A14462:167
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.
¶ To understand whether God have ordained sundry Religions for men, and of the diversity of mens laws, according to the diversity of nations and countries.
¶ To vnderstand vvhether God haue ordeyned sondry Reliligions for men, and of the diuersitie of mens lawes, accordyng to the diuersitie of nations and countreis.
T. There is nothing more certain, then that which thou sayest, but could not God have given to men sundry orders of life, according to the condition of every people & nation? For we see by experience that there are laws and customs in one country, which are very mete for it, and yet for an other country, are neither meet nor agreeable. For what diversity of laws, customs and manner of life do we see among men, and chiefly in the administration of Justice, and in their policy? which seem in deed, to be very ⟨p. 62⟩contrary the one to the other, & yet notwithstanding are both just and righteous in their kind, and very necessary to those unto whom they be given, whereof it followeth, that a law being good and just in one country, and not in an other, that the fault proceedeth not of the law, but of the diversity that is among men, and of the circumstances of times, of places, and of persons. And without alleging mens laws, which do greatly differ, the one from the other: Let us come only to the law of God, and let us see if we find not the like in them in some respects. How many commandments did God give unto the Jews, unto which he would not have the other people to be subject, which were before the coming of Christ: nor yet us which have received the word of God by their ministry? For how many things are there abolished by the new Testament, which were very straitly commanded and observed in the old Testament, and could not be omitted, without greatly offending God, and without great punishment, of those unto whom they were commanded?