A14462:306
A14462:306
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.
D. That which thou sayest is no new thing: for in time passed the Council of Arrimine did condemn all that 1was determined and agreed upon in the Council of Nice. And although it were a general Council, and had in it six hundred Bishops, yet notwithstanding it erred with Arrius, and did approve his doctrine, which before was condemned, by the Council of Nice. And albeit the Arians sought nothing else, but to abolish the faith of the divinity of Christ, agreed upon at the Council of Nice, yet notwithstanding they would arm them, with the authority of the same Coū cell, to cause the Confession of their faith, under that colour ⟨p. 133⟩to be received, which they had made there clean contrary to that, which they there made, like very unjust and false men. And was not in manner, the like done at the Council of Philopole in Thrace, by the Arians against the Council of Saraice holden in Illyria? And did not the second Council 2of Ephese, also err with Eutiches and Dioscorus? T. And as touching the Council of Arrimine, thou knowest that it was divided, as was the Council of Seleucia in Isaurie, in the which a hundred and three score Bishops gathered them selves together against the Council of Nice: for the Arians gathered them together on the one part, and the true and faithful on the other part. Moreover it is said, that the Council of Arrimine was not lawful, for so much as it was called against the mind of Liberius, Pope of Rome, by means of the heretics, who had on their side the Provost Taurus, which did so press and insist to the same, by prayers and by threatenings, by the commandment of the 3Emperor, who favoured the Arians. They say also that the simple Bishops of the West, were taken unprovided, and seduced by the deceits & subtleties of the heretics. And therefore after that they had well known them, they did retract that which was concluded at Arrimine. They say the like of the Council of Milan, holden by the commandment of Constance the Emperor, which was an Arian, to procure the condemnation of Athanase, that worthy defender of the Christian faith: at the which Deonice, Eusebe, Paulin, Hillary, and divers others, were also chased from thence, 4because they would not subscribe to his condemnation, neither agree thereunto. D.
D. THat whiche thou sayest is no new thyng: for in tyme passed the Councell of Arrimine did condempne al yt 1was determined and agreed vpon in the Councell of Nice. And although it were a generall Councell, and had in it sixe hundred Bishops, yet notwithstāding it erred with Arrius, and did approue his doctrine, which before was condēpned, by the Councell of Nice. And albeit the Arrians sought nothyng els, but to abolishe the faith of the diuinitie of Christ, agreed vpon at the Councell of Nice, yet notwithstanding they would arme them, with the authoritie of the same Coū cell, to cause the Confession of their faith, vnder that colour ⟨p. 133⟩to be receyued, whiche they had made there cleane contrary to that, whiche they there made, lyke very vniust and false men. And was not in maner, the lyke done at the Councell of Philopole in Thrace, by the Arrians against the Coūcell of Saraice holden in Illyrye? And did not the second Councell 2of Ephese, also erre with Eutiches and Dioscorus? T. And as touchyng the Councell of Arrimine, thou knowest that it was deuided, as was the Coūcel of Seleucie in Isaurie, in the whiche a hundred and three score Bishops gathered them selues together agaynst the Councell of Nice: for the Arriās gathered them together on the one part, and the true and faithful on the other part. Moreouer it is said, that the Councell of Arrimine was not lawful, for so much as it was called agaynst the minde of Liberius, Pope of Rome, by meanes of the heretikes, who had on their side the Prouost Taurus, whiche did so presse and insiste to the same, by prayers and by threatninges, by the cōmaundement of the 3Emperour, who fauored the Arriās. They say also that the simple Bishops of the West, were taken vnprouided, and seduced by the disceites & subtilities of the heretikes. And therfore after that they had well knowen them, they did retracte that whiche was concluded at Arrimine. They say the lyke of the Councell of Milane, holden by the commaundement of Constance the Emperour, whiche was an Arrian, to procure the condempnation of Athanase, that worthy defender of the Christian faith: at the whiche Deonice, Eusebe, Paulin, Hillarie, and diuers others, were also chased frō thence, 4bycause they would not subscribe to his condēpnation, neither agree thereunto. D.
