A97377:82
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 3: ¶ The third Dialogue. That we are bound to obey the Magistrate.
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.
SI. What if he commandeth that, which is unjust and unrightful? Shall I obey? ⟨image 44⟩What if the tyrant be both unrighteous and ungodly, shall I obey nevertheless? No. For thou hast said before, that no man can better execute the office of a magistrate, then a christian. Again, Paul doth with a certain stomach, speak against them that suffered them selves to be judged under unrighteous judges. Finally, the apostles them selves, would not obey the commandments of the ungodly magistrates, saying: It behoveth rather to obey god, then men.
SI. What if he commaundeth that, whyche is vniuste and vnryghtfull? Shall I obey? ⟨image 44⟩What yf the tyraunt be both vnryghteous and vngodly, shall I obey neuertheles? No. For thou hast sayd before, that no man can better execute the office of a magistrate, then a christian. Again, Paul doth with a certaine stomacke, speake against them that suffered them selues to be iudged vnder vnryghtuous iudges. Finally, the apostles them selues, wold not obey the commaundementes of the vngodlye magistrates, saying: It behoueth rather to obey god, then men.
JO. I have made a comparison betwixt the godly magistrate, and the ungodly, when I said these words: No man can better nor more godly execute the office of a magistrate, then a godly man,1 and yet in the mean season, I did not say, that an ungodly and tyrannous magistrate, is not a magistrate. I did prefer the rule that the christian doth bear, before the rule that the ungodly doth bear, & yet notwithstanding, I did not condemn the last although it were no power, or rule, or as though we were not bound to obey it. The common weals never flourished better, then when godly men did Reign. That we may see in Hezekiah, & other holy ⟨image 45⟩Kings. Whereunto same Paul had also a respect when he did bid the Corinthians to chose & make judges of the saints, that is to say, of the faithful. The apostles did well, that in certain things they did not obey the ungodly edicts & commandments of the senate. When thou dost then ask and demand a question, touching obedience, I do answer after this manner: When thou sayest these words: