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.

¶ Of the lighte of Gods vvorde vvhich is geuen to men, and of the nature of the same, and of the contempte that is a∣mong men.

[unspec 44] D. If it be so (as in dede euery man that is of good iudge∣ment doth knowe) we ought not to thinke that he hath created a Sunne wherby to lighten the eyes of mā, and to conducte him and leade him to those thinges that are neces∣sarie for this life, and that he which is the very true & onely sunne, fountaine of all light, hath not prepared light for the spirituall eyes of our soule, to leade them to those thinges which are necessarye to eternall lyfe. For if he haue had so

great care for our body, which is but earth and corruption, and for this present life, which is common with the lyfe of other creatures, what shall we thinke that he hath of the soule, for whose sake he hath made the body, and of the im∣mortalitie which he hath prepared for him? And it is very true that the true lighte of the soule, is that same worde of God, by the which God doth instruct vs. Which according to the testimonye of Dauid is that onely lighte which doth lighten our eyes, and doth directe our steppes, and doth also geue wisedome to them that are ignoraunt, wherfore whē * 1.1 we shall haue to do with men, to perswade them to rede the holy scriptures, and to heare the worde of God, and to be∣holde that light which shyneth vn to vs in the same: it is no more in effecte but as we shoulde exhorte men to open their eyes, to behold & receaue the light of the sunne. Should we not thinke it very straunge if we should be enforced daylye to solicite men to this, and should he not of right be thought to be very ingrate, that had rather to holde hys eyes shutte and to be blinde stil, then to beholde this light of the sunne, and to be lightened by y^e same? T. Yes truely. D. Yet not∣withstanding we doe dayly much worse, when that we are prouoked to vnderstand and harken to the word of God in sundrye wyse, and yet we will not vnderstand of it at all. T. Thou sayest very true: but men do not see so farre.

Notes

• * 1.1

  psalme. cxix