A Christian instruction, containing the law and the Gospel Also a summary of the…

Of the cause for the which God would him self declare his vvill unto man by his word.

Of the cause for the vvhich God vvoulde him selfe declare his vvill vnto man by his vvorde.

P. Because he will not be served according to the fantasies of men, but according to his own only will.¹

P. Bycause he will not be serued according to the fantasies of men, but according to hys owne only will.¹

1. 1Deut. 12. a •••. 10. c.Deute. 12. a •••. 10. c.

M. What is the cause of this?

P. It is because that there is but his will only that is just and reasonable, and that ought to be a rule of all reason and justice unto men. For the which cause, ⟨p. 95⟩he hath generally forbidden all men,¹ of what estate or condition soever they be, to add or diminish any thing to or fro his law and word, which he hath revealed as well by his Prophets and Apostles, as by his own son Jesus Christ.

P. It is bycause that there is but his will only that is iust and reasonable, and that oughte to be a rule of all reason and iustice vnto mē. For the which cause, ⟨p. 95⟩he hath generally forbidden all men,¹ of what estate or condition soeuer they be, to adde or diminish any thing to or fro his lawe and worde, which he hath reuealed as well by his Prophets and Apostles, as by his owne sonne Iesus Christ.

1. 1Col. 2. b. d. Deuter. 4. a 12. d. Pro. 30. a.

Of the good intents of men that are not governed by the word of God.

Of the good intentes of men that are not gouerned by the vvord of God.

M. How thinkest thou then of those which say, that whatsoever is done to the honour of God, and with a good intent, is well done?

M. How thinkest thou then of those which saye, that whatsoeuer is done to the honoure of God, and with a good intente, is well done?

P. I deny not but that which is done to the honour of God, doth please him, and that which is done with a good intent, is well done: but to the end that no man deceive himself under this fair colour, I say, that nothing can be done to the honour of God nor with a good intent, but that which is done according to his word, for the word of God is the very true and only rule of all good intents, and of the honour wherewith he ought to be honoured.

P. I denie not but that whiche is done to the honoure of God, doth please him, and that whiche is done with a good intent, is well done: but to the ende that no man deceiue himselfe vnder this faire coloure, I say, that nothing can be done to the honoure of God nor with a good intente, but that which is done according to his word, for the word of God is the very true and only rule of all good intents, and of the honoure wherewith he ought to be honoured.

M. But if a man do think to do well, and doth that which he doth to none other end but to honour God, is not that enough?

M. But if a man do think to do well, and doth that whiche he doth to none other ende but to honoure God, is not that inough?

P. If there were but that required, it had not ben needful that God ⟨p. 96⟩should ever have spoken: or that he should ever have given a law unto man, to teach him.

P. If there were but that required, it had not ben nedeful that God ⟨p. 96⟩should euer haue spoken: or that he shuld euer haue giuen a law vnto man, to teach him.

M. Wherefore sayest thou so?

M. Wherfore sayst thou so?

P For that that it had then ben sufficient to have let every man live according to his fantasy, and that he had only commanded, that every man should do that which liked him, without giving them any other law, where he hath done clean contrary,¹ saying: Do not every one of you that which shall please you, but that only which I command you.

P For that that it had then ben sufficient to haue let euery man liue according to his fantasie, and that he had only commaūded, that euery man shoulde doe that whiche liked him, without giuing them any other law, where he hath doone cleane contrary,¹ saying: Do not euery one of you that which shall please you, but that onely whiche I commaunde you.

1. 1Deuter. 4. a &. 12. a

Of human traditions.

Of humaine traditions.

M. What thinkest thou then of laws and of mens traditions, which have been set forth by men,¹ contrary to the word of God, touching his service?

M. What thynkest thou then of lawes and of mens traditions, which haue bene set foorth by men,¹ contrary to the woord of God, touching his seruice?

1. 1Isaiah 29. d Matth. 15. a Mark. 7. aEsay 29. d Matth. 15. a Marke. 7. a