A14462:89
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 true knowledge of God, and of the true manner how to know his will, and of the contemplative and active knowledge of the same.
¶ Of the true knovvledge of God, and of the true maner hovv to knovv hys vvyll, and of the contemplatiue and actiue knovvledge of the same.
D. OF the other part there is one thing to be considered in the knowledge and understanding of the will §22of God, which thing few men do note. That is, that we may not judge of that science and knowledge, as we do of divers humane sciences, of the only knowledge where of many men hold them well satisfied, without any further practise of the same. For this godly knowledge consisteth not only in contemplation, requiring nothing but contemplative teachers, to instruct the mind of man, but require also the will, and active Teachers and practisers. And for this cause Christ doth not say only, he that will know, but he that will do the will of him that sent me, he shall know of my doctrine, whether it be of God, or 1whether I speak of my self. For there are, that for curiosity and for some other affection that they have that are desirous to know the will of God, but not to that end to direct their lives according to the same. And therefore our Lord Jesus Christ declareth plainly by these words, that there is nothing that letteth men from the knowledge of the truth of God, but only the want of the fear of God, and of good will to obey and honour him: Wherefore it followeth that there is no true knowledge of God, but only that which is joined with this good and prompt will, and that none can judge of the Lords doctrine, but those that are of such a mind. T. If the matter be so, a man may not think, that he understandeth or knoweth any thing, although he have all the holy scriptures by hart, and that he can devise and discourse thereof at pleasure like an Angel: if he have not the effect of that doctrine imprinted in his hart, and that he be as it were clothed with the same, in such sort as he may put the same in practise at all times.