A14462:108
The first part of the Christian instruction, and general so[m]me of the doctrine, contained…The firste parte of the Christian instruction, and generall so[m]me of the doctrine, conteyned…
The first part of the Christian instruction, and general so[m]me of the doctrine, contained in the holy Scriptures wherein the principal points of the religion are familiarly handled by dialogues, very necessary to be read of all Christians. Translated into English, by John Shute, according to the late copy set forth, by th'author Master Peter Viret. 1565. Overseen and perused, according to the order appointed, by the Queens majesties injunctions.The firste parte of the Christian instruction, and generall so[m]me of the doctrine, conteyned in the holy Scriptures wherein the principall pointes of the religion are familiarly handled by dialogues, very necessary to be read of all Christians. Translated into Englishe, by Iohn Shute, accordyng to the late copy set forth, by th'author Maister Peter Viret. 1565. Ouersene and perused, accordyng to the order appointed, by the Queenes maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by John Day, 1565London: printed by Iohn Day, 1565
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.
¶ Of those which commit idolatries to their princes, preferring their laws before the laws of God, & what authority Gods word hath over all men, and over all their laws.
¶ Of those vvhich cōmit idolatries to their princes, preferring their lawes before the lawes of God, & what autoritie Gods word hath ouer all men, and ouer all their lawes.
T. I Fear that there are many such, but there are many others that are not the worst people of the world, but yet they are idolaters of their princes. D. Thou dost rightly term such men idolaters of their princes, for in that they take their princes for their law in matters of religion & conscience, and seek not otherwise to understand the will of God, they make them their Gods and their idols, and do them great wrong, for it appertaineth to no prince nor to any creature what soever or how excellent he be, no not to the very Angels of God, to give laws of religion & of the service of God, but only to God himself, unto whom this ⟨p. 31⟩service & the honour of such things doth appertain. And therefore S. Paul saith, that if he himself, yea if an Angel 1coming from heaven should declare any other Gospel then that which he hath taught, which is the true Gospel of Christ, let the same Angel be a cursed. If he make the very Angels subject to the word of God, how much rather should all men which are but mortal creatures be subject to the word of God? For unto whom doth it belong to give laws, either to the prince or else to his subjects? T. It is for the prince to give laws, & for the subjects to receive & observe the same. D. Well then if religion have none other regard, but to the honour & service of the only God, and that his pleasure is that none shall have power of the souls & consciences of men, but only he himself, and that he hath as great authority over the greatest Monarchs, Emperors, Kings, princes & lords, as he hath over the meanest of their subjects, how great a presumption should this be of them: to dare take in hand to give laws to their sovereign prince (I say of those that are but his subjects & vassals) to command that men shall serve him according to their appointment, & not to his? T. That were to be Lord & not subject, master and not servant. D. Would they them selves endure this at the hands of the greatest of their subjects? And yet is there no such comparison between God & them, as is between them & their subjects. For they are mortal men as their subjects are, they may err as other men may. And fall by the just judgements of God, from rule into servitude & subjection, yea oftentimes into the subjection of their own subjects, as it hath oftentimes happened to many: