A14462:110
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 the office of good princes and good subjects.
¶ Of the office of good princes and good subiectes.
T. IT is not then the office of a good prince, to abolish the orders of religion, which God hath given, or to forbid his subjects to follow the same, either else to change them ⟨p. 32⟩and to give and establish others at his pleasure. D. This is easy to understand, but in the contrary, his office is to cause his subjects to observe them by all means possible, and he himself to be the first, to give good example, that should observe those laws which God hath given unto him, and to govern his people according to the same: for he is ordained of God, to be a prince for none other purpose. And therefore the Lord did command that the book of the law should be red to the king, even as soon as he was chosen, to the end 1he should know how to govern both himself and the people committed to his charge, according to the doctrine of the same. If he be then such an one as he ought to be, he will in no wise that his subjects shall do him that honour, which in no wise appertaineth unto him: but will in any wise have that reserved to God, unto whom only it is due. He thinketh that his subjects can do to him no greater honour then to honour God, as they ought to do, for his honour dependeth upon the honour of God, and he can not miss to be well honoured and faithfully served of his subjects, if that both he and his subjects do truly & faithfully serve God. Wherefore his subjects should do him the greatest wrong, and the greatest dishonour that is possible to imagine, in giving to him the honour which is not due unto him, nor ought of him to be accepted, for it should be to set him in the place of God, and to make him an idol, & a very devil: for that it is an honour which the devil alway desireth, to be esteemed in the place of God. D. He hath alway showed it even from the beginning.