Catechismus, that is to say, a short instruction into Christian religion for the singular…Catechismus, that is to say, a shorte instruction into Christian religion for the synguler…

For he that is angry with his neighbour, killeth his neighbour in heart and ⟨p. lv⟩will and breaketh this commandment of God, thou shalt not kill. And mark well good children, that he sayeth not, thy hand shall not kill, or thy sword, spear, or gun shall not slay. But he sayeth, thou shalt not kill, that is to say, thou which art made of body and soul, shalt neither kill with any of thy bodily members, neither yet with thy inward mind or will, neither with word nor deed. But here peradventure some will say. What think you sir of traitors, common thieves, robbers and murderers ought not such to be killed? I answer that they ought to be killed, but yet God sayeth, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt keep peace with all men. Who then shall kill such malefactors? Leave punishment to me (sayeth God) and I will revenge. ⟨image 79⟩God himself will do execution upon such open transgressors of his laws. And therefore here in this world, God hath ordained under him kings, princes and other magistrates, and hath given them their swords to this use, that they should be his deputies in killing such offenders. And when such common governors do their office in punishing open malefactors, then they do a true honour and service to god, & are his ministers, as saint Paul saith to the Romans.¹ The magistrate is Gods officer. And when the public minister doeth kill an open transgressor, we ought to think that God killeth him, forasmuch as the officer doeth the same by the commandment and ordinance of God. Wherefore good children, although men do never so great wrong unto ⟨p. lvi⟩you, and hurt you ether in your bodies or goods, yet take it patiently, refrain your hands from bloudshedyng, strike no man violently, but commit the matter to God. For he hath said, leave vengeance to me and I will revenge. But ye in no wise shall kill, nether in will, word, nor deed. For there be diverse ways to commit murder. The first is when with any kind of weapon, or violence we slay our neighbour, as thieves do be the high ways. Also if we give any commandment or counsel, that our neighbour should be slain by other, or if we spread abroad any evil brute or slander of any man, by occasion of the which he is put to death. Furthermore we kill, when ether with word or deed, we may, and do not, deliver him whom other