A Treatise Touching the Liberty of a Christian

¹Therefore, who so were furnished wit• this doctrine, might easily without danger wade in these infinite impositions an• traditions of the Pope, of Bishops, o• Mon•keries, of Churches, of Princes an• Magistrates, the which some foolish pastors ⟨p. 71⟩do so obtrude upon us, as though they were of an unavoidable necessity to be performed, for the obtaining of righteousness and salvation, calling them commonly the injunctions of the Church, being in deed nothing less. For a Christian man may deba•e with himself on this wise, I will fast I will pray, I will apply my self to all whatsoever is commanded by men, not because I need to do any of these, to procure righteousness or salvation by them: but because I will express mine obedience herein to the Pope, to the Bishops, to the Potentate, and to the Magistrate, or to my neighbour for example sake, for this cause I will do and suffer all things, even as Christ did work and suffer many greater things for my sake, whereof he needed not to do any one, being made for my sake subject unto the law, when as in deed he was not under the law. And although these things be exacted of me through the tyrannous force, and injurious tyranny of the Magistrates, yet shall they be no prejudice to me, so long as they be not against the glory of God.

¹Therefore, who so were furnished wit• this doctrine, might easily without danger wade in these infinite impositions an• traditions of the Pope, of Bishops, o• Mon•keries, of Churches, of Princes an• Magistrates, the which some foolish pastors ⟨p. 71⟩doe so obtrude vpon vs, as though they were of an vnauoydable necessitie to bee performed, for the obtaining of righteousnesse and saluation, calling them commonly the iniunctions of the Church, being in déede nothing lesse. For a Christian man may debae with himselfe on this wise, I will fast I will pray, I will apply my selfe to all whatsoeuer is commanded by men, not because I need to doe any of these, to procure righteousnesse or saluation by them: but because I will expresse mine obedience herein to the Pope, to the Bishops, to the Potentate, and to the Magistrate, or to my neighbour for example sake, for this cause I will doe and suffer all things, euen as Christ did worke and suffer many greater things for my sake, whereof he needed not to doe any one, being made for my sake subiect vnto the law, when as in deede he was not vnder the law. And although these things be exacted of me through the tyrannous force, and iniurious tyranny of the Magistrates, yet shall they be no preiudice to me, so lōg as they be not against the glory of God.