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…

☞ With this doctrine, there be also the examples, as well of God, as of all his servants. Men, saith the Apostle in the place before alleged, do swear by the name of god because ⟨image 46⟩he is above them: God sweareth by him self because he hath no superior, but is above all. Touching God, the Anabaptists do answer, that he may well swear, for as much as he may well accomplish all that he sayeth: and so is out of danger of perjury, for as much as he is faithful, and will keep all that he promiseth: but it is otherwise with a mortal man: the which many times can not perform that which he hath promised all though he would: and therefore it is foolish rashness for him to swear, binding him self to that which is above his power. When they have blasted out into the air, this solution, they think they have done, and that they have stopped our mouths. But the replication is ready: that they cannot say the like of all the Patriarchs, Prophets, holy kings, and ancient fathers which have also sworn after the ensample of God, behold Abraham the father of all faithful men which hath sworn. Behold Isaac, behold Jacob, Dauyd, Hezekiah, and Josiah which have done likewise. What difference is there between them and us? Therefore it may well appear that there answer here above is a mere cavillation.

☞ Wyth this doctrine, ther be also the exemples, as well of God, as of all hys seruantes. Men, sayth ye Apostel in the place before alleged, do swere by the name of god because ⟨image 46⟩he is aboue them: God swereth by hym selfe because he hath no superioure, but is aboue al. Touching God, the Anabaptistes do answhere, that he maye well swere, for as much as he maye well accomplishe all that he sayeth: and so is out of daunger of periurye, for as muche as he is fayethfull, and wyll kepe all that he promiseth: but it is otherwyse wt a mortall man: the whyche manye tymes can not performe that whiche he hath promised all thoughe he woulde: and therefore it is foleshe raishnes for hym to swere, byndynge hym selfe to that whyche is aboue hys power. Whan they haue blasted out into the eyre, thys solution, they thyncke they haue done, and that they haue stopped oure mouthes. But the replication is redye: that they cannot saye the lyke of all the Patriarches, Prophetes, holye kynges, and aunciente fathers whyche haue also sworne after the insample of God, beholde Abrahame the father of all fayethfull menne whyche hath sworene. Beholde Isaac, beholde Iacob, Dauyd, Ezechias, and Iosias whyche haue done lykewyse. What difference is there bewene them and vs? Therefore it maye well apere that ther answer here aboue is a meere cauillacion.