A14461:59
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 he that shall be yet weak, should fortify and strengthen himself, and he that shall be already firm and strong, should confirm himself more. For all these causes and reasons, GOD would that the errors and sins of the people should be registered, and hath so many times commanded that they should be remembered. And the Prophet Isaiah did not admonish so many times without cause the people, after that he had well mocked them for 1Idolatry, that they should remember those things to the end they may the better know the judgement of God which is upon the Infidels, which are as brute beasts, and what treasure it is to have the truth of God and his word. And if any man will yet say, that notwithstanding that it is not evil, but very profitable and necessary to show forth and declare the abuses, yet nevertheless we must not proceed in such sort, which should seem peradventure unto some men more proper and fit for to be offended, then for to be edified by it: I do answer unto the same, that I know not what those shall be that shall read those books, nor what occasion they may have to be offended. I do think that they shall not be so much esteemed that many people would read them: Beside that many peradventure would, which cannot. But howsoever it be, if those that do read them are good and virtuous people and fearing GOD, they shall know that I study not but to manifest the verity, and to glorify Jesus Christ, & that those whom I rebuke are not only worthy to be mocked, but unworthy that the earth beareth them, except they will acknowledge their faults, and give glory unto GOD. If they were • picures and contemners of GOD, they can be no worse 2then they are, and therefore know in what reputation ⟨p. 18⟩they ought to be unto all good people, and that they are unworthy to be taken and accounted not only for Christians, but for men being a great deal more worse then brute beasts. If they be Pharisees and obstinate Hypocrites, 3and that they do seek the occasion of offence, they do find it in Jesus Christ. Wherefore we must not much care or take thought for it. For they do take the offence without any man giving it them, and are an offence unto themselves, and cannot hear the truth without being offended. Wherefore we must hold unto that which Jesus Christ said unto them: