A03621:82
A declaration of Christ and of his office compiledA declaration of Christe and of his offyce compylyd
A declaration of Christ and of his office compiled, by Johan Hopper, anno 1547A declaration of Christe and of his offyce compylyd, by Johan Hoper, anno 1547
printed by Augustine Fries, 1547printed by Augustyne Fries, 1547
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But that he meant not to reign worldly to the hindrance and defacing of temperours dignity and title as the Jews falsely accused him as Cirillus libr. 12. capit. 10. in Johannem saith. and so is the mind of saint Augustine in the same place. This kingdom is spiritual: Christ sitting at the right hand of God the father, prayeth for us, giveth us remission of sin and the holy ghost to fight and overcome the world Hath left here in the church his gospel the only weapon to fight with all for the time of this mortal lief Joan. 17. Where he defineth life everlasting to be the knowledge of god. So doth Paul Ro. 8. prove this kingdom to be spiritual. And that concerning the body it appeareth that ⟨image 77⟩Christ defendeth not his people because they live in such disdain and adversity: but here after it shall appear as Paul saith Col. 3. And Joan. 1. Jo. 3. Nunc filij dei sumus, sed nondum manifestum est quales erimus. This kingdom shall be ever persecuted till the world's end Psal. 2. 115. 71. Isaiah the prophet described the church of this present lief saying. Dabit uobis dominus panem arctū, & aquam exiguam & non auferet à te ultra doctorem tuū cap. 30. thus the church shall remain but always in affliction. I know such as favoureth not the truth will interpret my words that I condemn all princes and Kings as Enemies of the gospel because they peaceable enjoy there kingdoms: so I wish them always so to do with hearty prayer to the glory god. But of this one thing I will assure every prince of the world the more sincere he is in the cause of god ⟨image 77⟩the more shall be his cross. I report me unto the Kings majesty that dead is which at the first brunt as soon as he toke God's cause in hand, that Leopard and dragon of Rome: did not only solicited the whole foreign world against him, but also he suffered such an ungodly and detestable insurrection of his popish subjects and other more crosses that never should have ben moved, had he not unquieted the best of her rest that sate above his majesty and God also, in this own Realm. they be flatterers of princes that say everything may be ruled with ease. they con consider not what an Enemy of God's order the devil is: that would not only the gospel of truth to be oppressed, but also every prince that studieth the preferment and setting forth of God's word: