A15857:703
H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years…H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares…
H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years of age, he caused to be published in the name of himself & his family. Englished in sense agreeable, and in words as answerable to his own latin copy, as in so grave a mans work is requisite: for the profit of all the unlearneder sort, of English christians, that desire to know his judgement in matters of faith.H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares of age, he caused to bee published in the name of himselfe & his family. Englished in sense agreeable, and in words as answerable to his ovvne latine copie, as in so graue a mans worke is requisite: for the profite of all the vnlearneder sort, of English christians, that desire to know his iudgement in matters of faith.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1599Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1599
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.
IX. Errors.
We therefore condemn all contemners of magistrates, rebels, seditious persons, enemies of their common wealth, and whosoever do either openly refuse to perform their duties which they owe to their rulers, or do craftily shift the same. We condemn by name the error of the Anabaptists, saying it is not lawful for a christian man to bear office, much less to use his authority over his subjects in the course of religion: affirming, that it is free for all men to follow what religion he will, & none ought to be compelled to faith: We disallow them also, which give authority in religion unto magistrates, only (as they say) for names sake: denying that they have authority to call Synods, to consult about religion, to reform churches, and, to determine out of the scriptures, such things as pertain to the peoples salvation: and will have them to be nothing else, but the executors of those things which the bishop appoint. As also neither do we allow those magistrates, who without a sufficient knowledge in the causes, do alter religion upon their own pleasures; do condemn ⟨p. 250⟩men never heard, and spoil, and confiscate their goods: set down rules of religion, not out of the scriptures, but rather against the word of God: and bear themselves, not as servants of God, in the church of God, but as Lords over the churches: nor will bow their neck under the yoke of the son of God. For whom, that they may have a greater knowledge of God, and better minds, we pray and beseech God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We therefore condemne all contemners of magistrats, rebells, seditious persons, enimies of their common wealth, and whosoeuer doe either openly refuse to performe their dueties which they owe to their rulers, or doe craftely shift the same. We condemn by name the error of the Anabaptists, saying it is not lawful for a christiā man to beare office, much lesse to vse his authoritie ouer his subiectes in the course of religion: affirming, that it is free for all men to follow what religion he will, & none ought to be compelled to faith: We disallow them also, which giue authoritie in religion vnto magistrats, onely (as they saye) for names sake: denying that they haue authoritie to call Synodes, to consult about religion, to reforme churches, and, to determine out of the scriptures, such thinges as pertaine to the peoples saluation: and will haue them to bee nothing else, but the executors of those things which the bishop appoint. As also neither do we allow those magistrats, who without a sufficient knowledge in the causes, do alter religion vpon their owne pleasures; do condemn