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.

An example to the like purpose, vpon the commaundement giuen of the obedience due to Princes, and vpon the com∣maundement giuen against murder.

T.

WE also may in mine opiniō, say the like of Princes & Lords.

D.

S. Peter & S. Iohn doe teach vs by their example what we ought to thinke there∣in: For did they transgresse the com∣maūdement which cōmaundeth to yelde obedience vnto Princes & Magistrates,* 1.1 when they did contemne the forbidding of the counsell of Ierusalem, which was contrary to the commaundement of God: and did answere them, that it was better to obey God than man?

T.

No, but did much better fulfill it than if they had o∣therwise done, and did truly declare it.

D.

* 1.2Phinees in like sorte was greatly cō∣mēded by God, for the whore & the whore master which he did slea, and was not re∣buked as a murderer, for so much as he did it not of hatred, nor of any blouddie affection, but onely for the dutie and obe∣dience whiche he ought to God, who had bene greatly dishonored, if that suche a

villany had not bene punished & reuenged by him with such a zeale. Thou maist thē know by al these examples, how that the worke whiche may seeme vnto men to haue some shew of wickednesse, and to be contrary to the cōmaundements of God, is not at all wicked in y^e sight of God, nor in the iudgmēt of those which take y^e law of God in his true meaning, & doe know how to rule the secōd Table by the first, but is pleasant & agreable to his will.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Actes. 3.4.5.
• * 1.2

  Numbr. 25.