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

But I will content my self at this tune, with the conference of Mortuaries, and with that which belongeth unto them, which have been among the paynims, the which you have kept, and the things which have some affinity with them. Then I demand of thee first of all, if Durand did find anything to say unto the Christians, which did celebrate the Nensuaines, because of the affinity that they seemed to have with the Paynims: Wherefore then do you allow ¹those which do celebrate the Anniversaries of the dead? For the same never had other for his first authors then the Paynims, as I will prove unto thee by and by, by their Theologians. Thou art not contented with that which Theophilus hath answered thee in, that sithence the time of Pope Pelagius and Gregory, those manner ²doings have taken great force, and have been much augmented among the Christians, and thou doest no wrong: For they are a great deal more ancient, yea, and invented long before the time of the Apostles, if we will believe Diodorus, who affirmeth Pluto, ⟨p. 129⟩to have been the author & inventor of them, and of the funeral ceremonies, as I have already told thee before. After whom came Aeneas, who in the honour of his ³Father Anchises, ordained and made Anniversaries and yearly feasts, and sacrifices for the dead, as the ancient histories do witness, whom the Poets have followed, who do describe those things very amply, and chiefly Virgil, who bringeth in Aeneas speaking unto his companions in this manner. You mighty Trojans, from the blood of great Gods that descend,⁴ This time is come about, a perfect year is now at end, Since when my father Anchises blessed bones were put in ground And mourning alters for his holy relics we did found. And now the day (if I do not mistake) approacheth near, That unto me, shall ever doleful be, and ever deer. Since Gods hath pleased so: If I this day were cast a land, Among the savage Moors, or on the shotes of Syrtes sand. Or eaught on Greekish seas, or in Mycenae town a•slave, Yet pay my yearly vows I would, with pomp of duties brave, And gifts in feastfull guise, on alters large I would advance, Now here in haven we be, among our friends, not by no chance, But by the Gods (I trust) of purpose wrought, and for the nonce, To worship here my fathers blessed dust, and precious bones.