A14462:287
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 errors and abuses that have been brought into the church, what mean there ought to be had for the correction and amendment of such Councils, when need shall require.
¶ Of the errours and abuses that haue beene brought into the church, vvhat meane there ought to be had for the correction and amendment of such Councells, vvhen nede shall requyre.
D. Then they do confess, at the least, that the provincial Councils may err, yea even those, in the which the ⟨p. 123⟩most wise and holy men that were in the world since the Apostles time have been present. For S. Cyprian was one 1of the best learned men that hath been in the church since that time, and was of such zeal towards the word of God and his church, that he dyed a martyr for the truth of Jesus Christ, And then judge you that if a Council in the which such personages were, might err: what we may think of many Idolatries and superstitions, and of many vain ceremonies, traditions and abuses that have been sowed in the church, not by Councils and particular Synods only, but by particular men, who have charged the church to what so ever pleased them. For one hooded Monk or Fryer had been sufficient to have invented a thousand manner of doings clean contrary to the Scriptures, and forthwith they should have been put in use, and allowed as if they had been articles of the faith. If it were lawful then to change those same very things which the general and lawful Councils had decreed, concerning the policy and discipline of the Church, as touching their manners, according to the needfulness of the circumstances, and the capacity of men, of places and times: it ought then to be no less lawful to those unto whom God hath given the knowledge of his word to condemn and abolish so many abuses & innumerable errors, which by so many means and wrong ways, without order or ecclesiastic discipline have been sowed in the Church of the Lord: and are so intolerable, that the very greatest enemies of verity, even the Romaine Antichrist have been constrained to confess it. And without going any further to prove it, did not the Pope Adrian confess, not many years since, that there were many enormities and inconveniences in the Romish seat, and many abuses, offences, and disorders in the government of the Church? And beside this, what confession did the Legates and orators of the Pope Paul deceased make, at the Council of Trent, of the estate of their church?