A97377:83
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.
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:2 Shall I obey an ungodly magistrate? Shall I obey ungodly laws, statutes and commandments? Thou dost not ask all one thing. Thy question & demand is not all one. For to the first question, I do answer that we are bound to obey, to the second again I say, that we ought not to obey. The magistrate beareth no rule over the souls, but over the bodies & outward substance, & whatsoever doth pertain to the outward conversation of men. Now if he commandeth any thing against god, against conscience & health of the soul, we ought rather to obey god, then the ungodly commandments of the tyrant. Now hath place that the apostles do say: It behoveth rather to obey god, than men. But if he commandeth only that, which pertaineth to outward things, or to ⟨image 45⟩thy body, which thing, can,3 or may be performed & done by thee, without the loss of the truth & righteousness, without peril of salvation (though it seemeth never so hurtful to thy body and substance, though it seemeth never so uncomely for thee) thou art bound to obey. Therefore we owe obedience to the tyrant, & again, we owe him not obedience.