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

M.

How thinkest thou then of those which saye, that whatsoeuer is done to the ho∣noure of God, and with a good intente, is well done?

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 in∣tente, 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 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 nedeful that God

should euer haue spoken: or that he shuld euer haue giuen a law vnto man, to teach him.

M.

Wherfore sayst thou so?

P

For that that it had then ben sufficient to haue let euery man liue according to his fanta∣sie, 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, say∣ing: Do not euery one of you that which shall please you, but that onely whiche I commaunde you.

Notes

• Deuter. 4. a &. 12. a