A17726:94
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.
For saint Paul sayeth not, that they should forsake their Principalities, for to become christians. And also the words that he useth, can ⟨image 33⟩in no wise stand with such evasion. For if it behoved a prince to give over his dignity, to become a christian man, it should follow, that that estate should be void of the grace of God, as unlawful & reproved.
For saynte Paule sayeth not, yt they sholde forsake theyr Principalities, for to become christiās. And also the wordes yt he vseth, cā ⟨image 33⟩in no wyse stande wyth suche euasion. For if it behoued a prynce to geue ouer hys dignitye, to become a christian man, it shoulde folowe, that that estate shoulde be voyde of the grace of God, as vnlawfull & reproued.
But they think surely, that they have invincible objections to excommunicate out of the church, and from all hope of salvation the estate of Princes, in alleging certain places evil understanded, which they wrest shamefully to this purpose.
But they thynke surely, that they haue inuincible obiections to excommunicate oute of the churche, and from all hope of saluatiō the estate of Prynces, in alledgynge certaine places euyll vnderstanded, whych they wrest shamfully to thys purpose.
First they allege that the Lord Jesus, did not ordain, that the woman which was taken in adultery, should be stoned to death, as the law of God required: but that he used mercy towards her, saying. Go sin no more. Before I answer, I will are one question of them. They say that in the christian church, excommunication doth succeed the material sword, in such wise, that where as afore time a crime was punished by death, now the offender ought to be punished by privation from the company of the faithful. Therefore I ask them how they will excuse Jesus Christ, for that which he hath done? For he hath not observed their rule: neither in condemning the woman to be banished from the holy congregation: neither yet to dye. By this a man may see, how brainless they be, speaking without reason. Now do I come unto the true solution which is very easy. It is to be noted, that these poor beasts in this place, follow the exposition, wherewith the Papistical priests