Page  1 A REPLY TO A PUBLICATION OF GELLIUS FABER, MINISTER AT EMDEN, WHICH HE PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR 1552 (IF I MISTAKE NOT), TO SLANDER THE PIOUS CHILDREN OF GOD, AND TO EMBITTER THEIR CROSS; TO ENSNARE AND DECEIVE THE THOUGHTLESS, AND TO COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE THEM IN THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS AND CORRUPTION. BY MENNO SIMON. lua op ppitt$H (inlit lhtSiOplatuS) Juxita ye p^U^a, magri kluntI}S$+ (Two facts set opposite to each other, says the philosopher, become the more apparent.) SECOTD PAi:RT. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 18 7 1. 37

Page  2 May God, our heavenly Father, through his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, graciously grant spiritual enlightenment and salutary understanding to all the pious and unprejudiced readers of this work, of whatever class, who sincerely seek the Lord and his saving truth, Amen. "'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," I Cor. 3: 11. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by JOHN F. FUNK & BROTHER, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Page  3 PREFACE. PAUL writes to Timothy, and says, "This "Behold," says the prophet, "this was know also, that in the last days perilous the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, Pride, fulltimes shall come; for men shall be lovers of ness of bread, abundance of idleness, was their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, in her, and in her daughters; neither did blasphemers, disobedient to parents, un- she strengthen the hand of the poor and thankful, unholy, without natural affection, needy; and they were haughty and comtruce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, mitted abomination before me; therefore I fierce, despisers of those that are good, trai- took them away as I saw good," Ezek. 16: tors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleas- 49, 50. ures more than lovers of God; having a But now the world lives as if they were form of godliness, but denying the power merely born to ungodliness and sensuality; thereof; from such turn away," 2 Tim. 3: and as if God was a dreamer and his word 1-5. a fable. Say, beloved, is it not so? My Further he says, "I charge thee therefore kind reader, is it not so? Where is he who before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who sincerely fears God and seeks after the shall judge the quick and the dead at his truth? Wherever we turn we see nothing appearing and his kingdom; preach the but unrighteousness, idolatry, deceit and word; be instant in season, out of season; despising of God. And all this is decked reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suf- with the holy name, word, death and blood fering and doctrine, for the time will come of Christ; besides, with human weakness when they will not endure sound doctrine; and with false freedom, to avoid offence, but after their own lusts shall they heap to 0 Lord! as if Christ were the2Redeemer of themselves teachers, having itching ears; all the impenitent and Mediator of all perand they shall turn away their ears from verse sinners. No, my reader, no; this is the truth, and shall be turned unto fables," not the case. Beware! Paul says, "If ye 2 Tim. 4: 1-4. live after the flesh, ye shall die," Rom. 8: 13. Again Daniel says, "There shall be a Inasmuch, then, that the world is so cortime of trouble, such as never was since rupted, on every hand, that it has become there was a nation," Dan. 12: 1. a double Sodom, nay a confused Babel or Beloved reader, if you will pay close at- benighted Egypt, under the pretense and tention to the seeking, teaching and conduct name of Christian churches; and since the of the preachers of the present day, and to great and merciful God has, in these latter the deplorable condition of the common days of unrighteousness, again revealed unpeople, you will beconvincedthat the teach- to some the precious word of his divine ers of whom Paul speaks are here, in great grace in a pure, christian understanding, numbers and that the abominable time has and placed it as a clear light amidst the arrived. 0 reader, take heed! It is such a darkness, wherewith he yet in everlasting time now, that if Sodom was flourishing as love will assemble unto himself, before the of old, it would compare as pious and right- dark day, an obedient and willing church eous with the present, miserable world. Yet, through the revelation of his holy word and through the just punishment and wrath of the enlightenment of his eternal Spirit; and God, Sodom was turned into ashes and suf- since he has chosen them as his own peculfered the vengeance of eternal fire. j iar people from the assembly of anti-christ,

Page  4 4 PREFACE. through true repentance and a virtuous walk Behold thus works the "prince of the (although in weakness), under the cross of power of the air, the Spirit that now workChrist, together with a salutary use of the eth in the children of disobedience," as Paul sacramental signs according to the ordi- says, Eph. 2: 2; as may, alas, be plainly nance of Christ and his apostles and through seen in the case of Gellius Faber, if we well a free, unfeigned confession of faith in the consider his writings, slanders, bitter, offensprecious blood of Christ; therefore all the ive words, his false accusations, his vain gates of hell arise and rave, so that, alas, boasting and gross garbling, and judge true christians can find but little rest upon them according to the Spirit and word of earth, as may be seen. the Lord. The rulers banish and persecute them; Notwithstanding that it is well known to drag them into prisons and dungeons, tort- many thousands of honest and reasonable ure and rob them, and in many places de- people (as I suppose) that we seek nothing prive them of their manhood, possessions else upon earth but that we may in our and even life. weakness, willingly walk in the footsteps This perverse and reckless people ever of Christ, in obedience to his word; that we call us anabaptists; heap one shameful lie may again light the extinguished lamp of upon another; point at us with the finger truth, may call many unto righteousness, of scorn, as if we so behaved that fire and and that we may save our souls by the assword were too merciful a punishment for sistance and grace of the Lord, on which acour bodies, and eternal hell-fire too merci- count we, poor ones everywhere, must enful a punishment for our souls. dure so much tribulation, misery, anxiety, The preachers and the learned "are cor- cross and persecution; nevertheless, the rupt, and speak wickedly concerning op- above mentioned Gellius, who in this case pression; they speak loftily," as the prophet should be our assistant and fosterer (for says, Ps. 73: 8, although we testify by so he claims to be a servant of the holy word), many tribulations that we, in our poor still increases our anxiety and sore perseweakness, sincerely desire to fear and fol- cution, and the hatred and bitterness against low the Lord, and that we seek and desire us, by his unscriptural arguments and hospeace with all mankind; yet, we are infa- tility to our foundation and doctrine, by mously slandered; we are accused, every- his covert, malicious complaints to the magwhere, before lords and rulers of cities and istracy, and by his infamous slanders which countries, that we are ungodly sects and he publishes, through his writings, to the anabaptists; that we are seducing the pop- world, to the dishonor of God and his holy ulace; conspire to raise mutiny and rebell- word; to the disgrace of all the pious; to ion; and are falsely accused of other crim- the confirmation of his own condemnation, inal intentions; that they may thus obscure and to the deceiving of the simple. Thereand obstruct the precious word of God, the i fore, no well-disposed person will think word of true repentance; the joyous gospel hard of me, that I, by an open reply, in acof grace; the true and powerful faith in cordance with the Spirit and word of my Christ Jesus; the pious, unblamable life, Lord, defend, to the best of my ability, the required by the Scriptures; and destroy the honor of God, the salvation of my brethren, glorious kingdom of Christ, and his right- the foundation of my faith and the praise eousness; lest their cause and unfaithful- of Christ, my Lord, whose service I entered, ness be made manifest to the world; as may unworthily, by his grace and calling, acbe educed from their fruits; and that on the cording to his divine will. other hand, the corrupt kingdom of anti- I trust, too, with the gracious help of God, christ, the kingdom of this world, may be that I shall be able to do this so powerfully preserved uninterruptedly and maintained and clearly, with so many plain reasons without shame unto the end, in falsehood, and Scriptures, that not only the theologiimpenitance, open idolatry, a carnal, easy ans but also all reasonable and impartial life and in unrighteousness, according to readers and hearers will, by the grace of the desires of the old serpent. God, clearly understand that he and the

Page  5 PREFACE. 5 preachers of his class, support deceiving and, on the other hand, that we are perselies; and that we, through the grace of God, cuted and do not retaliate; therefore, all support the sure foundation of truth. I, here- right-minded persons must admit that the with, humbly beseech and faithfully admon- truth and the true church is not with them, ish all my readers, friends and enemies, but with us; for it is an infallible rule as that they will attentively read, assiduously proven by the word of God and the examexamine and judge according to Scripture ple of all the pious, that where the true this my forced reply and defense, not with church is, there also are and necessarily partiality, not drowsily and spitefully but must be the saving doctrine, true sacrawith care and impartiality. This matter is ments, unfeigned love, a pious, godly life of like importance to us all, namely, the and the excommunion or separation of the the praise of God, and of Christ, and the i impenitent and perverse, according to the salvation of our poor souls. Let none im- word of God; as may be clearly educed, agine that he is not accepted. by the grace of God, from the following There is but one road and gate that leads replication. to life, which is a strait road, Matt. 7: 13, I would, therefore, earnestly pray all the also, but one doctrine. If we wish to enter pious, for God's sake, that they would aswith Christ into the kingdom of his glory, sist me by their ardent prayers to the Most we must all walk the strait way and enter I High, that he will bestow upon me, a poor, in at the narrow gate and be obedient to weak man, together with my beloved brethhis word; of this let every one be aware. ren and faithful servants in the Lord, the Since, then, it is evident that Gellius, and gift of his grace and the power of his wisthe learned, base their doctrines, sacra- dom; so that we may silence all opponents, ments, &c., mainly upon human wisdom, by virtue of true doctrine and an unblamgarbled Scriptures, upon ideas and opin- able walk and thus maintain to the end, I able walk, and thus maintain to the end, ions; and that we base ours upon God's word; that he and his followers walk upon the house of our God, n pure, godly zeal the broad road, and that our followers walk and christian love, to the honor and praise upon the strait road; that he is not perse- of his great name, to whom be praise and cuted, but does persecute by his writings; the eternal kingdom, Amen.

Page  6

Page  7 REPLY TO A PUBLICATION OF GELLIUS FABER. Pure and clear is wisdom; strong and powerful is truth; simple and desirable is righteousness; happy is he who possesses them, for his heart rejoices in the Lord, his mouth speaks what is riqht, and his feet are upon the way of peace. IN THE first place, Gellius adduces the saying of souls, Jesus Christ, who was crucified for us Christ, as a warning to all his readers, where he speaks, and in whose name we were baptized; all "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's of which we in our weakness, would gladly clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves," Matt. 7 15. and earnestly do, by the grace and help of Answer. If the reader can rightly distin- God, as our tribulation, misery, affliction, guish, according to the Spirit and word of blood and death abundantly have testified God, between the nature of the sheep and in many different instances. the wolves, andunderstandswhatthis sheep's But Gellius so construes it as to keep his clothing means, with which the ravening readers from the unity of the Spirit, word, wolves are covered, then the saying would, house and body of Christ, and to keep them undoubtedly, not be applied to us, but to through his deceitful doctrine, unscriptural our opponents; for in what kind of cloth- infant-baptism, &c., in the unity of the spiring he here appears, with which he keeps it, word, house and body of anti-christ, and the simple in darkness and binds their undisturbedly upon the broad way. souls to damnation, will be plainly and In the third place, Gellius has addressed his writing clearly shown, through the grace of God, to to a nobleman, as is generally customary with the learnclear ly shown o raes i th. ed; thinking, perhaps, that by this means, their aim all the pious and godly readers, in the fol- will be the easier attained, through the favor and assistlowing reply, if they compare it with his ance of such high officials; something which the pious writing. testimonies, prophets and teachers of God's truth and In the second place he adduces Paul and says, "Now word, especially of the New Testament never desired I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus and much less sought. Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there In the fourth place Gellius gives his two principal be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly reasons why he has published his writing. The first is, joined together in the same mind and in the same judg- he says, Because I see that these anabaptists are daily ment," 1 Cor. 1: 10. coming into this country, secretly, from the imperial doAnswer. If we well consider this saying, minion, where they do and can do the most damage, and we will find that it admonishes all true not only sow here anew, their pernicious seed by hedgepreaching, but also by publications, writings and prichristians not to live carnally nor to be sec- vate letters, which we must stop and silence lest the untarian; that the one shall not boast of this wary be deceived, and that we may yet redeem some of and another of that; but points us to the them who have not yet become slanderers, &c. only and true Shepherd and Savior of our Answer. These very offensive words, like

