A14462:223
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.
¶ What profit they which have been instructed in the word of God, may receive by the Councils: and what virtue and authority they have to bring men to the faith.
¶ VVhat profitte they vvhich haue beene instructed in the vvorde of God, may receaue by the Councells: and vvhat vertue and authoritie they haue to bring men to the fayth.
T. I Agree well with that that thou haste said: but if there be a Council holden, and if it serve nothing at all for such as shall dye looking for it, yet notwithstanding it shall profit such as may live unto it. D. And yet shalt thou not find there, by that mean, all that y• thou thinkest to find: for if one be holden, either it will conclude for Jesus Christ, or against Jesus Christ. If they do conclude for Jesus Christ, and I have been well instructed in the word of God before hand, it shall not hurt me at all that I was instructed before hand. It hindereth not the commodity that I may receive of the Council, but doth increase it the more: for I shall be so much the more glad, when I shall see that doctrine approved wherein I have already been resolved, and have believed it, not only because it is approved by the Council, and by men, but for that it is the pure word of God, and that it alloweth it self, and that the holy Ghost beareth me ⟨p. 90⟩witness: If I have not already been instructed nor resolved, either I will credit the determination which shall have been made by the Council, or ells I will not credit it. For it is not a thing that of necessity must betide that every man must believe the determination of the Councils, as soon as they have concluded: although the Council were lawful. For it is not in the power of men which shall hold it, to make all that please them to believe it. It is a work that is only proper to God, which giveth faith. And to seek to make men believe of force, that may not be: for faith may not be enforced. Wherefore if I make it seem that I do believe it, and do not believe it, I shall then be an hypocrite: if I do believe it, it is greatly to be feared least that I do believe only upon the credit of others, being moved by the authority of men, rather than by the true persuasion of the word and of the spirit of God. And so, my faith shall be builded upon men, and upon their opinions, & not upon God and his word. It shall be then no faith, but only an opinion ready, to change as men shall change. T. It shall be as firm as shall the foundation whereupon it shall be builded.