A14462:225
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.
¶ How we may not be the disciples of men, but of Jesus Christ: & how that the word of god taketh not his authority of the church, but the church taketh his of the word of God.
¶ Hovv vve maye not bee the disciples of men, but of Iesus Christ: & hovv that the vvord of god taketh not his authoritie of the church, but the church taketh hys of the vvorde of God.
D. Now our Lord Jesus Christ willeth that we be his Disciples, and not the disciples of men, & that we have none other master but he, for it is only he that is gone 1forth from the bosom of the father, and that hath fully revealed unto us the fathers will, and all that he hath heard of him: as witnesseth Saint John, It is very he that hath given us the whole sum of the articles of our Christian faith, 2and of that doctrine we must needs hold, unto the which, it is not lawful for any man to add, ne yet ⟨p. 91⟩3to take away any thing from it. It is only he that hath brought us the truth, and that doctrine which of it self is naturally certain and immutable, and of his own nature can be none other, whether men do allow it or disallow it. It is the truth and that only doctrine, upon the which, the Church may surely dwell, which she may not, upon the natural wit of man, how excellent so ever it be, ne yet upon usage and custom, how ancient so ever it be. It is a truth & a doctrine not certain and worthy to be received because the Church & men do allow it: but for that it is so of his own nature, & can be none other. The Church doth approve it & receiveth it, and may neither reprove it, ne yet reject it, if it be the true Church of Jesus Christ. In like manner the Synagogue of Satan may nether approve ne yet receive it in any wise. For even as the Synagogue of Satan can not acknowledge it, but accounteth it alway for a stranger, for that she