A17726:152
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.
Of the Anabaptists. › The two last Articles.Of the Anabaptistes. › The two laste Articles.
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.
That they have spoken never a word of these, I can not tell whether it be by craft, because they be so odious, that by good right they should make their whole doctrine execrable. For what cause so ever it be, seeing I have taken upon me to arm all faithful people, against their false opinions: it is not good that I should dissemble these two so pestilent and mischievous opinions, seeing they are commune to them all.
That they haue spoken neuer a worde of these, I can not tell whether it be by crafte, bicause they be so odious, that by goodright they shoulde make theyr whole doctrine excerable. For what cause so euer it be, seynge I haue taken vpon me to arme all fayethful people, agaynste theyr faulse opinions: it is not good that I shoulde dissimble these two so pestilente and mischeuouse opinions, seynge they are commune to them al.
Touching that some among them have holden opinion that all goods should be commune, also that a man may have many wives, so that they have compelled some which were content with one, to take moe, and a ⟨image 49⟩thousand other absurdities: I will speak nothing at all. For they them selves being con fused in there selves have for the most part by little and little withdrawn them selves. But touching the two Articles, where of I have spoken, there is an other reason: for as much as they all do hold them yet still,
Touchynge that some amonge them haue holden opinion that all goodes shoulde be commune, also that a man maye haue manye wyues, so yt they haue cōpelled some whiche were contente wyth one, to take moe, and a ⟨image 49⟩thousande other absurdites: I wyll speake nothynge at al. For they thē selues beyng cō fused in ther selues haue for the most part by littel and littel wtdrawē thē selues. But touchynge the twoe Articles, wher of I haue spoken, there is an other reson: for as muche as they al do hold them yet styl,