Thou mayest also well join to these the Council of Antioch, holden under Constantius the Emperor, an Arian, with four score and ten Bishops: in the which Athanase was deposed from his Bishopric of Alexandria, and condemned being absent to exile: in which exile, he continued as some do write, about vi. years, hidden in a cistern, without seeing the sun, which things were ⟨p. 134⟩done chiefly at the procurement of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedie, which ruled the Emperor Constantius, of whom before that time he had obtained a Council at Constantinople, against Alexander Bishop of that place, to constrain him to receive Arrius, or else to chase him from thence if he 1did resist it. And the Council of Cypre, was it not holden for the pleasure of Theophile Bishop of Alexandria, only to chase Chrysostom from his Church, & to have him banished, which thing he did obtain: having in deed seduced 2Epyphanius, a man of great judgement and authority, to be served of him in so wicked an enterprise? And the Council holden in Sidon in the time of the Emperor Anastase, did it not condemn the Council of Chalcedony? T. And the Council of Ephese of the which thou hast already spoken, was it not holden by the heretics, among whom Dioscorus did preside? Wherefore it was not a lawful Coū cell, nor in a meet place. And therefore the Popes Legates 3& Ambassadors, would not be at it, but it was afterward condemned by the Council of Chalcedony: Seeing then that these Councils were not lawfully gathered, nor according to the ordinance of the holy Ghost, but were celebrated by heretics, it is no marvel although they erred.
Thou mayest also well ioyne to these the Coūcel of Antioche, holden vnder Constantius the Emperour, an Arrian, with foure score and ten Bishops: in the whiche Athanase was deposed from his Bishopricke of Alexandrie, and condempned being absent to exile: in which exile, he continued as some do write, about vi. yeares, hiddē in a cesterne, without seyng the sunne, whiche thyngs were ⟨p. 134⟩
D. NO more do I approve them: but all that yet hath ben said of these matters, do confirm my saying. For we see plainly by that, that Councils may err, and that they are not sufficient to appease the dissentions and troubles of Christendom, and to assure the consciences of men. For all be it that those same have ben contrary the one sort to the others, yet notwithstanding they do all boast, that they were ⟨p. 135⟩governed, and directed by the holy Ghost. There were also in them, men of great appearance of wisdom, of virtue and of holiness from all parts, to give them great show. They seemed to be gathered, in such sort as lawful Councils ought to be, or at the least, they had ever one of them, which were esteemed the chief heads of Christendom, to call them together, since the Church hath had Emperors, Kings, & Christian princes: the authority hath ben given them, to assemble the Councils, because they had better means to do it, then others had, by reason of the power which God gave unto them. Which thing in deed was observed in all general Councils, until the viii. that was holden in the time of the Emperor Basil, as it doth well appear, by that which is written in that same Council. Act. 5. And if there have ben any holden, by the commandments of the Emperors, at the which the Bishops & Romish Popes, or their Legates did not assist, then would the Popes also hold others by their authority without the Emperors, despising the authority of them, rebelling and making others to rebel against them, as hath ben already said. And although the Pope Julie the first, did greatly reprove (as Platina doth witness) the Bishops of the East, and chiefly the Arians, 1because that without his consent and agreement, they had holden a Council at Antioch, which he said they might not lawfully do, considering that the Romish Church was above all other Churches: notwithstanding the Bishops of the East were not without reason on their sides, to defend them with all against the arrogance of the Pope, saying that there was greater reason, why the Churches of the East should have the preeminence, then the Romish Church or any other of the Churches of the West, because the Gospel was brought from the East into the West, and that then the Imperial seat was not at Rome:
D. NO more do I approue them: but al that yet hath ben said of these matters, do cōfirm my saying. For we see playnly by that, that Councels may erre, and that they are not sufficient to appease the dissentions and troubles of Christendome, and to assure the consciences of men. For al beit that those same haue ben contrarie the one sorte to the others, yet notwithstādyng they do all boast, that they were
now be it that the Councils have ben holden either at the appointment of Emperors, or Popes, or by the consent of both, the issue always hath ben ⟨p. 136⟩such as hath ben the doctrine & religion of the Emperors & Popes, which have holden them. For if they have ben heretics, the conclusion hath ben made in the favour of the heretics: if they have ben faithful, they have concluded in the favour of the faithful. And if the heretics have found favour in some Councils, where the Romaine Popes have not ben. The like have they done in those where the Popes have presided since they have attained to the see of Antichrist. Were not all those things very cumbersome, and more apt to trouble the Church, and to offend the poor Christians, then to edify them? T. That is very certain.
