A14462:313
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.
¶ Howe there is no hope that the Christians, shall ever have any lawful Council, and reformation in the Church, by the means of the Pope, or of any of his, if they bear any authority there.
¶ Hovve there is no hope that the Christians, shall euer haue any lavvfull Councell, and reformation in the Churche, by the meanes of the Pope, or of any of his, if they beare any authoritie there.
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?