A14462:279
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 Decrees of the Council of Constance, and Basel, touching the supper of the Lord under both kinds, and of the supremacy of the Pope, and of the Romish Church, and of their contrariety.
¶ Of the Decrees of the Councell of Constāce, and Basle, touchyng the supper of the Lorde vnder both kyndes, and of the supremicie of the Pope, and of the Romishe Churche, and of their contrarietie.
D. Let us now proceed to other matters. The Council of Constance did forbid to administer, the supper of the Lord to the people under both kinds, to wit, of bread and wine, and the Council of Basel, did grant both the one & the other to them of Bohemia. But there is a more strange matter. That same very Council of Constance, doth evidently speak against it self, and against that of Nice, & of Africa, & the whole Church of the East and Africa. For it condemned that article of John Hus, to wit: That the Pope by the authority of the word of God, is not the head of the Church: & yet was it decreed in that same Coū cell, that the Council was above the Pope, which thing doth very well agree with the sentence of S. Jerome, which saith, if there be question of authority, that of all the world is greater, than is that of one town, in like sort is the whole ⟨p. 120⟩Church greater then one Romish Church, and the Romish Church is not above the universal Church, but on the contrary, the universal Church is above the Romish Church. Now if the Pope have authority over all Churches, and y• the Council doth represent them, it doth follow both that he is above the Council, and that he is not above the Council, contrary to the determination of the said Council of Constance, which is mingled with manifest contradictions. I leave a part that which they did define: That the Church was not the university of the predestinate: & that our good works must help to save us, as well as the grace of God. I speak not at all of the Decree that was made in the same Council, that men ought not to hold any promise, oath, or safe conduct, made or given, to heretics, which thing forthwith was put in use, not against heretics, but against the servants of God, which were there condemned for heretics, and were burned as heretics. T. Yet was this a general Council. D. It was so. T. I do not a little marvel that such matters could pass in a general Council, which the heathens would not have passed, but would rather, have judged it meet to keep promise, even with a mans very enemies.