A14462:72
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 such as persecute the truth of a purposed malice, and of the sin against the holy Ghost, or sin to death.
¶ Of such as persecute the truth of a purposed malice, and of the sinne agaynst the holy Ghost, or sinne to death.
T. What sayest thou of the first sort of those men? D. I say that they are of the very nature of the devil, for he hath no cause to hate God, and his truth, but only of the wickedness that is in him, and of the envy and immortal hatred that he doth bear to God and his truth. T. Then is the sin of such men like to the sin of the devil. D. It is even so, wherefore they shall have like punishment, for they shall never obtain pardon nor grace. T. It is then that sin that Jesus Christ doth call the sin against the holy Ghost, and saint John, sin unto death, for the which 1he forbiddeth men to pray. But thinkest thou that there are any so wicked and so full of malice upon the earth, that ⟨p. 13⟩will so of purpose make wars against God? D. If there were none, then would none have been found among the Scribes and Pharisees, and the rest of the Jews, before whom Jesus Christ made mention of the sin against the holy Ghost. I do think he would have holden no such purpose, ne yet Saint John neither. And I am well assured that Alexander the Coppersmith, of whom Saint Paul complaineth much, writing to Timothy, did very near approach the nature of such, if he were not fully such an one, or else I should greatly marvel of the prayer that saint Paul maketh 2against him saying: Alexander the Coppersmith hath done me great hurt, the Lord reward him according to his deserts, of whom be thou ware also, for he hath greatly resisted our preaching. If he had offended rather of ignorance, then of malice, I believe that Saint Paul would rather have prayed for him, as he did in the same epistle for others, with whom he was not well pleased, I doubt not but he would have followed the example of Jesus Christ, and of saint Steven, who prayed for their persecutors, rather then to have prayed against him. For it seemeth that he had no hope of his conversion and health. T. Men may call these kind of men the most wicked of all wicked, and the eldest sons of the devil. But it is wonderful to see them so wicked, and to see them so despitefully to make wars against God and his truth, and yet they will cover them with the name of God, & of the zeal of his glory.