Page  8 8 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. anabaptists, secretly coming, hedgqe-preach- idolatry and gross abomination and that ing, pernicious seed, &c., alas, plainly show their life, as a general thing, is nothing but the disposition of the man who penned them. a reckless, impenitent and carnal life, as is Yes, my readers, Gellius knows as well the case at Emden and everywhere. Yet he as I do, what Christ has commanded con- dares to write that there they do most damcerning baptism, and how the holy apostles age. And this he does for no other reason practiced it. Again, that Paul rebaptized than because they (the pious) storm the some who were baptized of John (although kingdom of hell with the Lord's Spirit, word John's baptism was from Heaven) only, be- and power; rebuke open idolatry; teach the cause they were not informed concerning true worship; rightly confess Christ; and the Holy Ghost; that the worthy martyr because they point out the true way to this Cyprian and the African bishops, together perverse, impenitent and carnal generation. with the council of Nice, did not acknowl- If this is damaging, as Gellius calls it, then edge the baptism of heretics, as baptism, on the Scriptures which speak so over-much of account of their being outside of Christ's an unblamable, pious life, have badly dechurch, and without his Spirit and word. ceived us; this you must admit. 0, what Notwithstanding all this, we must be call- a wrong judgment. ed anabaptists; never minding that we, in Behold, thus does the god of this world our infancy were baptized, not only without blind such rebellious and contentious spirits, the Spirit, faith, word or divine ordinance, who so recklessly contend against the word but also without all reason and understand- of God and who do not obey the truth, but ing, with an open, anti-christian baptism, obey unrighteousness, Rom. 2: 8, that they by such as he and the learned of his class become so obdurate and perverse that they themselves call anti-christians, apostates, call the glorious gain in Christ, attained heretics and deceivers who neither rightly through his grace, Spirit and power, a loss; understand God nor his word; who practice and call good, evil, and evil, good; woe unopen idolatry; who bend their knees before to such, Isaiah 5: 20. wood and stone; who put their trust in idle I would further say, that he also says, in doctrines and commands of men; who unre- other places that we are the only ones who strainedly walk according to the lusts of the obstruct them in their doctrine of impeniflesh, and who worship and honor a creat- tence and offensiveness, by our doctrine ure of God, namely, a piece of bread, as (which is not ours but the sound doctrine of the only and eternal Son of God. Christ), and by our humble and unblamable Although we have before us as a pattern, walk which results from our doctrine through Christ's plain word and the salutary doc- faith; and that we are thus the cause of trine and open practice of the apostles, be- their not being so highly esteemed as besides, Paul and both the councils, as heard; fore and that they cannot continue in their yet, alas, there are no bounds to offensive ways, as they would like to do; therefore, words, such as anabaptists, &c., which Gel- perhaps, he complains that we do most lius uses against us. damage there. But we say, It is because We may not retaliate, Rom. 12: 19, else they serve the world under the semblance we might call them infant-baptists with of the gospel, only from carnal motives; and more propriety than they call us anabap- flatter the rulers that they may aggrandize tists; for we have the whole Scriptures on themselves with the property, church and our side, but they have not one word nor I cloister, which was intended (though wrongone example. But his saying that we do 1 fully), as a sacrifice to the honor of God and and can do most damage in the imperial i that they may maintain the gospel of Christ dominion, shows, alas, his stupidity and I by force of arms; because they flatter the blindness. people with the idea that Christ remitted All Scriptures teach us that idolaters and our sins; that faith alone, avails; that they carnally-minded shall die, and he well are poor, weak sinners who cannot keep knows that in these countries, their (the the commandments of God, and other like world's), worship is nothing less than open idle consolations; so that everybody lives act

Page  9 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 9 cording to the lusts of his flesh, singing and I lion's mouth and from fire and sword, into crying, " The cord is loosed and we are free," more merciful countries, must be called by and turn the grace of God into unrighteous- him "secretly entering." 0, Lord! ness, as Jude says, 1: 4; because they live W That kind of a preacher and christian he in the old state of sinfulness, without any is; how he acts according to love; and how fear of God, as if they never in their lives he walks according to the word of the Lord heard one syllable of the word of the Lord, | in this respect, all reasonable persons who and as if God would not punish ungodliness I are not more than half blind may judge and unrighteousness; therefore the just Lord from these, his writings together with his daiwho righteously judges all things, again ly cries of the same kind. To the slanderous takes from them the knowledge which they sentence " sowing pernicious seed," I reply: may have had, because of their ingratitude Every seed bringeth forth fruit after its own (for they only teach and proclaim the gos- kind, Gen. 1: 11. pel of his grace according to the lusts of the My dear reader take heed to what I flesh) and give it to those who will bring write. God's word, on every hand, requires forth fruit, as Christ spoke to the Pharisee, a pure heart, a new mind and a penitent, Matt. 21: 43. christian life, dead unto sin. John the BapAgain, to the unreasonable and offensive t ist says, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet word "secretly enter," I reply: Moses and for repentance," Jesus says, "Repent, for Christ, the apostles and prophets, as also, the kingdom of heaven is at hand," Matt. natural reason unanimnously teach us that 3: 8; 4: 17. Again, I am come to call sinwe should receive, comfort, help, assist and ners to repentance, Matt. 9: 13, and many serve the miserable,afflicted and needy stran- other Scriptures of the kind might lbe adger; and it is a fact well known to Gellius duced. that these poor children whom he afflicts, Inasmuch, then, that the Scriptures, on have fled in unfeigned fear of their God to every hand, require of us true repentance, a foreign country for protection, with their and that also the sacramental signs, as weak women and little children, to escape baptism and Holy Supper signify, represent the bloody tyrannical sword; not on account and teach to all true christian believers a of crime or roguery, but on account of the penitent, unblamable life; and since, actestimony of God and their consciences; cording to the tenor of the Scriptures, no even as the pursued doves flee from the bird one can be a true christian without true reof prey; and that we, through the grace of pentance and that every kind of seed brings God place ourselves under the protection of forth fruit after its own kind, as already this or that merciful and kind-hearted ruler; said, namely, lies, children of lies, and and although they, for the sake of divine truth, children of truth; and since it is a truth, are bereft of their native country, pos- fact well known to many reasonable persessions and earthly comforts, yet they can, sons that God has, through us and our felthrough God's grace, reasonably support low-servants, in his great power and infithemselves, as is promised in Scripture. nite grace, turned unto the true and living If he were, in fact, what he boasts to be, God, many a proud, avaricious, unchaste, namely, a preacher of the holy word, then cruel, lying, carnal and idolatrous heart his inmost soul would be moved to compas- and has so humbled, moved, renewed and sion towards these afflicted orphans and changed them that they would rather die innocent hearts; he would be kind to them than act hypocritically, or willingly speak and assist them as much as is in his power; or countenance any falsehood against the hle would intercede for them before the mag- well being of their neighbors, as is testified istracy, since he may observe in them such in our Netherlands by the precious blood a moving spirit and ardent zeal, that they of so many pious saints. And since the stake their possessions and blood to the fruits of Gellius' seed, that is, his followers, praise of their God, as may be openly wit- remain so entirely impenitent in their lives nessed. But, now, this misery and sore af- and unchanged in their hearts that they live iliction namely, the fight from the gaping j in pomp and splendor, go attired in silk 38

Page  10 10 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. and velvet and are decked with gold and us, that they may enjoy with us the same silver; live in all manner of unrighteous- joy and renewal of spirit, and know and ness, avarice, carousing, hatred and envy; taste with all saints how sweet, good and in short, live according to the lusts of the kind the Lord is to whom we have turned. flesh, and would, for the sake of a penny, We preach, therefore, as much as is in falsely swear by the Lord or by their soul, our power, both day and night, in houses &c.; therefore we will let all reasonable and and in the open air, in forests and in wilintelligent persons judge who of us bring dernesses, hither and thither, in this and in forth bad fruits, Gellius and his followers, foreign lands, in prisons and in dungeons, or we and and our followers. Whoever sin- in water and in fire, on the scaffold and on cerely seeks and loves the truth, read and the wheel, before lords and princes, orally ponder. and by writings at the risk of possessions 0, dear Lord! thus thy holy and precious and blood, life and death; as we have done word, the word of thy grace, the word of these many years; and are not ashamed of thy love, by the power and grace of which the gospel of the glory of Christ, Rom. 1:16: we will live eternally with thee, is called by for we are a living fruit, and strongly feel this man and by others also, deceit and the moving power in our hearts, as may be pernicious seed; and their open lies, obvi- seen in many instances by the commendous error and unreasonable adulteration of able submissiveness and willing sacrifices Scripture, of which more will be said here- of our faithful brethren and joint-heirs in after, is called the true doctrine of Christ Christ Jesus. and the holy word of God. If it be wilful We would save all mankind from the slander and perverseness, then, alas, it is jaws of hell; deliver them from the chains too bad. But if it be ignorant blindness or of their sins, and by the gracious help of misconception, then, the gracious Father God, win them to Christ by the gospel of grant them eyes to see. This is my sincere his peace; for this is the true nature of the wish, as the Lord knows. love which is of God. Again, he writes, " that we sow anew our He then accuses us of preaching at night, pernicious seed, not only by hedge-preach- and says in another place "That we secretly ing, but also by publications, letters &c. enter into cities and towns, from fear of the To this I reply with holy David: We be- cross; that we sit with closed doors to treat lieve, therefore we speak, and must suffer with the simple; not to convert them to true tribulation. For since God, the merciful christianity but to convert them to anabapFather, has given us, poor creatures, the tism," &c. To which I reply in the first Spirit of faith and bestowed upon us the place: It is true that we sometimes have to Spirit of his love from on high, through his serve the Lord and preach his word at night Son Jesus Christ, and has besprinkled our (in the dead of night), but I fear that Gellius hearts with the heavenly dew of his love, and the learned are the principal cause of has opened unto us the seven seals of the this. For they have so embittered and still book of his knowledge; has disclosed unto embitter all lords, princes, rulers and magus the mystery of his divine word and istrates against us by their fiendish, unmerpleasure; has awakened us from the dead ited upbraiding, slandering and defaming and given us life, a new heart, mind and that we cannot, alas, so much move them, disposition, and has nourished us with the with Scripture, supplications, tears, misery, bread of life, so that we, through his grace, tribulation, loss of possessions, blood or have found the beautiful pearl, the precious life, that we can safely go about, verbaltreasure and eternal peace, which we could ly to defend the word of God, before these not possibly acquire through the deceiving open enemies of the cross of Christ and of doctrine, subtle sophistry and false conso- wholesome truth; but we must(understand, lations of the learned; therefore we would we teachers) everywhere conceal ourselves teach, proclaim and imprint on the hearts in shops and retired places to escape the of all mankind, to the best of our ability, persecutors and blood-thirsty, if we do not this manifest grace of his great love toward I wish to be, at once, torn up and devoured

