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

Wherefore it were better (friend Eusebius,) that we should reduce our selves to the imitation of the Apostolical Church, then to continue always in our folly and madness, under the colour of a word or two that we find either in Ambrose, or in some other ancient doctor for want of well understanding them. And it shall be a great deal more convenient and meeter ¹for us to follow the example of David, who mourned & lamented for his child all the while that he was sick, and whilst that he was yet alive, & not after that he was dead. For which all those of his house were much abashed. For whilst that the child was yet sick, and that he had some hope of life, he watched, fasted and prayed, making request unto God for the child, and did lye flat on the earth, and during the space of seven days all those of his house, no not his ancients and counsellors could not make him to lye on a bed, nor to arise up from the earth, nor to eat nor drink with them, until such time he understood that the child was dead, the which thing none of his servants durst tell him off, thinking that he would have been marvellously sad and pensive, after that he should be advertised of his death, sith that all the time of his sickness whilst that there was yet some hope of life, he always wept and lamented. But it happened ⟨image 132⟩clean contrary. For as soon as he knew for a certainty that the child was dead, he arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and went into the house of the Lord, and prayed, and after came to his own house, and bad that they should set meat before him and he did eat: And made greater cheer then before, whereof his servants were much abashed, and asked him what is this that thou hast done? unto whom he answered: while the child was a live, I fasted and wept. For I thus thought: who can tell whether God will have mercy on me, that the child may live? But now seeing it is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him again any more? I shall go to him, but he shall not come again to me.

Wherefore it were better (friende Eusebius,) that we should reduce our selues to the imitacion of the Apostolicall Church, then to continue alwayes in our folly and madnesse, vnder the colour of a word or two that we finde eyther in Ambrose, or in some other auncient doctor for want of well vnderstanding them. And it shalbe a great deale more conuenient and meeter