A17726:102
A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors…A short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours…
A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors of the common sect of Anabaptists. Compiled by master John CalvinA short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours of the common secte of Anabaptistes. Compiled by mayster Iohn Caluine
London: printed by John Daye, 1549London: printed by Ihon Daye, 1549
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.
Why then, (will they say) hath the Lord Jesus refused to do a good & a holy work? hearken his answer, & this question shall be solved. Who hath (said he) made me a judge, or a divider between you? He sayeth not that it is an unlawful thing: but only he allegeth that he is not ordained in that vocation. And in deed the office for which he came into the world, should have been darkened, if he had occupied him self in these things. Wherefore if we will take profit by these example, and follow it. Let us follow that rule which Saint Paul giveth unto us, that every man take heed where in he is ⟨image 35⟩called. And for as much as we be one body in the Lord, that the arm do not usurp over the eye, neither yet the hand over the foot. And to conclude in few words. I ask whether partition be a lawful thing among christians: or that all things ought to be confused. For if it be permitted to divide heritages: he that taketh the office upon him to make the partition is not worthy reproof, if so be, he be thereunto appointed. These enemies of the civil policy, make not another argument.
Why then, (wyl they saye) hathe the Lord Iesus refused to do a good & a holy worke? herkē his answer, & this questiō shal be soluted. Who hath (sayed he) made me a iudge, or a diuider betwene you? He sayeth not that it is an vnlawefull thynge: but onelye he aledgeth that he is not ordeyned in that vocatiō. And in dede the offyce for whych he came into the world, shold haue bene darkened, if he had occupied hym self in these thinges. Wherfore if we wil take profit by these exemple, and folowe it. Lette vs folowe that rule whyche Sayrte Paule geueth vnto vs, that euerye manne take hede where in he is ⟨image 35⟩called. And for as muche as we be one body in the Lorde, that the arme do not vsurpe ouer the eye, neither yet the hand ouer the fot. And to cōclude in fewe words. I aske whether pertition be a lawefull thynge amonge christians: or that all thynges oughte to be cōfused. For if it be permitted to diuide heritages: he yt taketh the office vpō him to make the perticiō is not worthy reprofe, if so be, he be therunto appoynted. These enemyes of the cyuyl policie, make not another argumēt.