Page  11 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 1i by the terrible beasts which arise from the I In the second place, I say, that so long as:sea. I, poor weak man, have served thepious Beloved readers, observe well what I with my small talent, I have taught more, write. Gellius accuses us of "preaching at by far, in day-time than at night. The Lord night." It was in the year 1543, if my mem- is my witness that I write the truth Yet we ory serves me right, that a decree was read must be upbraided by these perverse people throughout West Friesland, "That crimi- as night and hedge-preachers, as if the word nals and even manslayers were promised i of God could not be taught any where but pardon, imperial grace, freedom of country in their houses of abomination (who know (in those times banishing was in vogue), and not the Scriptures), and as if God was not a besides one hundred carl-guilders, if they i God of the night as well as of the day. 0, would betray me and deliver me into the perverseness. hands of the executioner." Say, reader, was not the night pure unto About the year 1539, a husbandman, who faithful Moses, and all Israel to eat the was a very pious man, named Tjaert Reyn- passover? Exodus 12: 3-8. Did Christ dertz, was seized in my stead, because, out think it wrong to exhortNicodemus at night? of pity and compassion, he concealed me in John 3: 2. Did he not partake, with his dishis house while I was hotly pursued; and I ciples, of the Holy Supper, at night, just bewas a few days thereafter, put on the wheel, fore his suffering, Matt. 26: 26; Luke 22: 19; after a free confession of faith, as a valiant 1 Cor. 11: 23. Did not the church assemble soldier of Christ, after the example of his at night, when Peter was delivered from the Lord; although his enemies, even, acknowl- hands of the tyrant by the aid of an angel, edged that he was an unblamable, pious out of fear of Herod and the Jews? Acts 12: man. 7. Did not holy Paul at night preach the Also, in 1546, at a place where they boast- word in an upper chamber at Troas, and ed of the word, four houses were at once break the Lord's bread with the disciples, confiscated, because the owner had rented I just before his leaving? Acts 20: 7. Did not one of them for a short time, to my sick wife the saints of the primitive church sometimes and little ones; although the neighbors were meet at night to break the Lord's bread and not aware of their presence. drink the holy cup? for which they were susWhat decrees have been issued against picioned and had to hear and bear many some of us, and what rewards have been of- hard names. Does not Hilarius write, that fered for our apprehension, in different do- the apostles met in halls and retired places, minions and cities what imperial man- i and that they traveled through many coundates and Roman condemnations have been tries and nations, by water and by land, resolved against us; and how we are treated against the prohibitions and decrees of the on every hand, is well known to Gellius and rulers. to the preachers of his class. That they are Behold, my readers, whether that which the very cause and the authors of these was allowable and free to Moses, Israel, things, I unreservedly write and testify with- Christ, the apostles and to the primitive out fear. Behold, thus they hate all those churches, namely, the service and preaching who rightly teach God's word. of the word of God at night, is free to us or Notwithstanding this, Gellius and others not, especially in these critical times of tyrare not ashamed to say, "That we, out of anny, we will let the intelligent reader judge fear of the cross, secretly enter cities and according to Scripture, in the fear of his towns, sit with closed doors," &c., as if we God. were stones, ard blocks of wood, which nei- 0 Lord! thus they (the world) seek causes, ther do nor can fear any deathly evils; encumbrances and complaints to offend thy while he and his, well know that the chosen poor children more and more and to burden men of God, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, AMoses, themn with the cross, that they may perseand Aaron, besides the prophets d aps- te an ad kill them, in semblance of justice; ties, nay, even Christ himself, so feared to for they are an obstacle to their works and die that they sometimes took to flight. a smarting to their eyes.

Page  12 12 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. In the third place I say, that I have here- alt and defend his praise, to the best of rmy tofore twice offered publicly to treat with Ihlumble ability. them on Scripture, under safe conduct, be- Since it is manifest that the world is, unfore twenty or thirty witnesses or before a justly, so embittered against us, that we full meeting. But what kind of answer I are, alas, not suffered to be heard or seen; received, their message, which I yet possess, and that many an innocent, pious sheep, testifies. Afterwards, in the memorable who is not a teacher, is sent hither and times of bishop Herman, Elector of Ceulen, thither to be slaughtered by the sword, waat their own request, I offered this same ter or fire, without any mercy; and that we, thing again to the learned men of Bon, but miserable teachers, are not allowed to live my offer was rejected, on account of these in safety, any where under the broad cankind gentlemen being dissuaded by John I opy of heaven, not even in a pig-sty (so to A'Lasco and A. II.; by their accusing me of speak), if known; but that we, through open three falsehoods, such as I never thought of mandates, are already judged before we are and much less said or advised, and which I, delivered, and condemned before we are for good reasons will not now touch upon, seized; something which never, as far as we for all of which I have the testimony of a know, transpired since the apostolic times; manuscript of a preacher, named Henricus. therefore, I pray all my readers, for God's But what their intentions were, in regard to sake, that they will, in the fear of God. this matter, I will leave to him who knows thoughtfully consider what gross injustice all things. Also, the preachers of Wesel, Gellius and his followers have done us, by in the land of Kleef, pretended that they the use of such wrong and bitter words, as would furnish me safe conduct and treat nig-7It-2reach7ing, lecd.qe-pirecchLi/g, contspirwith me, &c.; but when I signified my will- I ac, secretly enteringy, &c., when we neither ingness, in writing, I received an answer can nor dare do otherwise, as is well known. that they would let the executioner treat Besides, we have on our side Moses and with me; and other tyrannical and unchris- Christ, the apostles and also the example tian words. of the primitive church; who served the I will yet speak of what I asked in my Lord at night as well as in day time, as has "Foundation;" in the "Preface to the Twen- been already heard; and we are also prety-fifth Psalm," many years ago; also in pared, at all times, to render an account of my "Excuse," in the "Supplication to the our faith and to defend the truth; if we can Magistracy," and also in my "Message to do so in good, christian faith, without detlie Learned and Preachers of the German ceit and shedding of blood, as has been alNations," who boast of the word, concern- ready said. ing a free Treatise on Scripture, published I say further: It is by far more praisein the year 1552. And I am still willing worthy to teach the genuine, saving truth, and prepared, at all times, so long as breath at night, in a secret corner, when we can not remains in me, or my intellect does not openly meet in day-time, than to proclaim, fail me, and so long as I can sit on a in day-time, deceiving lies and a powerless wagon or lay in a ship, to appear before doctrine of impenitence, from the pulpit; Gellius, or anybody else, verbally to defend as has, alas, been openly done these many the foundation of our faith and to testi- years before the whole world;'this must be fy to the truth of Jesus Christ, if I can do acknowledged and admitted; for the disorso in safety, in good, Christian faith and derly state of affairs and the impenitent life in sincerity of heart, to the praise of our of this generation testify to it. God, to the extension of his church, to the t is ayi, tat we should be stoppe -promulgation of his holy word and to the and sienced, lest we deceive the u1nwar a.,9 * ), -... ^. i (singie) as lie calls them, I replvy: A.oette' salvation of our neigohbors. This is the main i - and surer way than thee one awe lhave by the desire of my heart, that I may preach and grace of God, nobody can point out; of'-hi promulgate his great, adorable name, teach I we are convinced from the inmost of our his word, seek his gain and honor and ex- j soul. For we acknowledge and feel that we

Page  13 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 13 have the word of God. Nevertheless, we if at all opposed to Christ), in past times as will always freely accept, and willingly fol- well as at present, has industriously tried low the instruction of any pious person, it, as he now does; but what has been acwho can, in the fear of God, convince us by complished by it, the fruits openly testify. the Spirit, word, example, commands, ordi- For some of them have become such zealots nances, prohibitions and usages of the Lord, against us that they have made themselves and not by tyranny and violence, and point guilty of innocent blood; they have grossout any thing that would be more useful ly offended and condemned to the judgment and better; to greater honor to God, or more of the devil, so many pious and faithful to the edification of his church, than we hearts, who, through fear and love of their have followed and confessed during several God, dared not walk with them on the broad years of manifest truth, and to which we road; have, besides, written and contended have unwaveringly testified in so exceeding- so much for the unity of their churches, that ly much anxiety, misery, tribulation and they have brought the poor, reckless peopersecution. For all things in Christ's church pie to such a disorderly and wild state, that that shall avail and stand before his throne they, generally speaking, lead such a fruitmust be judged by the Spirit, word, exam- Iless, impenitent life that it seems as if never pie, commands, ordinances, prohibitions prophetic or apostolic doctrine had been and usages of the Lord. I trust that those taught, and as if never Christ nor the holy who seek and sincerely fear the Lord, will Spirit had appeared on earth. agree with me in this respect. Had they, now, wisely, obediently and But with this writing of Gellius he will, humbly comprehended, listened to and folsurely, not convince us; for it is full of lowed the word and ordinance of the Lord, brawling, profanity, defamation, false ac- the usage and example of the apostles; had cusations, tyranny, sophistry, wrong ex- they sincerely feared their God; had they planations andfalsedoctrines (if Iamwrong, not acted hypocritically with lords and rebuke me); so that it does not silence the princes, and the world in general; but pious, as was his intention, but makes them taught the doctrine in true zeal without still more active; and it will be the cause of any respect of persons or favors; had strengthening salutary doctrine and truth, they faithfully, unto death, rebuked the and thus be the cause of his loss where he sins of all mankind, of high and low staintended to make gain. For I trust, when t ion alike, with doctrine and with life; had both our writings are compared one with they unwaveringly served God and obedianother, that, through the grace of God, a ently proclaimed the gospel, in such a manglorious, clear light will be thrown on the ner as to have assembled and built up unto church of Christ; while it will expose to the the Lord a truly, penitent people, that is, a plain and humble wholm he intends, by it, true church, according to the example of to dissuade from our doctrine what his own the apostles; had they not sought their own nature, works, writings and fruits are, and, gain and ease; and had they also not by comparing them to Christ's plain word, abused and slandered the pious and godly, Spirit, example, ordinances and usages by their crying and writing; then the preprove to them how earthly and carnal-mind- cious word, Christ's glorious gospel of grace ed he and his are; how he exercises his pro- never would have been profaned so lightfession; what he seeks; what are the fruits mindedly; nor would this poor, unwary of his doctrine; what sacraments he uses; people have been degenerated into this wild what ban he practices, and what kind of and reckless state, as, alas, may now be church he holds to, &c. witnessed in all parts of the world. I would, theefrefore, faithfully admonish Thus, I fear, it will be with Gellius; for and pray him, not to undertake more than of what use his preaching and church-service he can accomplish; and not to kick against havebeenthese manyyears,toward bringing the pricks, Acts 9: 5, for it will not avail about a pious, penitent life in the fear of lim. But he should relmember that many God, I will let the world judge by his disa learned man (not that I esteem learning, \ ciples, who are the fruit of his seed.

