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…

Let the Anabaptists bring forth their Author, to approve their saying. As for us, we say nothing but that which is approved by our Saviour Jesus Christ, and all the Prophets, and Apostles.

Let the Anabaptistes brynge forthe theyr Aucthor, to approue theyr sayinge. As for vs, we saye nothynge but that whyche is approued by oure Sauioure Iesus Christe, and all the Prophetes, and Apostles.

We see what vices the Prophets rebuked in the Jews church, or rather the abominations, against which they cried out. ⟨image 19⟩And that was not upon one estate: but they say, from the rulers both spiritual and ten poral, unto the common people, all was so corrupted, that scant was there one whole member. Did they for all this cease to come and assemble with the people so perverse and wicked? to worship God, to do sacrifices, to hear the doctrine of the law? Did they build an altar or temple to them selves, that they might have a pure church? If a faithful man be polluted in companying with the wicked when he prayeth, and receiveth the doctrine, and Sacraments of our Lord: then were all the Prophets polluted, and he captains to lead us all into perdition through their ensample. Let us come to our saviour Jesus and his Apostles. We know at the least, what was the state of Jerusalem at his time. Yet our Lord Jesus would be circumcised commonly with other people. Furthermore at the day of purification, he was contented to be borne to the temple, to be presented unto God after the manner accustomed. If it be alleged that he was received by the hands of a holy man that is to say Simeon: I answer that all that was done there, was done in the name of the church: which was filled with many filthinesses and abominations If any do reply and say, that he was a young child and therefore that it was not his proper fact: I answer that he was so a child in the nature of man which he toke of us: that there whilst he was governed by his divine providence: ⟨image 19⟩by which he would never have permitted him self to be contaminate with any spot, which were contrary to the pureness of the children of God. But being a perfect man, preached, and that more is, he exercised his office, and followed this trace unto his death. If it be an offence to God to enter into a congregation (out of which all the wicked be not excluded) to pray to God, and to make protestation of our faith, what shall Christ say, and what example hath he given us, in going unto the remple of Jerusalem with the scribes and Pharisees, a people so wicked as they then were? I know well that they will answer me here, that Jesus Christ did not go into the temple, but for that intent he would rebuke the vices which at that time were there committed: