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.

Of the difference of the true and false fayth.

M.

BVt if they which serue God accor∣ding as they haue ben taught of mē doe the same faithfully, may they then do it without faithe?

P.

It fareth with thys good faith, wherof thou nowe speakest,* 1.1 as it doth with good intents, wherof we euen now spake.

M.

How vnderstandest thou that?

P.

As ther ar no good intēts, but those whiche are gouerned by the only rule of the wil and word of God, euen so is there no true faith, but that which hath certain

and sure foundation in the same worde.

M.

Shew me the same something more plainly.

P.

When thou doest any thing at aduenture, canst thou doe it with cer∣taine assurance?

M.

I confesse that I doe it in dout.

P.

Thou mayst then vnderstād therby, that thou doest it not in fayth.

M.

Why not?

P.

Bicause that faith & doubt are as contrarie as is to be certayne and vncertayn.

M.

Howe maye that bée?

P.

Bicause that faith is neuer without true assurance of that whiche it beléeueth and followeth.

M.

Why may it not be with∣out suche assurance?* 1.2

P.

Bicause that shée is buylded vpon the sure word of God, by the whiche she is assured of his good will.

M.

What followeth thereof?

P.

That she doth nothing at aduenture, but is euer cer¦taine, that that whiche she beléeueth, and that which she doth, is pleasant to God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iohn. 6. g. 17 b Rom. 10. d Tit. 1. a. Hebr. 11. a
• * 1.2

  Ro. 1. d. 8. g. Eph. 3. c. a. c. Philip. 2. a Hebr. 11. a. b. Iam. 1. a.