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…

☞ 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. ⟨image 29⟩So that if a man will be the one, he must be con strained to renounce the other. First I axe, whether it be an estate repugnant to the vocation of a faithful man, to exercise the office of the sword, or of worldly superiority: seeing that the judges in the old testament, and also the good Kings, as David, Hezekiah, Josiah, and also some of the prophets, as Daniel have used it? To say that it was a vicious imperfection in them, is to no purpose: seeing that the holy Ghost witnesseth of the judges, that God raised them up to deliver his people: and this singularly appeareth in Moses, the which having express commandment, would gladly have withdrawn him self, if he had could. But it behoved him, under pain of disobedience to God, to receive this charge on him. Touching David, his reign was not only approved of God, but praised and adorned with very honourable tiles. The like ought to be esteemed of his successors: seeing the reason is one. Therefore, there resteth none other evasion, to these enemies of all order, but to say, that God requireth a greater perfection in the christen church than he did among the people of the Jews. Now is this very true, touching ceremonies. But that we have any other rule to live by, touching the moral law, as we call it than had the ancient people, is a false opinion.