Page  14 14 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 0, that hewouldtake heed, andnot break slander, as Gellius calls it, then all the God's holy and precious word; that he saints of God, the apostles and prophets, would not slander the pious and godly, who as also Jesus Christ himself were slandertestify to it with their heart, mouth, life and ers; this is incontrovertible; for they called death; that he would learn to know his own the false prophets and preachers, false envious, impure and bitter heart; his de- teachers, deceivers, dumb dogs, blind guides, ceiving, inconsistent and infamous doctrine, hypocrites, thieves, murderers, wolves, cunand his selfish, ambitious flesh; and would ning devisers, enemies of the cross, servants humble himself under the mighty hand of of their bellies, children of damnation, dry God, as the Scriptures teach us to do, for clouds, dead trees, locusts, &c., before the then he might yet be saved. But as it is, I whole world. But no. To openly reprove fear that his brawling, slandering and con- deceit, transgressions, blasphemy of God or demning of all the pious; together with his his word and sin in general is not slanderseeking after improper gain, favor and hon- ing, as Gellius, through perverseness of or of men and the desire of an easy, care- heart, pronounces it against the innocent; less life, will so entirely close his heart and 1 but it is the fruit of the faithful love of those bewilder his senses, that he will not ac- who would oppose evil and do good unto knowledge or desire the glorious brightness all. I will leave it to the judgment of all of Christ, nor the wisdom which is of God. pious and reasonable persons, if he is not God grant that my apprehension be not a profaner of the church, a brawler and a realized, and that he may yet receive grace; slanderer, and guilty of innocent blood, who this is my sincere wish toward him and all calls the church of God a conspiracy; the of our opponents, Amen. regenerated children of God, apostatical Gellius says further, that he has published his writ- anabaptists; the salutary doctrine of Christ, ing for the purpose of redeeming some of our followers, sectarianism and fanaticism; who slanders who have not yet become slanderers; and he says also, and condemns the baptism which Christ comthat some have been redeemed through their faithful manded, and the apostles taught and pracservices, who now, with united hearts and spirits adore, J. e aps praise and thank their Lord andGod, at the public meet- tced as being a eresy; nd falsely mainings of the church of God and Christ (these are his tains and practices on the poor, ignorant words), because they have been delivered from death people, the baptism of anti-christ, with and damnation, and now feel a delight in Christ, and many high-sounding words and phrases? Ipenitence and peace in their hearts. Vho promises grace and peace to the Answer. If we, in true, christian zealand proud, obdurate, avaricious, carnal and unfeigned love, rebuke or reprove their false impenitent boaster, whom all Scriptures doctrine, deceiving, unscriptural sacraments judge unto death; because he can, in appearand their reckless, carnal life, with the Spir- ance talk of the Scriptures, although withit, word and life of Christ, and point them out Spirit, power or change of heart; who, to the glorious example of the prophets, of without just cause, maliciously slander, the apostles, of Christ and of all the true falsely suspicions, and unjustly condemns, servants of God, he calls us slanderers. the poor orphans and afflicted christians From this it may be observed that our work who sincerely seek and fear the Lord; and of love is ever interpreted to the contrary. thus delivers them to the magistracy to be For if we write or speak mournfully, it is put in dungeons, and to the executioner to called sighing and groaning, if we reprove be killed. sharply, it is called brawling and slander- But as to his boasting, that some of our ing. If we pipe, they dance not; if we mourn, brethren have again associated with them, they lament not, as Christ says, Matt. 11: and thus others may be yet redeemed by 17. It is wrongly spoken, whatever we say his writing, &c. I answer', in the first place: to the perverse. Although they commit Christ says, "Wide is the gate and broad abomination, yet they are not ashamed, is the way that leadeth to destruction, and neither do they blush, Jeremiah 8: 12. many there be which go in thereat; because If the reproof of open sin, in true, chris- strait is the gate, and narrow is the way tian love, according to the word of God, is l which leadeth unto life, and few there be

Page  15 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 15 that find it," Matt. 7: 13, 14. My readers, time; yet it can not stand the scorching sun observe that all who wish to leave the broad of persecution, and some is choked by the way and enter upon the narrow one, must thistles and thorns, and brings forth no enter in at the strait gate, must forsake ripe ears, Matt. 13: 4-7. themselves, take up the cross and follow Behold, the proper reason why some timChrist Jesus; must become regenerated id, light-minded, carnal, corrupt and selfish christians, dead unto sin; must crucify spirits have again associated themselves their flesh and subdue their lusts; must with them, is, Because the way was too nargive up, through the power of faith all vis- row and the gate too strait for them, and ible and perishable things, as gold, silver, they could not withstand the storming of the home and goods, nay, wife and children; flesh. The smiles of the world were too intogether with all they are and have, for the viting, and the tyranny too oppressive. The victory of Christ, if circumstances and the thousand wiles of Satan, by which all the honor of Christ require it; they must be pious alike are tempted, succeeded; because, prepared to endure disgrace, hunger, mis- alas, they preferred earthly to heavenly cry, pillage, persecution, bonds and death, things, and therefore we could no longer for the sake of the testimony of God and live in unity of spirit and peace with them. their consciences, and must adhere to the For they would not be thus subjected, as word of God, by watching and praying; the prophet laments, Jer. 2: 17; but would for all those who are yet laden with the follow their own inclinations in every reburden of unrighteousness and an evil con- spect, and walk, without the cross, on the science, as with avarice, ungodly desires, broad way of the flesh, with the world. But the works of the flesh, &c.; or who feel at by the writings and services of Gellius, they all doubtful concerning the word and prom- were, surely, not redeemed, as he boasts ises of the Lord cannot enter in at the nar- I they were. row way and strait gate. Let every one be Behold, these people of whom he so loudaware of this. ly boasts, were such (we regret to have to In the second place I say, that the edifi- say it) as, with Demas, 2 Tim. 4: 10, loved cation and faith of the true christians is the present world, and who so lived with us tempted in many and various ways, as both for some time that we, according to the diScriptures and experience clearly teach and vine word, dare no longer eat and drink testify. Now they are tempted by flesh and with them. They are not regenerated as blood, which never is at rest, then by the Gellius claims, but they are degenerated in lust of the world, and the lust of the eyes, their faith and act hypocritically, with which invitingly tempt the selfish flesh in earthly-minded hearts under the feint of which no good thing dwelleth, Rom. 7: 18. prayer; they have not forsaken the broad Again, by the cross and tribulation, which way which leads to death but the narrow often press heavily; and lastly, by the flat- way which leads to life; they do not delight tering preaching of peace and the easy doc- in Christ but have forsaken him; they have trine of the preachers who lustily cry, Peace, found rest for their flesh but not for their peace, as the prophet says, Jer. 8: 11, by souls, through repentance, as Gellius premeans of which they console the timid in tends. For facts prove whose cause is right, their faithlessness and disobedience to God, theirs or ours; whose actions are hypocritand make an easy way for those who would ical, and whose are not, while our actions enjoy the world according to the lusts of the sacrifice possessions, blood and even life flesh. It is as Peter says, "While they for their cause; but what theirs do, is well promise them liberty, they themselves are known. the servants of corruption," 2 Peter 2: 19. This, then. is my conclusion as to his For this reason, some of the seed which first reason given, why he published his is sown by the way side, is picked up by writing; namely, As the angel of darkness the fowls of the air; some is sown on can transform himself into anangel of light; stony places, where there is not much as Paul says, 2 Cor. 11: 14; can feign love earth, and although it springs up in a short and make great promises; can feign true

Page  16 16 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. confession of Christ and can use Scriptures, the sake of an idle name or fame, or for the masterly, so also, can his servants do, as sake of carnal profit and satisfaction, somemay be seen by this. For Gellius says he thing which the learned can very adroitly published his writing that he might redeem portray to such high persons; or, if he consome and save others from deceit; to silence tends against the people of God with a bitthe anabaptists, as he calls them; to root ter zeal, which I trust is not the case, as out the pernicious weeds; to serve the church does Gellius and the preachers, generally, of Christ; to keep the weak of the Nether- then his action has become such a gross sin lands in the right understanding of evan- and great blindness that I fear he will never gelical doctrine and the right use of the holy be brought to confess Christ. sacraments, &c. But if we rightly consider I would therefore cordially admonish his it, and judge it by the Spirit, word and ex- honor, and beseech him in christian love ample of Christ; by the usage of the holy that he no more burden himself with the sin apostles and primitive apostolic churches, of others; for he and every-body else will we find it to be nothing but an institution have burden enough of his own, at the day of of the flesh; an encouragement to the im- judgment. All misleading of the miserable penitent; an inducement to the broad way; souls; all unbelief and idolatry; all lighta defence of the churches of anti-christ; a mindedness and liberty of the flesh; togethconfusing and blind-folding of the simple; er with all uproar and tyranny which are a covert instigation to persecution of the apt to be the result of his writing will be pious; a destroying of the church of Christ; required, in the day of Christ, at his hands a dextrous encumbering of the godly; an as well as at the hands of the preachers, if unreasonable, envious defamation of the not repented of, because he assists and supsaints; an adulteration of the holy word; ports them in their abomination with his yea, an open encouragement to unright- advice and assistance, with money and naeousness, impenitence and carnal liberty. terial. Behold, this is the effect, fruit and aim of Therefore, in my opinion, his honor would his writing; although he adorns and covers have better first considered the matter well it under the semblance of good intentions and laid out these expenses to the support, and love. If I should at any time yet meet assistance, consolation, nourishment and with him, and not be able to verify these clothing of the needy, especially in these assertions, by their fruits and by virtue of hard times; and not for the purpose of dethe Scriptures, then I will be willing to re- ceiving many unwary hearts and of putting cant them and bear my shame; for I trust more encumbrances and persecution on the that I, through the grace of God, know of pious. what I write. Again, that Gellius has published his An other reason, says Gellius, why he published his writing under the permission of the said writing is, because a nobleman to whom he addressed it, nobleman, has an appearance as if he was offered to bear the expenses of printing it, &c. one of those who honor and esteem a perAnswer. Zeal is a good thing and highly son according to the measure of his usefulcommendable, if in a good cause to the serv- ness. But for what reason he has done so: ice and glory of God. But let every one what his seeking and how his heart is, in well consider how, why and wherefore he is this matter, I will leave to the Lord who zealous; lest he make himself guilty of in- knows all things. nocent blood, which is the most abominable Experience sufficiently teaches of what sin next to sinning against the Holy Ghost. disposition the rich are, namely, proudIf his honor has done this in sincere zeal hearted, ambitious and covetous of honor. and with good intentions, as Paul did be- God's wisdom did not say without a caunse, fore his conversion, and meant it to be to Verily, "I say unto you, It is easier for a the honor of God and to the salvation of camel to go through the eye of a needle, than his neighbors, then I hope that God will for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of give him more light and make truth more God," Matt. 19: 24. James also says, "Go manifest to him. But if he has done it for to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for

