A17726:248
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.
To resolve this matter, there is nothing more mete not more certain, then to consider what conjunction & unity we have with our Saviour Jesus. First we know that in Baptism we be entexed into his body, to be verily his members, and to feel in us such an effect of his virtue, as the branches of a tree do of their rote. For we are so united unto him, that we are made one self substance. And we need not allege any other probation then that which he hath spoken with his own mouth.
To resolue thys matter, there is nothinge more mete not more certayne, then to consider what coniunctiō & vnitie we haue wt our Sauioure Iesus. Fyrste we knowe that in Baptisme we be entexed into hys bodye, to be verily hys membres, and to fele in vs such an effect of hys vertue, as the braunches of a tre do of theyr rote. For we are so vnited vnto hym, that we are made one self substaūce. And we nede not aledge any other probatiō then that whyche he hathe spoken wyth hys owne mouth.
As I live sayeth he, so shall you live. Now we know that the life of Jesus Christ is not temporal, nor yet by interposition of time. Therefore if we live as he liveth, it followeth that it must be without end. For it was necessary that he should dye with us. And this is it that he spake before: He that eateth my flesh, & drinketh my blood, he dwelleth in me, & I in him. If Jesus Christ dwell in us, it followeth that forthwith life dwelleth in us: according to the which he spake before, as the father hath life in him self: so hath he given unto his son, to have life in him self. It is easy to see that the Anabaptists never tasted how we be joined to our Lord Jesus.
As I lyue sayeth he, so shall you lyue. Now we knowe that the lyfe of Iesus Christe is not temporall, nor yet by interposition of tyme. Therefore if we lyue as he liueth, it foloweth that it muste be wythout ende. For it was necessarye that he shoulde dye wyth vs. And thys is it that he spake before: He that eateth my flesh, & drinketh my bloud, he dwelleth in me, & I in hym. If Iesus Christ dwel in vs, it foloweth that forthwith lyfe dwelleth in vs: accordyng to ye which he spake before, as the father hathe lyfe in hym selfe: so hath he geuē vnto his son, to haue life in him selfe. It is easy to se that the Anabaptistes neuer tasted howe wee be ioyned to oure Lorde Iesus.