A14461:619
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. If you had well considered and kept in mind, that which we have already spoken off, that is, of the custom which hath been amongest the Paynims in their funeral Drations and praisings, and how the ancient Church hath changed that manner of doing into a better use. You should easily know what hath 1been the beginning of the commemoration of the prayers and suffrages for the dead, and that the custom of the ancient Fathers hath differed very much, yea, and altogether contrary unto that which is now in the Popish Church: But because that the same hath been already entreated off amongest us amply enough, I will not reintreate nor rehearse it again. But for to satisfy thy question which thou hast now propounded, I will only advertise thee that those errors & abuses, and that superstitious remembrance and full of blasphemies, such which we do now see to be practised about the dead, did take great force and were greatly multiplied by Pope Pelagius, 2who made an ordinance, much differing and contrary unto the custom of his predecessors, and of the ancient Church: After whom succeeded Gregory the great, 3who hath not amended and corrected the abuses & errors, but hath still nourished, augmented and increased them, and hath been the cause of many Idolatries and superstitions, which have brought great hurt and damage unto Gods Church. And least that you should think that I speak without reason & authority, judge a little of that which Nauclerus witnesseth, that Gregory the third hath written unto Boniface being Legate and Ambassador into 4Almain, to wit whether that Christians may offer for their dead, which were truly Christians: And hath commanded that the Priests ought to make commemoration of them. Dne may very well presume by that ⟨p. 117⟩advertisement and commandment that which Gregory made unto Boniface, touching this matter, that it is not 5long ago that the Mass hath begun to be a sacrifice for the dead, and that the institution is not so ancient as some men do think it to be: at the least-wise that Jesus Christ and his Apostles have not been the author thereof. For Boniface would not have kept it secret in that time.