Page  17 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. T1 your miseries that shall come upon you. of heart, and not continually enkindle the Your riches are corrupted and your gar- fire of pride, fleshly security and light-mindments are moth-eaten; your gold and silver edness, by his flattery or by high-sounding is cankered; and the rust of them shall be and supplicating phrases; for the inborn a witness against you, and shall eat your ambitious nature of the flesh of Adam's flesh as it were fire," &c., James 5: 1-3. children is, alas, already too apt to crave Again, Paul says, " For ye see your calling, such things without being encouraged by brethren, how that not many wise men after flattery and smooth words. the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, I would, therefore, faithfully admonish all are called," &c., 1 Cor. 1: 26. to fear God, to strive after truth and to love Since, then, the mouth of the Lord, as al- their neighbors; for the time is coming, and so his faithful servants, James and Paul, is near at hand that we all shall hear, each have so plainly expressed the dangers of one at his time, "Give an account of thy the rich and of those of high standing; since stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer experience teaches how proud-hearted they steward," Luke 16: 2. I do not dedicate this are, as may be educed from their high titles, my reply and defense to this or that one, houses, shields, medals, clothes, servants, as is the custom of the learned, but dedicate horses and dogs; and since Christ says, it, in christian humility, "To the pious "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be con- Reader," and desire to subject it to the verted, and become as little children, ye judgment of all the godly and pious. shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven," If any one under the broad canopy of Matt. 18: 3; therefore it would be more in heaven can teach me with plainer Scriptaccordance with evangelical righteousness, ures or with more powerful truths, whether if Gellius, instead, would industriously teach he be learned or unlearned, man or woman, such proud hearts and high persons, the I will gladly accept of such instruction and humility of Christ, so that they may learn obey them. But, by the grace of God, we to forsake themselves; may learn to know are convinced that we are on the sure and themselves, of what they are born, what true way which Christ has prepared for us. they are and what they will be; that they Blessed are we if we walk in it and enter in may die unto their excessive pomp, splen- 1 at the strait gate. Let all of understanding dor, superfluity and ungodliness; may fear strait gate. Let all of understanding God in all sincerity, and walk in his ways; minds, who, in true zeal and in the fear of that they may faithfully serve their neigh- God, seek the praise of their Lord, read and bors, with their abundance, in true humility judge that which now follows. OF THE MISSION OR CALLING OF THE PREACHERS. GELLIWS complains very much of a bitter and sneering SO bitter as Gellius complains that it was; epistle of the anabaptists, as he calls them, in which that it was a reproof of his corruption, his they are said to have given five particular reasons, as I d ivi a unscriptural sacraments:. deceiving and unscriptural sacraments~ understand from his writing, why they cannot conscien- ciously accept the preachers as true and unblamable, something which he ever, maliciously, calls and cannot use their sacraments as true and Scriptural brawling and sneering. ordinances, &c. Of which the vocation of their preach- Since I did not read the epistle myself, as ers is the first reason. Gellius assiduously tries to main-.. tain that their calling is christian-like and according to Scripture and says that ours is sectarian and not accord- fend every word of it; but will undertake a ing to Scripture. defence, by virtue of my ministry of the diAnswer. How bitter and sneering the said vine word, and because I have been disepistle may have been, I do not know, for I gracefully treated in regard to it, so far as have never seen it. But I presume it was not I concerns the five articles in which the preach39

Page  18 18 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. ers are reproved or accused, whose voca- ing of God, by means of man, as said, theretion Gellius maintains as evangalical and I fore I would ask without all artifice, Who right. And I trust that, with the gracious is the Paul orBarnabas, or Timothy or Titus assistance of God, I will be enabled to de- that has called and ordained Gellius and fend these articles with such power and his like preachers to the service? If they anclearness of Scripture, that all impartial, swer, the magistracy; then I would ask in reasonable readers, on comparing our writ- the second place, If the magistracy, who asings, will, by the grace of God, behold, as sumes this matter, have the spirit, calling, in a mirror, that he and all the worldly ministry, ordinance and power of Paul, preachers are not the called preachers and Barnabas, Titus and Timothy? If they anteachers of the church of Christ, to whom swer in the affirmative, then I would like to the Scriptures point; but that they are the see their grounds proven according to Scriptopen preachers and teachers of the world, ure. If they say, because they are part of or of the church of anti-christ against whom the church, as Gellius seems to have it, then the Scriptures on every hand warn us, and I would ask in the third place, Whether in many places terrifies us against them. He they are actuated by the Spirit of God? that hath ears, let him hear what the word V Whether they have crucified the flesh with of the Lord teaches. its lusts, and in their weakness, walk innoGellius points out a difference between the calling or cently and christianly according to Christ's sending of the prophets of Christ and the apostles and example and teaching, with his followers? between the calling of the bishops, pastors and other Whether they have become new creatures? servants of the church, and says, "That the sending of! IVrhether they are in Christ and Christ in the prophets of Christ and the apostles was done with- n i n out any means of man, solely of God; but that the send- them? &c. If they say, God knows, and not ing of the bishops and pastors is done of God by means we, then I would ask in the fourth place, of man." Are you such trees, then, that we cannot Answer. We do not contradict this, but judge your fruits, and such lights that we agree with him in this respect. But we con- cannot see its refulgence? My reader, pontradict that the calling of which they boast der well on these questions. is done in accordance with the apostolic Scriptures plainly testify that there is no doctrine and usage; and would say that we christian but who is in Christ and has his should well observe these five, following Spirit, Rom. 8: 9. It is evident that the points or articles, according to the Script- magistracy does not conform themselves to ures; namely, Of whom they are called; the example and Spirit of the Lord, as may, what they are that are called; to what pur- alas, be perceived on every hand by their pose they are called; what fruit the called fruits. For they live in every respect acbring forth; and what the proper desire and cording to the lusts of the flesh; seek vain seeking of the called is. honor, treasure, pompous living, &c.; they In the first place, we must observe that are earthly, and not heavenly-minded; therethe calling which was done in the primitive, fore we should consult the word of the Lord apostolic church, by means of man, was whether such people are competent to ornot done of the world but of the true chris- dain preachers, pastors and servants for the tians and obedient disciples of the Lord church of Christ, while their fruits testify and his word. For Luke writes, Acts 14: that they are yet without Christ's Spirit, 23, "And when they had ordained them kingdom, church and word themselves, as elders in every church, and had prayed said. with fasting, they commended them to the If they should say that they are not called Lord, on whom they believed." Paul also of the magistracy, but of the church, then I says to Titus, "For this cause left I thee in would ask in the fifth place, Whether the Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the church which has called them is flesh of things that are wanting and ordain elders I Christ's flesh and bone of his bone? Eph.5:30, in every city, as I have apointed thee," Tit. that is, a church which sincerely seeks and 1: 5, &c. Read also 1 Tim. 3: 12. fears God; that walks in obedience to his Since the preachers, then, boast of a call- j word; loves and serves his neighbor; con

Page  19 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 19 trols his ungodly lusts; strives after truth all intelligent readers, how the calling, of with allhis heart;leads anunblamable,pious which the preachers boast, can stand the life, and who is prepared for the sake, of the test of the Scriptures, while those of whom will and word of the Lord, to sacrifice and they boast that called them, are found to abandon, money, goods, blood and life, nay, be not only no regenerated, pious christians, father, mother, life, husband, wife, children but besides, open despisers and impenitent and every thing else, if the honor of God re- contenders against God and his word, as quires it If they answer no, which is the may, alas, be seen, on every hand, by their true answer, then it is already proven that actions. they are not the church and people of the In the second place we should observe of Lord; for the church of Christ must be in what disposition, doctrine and conduct the unity of spirit with Christ, as has already called servants of the word should be, acbeen heard. If, then, they are not of Christ's cording to the testimony of the Scriptures; church, how can they call preachers unto namely, "Blameless, the husband of one the church of Christ, as Paul, Barnabas, wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given Timothy and Titus, and the primitive church to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to have done? If on the contrary they answer wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; Yes, then I say again, their open unright- but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; eousness, slander, godlessness, avarice, one that ruleth well his own house, having pomp, drunkenness, superfluity, unchas- his children in subjection with all gravity;" tity, hatred, envy, unmercifulness, violence, not a novice; he must be holy, just, temper&c., testify before the whole world that the ate, &c. "Holding fast the faithful word answer is not the true one. as he hath been taught; that he may be Inasmuch as it is manifest that both the able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and magistracy and the subjects are directly to convince the gainsayers." "Moreover he contrary to the Spirit and word of Jesus must have a good report of them which are Christ, to his walk and actions; and have without; lest he fall into reproach and the not a syllable which in this respect agrees snare of the devil," &c. "Even so must their with the spirit and actions of Paul, Barna- wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithbas, Timothy, Titus, or of the primitive ful in all things," 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1. church; therefore I am very much surprised My reader, observe, this is not my word that he can be so imprudent and inconsider- but the word of the Holy Ghost, which gives ate, or so very bold as to boast, in these times a true pattern of a true preacher, bishop, of grace in which the truth has become so pastor, teacher and servant who will, in the manifest, that he and the preachers of his church of Christ, bring forth fruit which will character were called and ordained of God remain, John 15. by the means of man, as were the elders of The Holy Spirit points us to such teachthe primitive church, by Paul, Barnabas, ers, to obey and follow them. Paul says, Timothy and Titus. "Obey them that have the rule over you, 0, that God would grant that he would I and submit yourselves; for they watch for once consider and not compare the faithful your souls, as they that must give account; men and dear servants of God, together that they may do it with joy and not with with the zealous, regenerated communities grief," Heb. 13: 17. In another place he and pious children of the primitive churches says, "We beseech you, brethren, to know to this impenitent, reckless and bad world them which labor among you, and are over who wish to be considered the true church;; you in the Lord and admonish you, and to and would no more blind the poor unwary esteem them very highly in love for their hearts who little regard the holy word, work's sake, and be at peace among yourwith such a semblance and quotation of selves," 1 Thess. 5: 12, 13. the Scriptures; for it would be of infinite Such teachers are compared in the Scriptvalue to his poor, miserable soul, at thej ures, to the oxen that tread out the corn, time of his dissolution. I which shall not be muzzled. They are the I would now leave it to the reflection ofj elders worthy of double honor, and the

