A97377:105
A most necessary & fruitful dialogue, between [the] seditious libertine or rebel Anabaptist, &…A most necessary & frutefull dialogue, betwene [the] seditious libertin or rebel Anabaptist, &…
A most necessary & fruitful dialogue, between [the] seditious libertine or rebel Anabaptist, & the true obedient christia[n] wherein, as in a mirror or glass ye shall see [the] excellence and worthiness of a christia[n] magistrate: & again what obedience is due unto public rulers of all th[os]e [that] profess Christ yea, though [the] rulers, in extern & outward things, to their utter damnation, do otherwise then well: translated out of Latin into English, by Iho[n] Veron Senonoys.A most necessary & frutefull dialogue, betwene [the] seditious libertin or rebel Anabaptist, & the true obedient christia[n] wherin, as in a mirrour or glasse ye shal se [the] excellencte and worthynesse of a christia[n] magistrate: & again what obedience is due vnto publique rulers of all th[os]e [that] professe Christ yea, though [the] rulers, in externe & outward thinges, to their vtter dampnatyon, do otherwyse then well: translated out of Latyn into Englishe, by Iho[n] Veron Senonoys.
Worcester : Imprinted the third day of April. Anno. Do. 1551. At Worcester in the high street, by John Oswen. They be also to sell at Shrewesbury. Cum priuligio ad imprimendum solum, 1551Worcester : Imprynted the third daye of Aprill. Anno. Do. 1551. At Worceter in ye hygh strete, by Ihon Oswen. They be also to sell at Shrewesbury. Cum priuligio ad imprimendum solum, 1551
Dialogue 4: The fourth Dialogue. ¶ Whether it be lawful to resist ye magistrate, where we do write…
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.
There be then many ways, whereby tyrants may be taken away and put down, but we do want a fervent study of righteousness, and of the truth, we do want the fear of god, and devilish wickedness reigneth every where For it could not be possible that a tyrant durst do so much, except there were mo wicked, by whom he should maintain and uphold his tyranny. But first and formest, the prophets, that is to say, the ministers of gods word, must be bold to rebuke the since and wicked facts of Princes & rulers:1 none other way more commodious to overcome tyrants can be, then if the preachers of the truth, do once determine too dye, they must put their bodies & lives to jeopardy. If Nero, Domitian, Maximianus, with other, could not by murdering and shedding of blood, root out and utterly destroy the doctrine of Christ, much less shall these brainless and mad princes (if we do stand up boldly) oppress the gospel and the truth.2 Therefore this is the first and chiefest way, that the overseers be not ⟨image 54⟩blind, that the dogs be not dumb, that they put them selves a wall betwixt the since of the people, and god, that they amend up the broken hedge. The second that we do always,3 and without ceasing pray unto god, which in his wrath and indignation, maketh the hypocrites too reign, for our sins. Finally, and last of all, that we thirst for righteousness, that we amend our lives, and change our conditions. For if we be godly, and righteous, it is impossible, that a tyrant do reign long.
There be then many waies, wherby tiraunts may be taken away and put downe, but we do wante a feruent study of rightuousnes, and of the truth, we do wante the feare of god, and deuilish wickednes reigneth eueri where For it could not be possible that a tirant durst do so muche, except there were mo wycked, by whom he should mainteyne and vphold his tyrannye. But fyrst and formest, the prophetes, that is to say, the ministers of gods word, must be bold to rebuke the synnes and wycked factes of Prynces & rulers:1 none other way more commodious to ouercome tirauntes can be, then if the preachers of the truthe, do once determyne too dye, they muste put their bodies & lyues to ieopardy. Yf Nero, Dominitanus, Maximianus, wyth other, could not by murtheringe and sheding of bloud, roote out and vtterly destroye the doctrine of Christ, muche lesse shall these braynlesse and madde princes (yf we do stand vp boldly) oppresse ye gospel and the truth.