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

Theophilus Thou hast heard them, and thou hast also the Jews, Cabalists and Paynims, for to be the first authors of them. But those dreams are yet more tolerable, and worthy of pardon then those here, because that having the brain full of false opinions, and enchantments, they fear least the enchanters, Magicians, and especially the conjurers, and the devil with them, should abuse their bodies, through their enchantments necromancies & witchcraft. But what excuse or colour can the christians have, who ought to be assured of their salvation in Jesus Christ, as well for the body as for the soul, using such ceremonies, which I may truly call charms enchantments, & magical superstitions and purifications, and not evangelical. For although that the earth hath been given for meat to ⟨p. 103⟩the serpent and that our bodies are taken of the earth, how will God permit and suffer, that that old serpent, shall defile ¹those bodies which have been the Temple & habit ation of his holy ghost? And which have been consecrated unto him, through the blood of his son Jesus Christ, and sanctified through his spirit? have the water and the earth which are bewitched and charmed, after the manner as the enchanters & charmers do their exorcisms & conjurations and a corruptible and a material cross, more virtue then the consecration of our bodies and souls, which Jesus ²Christ the great and sovereign Bishop and eternal Priest, hath done by his blood and the lively water of his holy spirit, and the baptism that we have received in his name? And if we as good christians have borne the cross with him, that is to say, the troubles and adversities of this world, in all patience, and have put all our hope and trust in the merit of his death & passion, rejoicing our selves only in his cross, as the holy apostle saith we ought not to doubt but that that faith, hath imprinted such a cross and such a sign and mark in our hearts and bodies, ye the devil dareth not to approach nor come nigh them. And if that same is not sufficient, there is none other after ³our death, which can serve us.

Theophilus Thou hast heard them, and thou hast also the Iewes, Cabalists and Panyms, for to be the firste authors of them. But those dreames are yet more tollerable, and worhty of pardon then those here, bycause that hauing the braine full of false opinions, and inchauntments, they feare least the enchauntors, Magitians, and especially the coniurers, and the diuell with them, should abuse their bodies, thorow their enchaūtments necromances & witchcraft. But what excuse or coloure can the christians haue, who ought to be assured of their saluation in Iesus Christ, as wel for the body as for the soule, vsing such ceremonies, which I may truly call charmes inchauntements, & magicall supersticions and purifications, and not euangelical. For although that the earth hath bene giuen for meate to