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

Furthermore, do we not see, that when he speaketh of the fire of Purgatory, for the other life, that he speaketh always as bucerteine, and as of an opinion probable and like to be true, the which he dareth not certainly allow nor disallow: But saith that one may dispute of that question and always leave it in suspense. Now who would think it like be true, that that holy man, being a great keeper & an observer of the ecclesiastical & catholic doctrine, would have so spoken and written of that matter, if in his time that doctrine of Purgatory, had been received and allowed of the Church for certain and sure, in that sort that those which at this ¹present do receive so great gain would condemn as Heretics not only those that do say the contrary, but also all those which believe it not to be an article of faith necessary unto salvation. How could he call into doubt an article of faith authorised and confirmed by the Church? ⟨p. 193⟩now we cannot deny, but that the doctrine of our faith is always one, eternal, and like unto it self, and ²that the Apostles have so taught and instructed the Churches, that they have not hid from them any thing necessary unto their salvation, which ought not afterwards to be revealed, and chiefly that which toucheth the offices of love and charity, without which we are nothing towards God. There is yet an other point, that is, that ³he himself is not of the opinion, that the prayers and offerings of the wicked, may be agreeable to God. To the which opinion the papistical Doctors dare very well speak against, and affirm that it ought not to be holden, but that it is too hard and rigorous (notwithstanding ye he alloweth it by the holy Scriptures) because that it depriveth the dead from mercy and from so many goodly prayers and suffrages, and would cause the charity of those that be alive to ware cold towards them.

Furthermore, do wee not see, that when he speaketh of the fire of Purgatory, for the other life, that he speaketh alwayes as bucerteine, and as of an opinion probable and like to bee true, the which he dareth not certeinly allow nor disalow: But saith that one may dispute of that question and alwayes leaue it in suspense. Nowe who would thinke it like be true, that that holy man, beeing a great keper & an obseruer of the ecclesiastical & catholicke doctrine, would haue so spoken and written of that matter, if in his time that doctrine of Purgatorye, had bene receiued and allowed of the Churche for certeine and sure, in that sorte that those whiche at this