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.

How that the ministerie of the worde of God is perpetually necessarie to the Churche in this worlde.

M.

I Do now well vnderstand the cause not only wherfore this gifte of pro∣phecie is necessarie to the Churche, but also for what cause it is necessary that it be perpetual in it.

P.

Séeing that the per∣petuall ministerie of the worde of God is necessarie, this gift of prophecie is al∣so necessarie, forsomuche as without the same this ministerie can not subsiste and stande, nor be ministerie of the Churche of Christ.

M.

It then foloweth, that euen as this ministery can not be without this gift of preaching, euen so the Church can not be the Church of Christ without this ministerie, no more than it may be with∣out faith, the whiche she can not obtayne but by the meane of the word of God, set foorth by this ministerie.

P.

God may wel inspire his faithe to his chosen by other meanes if it please him: but seeing he hath ordeined this, he doth it not ordinarily by any other, neyther is it lawfull for vs to séeke for any other, but must holde vs to

this same wherevnto God hath bounds vs, notwithstanding that it standeth al∣waye in his libertie, to communicate his giftes and graces as pleaseth him.