A14461:528
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.
Theophilus. I desire gladly, that they and all the Christians, would acquit them in such sort that one may say that which the Scripture witnesseth of Ruth 1and of Boaz, and to give unto them such praise. For it witnesseth, that they have showed mercy on the dead.2 But how? was it in bestowing their goods to bury them pompously and making a great many of Ceremonies about their burial? They have not learned to do so by 3the word of God. For as Saint Augustine saith, also it is written in the decrees themselves, and in the Master of the sentences. That all these things, to wit, the travail and labour that they bestow upon the funerals, the beautifying of their burial, the pomp of the exequies and burials, are more to comfort those that be alive, then for ⟨p. 98⟩to aid the dead. If the precious and costly burial profiteth 4any thing the wicked, the vile and contemptible burial shall hurt the good, or if he do remain unburied. That rich man of whom Jesus Christ speaketh off, had 5a great number of servants, and courtesans clothed in purple, and sumptuous apparel, who made for him most excellent funerals, and buried him very costly to all mens sight: But the Ministering of the Angels made a great 6deal more noble before the face of the Lord that of the poor beggar, whom they carried not to be buried: But carried it into Abraham's bosom. Behold the words of S. Augustine, who declareth unto us that we must not despise the dead bodies, and deny unto them their burial, for to testify and witness the hope that we have of the resurrection, and that we should esteem them no less then a ring or a badge which they have left unto us, the which we would gladly hide and keep for the love of them. Also we ought not to think, that the faithful can be in nothing of less strength, and to receive any hurt before God, when they abide unburied, as it oftentimes chanced, as it is written: The dead bodies of thy servants