A14463:2569
A Christian instruction, containing the law and the Gospel Also a summary of the…A Christian instruction, conteyning the law and the Gospell Also a summarie of the…
A Christian instruction, containing the law and the Gospel Also a summary of the principal points of the Christian faith and religion, and of the abuses and errors contrary to the same. Done in certain dialogues in french, by M. Peter Viret, sometime minister of the Word of God at Nymes in Province. Translated by I.S. Seen and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A Christian instruction, conteyning the law and the Gospell Also a summarie of the principall poyntes of the Christian fayth and religion, and of the abuses and errors contrary to the same. Done in certayne dialogues in french, by M. Peter Viret, sometime minister of the Word of God at Nymes in Prouince. Translated by I.S. Seene and allowed according to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by Henry Bynneman? for Abraham Veale, 1573
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.
What good or hurt the work doth that is outwardly done, & not with a good hart, & what it may bring to the worker of the same, & also to others, and whether it be better that it be done or undone.
VVhat good or hurte the vvorke doth that is outvvardly done, & not vvith a good hart, & vvhat it may bring to the vvorker of the same, & also to others, and vvhether it be better that it be done or vndone.
T. IF the matter be such that the work it self which God commandeth can not please him, if it do not proceed from such a heart as he requireth, but doth rather displease him, it followeth then, that if a man have not such an heart, he doth not only leese his time in doing of such a work, but he doth also purchase to ⟨p. 458⟩himself a more greater judgement.
T. IF the matter be such that the worke it selfe which God commaundeth cā not please him, if it do not procéede from such a harte as he requireth, but doth rather displease him, it followeth then, that if a man haue not such an harte, he dothe not onely léese his time in doing of suche a worke, but he doth also purchace to ⟨p. 458⟩himselfe a more greater iudgemente.
D. There are also two points to be considered in this matter: if that the man that doth this work, doth it thoroughly of a very malice and to such end as the Devil doth his, to wit, to dishonour God, and to deceive men, and to hurt his neighbour, it were much better that he did nothing at all, for his work can do but hurt, and more to himself than to any other: if he do it not in deed for so evil a purpose, but only to have some worldly honour or profit, the work is then yet somewhat more profitable in sundry sorts, as well to himself as to others, according to the circumstances of the same, than if it had not bin done at all, or else if he had done those works which God hath forbidden. For first of all, those that see such a work, are edified, insomuch as they see it to be good of his own nature, and do think, that it proceedeth from such an heart as it showeth for outwardly: on the other side, if it be a work whereby thy neighbour receiveth any comfort or help in his person, it is then so much the more profitable.