A17726:204
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.
And saint Stephan after his ensample. Lord Jesus (said he) receive my spirit. This ought we therefore to think, that God is protector of our souls, to preserve them from the tyranny of men, that when we should dye, every one of us should commend his soul unto him.
And saynte Stephan after hys ensample. Lorde Iesus (sayed he) receyue my spirite. Thys oughte we therefore to thynke, that God is protectour of our soules, to preserue them from the tyrāny of men, that when we shoulde dye, euerye one of vs shoulde commende hys soule vnto hym.
Likewise when saint Peter sayeth, that the Lord Jesus came in his spirit, to the spirits that were in prison, he doeth clearly testify by his words, that the Souls have sense and understanding oftener death. For otherwise they should not perceive the preaching of Christ, which as he sayeth, did preach unto them. I confess that this place hath been taken for a dark place, and that it hath been diversly expounded: but yet w•ll I allege nothing for my purpose, which is not certain. The Apostle therefore having before spoken how Christ was humilied, and having also showed how that all faithful men must be made like unto▪ him, for consolation, he addeth that Jesus ⟨image 60⟩Christ was not overcome by death, but that he overcame death. After this, to certify us that this virtue of his resurrection, doeth pertain unto us, he sayeth, that not only the living have felt it, but also the dead: and not only the faithful, but also the unbelieving, and rebels. It is true, that when the matter requireth: that we must distinguish we see that he speaketh but of the second kind: but that hindereth not, but that he speaketh fy•ste, of all in general. Touching that he putteth, as well the souls of the good, as of the evil, in prison, that doeth he to signify the vehement desire, which the faithful had for the coming of Jesus Christ, which held them as it were in anguish.