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 true Councels vvhich do excell al the reste in autho∣rity & ar the rule by the which al the rest must be examined. [unspec 25]

T. THose which desire a Councell, shoulde consider in the same, what hath bene ordained by y^t auncient Coun∣cells, & by the holy Scriptures: to the end y^t men may know which is the true doctrine of y^e Church, & which men oughte to embrace. D. We haue very good meane to know it, and not to tarye at all for a Councell. For among al the Coun∣cells there are chieflye two of y^e authoritie, that all the reast are nothing in comparison of them, by whom all the reast must be measured: whose decrees are so plaine, y^t there is no doubt in them but y^t euery man y^t wil be gouerned by them, may vnderstand them: as it is nedefull for al those y^t will be saued. T. I did thinke there had bene foure generall Coun∣cells, to witte, that of Nice, of Constantinople, of Ephese, and of Chalcedone, the which S. Gregory confesseth to receaue, allowe, and honour, as he doth the foure bookes of the holy * 1.1 Gospell. D. I do also confesse that these foure were y^t prin∣cipall of all those y^t were holden sythe the Apostles time: but it semeth to me y^t Gregorye doth geue vnto thē more autho∣ritie then he ought to do in comparing them to the bookes of the foure Euangelistes. But what soeuer they be, the two of the which I speake, are yet muche more auncient then are those, & of far greater authoritie, for God himselfe in proper person did there preside, & did speake with his own mouth, & dyd there shew his presence in great maiestie, and by great and excellent myracles & tokens. T. In what place and at what time were these Councells holden? D. The first was holden in the Mount Synai, in y^e beginning of y^e third mo∣neth, after y^t God had brought y^e people of Israell forth of y^e land of Egipt. The other was holden in y^e country of Iew∣ry, namely in the Mount Sion, in the Citie of Ierusalem, at that tyme that our Lorde Iesus Christ was seene vppon earth, and that he did accompanie among men in the forme of man, but they were called and assembled by other meane

then the Councells of the Papistes, & holden in other sorte.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Grego, i•• Registr. di∣••inc 5