A14464:65
An epistle to the faithful necessary for all the children of GodAn epistle to the faithfull necessary for all the children of God
An epistle to the faithful necessary for all the children of God: especially in the s[o] dangerous days. Written by Master Peter Viret in french, and englished by F.H. Esquire.An epistle to the faithfull necessary for all the children of God: especially in the s[o] dangerous dayes. Written by Maister Peter Viret in french, and englished by F.H. Esquier.
London: printed by T. Dawson for Toby Smith, 1582London: printed by T. Dawson for Tobie Smith, 1582
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.
For this cause he hath separated and divided them from all other people, and hath given 1them laws, ordinances, and ceremonies, clean unlike to all other people, to keep them better in his service, to this end that they might not be defiled nor polluted with the superstitions, Idolatries, and abominations of others: wherefore he hath endeavoured by all means to draw them from all company and acquaintance ⟨image 36⟩with Idolaters, which might any way induce them to worship some other besides him self, or in other sort then he had commanded: if it were all one, & that it were no sin to be in company with Idolaters, and to communicate with them in their sacrifices & abominations, what need was there that God should give a Law? to what purpose hath he so charged the people of Israel with ceremonies, if it were lawful for them to use all indifferently as they lifted? why did Moses study all that he could, (being thereto appointed of god) to ordain them ceremonies •lat dissonant & contrary to all their neighbours about them, & all the Pagans & Idolaters? It was for nothing else, but that first the Lord would foresee by this way, that they should have no acquaintance and familiarity with them in that which concerned the service of God, nor any similitude, whereby they might be induced to follow them or obey them, with such an opinion of false Gods as the Pagans have. Then to the end it should not seem they did like unto them, & that that, which they did to the honour of their God, was done to the honour of strange Gods: or that it might not seem, that thereby they did allow their manner of dealing: so far is it that God would permit it to be lawful for the people of Israel to communicate with the blasphemies, sacrileges, & abominations ⟨image 36⟩of Idolaters; that he would not suffer them only to have any agreement with them in ceremonies, & in their manner of doings with them: he would not suffer them to have so much as in the outward things, even those which otherwise might have been indifferent & lawful: why did he forbid this so sharply, but for the causes above said, & to keep his people always y• better without wandering from his service.