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

Theophilus. I do now perceive where unto thou wilt come. I well perceive that you mind to conclude, that sith that the Pope is God in y• earth, he may well dispense with those laws that he giveth here in earth, & that after his dispensation there remaineth no more sin, unto them which offend against his laws, when those laws are taken from them, by him that gave it them. But of this thy conclusion, I will bring forth yet another consequence, by the which I will prove, that he which doth against the laws of yt Pope, which have no foundation by the word of God, doth not sin but against y• Pope, & not against God, for ¹there is no transgression against God, but in that whereof there is a law of God. Now there is in none of all those things whereof, we have spoken: any law given of God. ⟨image 149⟩Wherefore who so that marrieth in those times prohibited, he sinneth not against God, but against yt Pope only? not that I will deem, but that we must obey yt higher powers & rulers, not only because of fear ye we should have of them, & of the power that they have over us, but also for conscience ²sake, as the holy Apostle teacheth us, giving us thereby to understand that we ought to obey our Princes & Lords, with a good conscience, although that we fear not they? punishment and bengeaunce, because we must serve them as those which serve God and not men, which is but his instrument and servant. But the same ought to be under standed, in that wherein the power is lawful, and that one may obey it, without hurting the soul, & peril of conscience, notwithstanding that one should receive damage, either in body or goods. For in another case & condition ³the answer of the Apostle abideth always firm. It is better to obey God then men.

Theophilus. I do nowe perceiue where vnto thou wilt come. I well perceiue that you minde to conclude, that sith that the Pope is God in y• earth, he may wel dispense with those lawes that he giueth here in earth, & that after his dispensation there remaineth no more sinne, vnto them which offēde against his lawes, when those lawes are taken frō thē, by him that gaue it thē. But of this thy conclusion, I wil bring foorth yet another consequence, by the which I will proue, yt he which doth against the lawes of yt Pope, which haue no foundation by the worde of God, doth not sinne but against y Pope, & not against God, for