Page  20 20 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. faithful laborers, worthy of their hire, Deut. they shall be temperate, modest and amia25: 4; Matt. 10: 10. But how Gellius and ble; have a good report of those that are all the preachers of the German nations, without; this I will leave to all pious hearts whom he esteems as faithful servants, con- to judge in the fear of God, according to the form to this I will leave the impartial reader j Scriptures. Behold, my reader, since it is to judge according to the word of the Lord. I manifest that they are quite contrary to the Faithful reader, consider well that which word of the Lord, in their walk; therefore I write. They boast that they are called in it is, in fact, nothing but vain hypocrisy, to accordance with Scriptures, as you may call such unfruitful, offensive actions, evanhear; although it is obvious and palpable gelical edification and such a void mockery, that they lead a life as the one portrayed a calling. by Peter and Jude. Many of them are so But Gellius tries to clear himself of this, fallen in the fullness of Bacchus that they, and lays the blame on those who, according alas, live night and day as swine in full to his writing, lead an unchristian life after rest; their tables are full of vomit and filth- the lusts of their flesh, against the ordinance iness, so that there is no place clean, as the of the apostles, saying, that they cannot prophet says, Isa. 28: 8; they fearlessly weaken the cause of the pious, by their unwalk after their own lusts, as Jude says; righteousness; I would, in the first place, and they esteem as joy the temporal, lusty say, Since he complains of them so much, life, says Peter; they are spots and blem- in his book, and says, that they would betishes, sporting themselves with their own ter be pastors of swine than pastors of the deceivings while they feast with you. dleceivings while they feast witlh you. fsheep of Christ; and wishes that they would Some of them, also, are open fornicators be ex-officiated, &c.; and since these conand adulterers. How their wives, as a gen- stitute the majority of them, as may be eral thing, conform themselves to Script- openly seen; therefore Gellius should adures, may be educed from their fruits. Oth- mit, tat, according to the Scriptures, we ers are so avaricious that they have become should not follow such, nor partake of their open usurers. They are so intent upon per- sacraments, even, if they were the true sacishable lucre, money and possessions that sraments; or he himself admits tha they drIetruhu sraments; for he himself admits that they I dare truthfully say that they, throngh the I are useless people and wishes them ex-offieasy doctrine of their gospel, have become ciated lords upon earth; yet, most of them are loved of the world and highly esteemed by In the second place I say, Since Gellius the ignorant. Their pomp, laziness, ease- i acknowledges that they are unfit for their offices; and since he and they are of one seeking, vanity, light-mindedness, prideoic; and e he and they are of one ce., baffle all description to say nothing of calling and sece, es h their tyranny, lying, brawling, slandering, sue them to remain in their offices and betraying and uproraring against all wech0 1why does he not, by virtue of his calling, betraying and uproaring against all who sexcommunicate them with the advice and seek and fear the Lord. eeader, it is as I write. 0, how willingly i consent of his church? Since they are a hinReader, it is as I write. 0, how willingly drance to the community and a reproach would I be silent and close, if the honor ance to the comu and reproch of God and his word, and the love for your and disgrace to Gelius and his brother souls did not compel me to do so; but as it preachers, whom I would were themselves is I am forced to touch upon their abomin- pious and unb!lmable. able shame. Their abominations are so If he says that the magistracy are to gross and terrible that my soul shrinks blane, he then admits, that those mragisback at the thouoght of them, therefore, im- trbates are not true servants eand m belem rso of agine how, if I shall treat and write of Christ, wvho admit such o^e n sive peorle, as them. How their actions and behavior adulterers, wine-lbibbers, covetous, &c., as agree with the desc.ription of Paul, who I are met witvth on every hand, to be preachteaches us that they shall be unblam-able, ers, while they ruhn the souls of the poor have but one vwife, not given to wine, not I miserable pOeople by their wicked offensive avaricious, nor covetous of filthy lucre; that life, to say nothing of their doctrine; whom

Page  21 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 21 they might debar with a single word, with- ceiving. He is an upbraider, condemner, out blood-shed. And what is more, Gellius defamer and backbiter of the innocent who himself is a faithless shepherd, and dumb sincerely fear God and are zealous for his watchman. And the magistracy, which is his word; yea, who would seal it with their elector and companion in church-service,have blood, something which he does not. This a contempt for God and slander his word. assertion is, alas, made good by his writIn the third place I would say, It would ing in which he, without just cause, accuses be well for Gellius to first learn to know and condemns the god-fearing, pious hearts from the Scriptures the nature of Christ and before the whole world as being apostates, his church together with the true church- anabaptists, conspirers, contrabands, sowservants, pastors and preachers; to rightly ers of pernicious seed, excommuned sects, judge all things by the Spirit, word and ex- j servants of the devil and tools; and thus ample of the Lord; and to thoroughly search makes them the objects of suspicion, alhimself, his brother preachers and his church though they sincerely seek the Lord and daibefore contending so maliciously against ly sacrifice possessions and blood for the the pious and accuse them before the whole sake of his holy word. world, without cause. I would further say, Besides, he is a supporter and defender of Since (if I understand him aright) he admits the kingdom of anti-christ, a falsifier of the that we should not hear the adulterers, Scriptures, an abuser of the sacraments, a wine-bibbers, strikers, &c., nor partake of strengthener of the impenitent, a liar, &c., their sacraments (something which was in- as will be plainly shown, by the grace of tended, probably, to make his cause have a God, each in its turn. good appearance); therefore we are forced In the third place it should be observed to view in a Scriptural light, how he, accord- for what purpose the true preachers are ing to Paul's doctrine, can stand as a pastor called, namely, that they should teach the of the church and as a servant of Christ. word of the Lord; rightly use his sacraPaul says, A bishop must be blameless; ments; lead and rule in the church of God; this applies also to a true preacher, pastor gather together with Christ and not scatter; and teacher; and it is obvious that Gellius console the afflicted; admonish those not is not unblamable, but blamable in many ordained; seek what is lost; bind up what respects; that he is a friend of the world, is bruised; separate those that are incurwho seeks to please tile world, contrary to able, without any respect of person, and the word of God and the example of Christ, should assiduously watch over the vineyard, the apostles and of the prophets, otherwise house and city of God, as the Scriptures he would have suffered persecution, 2 Tim. teach, Matt. 28: 19; 12: 30; Mark 16: 15. 3: 12, and not have exercised his service at Behold, my reader, these are the proper ease, for so long a time, as is testified by reasons why the Holy Ghost has ordained the example of Christ, the apostles and by in the house of the Lord bishops, pastors all the true witnesses. and teachers, according to the precept of Again, that he is a hireling who has been Paul saying, "He gave some apostles, and hired as a servant at certain wages and a some prophets, and some evangelists, and stipend, contrary to the example of Christ some pastors and teachers; for the perfectand the example of all the true messengers ing of the saints, for the work of the minwho have been sent by him. He is not only istry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; not persecuted for the sake of the testimony till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of Jesus but he himself persecutes the god- of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a ly, pious hearts who have neither injuried perfect man, unto the measure of the stature or harod him nor anly body else. I-e per- of tlhe fullness of Christ," Eph. 4: 11-13. secutes themr wilIlly by his instigation, ad- But for what purpose Gellius and all the vice and writin;gs; contrary to the example Ipreachers of the world are called, may be of Christ and all the chosen, as may, educed from their doctrine and work; namealas, be seen by his writings here cited. ly, to preach to suit the magistracy and the Besides this, his doctrine is wrong and de- \ world. Again, to offer to the two golden

Page  22 22 REPLY TO GELLIUTS FABER. calves of Dan and Bethel (understand what and supporters of the kingdom of antiI mean); to keep the church of anti-christ, christ, as may be unmistakingly learned without penance and regeneration in unity from their doctrine, walk and fruits if we and peace of the flesh, on the perverted and closely examine them. crooked road of darkness and death, under In the fourth place we should observe the name and semblance of the word, con- what kind of fruits they bring forth, for trary to the Spirit, doctrine and example of Christ says, "I have chosen you and orChrist; to console the wilful, reckless world, dained you, that ye should go and bring who wish to be called the church of Christ, forth fruit, and that your fruit should rewithout regeneration and obedience, in their main," John 15: 16. We confess with holy impenitent and ungodly nature, with the Isaiah, as does also Gellius, that the docdeath, blood, baptism and Supper of the trine of the holy gospel, if preached in the Lord; to violently oppose Christ Jesus and power of the Spirit, according to the Spirit his word and Spirit, so that the world may of Christ, cannot fail to bring forth fruit. live on in their original state and unright- "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow eousness unrebuked; that the preachers from heaven, and returneth not thither, but may continue in their improper gain and watereth the earth, and maketh it bring careless life; and that the ignorant peo- forth and bud," so, also, is the word that ple, both rich and poor may live on in the goeth forth out of the mouth of the Lord, lusts of their flesh, pomp, splendor, drink- Isaiah 55: 10. ing, carousing, in avariciousness and hoard- But Gellius and we should well consider ing, in short, may continue in the broad that the sowers should, by the power of true and easy way of the flesh, unreproved. faith and the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, This is made too manifest to be denied, be changed into the Spirit and nature of by deeds which speak for themselves; yet Christ, and should then teach or present to their cause is artfully adorned with the the people the pure, unadulterated seed, Scriptures; they talk much; boast loudly which is the word, without all abuse, leaven of the grace and favor of God; they use and hypocrisy, for where there are such baptism and supper under the appearace sowers, there it will bud and bring forth. of truth, as if they were the church of Jesus The word of the prophet, which the mouth Christ; although, in fact, they are nothing of the Lord has spoken is true and firm. but a selfish, refractory, impenitent, earthly But where there are not such sowers there and sensual people, as is obvious by their they arise too early or start out too late; fruits. If I do not write the truth, reprove labor and pains will be in vain; for God me. works not unto repentance but through Since, then, it is clearer than day-light those who are of his Spirit. that they are not called to uphold the church Inasmuch, then, that the word with true of Christ, which is of God and a divine nat- preaching does not remain fruitless as we ure, with salutary doctrines, Scriptural sac- have seen, and since we clearly see that the raments, an unblamable life; earnest reprov- seed of the preachers of the world brings ing, without favor or respect of persons; forth no fruit unto repentance, but alone with faithful admonition and separation, if hypocrisy, therefore it is an indisputable necessary; but are, under false pretenses of fact that they have not the word of the Lord the name and church of Christ; they are in power; but that they are artful workers servants of the world; receive their reward and not true preachers, or else the word of from it; honor and love it; speak of it, and the prophet must be false, which says, "If please it, and whom it seeks and loves to they had stood in my counsel, and had hear, for they are of the world, as John caused my people to hear my words, then says, 1 John 4: 5. they should have turned them from their Therefore it is, in the third place, an in- evil way, and from the evil of their doings," controvertible evidence, that they, alas, are Jer. 23: 22. no called servants of the church of Christ, Since then, that preachers are known by as they falsely pretend, but are the servants their fruits, and that Gellius and his like

Page  23 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 23 preachers have preached their doctrine and lying and deceiving is not yet weakened sacraments so many years to the whole nor destroyed; they so use and practice diworld (which they may continue to do with- vine service that the high places are honout fear, while they are not opposing the ored and idolatry is not avoided; they so impenitent in their hypocrisy and uncon- preach the christian church, that the church trolled life, but rather console and encour- of anti-christ remains in full power, as is age them), and yet do not convert a miser openly manifested to the whole world both nor usurer to liberality; do not bring forth by their work and their tyranny. their disciples further than that they profess In short, it is manifest that they so preach in name and appearance; remain unchanged and promulgate the gospel that no repentin their heart, hate and oppose true right- ance follows but that every one, alas, reeousness, walk upon the broad way, and mains as he is; yea, what is worse, that the earnestly strive after the world, flesh, money people are not only not regenerated but and possessions. The pompous remain are daily growing more wicked. Neither pompous; the proud remain proud; and encomiums, reasoning nor artful demonstraliars continue in their falsehood, as is mani- tions will avail here, for their fruit testifies fest; therefore this their fruitless preaching, that their doctrine is faithless and false, as vain doctrine and church-service fully prove said before, Jer. 23. that their calling is not of God and his The serpent spoke the truth when he said, word, but of the son of the abyss, anti-christ " God doth know that in the day ye eat and of the world, however much they adorn thereof, then your eyes shall be opened; and boast of their cause. The word of God and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and is and will remain true, Isaiah 55: 11. evil," Gen. 3: 5. But that which he promised Gellius then refers us to his fruits, and says, Is not before was a lie, namely, "Ye shall not the preaching of the truth and the light of the holy surely die." Adam and Eve were thereby gospel, which we assiduously preach and promulgate deceived. Thus, also, do those who teach both by teaching and writing a good fruit and glorious testimony that our calling is of God and not of the dev-the serpent's word. They so teach the imil; by which the kingdom of the devil is destroyed and penitent, carnal people, concerning the by which the papistical abominations, idolatry, masses, death of the Lord, by their unscriptural absolutions, vigils, &c., have become a deadly stench? sacraments of impenitance, and so console Answer. If they did not mix the dross them in their reckless, Adamic nature and with the silver and water with wine, that is, life, by false promises (although they do if they would preach the truth, without false- some times speak the truth, as did the serhood, and the light without darkness in the pent, produce Scriptures, partly reprove power of the Spirit, and would testify it be- sin and praise virtue) that there is no body fore the whole world by a pious and un- to be found who truly feels sorry for his blamable life, then we would agree with sins, who sincerely repents of his wickedthem that it is a glorious light and a noble ness, saying, "What have I done," Jer. 8: fruit. But while they practice wrong and 6. Behold, says the prophet, so they pracpervert truth into lies, the true apostolic tice falsehood and strengthen the wicked baptism into the baptism of heretics, the that none repent of their wickedness. church of Christ into pernicious sectarianism That some of them have thus weakened and conspiracy, &c., and on the other hand the papistical abominations, for this they pervert lies to truth, the anti-christian to and we give praises to the Lord. But what christian baptism and the reckless, wild does it avail if they renounce the pope and world to the Lord's church, &c., we say that they themselves step in his stead? It is true their doctrine is deceiving, offensive and that many branches of the tree of anti-christ wrong, and is not the true doctrine, as Gel- are hewn off, but the roots and body still lius boasts and pretends. remain. And although he destroyed some Yea, my reader, they so preach the word high places, yet they walk in the ways of of the Lord that unrighteousness and abuse Jeroboam and have not come to Jerusalem yet remain in full sway; they so teach the for the purpose of truly worshiping. truth, that in many respects, false doctrine, i Yea, kind reader, had the learned firmly

