A14461:65
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.
Wherefore if there be men which in laughing do bite, they do give us to understand that they take no great pleasure, by such plays and pastimes, but that they would have other pastime and occasion to speak of better matters. Yet nevertheless they do show unto those which do love the pastime, and which take 1pleasure in them as Democritus hath laughed and scoffed at the follies and dreams of men, that it is not now need that they do seek any other matter. The court 2of Antichrist giveth them enough, and most worthyest to laugh at, and in the which one may better jest without offending GOD, if one do it with such affection and such modesty as is in these Dialogues. Those also which shall be totter and severe, and which as Heraclitus 3do judge the follies and miseries of men more worthy of weepings and lamentations, then of laughings and jestings, they shall have here matter enough to weep, seeing the judgement of GOD which hath been, and is yet upon the Christian people because of our sins, and despising of his word. Insomuch, that me thinks that I have not written any thing which may bring hurt unto the Christian religion.
Wherefore if there bee men whiche in laughinge doe bite, they doe giue vs to vnderstande that they take no great pleasure, by such playes and pastimes, but that they woulde haue other pastime and occasion to speake of better matters. Yet neuerthelesse they doe shew vnto those which doe loue the pastyme, and which take 1pleasure in them as Democritus hath laughed and scoffed at the follies and dreames of men, that it is not nowe néede that they doe séeke any other matter. The courte 2of Antechrist gyueth them ynough, and most worthyest to laugh at, and in the which one maye better iest wythout offending GOD, if one doe it wyth such affection and such modestie as is in these Dialogues. Those also which shall bée totter and seuere, and which as Heraclitus 3doe iudge the follies and miseries of men more worthy of wéepinges and lamentations, then of laughings and iestinges, they shall haue héere matter ynoughe to wéepe, séeing the iudgement of GOD which hath bene, and is yet vpon the Christian people bicause of our sinnes, and despisinge of his woorde. Insomuch, that me thinckes that I haue not written any thing which may bring hurt vnto the Christian religion.