A14461:635
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.
Hillarius, Certainly if we did well consider the evils which are in this miserable world, and the fragility and misery of mans nature, and if we had true saith to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and true hope of our resurrection, and of the eternal life, we should have more occasion to follow the custom of the Thracians, then of other Danims, and for a more just occasion, 1For if they, which had not a certain hope, nor assurance that there is an other life then this here, did bury their friends that were dead with joy & gladness, saying that they were berry glad that they were delivered from the evils and wickedness of of this life: And on the contrary, did ⟨p. 123⟩weep and lament at the birth of their children, lamenting them because of the evils to the which they did: n•• coming into this world: Have not we more […] cause to rejoice, when that the Lord calleth us our friends, and draweth them from that dark prison, for to lodge them in his celestial Places? And to desire with the holy 2Apostle to be dissolved so? to be with Christ? If we will not follow the doctrine and examples of the holy Scriptures, at the leastwise let us not do worse then the Paynims. And if we will follow them, let us follow the most reasonable, and not the most maddest. those of Mirsellea, in the time that they were yet Paynims, we a great deal more modest and sober, and less superstitious and Idolaters in their burials, and about their dead, then those are now at this present time which do follow the papistical doctrine. For the ancient massilians did bury their dead 3without great sorrow and lamentation. The sorrow and mourning of their funerals continued but one day, without adding too any other ceremony, but a domestical sacrifice, and in making a banquet, not for the Priests, but for their parents and friends. But now I warrant you that the Priests will not acquit them for the price. Behold what they have gained with the papistical doctrine: which hath less reason, then the customs of their ancient predecessors, although that they were Idolaters. Wherefore it should seem unto them yet more honest, & a great deal more profitable, to bring again in use their ancient fashions & manners, then to follow the papistical manners.