Page  24 24 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. trusted the living God, faithfully adhered Scripture or conformable to Scripture and to his word, and had they not acted hypo- useful to the regeneration of the pious, we critically with the world and had they them- should, reasonably, praise and esteem. selves, in power and deeds faithfully prac- However, the surest and best fruits are, ticed, without fear of the cross and the dis- to so preach the word of God in power, that favor of the magistracy, what they have, in many may be born of him and be led to some of their writings, pointed out, 0, sincerely fear and love him; to cordially what a noble and clear light would have serve their neighbors; to die unto flesh and shone on the world, which now, alas, has blood; to believe on Jesus Christ with all become such a pernicious darkness and de- the heart, and tremble at his word; that struction, and a broad way, through the I they may do nothing contrary to it; may fear of the cross, through hypocrisy, selfish- truly worship God and conform their whole ness, desire of ease, ambition and favor of life or walk according to his Spirit, word men. and example, for such fruits remain. In the second place he says, Is the whole Bible, trans- I would further say, He boasts of the danlated (into the German language) by the memorable ger and constancy (as he calls it) of some of D. Martinus, adespisable fruit? Are the songs or hymns their number; now, in these times of war, composed by Luther and many others a contemptible which he calls a time of trial because (if fruit? Is, also, the constancy, which exists in these times u h can we understand him aright), they can no of peril and danger of body and possessions, as it did in the beginning of the gospel, not a noble and genuine longer uphold and protect their cause by fruit of our calling? But such fruits are of no account force of arms; and consider it a noble fruit, in their sight or else they will not see them; although although they have, perhaps, not been they are the surest and the best fruits, &c. The fruits tempted unto death as we daily are; and of the outward life and dealings with men, although iiscreetly condemns and therefore he so indiscreetly condemns and often mere hypocrisy, only avail in their sight. profanes our cause, which the Lord knows Answer. The deceased translators, au- we have maintained and will maintain in thors and composers we will leave undis- spite of sword or any other deadly weapon, turbed, for they have already found their something which cannot be truthfully reLord and Judge; but we will turn to the futed. We have patiently walked accordliving, with whom we have to speak. His ing to the example of Christ; sacrificed our saying, that writing, translating and com- possessions and blood which might have posing are the surest and best fruits, is, in been saved by a single, hypocritical word; my opinion, a very senseless assertion, for and at all times, for our invincible constansuch things can be done through learning cy, we suffer with fire, water and sword; beand skill in languages, without regeneration ing defenceless, and without any resistance and change of heart, as he himself well "we are killed all the day long; we are acknows. Yea, as the Bible or the Scriptures counted as sheep for the slaughter," Rom. are read by the greater part of the world, 8: 36. with impure, carnal hearts, so, also, they But we give praise to God, that some of can, undoubtedly, be translated, through them have sacrificed their blood for the sake the knowledge and skill of languages, from of the testimony which they had, and with one language into another, with a carnal, James count them happy; yea, that they are unregenerated and impious heart. joint-heirs in the sufferings of Jesus Christ; And as hymns are generally sung in for their deeds haveproventhatthey sought God's houses or temples, carelessly, and are God and were faithful as far as they were light-mindedly sung, here and there, in the enlightened. But what will that avail them, streets and in riotous taverns; so, also, can while they close their hearts to the light of they be composed by a light-minded heart truth; contend against the Spirit, word and without spirit or regeneration? These are, will of God; preach lies, pervert and abuse therefore, not the surest and best fruits, as the sacraments, and console and encourage Gellius pretends to say, for they do not re- the wild, wicked world in their impenitent, main. But whatever some, in by-gone times reckless life? Something which the faithful may have written, in true zeal, which is' heroes have not done, for they were faithful

Page  25 REPLY TO GELLITS FABER. 2 in every thing which they acknowledged as and eternal Righteousness, Reconciliation the truth. If they had acknowledged more and Propitiator with the Father, and do not they would, doubtlessly, have died for the at all trust in our works. My reader, I write sake thereof as well as for that which they the truth in Christ Jesus, and lie not. did, at the time, acknowledge. 0, that Gellius would quit his unguarded If our opponents are of the same spirit talk, and speak no more than that which is then they may boast. But their fruits open- true, for a liar is a disgrace and shall not ly testify that that they are, alas, very dif- inherit the kingdom of God; and that he ferent. could once feel what a true, christian faith Again, he writes, that the fruits of an out- is, what it requires in its nature and what ward life, alone, avail in our sight, &c. Do it produces in power; he would then know not our sore oppression, trials, great tribu- what it is that brings forth such a pious, lation, misery, possessions and blood; be- penitent and unblamable life which he has sides, our open and frank confession, open- in times gone by, so disgracefully slandered ly testify that he makes this assertion with- and upbraided as devilish fruits, hypocrisy out all truth. Yea, that he openly slanders and a new mockery; and, as appears, would and wrongs us? 0 iialitioscln calkumniatm yet upbraid, if it was not for the experience ac perversitatem, (O malicious calumny and of many and the great quantity of innocent perversity). blood which has been shed. Mfy kind reader, observe that all Script- Behold, dear reader, now you can see how ures and the power of true faith constrain they adorn and deck their abominable hyus zealously to teach an upright, pious, pocrisy and fruitless, impenitent church-sergodly and penitent life; for Jesus Christ vice with writing, translating, singing, &c., says, "Let your light so shine before men, although generally alone without repentthat they may see your good works." Paul, ance and regeneration, as heard; and how also teaches, "That ye may approve things they basely construe and explain the sinthat are excellent; that ye may be sincere cere, pious fiuits of true faith which are and without offence till the day of Christ." taught and represented by all the Scriptures, That we mighlt walk worthy of the Lord and ceremonies and sacraments; that they may his gospel. Peter says, "Having your con- daub the wall with untempered mortar and versation honest among the Gentiles;" and console the poor, miserable people in their John says, That we should walk even as disregard of the word of the Lord. But Christ walked, 2faatt. 5: 6; Phil. 1: 10; Col. when the Lord's hurricane, flood and great 1: 10; 1 Pet. 2: 12; 1 John 2:. I hailstones shall come with a great noise, Since Scripture, on every hand, enjoin then they will break down the wall that they upon us a pious life, as has been heard; have daubed with untempered mortar and therefore it is reasonable and just, if we be- bring it to the ground so that the foundation lieve the word of God, that we zealously fol- thereof shall be discovered, &c., Ezekiel 13: low, in our weakness, that vwhich the Spirit 13, 14. of the Lord has so clearly taught and en- In the third place, Gell'ius writes that the office of a joined in his ]oly word. preacher consists of two parts, namely, in rooting out, But his assertion, that such fruits, only, d'estroying and opposing; also in sowing and building, avail in our sight comes, alas: from an im- U&c., and boasts that their fruits, especially as regards -nure heart. For, I preswie, he well knows, the first palt, cannot be denied in many kingdoms and -pure heart. For, I presume, he well knows, that we phaily teach t -t we cannot be.. principalities; and that the Lord Jesus Christ (as he that we plainly teach that we canot esays), hs, through their services, planted sincere repentsaved by outward works, however great and:nec and such true Christilan ihith in many hearts, that glorions tUhey ia22y api3.,ea or Or tlht W n I the snmall communityv at 1Erden, in sure expeetation of a thus entirely please God;: for the>y -are e;ver; tlre wrd in Lhea:,r willingly supports several hundreds mixed wsith i'mlperfection and iweaGkness and, f k P i otl" P 1w their ails, c. therefore, throughi the corruption of the liesh A ssei. W'e admit that the first part of a we caannot acquire the righteousness re- preacher's o rce consists in rooting out, deqLired in t~he commandmT;l ents; thll-er eforY-e we stroying and opposing, and the other of sowpoint, alone, to Christ Jesus who is our only ing and building up, and this is a proof for 40

