A14462:94
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 Christians as are ignorant of the word of God, and of those that abuse their knowledge in the same.
¶ Of suche Christians as are ignoraunt of the vvorde of God, and of those that abuse theyr knovvledge in the same.
D. And now, which thinkest thou more worthy of blame, either he that doth know no occupation, and worketh not: or else he that hath a good occupation, and had rather to loiter, and to be slothful and idle, ⟨p. 24⟩then to work at his occupation? T. This last man, which doth most abuse the gift of God. Wherefore, if I should see such men in necessity, I would not very willingly give alms to him that hath had so small care to learn some occupation, whereby he might justly live: much less to give unto him that had rather fast, and become a beggar, then to work and travail for his living, when he may. D. And how wouldest thou handle him, that hath a goodly wit, and is well exercised and very excellent in some occupation, and doth travail in the same with all diligence, but not to do any thing, whereby the glory of God, or the wealth of his neighbour might be advanced: but rather to let and hinder both the one and the other, and to live in all villainy and filthiness? T. I would judge him worthy to be hanged, or at the least to be whipped. For if the others be worthy to be accounted unprofitable and wicked, this kind of man is much more worthy to be so accounted of: in as much as he is not 1only content to hide in the earth the talents that God hath given him, and so to keep them without yielding any profit of them: but that worse is, he bestoweth them wickedly, employing them in all that he may, to the hindrance and loss of his master, and to make wars against him, at whose hands he hath received them. D. Then consider thou well, whether the Christian be worthy of great blame, that hath no understanding of Christianity, nor of that occupation, whereof he beareth the name. What honour is this man worthy of, that hath the knowledge thereof, and abuseth the same, and doth not only, not practise the same in life, but converteth the gifts that he hath received of God, into weapons wherewith to make wars against him, and against his own salvation: to what end serveth this knowledge? T. It serveth to his more speedy condemnation, and to increase his judgement more and more.