A14462:88
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 do contemn the knowledge of God, even as though they did know all things that appertain to true Christianity, and also of the knowledge that men may attain unto in this life, and how to increase it.
¶ Of such as doo contemne the knovvledge of God, euen as though they dyd knovv all thinges that appertaine to true Christianitie, and also of the knovvledge that men maye attaine vnto in this life, and hovv to encrease it.
T. I May well understand by these, what excuses those men may allege, that say, when they are willed to §21enquire of the will of God, and of his word, and in what sort they should live, that they will understand and know no more in that behalf then they do already know: for that they do already know as much as they ought to know, even as though a man in this whole life time were able to come to such perfection of knowledge and understanding of godly things, that nothing mought be added thereunto. D. Saint Paul, who was taken up into the third 1heaven, and did there understand of things, of the which it is not lawful for any man to speak: was never of that opinion. For he doth declare, that all that ever we may understand upon the earth, of those matters, is nothing else but 2as we should behold a thing in a glass, or in a dark cloud or mist. Wherefore whilst that we do live in this world, we must think that we are always like unto little children, as touching this godly understanding, and that we have need to profit and increase in the same daily, even as do the little children that are at the school: and that we shall never see it as it is, until that we be with God, and see him face to face, and know him as he hath known us. For if there be no man of so excellent a spirit, that ever may attain unto the perfect understanding of human and visible things, nor yet of one of those sciences that appertaineth unto this earthly life: how great presumption is it then for man, which is wholly created ignorant, as touching godly things, so much to challenge to him self the knowledge and understanding of those things, of the which the Angels themselves cannot perfectly understand: T. Surely it is a great presumption of us, if we think that we be more perfect then are the Angels.