A14462:142
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 such as always excuse them by their great business, and can never find convenient time to hearken to the word of God, and to lay their hands to his work
¶ Of suche as alvvayes excuse them by theyr great busines, and can neuer fynde conuenient tyme to hearken to the vvorde of God, and to laye their handes to his vvorke
T. I Am of your opinion: but there are yet an other sort which seem to have more reason, & are better affected toward the word of God, then are those, of whom we did even now speak. But yet when I consider their works, I can not commend them. There are that will soon grant us all that whereof we have heretofore disputed: they will confess that we must enquire of the will of God in his word: They will well allow the doctrine of those that do truly preach the word of God, and follow the same, and employ them selves in the business of the Lord: but yet for all that they will not be over busy in it, but will find a thousand excuses. They will allege an infinite number of impeachments and impediments, which let them. There is among these ⟨p. 47⟩men a number of mockers, which say, we must let God alone with the matter, and that he will well accomplish his work without us. D. I do well understand of what kind of men thou speakest: they are of the number of those which our Lord Jesus Christ telleth us of in the passage of those 1conuited guests to the marriage, of the which the one excused himself by his farm, the other by his oxen newly bought, and the other by his new married wife: to be short, every one had such plenty of excuses, that not one of them came to the marriage, of those that were bidden, but that of necessity strangers were called. And as touching those men which say that God will well bring his works to pass without them, they say truth, for God needeth not any man to accomplish any of his works, For when he setteth us to work, it is not for need as though he could not do all that pleaseth him to do, without us. But when he calleth us into his works, he doth it to do us honour, in that we honour him, making us the ministers of his grace. And therefore we should be the more diligent to take the matter in hand, which if we do not, he will assuredly give us to understand that he hath works to do, the which he will not do without us: to wit, when he shall punish us for our slothfulness and ingratitude. T. Thou sayest very well: for we must needs be there in proper person, for that work shall not go in hand without us. D. These mockers which so play with God, shall feel this sooner then they would.