now be it yt the Councels haue ben holden either at ye appointmēt of Emperours, or Popes, or by the consent of both, ye issue alwaies hath ben ⟨p. 136⟩such as hath ben the doctrine & religion of the Emperours & Popes, which haue holdē thē. For if they haue ben heretiks, the conclusiō hath ben made in the fauour of the heretikes: if they haue ben faithful, they haue concluded in the fauour of the faithful. And if the heretickes haue founde fauour in some Coūcels, where ye Romaine Popes haue not ben. The like haue they done in those where the Popes haue presided since they haue attained to the see of Antichrist. Wer not al those thinges very coombersome, and more apte to trouble the Churche, and to offend the poore Christians, then to edifie them? T. That is very cectayne.
D. And if there should be holden y• best Council y• were possible to be assembled in all the whole world, there is no doubt but that the Pope & his would condemn it. If it were not to their mind. For it is an impossibility, that it should both please them, and yet be a lawful Council. And to wait, that the Pope & his should provide for it, according as it is mete, this should be a great folly: we see the experience of their doings at this day in such matters, to be even wholly such as was that of the ancient heretics in time passed. For it is certain that the Pope will do nothing but for his own commodity, as it hath ben already right well seen in all that ever hath ben done by him & his, in these affairs. T. Show me wherein. D. Let us see if he have not always chosen apt & meat places to hold a Christian general Council, frank & free for all nations. Let us see what worthy Council there hath ben holden even to this day, at Mantua, at Vicenza, at Trent, at Bologna. The Almains have desired a Council, & that an assemble might be had, they have presented the confession of their faith, they have offered to maintain their doctrine by the word of God: ⟨p. 137⟩yet for all that they were never but alway condemned and holden for heretics and schismatics with all their reason, diets, and Councils, because they were not allowed by the holy Apostolic sea, nor signed with the mark of the beast. What is there then to be done? If there be a Council holden by the one sort, the other will condemn it. And on the other side: to tarry till all the contrary parties be agreed, as it were needful, that should be as far out of reason as to tarry until Herod and Pilate, Annas and Caiaphas, the Scribes and Pharisees, the Sadducees and Herodians, with all their whole Synagogues should agree with the Apostles and the church of christ, whom they persecuted and followed to the death. Shall we tarry till this great king of Babylon the Romish Antichrist, which beareth the three crowns in token that he is king of kings, which maketh his feasts and banquets to his princes & gentlemen, courtesans and whores, as did Balthazar the king of Babylon, do come, and throw down these three crowns, to take up the crown of Jesus Christ? and that he will leave his pleasures and delights, and change them into the poverty of the Apostles?
