A17726:239
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.
Also, who so ever keepeth my word, shall never see death I pray you, is it possible to speak more plainly than this. And should a christen man desire more stronger testimonies to settle his conscience with? Peradventure some man will object, that this is not true but only of faithful men. I grant that, and for my part, it sufficeth me to instruct the children of God, what shall be their condition after death. Howe be it hereafter will I speak of the reprobate.
Also, who so euer kepeth my word, shal neuer se deth I prai you, is it possible to speke more playnly thē thys. And shuld a christē man desyre more stronger testimonies to settle hys conscience wyth? Peraduenture some man wyll obiecte, that thys is not true but onelye of faythfull men. I graunte that, and for my parte, it sufficeth me to instructe the chyldrē of God, what shall be theyr condition after death. Howe be it hereafter wyl I speake of the reprobate.
But here we see what Jesus Christ doth promise unto us, if we be his. That in the middle of death, our spiritual life shall not be interrupted. But that more is, saint Paul declareth that it is even then, that it beginneth to be in his most strength. As our outward man, sayeth he, is corrupted, so is the inward man renewed from day to day. By these words he declareth, that as this present life doeth decline and become corruptible, so the life of the soul increaseth and is fortified more and more. Therefore it is contrary to this sentence, to esteem that the soul is quenched when the corporal life taketh end.
But here we se what Iesus Christe doth promise vnto vs, if we be his. That in the middell of death, our spirituall lyfe shall not be interrupted. But that more is, saint Paul declareth that it is euen then, that it begynneth to be in hys moste strength. As our outwarde man, sayeth he, is corrupted, so is the inwarde man renued from daye to daye. By these wordes he declareth, that as thys present lyfe doeth declyne and become corruptible, so the lyfe of the soule increaceth and is fortified more and more. Therfore it is contrary to this sentence, to esteme that the soule is quēched whē the corporal lyfe taketh end.