A17726:76
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.
¶ The sixth Article of Magistrates
¶ The sixte Article of Magistrates
WE agree that the temporal sword is an ordinance of God, besides the perfection of Christ, so the princes & superiors of the world are ordained to punish the wicked, & to put them to death. But in the perfection of Christ, excommunication is the utmost pain, and not corporal death.
WE agre that the tēporal swerde is an ordinaūce of God, besides ye perfectiō of Christ, so the princes & superiours of ye world are ordeined to punishe ye wicked, & to put them to death. But in the perfectiō of Christe, excommunicatiō is the vtmoste paine, and not corporall death.
☞ The confutation.
¶ Here must we note, that this is a moderation which they do make, to correct that which afore time they have said, after they perceived that for the absurdity of their saying, they were rejected of all the world. For this honour did they give unto principalities, and Seignories of the world, that they reckoned them among murder and thievery. But perceiving that this could not be borne, they have advised them selves gently to retract this Article, using this fault colour, the worldly dominion, is an ordinance of God, besides the perfection of Christ. Now by this, they do signify that it is an estate unlawful & forbidden to all christen men as they them selves expound it afterward. We must therefore consider whether christianity, and the estate of Justice or worldly superiority are things that may not stand togethers.