D. ANd if there should be holdē y• best Coūcell y were possible to be assēbled in all the whole world, there is no doubt but yt the Pope & his would cōdēpne it. Yf it wer not to their mind. For it is an īpossibilitie, yt it shuld both please thē, and yet be a lawfull Coūcell. And to waite, yt the Pope & his should prouide for it, accordīg as it is mete, this should be a great folly: we se ye experiēce of their doings at this day in such matters, to be euē wholly such as was yt of the auncient heretikes in tyme passed. For it is certaine yt the Pope will do nothing but for his owne cōmoditie, as it hath ben already right well sene in all yt euer hath ben done by him & his, in these affaires. T. Shewe me wherin. D. Let vs see if he haue not alwayes chosen apte & meate places to holde a Christian general Coūcel, franck & free for all nations. Let vs see what worthy Councell there hath ben holden euen to this day, at Mantoa, at Vicēce, at Trent, at Bologne. The Almaignes haue desired a Coūcell, & yt an assēble mighte be had, they haue presēted ye confession of their fayth, they haue offered to maynetaine their doctrine by the woorde of God:
Shall we tarry till he and his (which drink the blood of poor innocents in cups of silver & gold, which they have robbed and spoiled from the temple of God) will deliver up the town of Babylon, and to make it subject to Jesus Christ the king of kings, of whom they have stolen the titles, and occupied the Lordships? And that they will restore to the temple of God, and to the holy city Jerusalem that: which they have stolen from them, and to shed their blood, to fight under his ensign, and to build up unto him his holy city and to render unto him his ornaments and vessels, whereof they have spoiled him? T. I believe that his meaning is far otherwise, and that he hath determined to get more, for he is not yet full. D. No, nor never will: but will be always more hungry and insatiable, he will never yield until the time that God himself do come and write the sentence upon the wall or furniture thereof, ⟨p. 138⟩as he did to Balthazar the king of Babylon his predecessor, & until the time that he be beaten flat down by the sword of 1God, & Babylon taken & won: according to the destruction thereof fore showed in the Apocalypse. And so shall there never be any remedy, but they shall go on from evil to worse.2
Shall we tarye till he and his (which drincke ye bloude of poore innocentes in cuppes of siluer & golde, which they haue robbed and spoyled from the temple of God) will deliuer vp the towne of Babilon, and to make it subiecte to Iesus Christ the king of kings, of whom they haue stollen the titles, and occupyed ye Lordships? And that they will restore to the temple of God, and to the holy citie Ierusalem that: whiche they haue stollen from them, and to shedde their bloude, to fight vnder his enseigne, and to builde vp vnto him his holye citye and to render vnto hym hys ornamentes and vessells, whereof they haue spoyled him? T. I beleue that his meaning is farre otherwise, and yt he hath determined to get more, for he is not yet full. D. No, nor neuer will: but will be alwaies more hungrye and insatiable, he wil neuer yeld vntill the tyme that God himself do come and write the sentence vpon the wall or furniture thereof, ⟨p. 138⟩as he did to Balthazar ye king of Babilon his predecessor, & vntill the time that he be beaten flat downe by the sword of
T. What is there then to be done in y• mean while? D. It seemeth to me that I can not for this present give better coū cell, than to will men first to pray unto the Lord, that he will first stir up for us good kings & princes, & to touch their harts, as he hath already touched the hearts of Cyrus and Darius kings of the Medians & of the Persians, to make them to come 1by the means of the true Ministers of Jesus Christ, to besiege that great City Babylon, & to destroy that cruel beast, renouncing the mark of the same, which they have so long time borne, & to deliver the poor innocents, and the poor people of God which are captive: & to take them from the burning furnace of Babylon, to the end ye being without fear of our enemies we might serve Jesus Christ our king, in all freedom of spirit. But this can not be brought by the sword, by arms, nor by mans power, but only by the cutting sword of God, which is in the mouth of Jesus Christ, by whose breath the wicked & ungodly 2shall be destroyed. Wherefore those people unto whom God hath given so great graces to have such princes and Lords: which employ their power which God hath given them, to the edifying of the holy city of God, & the ruin of Babylon his enemy, & do submit the temporal sword which they have received of God, to the sword of Jesus Christ & his word, & employ it only to serve him: have good occasion to render thanks unto God for y• great benefit which he hath bestowed upon them, & to pray unto him effectually to conserve & maintain ⟨p. 139⟩such princes, & daily to increase his graces in them, following the counsel of S. Paul in his exhortation which he made to the Christians, concerning that prayers which should be made in the Church. I do warn you then (saith he) that before all things men make request, prayers, supplications & render thanks for all men, for kings and for all others which are ordained in dignity, to the end that we may lead a peaceable life in all fear of God, and honesty, for that is good and agreeable before God our Lord.
