A14462:152
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 light of Gods word which is given to men, and of the nature of the same, and of the contempt that is among men.
¶ Of the lighte of Gods vvorde vvhich is geuen to men, and of the nature of the same, and of the contempte that is among men.
D. If it be so (as in deed every man that is of good judgement doth know) we ought not to think that he hath created a Sun whereby to lighten the eyes of man, and to conduct him and lead him to those things that are necessary for this life, and that he which is the very true & only sun, fountain of all light, hath not prepared light for the spiritual eyes of our soul, to lead them to those things which are necessary to eternal life. For if he have had so ⟨p. 53⟩great care for our body, which is but earth and corruption, and for this present life, which is common with the life of other creatures, what shall we think that he hath of the soul, for whose sake he hath made the body, and of the immortality which he hath prepared for him? And it is very true that the true light of the soul, is that same word of God, by the which God doth instruct us. Which according to the testimony of David is that only light which doth lighten our eyes, and doth direct our steppes, and doth also give wisdom to them that are ignorant, wherefore when 1we shall have to do with men, to persuade them to read the holy scriptures, and to hear the word of God, and to behold that light which shineth unto us in the same: it is no more in effect but as we should exhort men to open their eyes, to behold & receive the light of the sun. Should we not think it very strange if we should be enforced daily to solicit men to this, and should he not of right be thought to be very ingrate, that had rather to hold his eyes shut and to be blind still, then to behold this light of the sun, and to be lightened by the same? T. Yes truly. D. Yet notwithstanding we do daily much worse, when that we are provoked to understand and hearken to the word of God in sundry wise, and yet we will not understand of it at all. T. Thou sayest very true: but men do not see so far.