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.

For what cause there is nothyng but the only sacrifice of Iesus Christ, which may satisfie at the iudgement of God.

M

I Do nowe knowe more manifestly what thou wilte conclude by thys whole discourse, and by that whiche thou hast alreadie sayde concerning this pur∣pose, that there is none but Iesus Christ which may do sacrifice, or any worke ac∣ceptable vnto God.

P.

If that mē mought doe it of themselues, he then should haue ben giuen to vs in vaine by the Father, to doe that whiche an other mought haue done, beside him. For as Saincte Paule sayeth, he should haue died in vayn, if we mought haue ben iustified by the workes

of the lawe.

M.

Thou wilte then saye in effecte, that there is none other true and perfecte sacrificer, which may offer vnto God perfecte sacrifice to make an agrée∣ment betwene him & mankynde, but Ie∣sus Chryst only: forsomuch as he is per∣fect and without sin?

P.

Beside this rea∣son, thou haste yet to note, that which we haue alreadie heretofore said: that euen as the paine due to our sinnes is infinite, euen so the sacrifice of Iesus Christe, is of merite and vertue infinite.

Math.

And what is the cause therof?

P.

It is not on∣ly bicause he is without synne, and with∣out spotte, as wée haue alreadie hearde, but also bycause hee is the true and natu∣rall Sonne of God, and that his humane nature is ioyned to his diuine nature, which is infinite, of the which y^e humane nature taketh his vertue.

Ma.

If this di∣uine nature were not ioyned with hys humane nature, coulde it not giue lyfe of it self, except it tooke it of the diuine na∣ture?

Peter.

Thou haste alreadie hearde howe that his diuine nature is the foun∣taine: And therfore Iesus Chryste hath sayde: The fleshe profiteth nothyng: to wit, if it be considered as separate from

hys diuyne nature, and from hys holye Spirite, but it is the Spirite whiche gy∣ueth lyfe.

M.

What meaneth hee by that spirit giuyng life?

Pe.

It is y^e God dwel∣ling in Iesus Chryste corporally as S. Paule sayeth, to witte, really, and in déede, reconciling the worlde to himselfe.

Notes

• Galath. 2. d.
• Note.
• Iohn. 6. g.
• Colloss. 2. b 2. Cor. 5. b