A14461:66
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.
¶ THE ARGUMENT AND SUM of the first Dialogue.
¶ THE ARGVMENT AND SVMME of the first Dialogue.
IN this first part and first Dialogue I do amply entreat of the matters which concern those that be deceased, declaring the errors, abuses, & superstitions, which are committed about them, and the false and diverse opinions which have been and yet are among men, aswell touching the estate of the bodies as of the souls. And of hell, Limbus patrum and of Purgatory. And how that which the superstitious Christians do about the dead, is nothing at all like unto the word of God, but is altogether taken of the Infidels & Paynims. And for to enter into the matter, I bring in the persons who take their theme and matter upon a sermon which they heard of an holy father, entreating of such matters. And although the matter might seem wholly to be feigned, yet it hath the foundation upon a true history. For mine intent is partly in this first disputation, to rebuke the sottish and vain curiosity of foolish Preachers and Doctors, who have forsaken the principal points of the holy Scripture to occupy themselves upon unprofitable questions & vain contemplations, & to enquire, of things that they cannot know and which we have not to do withal. And which serve to none other end but to hinder and let the poor Christian people to seek out the will of God, to induce and lead them to false religion, superstition, Idolatry and all Paganism. Also I declare the Arguments of the Popes Purgatory with the Purgatory of the Paynims, and the ceremonies and superstitions which they use about the dead, & out of what spring they issued, and what have been the purgations of the Paynims which the Idolatrous Christians do yet keep: and how the Papistical Purgatory hath served the insatiable avarice of those which do live to destroy and devour all the poor world. Also how the priests Purgatory is burned, how fire hath taken the same and what punishment is prepared for those which go unto strange fire