people, for whom the sermons ought to be chiefest made? do they not always continue in their errors? and are they not confirmed the more by their dark questions, and hid words? the which the hearers do draw and take for their advantage, and interpret them after their own sense and meaning, and not after the meaning of the speaker, except he do expound if plainly, or at the least in manner that one understand not one thing for an other. For the poor people cannot understand that Sophistry, nor comprehend their dark questions and problems, who have yet much ado •o understand that which one declareth unto them as unto little children. For if a learned man knoweth very well hew to draw out of their sermons the consequences the which they will entreat ⟨image 20⟩off, how many shall one find of others, which will, do clean contrary. And although there were but their silence, by the which they do dissimule the abuses and the Idolatry, do they not approve sufficiently the false religion? I do fear very much, that one shall not find many, amongst these so wise and discreet, which are so prompt and ready to judge and condemn all those which follow not their counsel and carnal wisdom, of such an advise and opinion as Demades was, who did mock the Athenians, ²because they did put themselves in danger, to fall into the indignation and displeasure of Alexander the great, and to loose their lands, towns, and countries, because they refused to give unto the said Alexander the divine ³honours, and to worship him as a God: unto whom Demades said. Take ye good heed, least in keeping the Heaven you do lose the earth: willing thereby to give the Athenians to understand, that they were great fools, to put themselves in such danger, for to keep the honour of the Gods: