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…

but rather let every man endeavour as much as in him is, to redress and bring it to his estate. Likewise let every private man, help all that he may, that it may be done. But it cannot be, that every particular man should have just cause, to alienate him self from the church, as oftentimes as things do not go after his desire, For this must be observed, that this policy is not in the power of one member, but ought to exercise it self, by the consent of the whole body. Therefore Saint Paul speaketh not specialty to each one, to impute unto him this fault: but doeth impute ⟨image 22⟩it to the hole body. The some of this is, that touching the communion of the church, we ought to do our endeavour, that all members rotten or infected with contagious malady: that is to say, all those which live a slanderous life should be cut of. But let us consider what is in us, & when we have done that which was our duty & office if we can not obtain that thing which we desire to bring to pass, let us than commit the rest to God, and pray that it may please him to put to his hand, as it is his work In the mean while, though, by good right, we have cause to be sorry, that we cannot see the church of God in his perfect order: yet let us bear that imperfection which is not in us to correct. Touching that saint Paul forbiddeth to eat and drink with such as live a slanderous life: that meaneth he of private conversation and not of the public communion. But here will some man answer, if it be not lawful for a christen man, to company with a wicked man, to eat and drink with him for bodily refection: how much less is it permitted him, to eat the Lords bread in his company. To this I answer, that it is in our power and liberty, to use company and have familiarity privately with the wicked. We must therefore every man in his own self, abstain from such company. But to receive the supper of the lord, is not a thing that is in our disposition. And therefore the reason, is divers. Let us therefore note this, that if ⟨image 22⟩the church do tolerate and suffer an unworthy man: he that knoweth him to be such a one, doeth well to abstain from his company privately, & he ought to do it as much as he may, so that he make no schism or separation in the church touching the public communion.

but rather let euerye man endeuoure as muche as in hym is, to redresse and brynge it to hys estate. Lykewyse let euerye priuate man, helpe al that he maye, that it maye be done. But it cannot be, that euerye perticuler manne shoulde haue iuste cause, to altenate hym selfe from the church, as oftentymes as thynges do not go after hys desyer, For thys muste be obserued, that thys policie is not in ye power of one mēber, but oughte to exercise it selfe, by the consente of the wholle bodye. Therefore Sayncte Paulle speketh not specialtye to eche one, to impute vnto hym thys faute: but doeth impute