A17726:44
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. › Article 2 › ☞ ConfutationOf the Anabaptistes. › Article 2 › ☞ Confutacion
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.
☞ For where it is said that the Lord Jesus hath shed his blood to cleanse her, that she should be without wrinkle or spot: doth not signify that in this world she shall be clean from all spots. But rather she believeth and goeth forward in good works day by day, stretching her self fourth unto that end, unto which she shall not attain in this world.
☞ For where it is sayde that the Lorde Iesus hath shedde hys bloud to clense her, that she should be wythout wrinkle or spote: doth not sygnifye that in thys worlde she shalbe cleane from all spottes. But rather she beleueth and goeth forwarde in good worckes daye by day, stretchynge hyr selfe fourth vnto that ende, vnto whych she shal not attayne in thys worlde.
Furthermore, the church is spotted with vices, two ways. For there is no member of the same, so pure nor so perfect, which is not always compassed & environed with many imperfections. Therefore all faithful men, as long as they be conversant in this world, have always some uncleanness remaining in their flesh: as all holy scripture doeth testify: and principally. S. Paul in the seventh to the Romans. Touching this form of uncleanness, though we had a church in the best governance that might be in this world: yet could we never avoid this, that we should not have need to be washed daily by our Lord, in forgiving us our since through his mercy. The second manner or way whereby the church is spotted, is by the wicked hypocrites which are always among the stock of the good, to infect the hole company with their filthiness. Some time there be contemners, of dissolute & slanderous life, which though they keep in, their wickedness for fear of rebuke before men: yet in the mean while they declare that they have neither fear nor reverence of God. This pollution ought to be taken away by the discipline of excommunication: and to travel diligently therein, that it may be done in deed But there be many churches, which do not their endeavour to caste out such filthiness. Other there be, which do take great pain and diligence, and yet do not come to such perfection, but that there do remain always a great number of wicked men unpunished, ⟨image 17⟩