T. WHat is ther thē to be done in y• meane while? D. It semeth to me yt I cā not for this presēt geue better coū cell, thē to will mē first to praye vnto ye Lorde, yt he will first sturre vp for vs good kings & princes, & to touch their harts, as he hath alreadie touched ye hartes of Cyrus and Darius kinges of ye Medians & of ye Persians, to make thē to come
T. This Counsel is very good. But what sayest thou of them which in stead of such princes, have cruel tyrants, who being drunk with the cup of the great whore of Babylon, do persecute furiously the poor children of God, & do daily bathe their bloody sword in the blood of the poor sheep of Jesus Christ? D. Let them pray heartily to God, that it may please him to appease their rage and fury, and that he will so change their hearts, that where they have been persecutors, they may become true feeders of the flock which God hath committed unto them, to save and defend them from the rage of that cruel beast, whose mark they have to long worn. In the mean time, because it is more to be feared that many of the Princes, Lords, and Magistrates, which have already tasted of the word of God, and laid hands to his work, should not loose their taste and wax cold, or should rebel against Jesus Christ in process of time, then there is of hope, according to mans judgement, and the face which the world showeth unto us at this present, that those which resist the truth will embrace it, receive & maintain it: therefore it is very needful in these latter days ye every man make ready himself betime to the cross. We have the experience hereof very plainly in many places.
T. THis Councell is very good. But what sayest thou of them which in stead of suche princes, haue cruell tyrauntes, who being dronke with the cup of the great whore of Babilon, do persecute furiously the poore childrē of God, & do dayly bathe their bloudie sworde in ye bloud of the poore shepe of Iesus Christ? D. Let them pray hartely to God, yt it may please him to appease their rage and fury, and that he will so chaunge their hartes, yt where they haue bene persecutours, they may become true feeders of the flocke which God hath committed vnto them, to saue and defend them frō the rage of that cruell beast, whose marke they haue to long worne. In ye meane time, because it is more to be feared that manye of the Princes, Lordes, and Magistrates, which haue alreadye tasted of the worde of God, and layde handes to hys worke, shoulde not loose their taste and waxe colde, or shoulde rebell agaynst Iesus Christ in proces of tyme, then there is of hope, according to mans iudgement, and the face which the worlde sheweth vnto vs at thys present, that those whiche resiste the truth will embrace it, receaue & maintaine it: therfore it is very nedeful in these latter daies ye euery mā make ready himself betime to ye crosse. We haue ye experience herof very plainly in many places.
D. It is not to be marvelled at. For Satan is continually most busted, about those personages that are most excellent. And also there is the corruption of our nature, and the favour or fear of men, which perverteth many. Therefore he that will be of the children of God, let him always have in his 1mind these worthy sentences of Jesus Christ & of his Apostles: Who soever will be my disciple, let him give over himself, & bear his cross continually after me, and follow me. 2And again, who soever will live holily in Christ, he must suffer persecution. Again, men must enter into the kingdom of heaven by many tribulations. The time shall come that he which shall put you to death shall think he doth God service. For we should greatly deceive our selves if that we should promise to our selves in this world any rest and any estate or peaceable reign, abounding in all kind of pleasures & voluptuousness, and a continual peace, without any trouble or affliction. For we may not think that the kingdom of Jesus Christ, is any such reign, for so much as his kingdom is not of this world. Therefore he that would have such 3an one, let him seek it at yt hand of Antichrist: for his kingdom is in deed of this world. And further, when we are in this sort disposed, I know no better means, than to travail with all diligence to understand aright the will of God, by his word, and to amend our life according to y• rule thereof: desiring him earnestly to give us true understanding, & a hart to follow the same, & then welcome be what he shall send.
D. It is not to be maruelled at. For Sathan is continually most busted, about those personages that ar most excellent. And also there is the corruption of our nature, and the fauour or feare of men, which peruerteth many. Therfore he yt will be of ye children of God, let him alwayes haue in hys 1minde these worthy sentences of Iesus Christ & of his Apostles: Who soeuer wil be my disciple, let him geue ouer himself, & beare his crosse continually after me, and followe me. 2