A17726:315
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.
But I do deny, that this place doth make ⟨image 79⟩any thing to the confirmation of their error For by this manner of speech, the prophet would express the fragility of our estate and condition, and the shortness of mans life. It is said in the history of Job, that man is as a flour springing out of the earth which in continent withereth, and as a shadow passeth away.
But I do denye, that this place doth make ⟨image 79⟩any thyng to the confirmatiō of their errour For by thys maner of speache, the prophete woulde expresse the fragilitye of oure estate and condition, and the shortenes of mannes lyfe. It is sayed in the hystorye of Iob, that man is as a flour sprynging out of the earth whyche in continente wythereth, and as a shadowe passeth awaye.
☞ Isaiah commandeth all preachers to cry, that all flesh is but grass. If the Anabaptists do out of this conclude, that the soul withereth away: they do see more clearly then did Saint Peter, which proveth that the souls of the faithful are immortal: because the Prophet immediately addeth, that the word of God abideth for ever.
☞ Esaias commaundeth all preachers to crye, that all fleshe is but grasse. If the Anabaptistes do oute of thys conclude, that the soule wythereth away: they do se more clearlye then dyd Saynte Peter, whyche proueth that the soules of the fayethfull are immortall: bycause the Prophete immediatlye addeth, that the word of God abideth for euer.
There is a like reason in this, which is spoken in an other Psalm. As a father hath pity of his children, even so hath the Lord had pity of his servants. For he knoweth whereof we are made. He doeth remember that we be dust, that our days be as grass whereof the flowers doth quickly wither away. That the spirit passeth in us, and tarrieth not, and knoweth no more his place. In all these sentences, let us note that man is admonished of his frailty, chiefly when God withdraweth his hand, and his virtue from him: that he should know that he is nothing, and less then nothing, if that God do not keep and preserve him by his grace. And in deed when we say that the souls are immortal. We intend not by that saying to derogate any thing from