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.

The Prayer.

ACknowledging oure faultes and im∣perfections, and that of our selues we can haue no good thyng if it be not gi∣uen vs from heauen, wée will humble our selues before the high maiestie of our good God and Father, full of all goodnesse and mercie, beséeching him that he will not enter into Iudgemente wyth vs, to correct and punishe vs in his anger and wrath, hauing regarde to our sinnes and iniquities, but that he looke vpon the in∣nocencie, iusties, and obedience of hys sonne Iesus Chryst, whom he hath giuen to death for vs, for whose sake if maye please him to receiue vs al to mercy, and by his heauenly lyghte to driue oute of our heartes all darknesses, erroures, and ignorances, and to fill vs with his graces and y^e graces of his holy spirit, which may

bring vs to the ful knowledge of al truth, and may open to vs the true vnderstan∣ding of his holy word, to the ende that it be not corrupted by our carnall sense and vnderstanding, but that he may giue vs the grace, as he hath spoken by his holy Prophetes and Apostles, that being go∣uerned by one very Spirite, we may de∣clare it to his honoure and glory and to the edification of all men: and that we do not heare it only with our carnal eares, to oure iudgemente and condemnation, as the Infidels and hypocrites doe: but that we maye receyue the same into our hartes as true children of GOD, tho∣rowe true and lyuely Fayth, the whiche may be effectuous and working thorowe charitie: learning thereby to renounce oure selues, all Idolatrie, all wycked superstitions and carnall affections, to put wholly all oure trust in hym, and to consecrate and conforme oure selues wholly vnto hys holy will, to the ende that our lyfe and conuersation may bée to his honour and his praise, and that for our Lord Iesus Christs sake, we may be found without blame, and without spotte

before his face: the whiche things wyth all others, whiche this good GOD and Father doothe knowe to be necessarie for vs, wée will demaunde them of him, as this great Sauiour and Redéemer Ie∣sus Chryste his deare Sonne, our Soueraigne mayster hathe taughte vs, saying all with one heart: Oure Father whiche arte in Heauen. &c.