A14136:353
The Obedience of a Christian Man
The obedie[n]ce of a Christen man and how Christ[n] rulers ought to govern, where in also (if thou mark diligently) thou shalt find eyes to perceive the crafty conveyance of all jugglers.The obedie[n]ce of a Christen man and how Christe[n] rulers ought to governe, where in also (if thou marke diligently) thou shalt fynde eyes to perceave the crafty conveyance of all iugglers.
At Marlborow in the lande of Hesse i.e. Antwerp : the second day of October. Anno. M.CCCCC.xxviii, by me Hans luft i.e. J. Hoochstraten, 1528At Marlborow in the lande of Hesse i.e. Antwerp : the seconde daye of October. Anno. M.CCCCC.xxviii, by me Hans luft i.e. J. Hoochstraten, 1528
Title page typeset from the transcription.
¶The .iiij. senses of the scripture.¶The .iiij. senses of ye scripture.
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.
And as I have said of allegories / even so it is of worldly similitudes which we make ether when we preach ether when we expound the scripture.1 The similitudes prove no thing / but are made to express more plainly that which is contained in the scripture & to lead the in the spiritual understanding of the text. As the similitude of matrimony is taken to express the marriage that is between christ & our souls & what exceeding mercy we / have there / where of all the scriptures make mention. And the similitude of the members / how every one of them careth for other is take to make thee feel what it is to love thy neighbour as thy self. 2That preacher therefore that bringeth a naked similitude to prove that which is contained in no text of scripture nor followeth of a text / count a deceiver / a leader out of the way and a false prophet / & beware of his philosophy and ⟨image 138⟩persuasions of mans wisdom as Paul every where warneth thee. Paul. j. Corinth. ij. saith:3 my words and my preaching were not with enticing words and persuasions of mans wisdom but in showing of the sprite and power / that is / he preached not dreams confirming them with similitudes: but Gods word confirming it with miracles & with working of the sprite the which made them feel every thing in their her•es. That your faith / saith he / should not stand in the wisdom of man: but in the power of God 4For the reasons & similitudes of mans wisdom make no faith / but wavering & uncertain opinions only: one draweth me this way with his argument another that / and of what principle thou provest black another proveth white / and so am I ever uncertain / as if thou tell me of a thing done in a far land and another tell me the contrary / I wot not what to believe. But faith is wrought by the power of God / that is / […] Gods word is preached / the spirit entereth thine heart & maketh thy soul feel it and maketh thee so sure of it / 5