A14461:950
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.
Theophilus. If they were so modest and reasonable 1as the Philosophers Academians, they should not be so much to be despised and blamed. There is no doubt, but that it is required, that we be assured in the doctrine of 2the faith and religion. For there can be no faith, where there is but opinions, without certain persuasion. Wherefore the Theologians have not so lawful and just excuse, as the Achademians. For when the question is but of human and natural things, it is not so great a danger to follow the opinions of men, and to abide in doubt: But when it is a question of faith and religion, it must be that the conscience be assured: the which it cannot be, but by the certain word of God. Now we do clearly see, that in such matters they go not but by 3conjectures and presumptions, and every one of them saith and speaketh that which cometh in his fantasy: But if they do that but amongest themselves, by manner of disputation, as the Academians did, and after the manner as saint Augustine did put forth the question of purgatory, without affirming it, as an article of saith, we would let them dispute as long as they will. But behold that which is worse, they would, that their opinions should be received and allowed, as oracles and revelations descended from heaven: and they pronounce and give their sentence, with more greater authority, then if they did speak of the pure word of God: and do compel the Christian people to believe & confess, as an article 4of saith, that which they have dreamed and invented, judging and condemning for heretics, all those which do speak against it: in such sort that it is more dangerous to speak against, & withstand their decrees & decretals, then the commandment of God. For our Lord Jesus Christ ⟨p. 197⟩saith, that all sin committed by men may be pardoned, 5except the sin and blasphemy against the holy ghost. But it is written in the decrees and Canons: woe do command, that all decretal constitutions of all the Popes should boo