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

It is sufficiently declared ye there is no mean more proper, nor any good deeds more agreeable nor more profitable for the dead, then to have in commendation and praise their successors, children and friends. On the other side, he comforteth the children, and chiefly goeth about to niltigate the dolour and sorrow of Honorius, because that it was not lawful for him to accompany the relics, that is to say, the other part of the body of his father, which was carried to be buried unto Constantinople, as they accustomed to do with the bodies of great Princes. Wherein it appeareth whereunto Saint Ambrose pretended. For lest us not think that he hath been of an other mind and opinion then the other Doctors, which have written both in his time & before him. And to this end that you should the better know that I speak not so without reason, give ear and mark ⟨p. 122⟩what other Doctors says, which is contained in the Decrees themselves, and adjoined immediately after that which yon declared of Saint Ambrose, the which will serve us for the declaration of the same, and confirmation of nsy words. First you have Saint Gyprian, who ¹declareth unto the Christians that they ought not to be sorrowful and sad, neither for their death nor yet for that of others, saying: Is it not a strange and a perverse thing, to require that Gods will be done, and that we do not obey the same, when he calleth us out of this world, but do repugn and resist it, and as perverse and rebellious servants we are brought before our Lord with sorrow and mourning, and being constrained through the bond of necessity, not willingly and with a good heart. And we would be honoured with heavenly rewards by him, unto whom we do come maugre our selves. And how many times is it revealed unto me, and commanded of GOD, that I do protest daily and preach openly, that we ought not to lament and mourn for our brethren which are called and delivered from this world by the Lord, sith that we know that they are not lost, but are only sent before, going for to over go us, even as those do, who do walk and swim.

It is sufficiently declared ye ther is no meane more proper, nor any good déedes more agréeable nor more profitable for the dead, then to haue in commendacion and prayse their successours, children and friendes. On the other side, hée comforteth the children, and chiefely goeth aboute to niltigate the doloure and sorrow of Honorius, bicause that it was not lawfull for him to accompanye the relyckes, that is to saye, the other parte of the body of his father, which was carryed to bée buryed vnto Constantinople, as they accustomed to doe with the bodyes of great Princes. Wherein it appeareth wherevnto Sayncte Ambrose pretended. For leste vs not thinke that he hath bene of an other mynde and opinion then the other Doctors, which haue written both in his time & before him. And to this ende that you should the better knowe that I speake not so wythout reason, gyue eare and marlie