A14462:13
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.
❧ John Shute, to the faithful reader, Grace mercy, and peace from God the father, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
❧ John Shute, to the faithfull reader, Grace mercy, and peace from God the father, thorowe our Lord Iesus Christ.
Considering that God requireth no more of man, for his innumerable benefits (which he hath & doth from time to time bestow upon him) but only frank obedience, the which he can no wise yield duly unto him, except he know him, and he can not know him but by his word, and for that there be many adversaries at this day, who will not have men to deal with the word of God, nor to receive any Religion, but such as shall be given unto them by general Councils: I have thought good to turn into y• English tongue this little work, framed by the right famous, worthy & godly learned man, M. Peter Viret: wherein you may see what commodity the Church of God, hath reaped from time to time, of the Decrees and determinations of general Councils, & of the ordinances & decretals of Popes. And because that a number of these which so greatly reverence Councils are Atheists and Epicureans, saying in their hearts there is no God, and do scoff and fleer at the word of God, being over well seen in the principles of the Popes divinity, which say that there is no God, and that all that ever is spoken of Jesus Christ is but fables, and the whole Scriptures lies, as by their lives right well they do declare. And least that any should think that I speak this of malice and without proving any thing, I think it not amiss somewhat to say of the virtuous acts of these worthy fathers, who have been the heads of a number of general Councils, & have there ruled the roast, by their holy Ghost, whom they have there had at their own will and pleasure. The Pope Alexander the vi. devising on a time with the French kings Ambassador said 1unto him these words: That fable of Jesus Christ hath brought to us great riches. Besides this H•eronimus Marius, in his work entitled Eusebius Captivus, speaking of this Pope Alexander the vi. saith of him among other things: what needeth it to recite the abominable and detestable acts of Alexander the vi. This Alexander when he had made an alliance with devils, he gave him self wholly unto them and became their subject, to the end that by their mean he might