A14462:96
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.
¶ How much necessary the study of the word of God is, for all men during this life, how apt and how wise so ever they be.
¶ Hovv much necessary the study of the vvord of God is, for all men during this life, hovve apte and hovv vvyse so euer they be.
D. For this cause it is more then necessary, that we study continually in the school of the Lord. First there to learn how to judge between the good and the evil, & that which pleaseth or displeaseth God, & that which is for our salvation & damnation, which we can not do unless that we have our minds lightened by the word and spirit of God, for so much as there is in us, whiles that we dwell in our own natural life, nothing ells but ignorance & darkness. And when we are once thus taught, it is then needful that we give our whole desire unto it, which can not be, for 1so much as it is wholly perverted and corrupted, hating that which is good, and loving that which is evil, if it be not also reformed, forced, & urged continually to the same by that very mean. Wherefore to conclude, for so much as we have always ignorance within us, and that most commonly we do not that good which we know, we have always need of this teacher, to instruct us in that whereof we are yet ignorant, and put us in mind of that which we forget, after that we have learned it, and to cause us to practise that which we do already know. T. And in this sort thou doest conclude for a full resolution, ye all men, how wise so ever they be, have always need to learn in this school, even to the death, and that both the learned and ignorant, shall always find enough there to learn. D. It is so. For there are forms so high in that school, that no living man shall ever be able to attain unto them. Wherefore when we may be in that school, yea although it be in the most low forms, we ought not a little to esteem it, but to think it a great grace of God, whose good will and pleasure it is to accept us into the number of his scholars.