Page  26 26 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. us that they are not the preachers to serve without all offence, according to the examin such capacity. Although they have re- pie of Christ and all the pious; and give nounced, in different cities and countries, thanks to the Lord for his manifest love. (for which we praise the Lord), some abuses Behold, thus sow and build, all true preachand idolatries, which were so gross that ers who are called of the Spirit of the Lord they might be plainly noticed, without Script- and are fit for his service. ures, to be abominations; yet, the root of all Dear reader, observe; Since Gellius and deceit remains untouched, namely, the false the preachers, then, are not such destroyers doctrine and unscriptural sacraments, with and builders, rooters and planters, as their which they console the world and encourage deeds testify; but destroy that which is them in their impenitence and natural state good and build up that which is bad; that or Adamic heart which is the source of all they root out truth with their offensive docunrighteousness, as may, alas, be seen on trine and plant falsehood with their false every hand by the fruits. sacraments and easy life; therefore our asIf, then, they are the true preachers as sertion is incontrovertible, that they are not they pretend to be, let them execute the first the servants of Christ nor his true messenpart, namely, To break in pieces with the gers. hammer of the divine word the proud, obdu- He writes, "that the Lord, through their service, has rate hearts, the impure, avaricious hearts, planted true repentance and such a true christian faith the blood-guilty, tyrannical hearts, &c., of in many hearts, that the small congregation at Emden whom it is written that they are worthy of were comforted in expectation of a heavenly reward." death; to humble them by the eternal judg- AInswer. If this were true indeed, as he ment and punishment of Almighty God; to writes, it should be attested by the fruits discover to them their ungodly and corrupt and manifested by the works. Paul says, nature and flesh, by virtue of the commands; "The kingdom of God is not in word, but that they may learn to know themselves, in power," 1 Cor. 4: 20. Let nobody falsely see their shame and thus, with sorrowing I boast; we will be judged of one before whom and repenting hearts, in the fear of the com- nothing is hidden. Nobody knows what true, ing wrath and eternal punishment of the, christian faith and and true repentance are, just and great God, sincerely and trem- but he who has truly received them and felt blingly repent and die unto their sins, cru- their power. If God, then, plants repentcify their flesh, smother their lusts, and ance in so many hearts, as Gellius pretends, walk before their God with broken and why is he and his like preachers, yet so humbled hearts. Behold this is the true impenitent, so inimical and refractory to and principal rooting out, destroying and truth, and so offensive and blamable in opposing to which Scriptures say, the true wholesome doctrine? If those of whom he preachers are called. speaks are of the same mind with him, Then let such moved and humbled hearts, which we trust they are not, then he has such penitent and sighing sinners, who are, not written the truth; this is too plain to be with Peter and Magdalene, heart broken, denied. bitterly weep, and with David confess their Those hearts in which God has planted guilt; then point them to the only and eter- true repentance and an ardent, true, chrisnal seat of grace, Christ Jesus; teach them tian faith cannot, especially in these times the eternal mercy, love, favor and grace of of manifest truth, long be hidden, nor reGod, according to the Scriptures; console main without the cross promised by the Hothem with the gospel of peace; carefully ly Scriptures, if, even, their own preachers anoint their wounds, caused by the sharp and relations are to persecute them. For if and smarting wine, with the oil of the joyful they would testify their faith by a frank promises of Christ, that they may thus, confession, by a pious life and by works, through faith arise with Christ from the which are the fruits of true and ardent faith, death of their abominable sins into the new they would soon find that they have to bear life of all virtue; that they may, in true the cross with Christ, their Lord. However faith and in pure, unfeigned love, ever walk i much Gellius may garble it in his writings,

Page  27 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 27 the word of Christ is and remains the word In the second place I would say, that of the cross; all who accept the word in while he wants to boast of true repentance, power and in truth must be prepared for he should first commence with the repentthe cross; this, both Scriptures and experi- ance of such faith as brings forth the love ence abundantly teach us. and fear of God, and not with the alms for This had necessarily to be said, lest we the poor. For the Lord's own mouth speaks, be consoled with a false boasting and idea, That love is the keeping of his commandand lest the word of the Lord, spoken to ments; yea that it is the greatest commandthe false prophets, be applied to us; say- ment, Deut. 6: 5. ing, Ye promise life to those souls to whom Yea, my reader, if he and his could fully you should not promise it, "By your lying comprehend sincer, true repentance and to my people that hear your lies," Ezekiel true hristian faith, which he thinks has 13: 19. been planted in their hearts, 0, how cordiNotwithstanding, many are suffered in ally would they fear their God, love and their churches who wantonly live in pomp, thank him for his favors and loving-kindsplendor, carousing, avarice and according ness, and how willingly would they follow to the lusts of the flesh, which service a and obey his holy word! But how theydo true and faithful preacher, through which love and thank him for his loving-kindness God works, does not allow, if the evangeli- and how they obey and follow his word, cal Scriptures and apostolic ordinances and their actions and fruits, alas, too plainly doctrine shall avail and are true. testify But, as to the alms and support of the testify. But, a to the alms and support of the If they love God, and if a true, living poor, I would say, that it is a good and faith an genuine repentance been i praise-worthy work, and cordially approve pe n tr et as he as ofitAlsotha m y p, gile p planted in their hearts, as he boasts, why of it. Also, that many pious, gentile phi- do they, then, yet walk after the manner of losophers, as Aristotle, Plato, &c., have endor, in the considered it as right and just. But we con- the n th..L~~ ^ ~lusts of their eyes, embellishmnent of their tradict that sincere and true repentance, or is a h es, in aiciosness, 1 >.-i- ^.J ~.i ~ ~bodies and houses, in avariciousness, cathe true seed and foundation of sincere love, rousing, &c.? and why do they not heed the which is a fruit of true faith, consists there- words of Paulname, "If ye live after the in; for we may give in hypocrisy, as well flesh as in love, as may be seen by the Scribe, ye sha die," Rom. 13. and Pharisees, by the open heathens and If they love their neighbors, as the Scriptdaily, yet, by the papists. ures command and true repentance brings Paul also agrees with this, saying, "And forth, why are they, then, so usurious, avathough I bestow all my goods to feed the ricious and perfidious amongst themselves? poor, and though I give my body to be Why do they litigate? Hatred, envy, lying, burned, and have not charity, it profiteth deceit, backbiting and defamation still preme nothing," 1 Cor. i3: 3. Therefore, let vail amongst his followers; besides they every one take heed for what purpose and curse, swear, brawl, fight, war, destroy, rob with what heart he bestows his alms. For and some of them are fornicators, perjurthe love which is of God and of a divine ers, &c; to say nothing about their disnature hates all boasting and hypocrisy, graceful upbraiding, profaning and defainneither does it know them; of this I am ing of all those who seek and fear the Lord. convinced. i What sort of repentance and faith it is, of If Gellius points to the support and serv- which he so loudly boasts, you may conice of the poor, which I deem praisewor- sider in the fear of God. thy, as a fruit of true repentance, then I 0, my kind reader, it never fails that would ask in the first place, Whether he where true faith is, there, also, is the rightfinds a lack of alms with our church; al- eousness of faith; where there is unfeigned, though they are exiled to foreign countries Christian love, there also is obedience to the and live in poverty and misery and are holy word, and where there is true, sincere partly robbed of their possessions? repentance there also is an unblamable life,

Page  28 28 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. according to the truth; this is incontro- and false daubers of the Spirit of the Lord, vertible. since they praise such a carnal people as Is it not a false assertion to say that the penitent and happy according to the progiving of alms shows true repentance; since phetic word, while they are still quite earthwe do not know whether it is done in sin- ly and carnally-minded; as their daily walk cerity of heart or in hypocrisy and vanity, openly testifies before the whole world. while he can plainly see that those who My faithful reader, observe the word of give alms generally are merely of the world the Lord, and take heed; for it is not aland flesh, yea, without regeneration and ways a true christian faith nor sincere rerepentance? pentance which the children of the world, It would be well if he could take to heart who are prone to walk upon the broad way, what stands written: The alms (gifts) of the sometimes teach and represent as true faith ungodly do not please the Most High; and and sincere repentance. But this is true sins are not remitted by much offering; he faith; which cordially accepts all the words who offers of the possessions of the poor, of God, the threatening commands as well does, even as if he slaughtered the Son, in as the consoling gospel, and trusts in them the sight of the Father. But to keep God's as the sure and true word of God, &c. From commandments' is a pleasing offer and to such faith, which Paul calls a gift of God, do according to the command, this is an of- springs the fear of God which drives out fer which avails. "To depart from wicked- sin, and the true love which gladdens, enness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to livens and cheers the heart and leads it into forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation." the obedience of the word. Again, "To obey is better than sacrifice, WThere there is such a faith which brings and to hearken, than the fat of rams," Eccl. forth a new, converted and changed mind; 35: 3; 1 Sam. lo: 22. which makes us dead unto sin and leads us I would further say that it is my fixed into a new life; changes us from tAdam to opinion that the beforementioned alms, of Christ; puts off the old man with all his which he boasts, are not the two mites or works and puts on the new man with his pennies of the widow's necessaries; but only works and thus conforms all his thoughts, a small crumb of their abundance, riches words and works to the Spirit, word and and wealth. This I frankly assert, and I I ways of the Lord, behold, there is true rehave not the least doubt that if they would pentance to which the holy prophets, John apply, to the support of the poor, their silk, the baptist, Christ Jesus, together with all damask and the superabundance of clothes the apostles and pious servants have so in which they go splendidly attired, the orna- earnestly pointed us and so faithfully adments of their houses, the golden and silver monished us. rosaries, the useless, costly ornaments, gold All those who would rightly preach this rings, chains, silvered and gilt swords, be- faith and this genuine repentance, and would sides, the booty of the persecuted which thereby bring forth fruits, must themselves may be found in the houses of some, then first, truly believe and sincerely repent; this the poor would not, in the least, suffer from is too obvious to be denied; and that Gelwant. ]ius and his like preachers do not yet, in 0, my reader, yet by him, this must be power and truth, believe and sincerely recalled true repentance and a highly boast- pent, I will leave to be judged by their own ful work. If such boasting of outward works writings and fruits, both her-e on earth and was heard from our side, how soon would before the throne of God and Christ. we hear that we are work-saints, and that Gellius further writes, and says, If it were true that we want to be saved by our own merits. many of our audience turn the preaching of the holy 0, Lord! 0 dear Lord!! t thus the ignorant gospel to lasciviousness, as in Jude 4, and that our people are deceived and consoled in their preaching avails but little, although many pious, penittl~ life with their own works tent hearts incontrovertibly prove the contrary, then tlhe impenitent,reckless life with their own works Tm pe nien ~ re e old lamentation of the prophet Isaiah were but verified, and merits. I think that such preachers may I that says, Who hath believed our report, &c.? He also justly be called peace-preachers, bolsterers j points to the saying of Christ, namely, If they have kept

Page  29 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 29 my word they will also keep your word; with which he' But in regard to the complaint of Isaiah doubtlessly means to say, as the world has not kept my and the saying of Christ, I they have kept doctrine, therefore they will not keep your doctrine. He also, refers to the four kinds of seed and four m ayi John 15 20 with which he kinds of earth, Matt. 13: 8, 19, 23. - wishes to cover and adorn his unscriptural Apractices and doctrine of impenitence, I Answer. God has never, from the beinro the - would ask him: If Christ and the apostles nine, preached repentance through the im-. peniten p r hed reet and wisdom ote G- have received those who lived after the lusts penitent. The maouth and wisdom of God; of their flesh, such as drunkards, railers, say, "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or,...'' say, "Do men ath e er grapes of thorns, or extortioners, avaricious, fornicators, adulfigs of thistles," Matt. 7: 16. i I figs....thi,. Mterers, &c., as their disciples, so long as Since, it is clear that Gellius and his like they had not sincerely repented preachers remain so earthly and carnally- If he answers in the affirmative, then he minded, and are driven by such an unmerci- speaks contrary to all Scripture. For Paul ful, tyrannical and slandering spirit, which sa Tat e sall not eat with such, if he is, properly, the inborn spirit, nature and does call himself a brother, 1 Cor. 5: 11, and fruit of the old serpent; how, then, can they that they shall not inherit the kingdom of rightly preach the penitent, pious life and God, Cor. 6. I he answers in the the fruitful, merciful, amiable spirit, nature negative, then I would again ask, Vhy they and disposition of Christ, which they not receive them as disciples while they are not only not acknowledge, but upbraid as hy- disciples of Christ, but are, according to his pocrisy and which they sincerely hate in own words, oftheworld? all the pious? If he answers that they do not receive In the second place, I say, that the preach- them, then I would ask him why they baping of peace and the making of cushions of tize their children before they let them parthe learned, as they do, will bring forth but take of the sapper? And whether it would few truly repentant persons. For although not be better if he would separate them, acthe world is so wTicked and wild that we cording to the Scriptures from the communshould reasonably be terrified at their very ion of those whom he esteems pious? If he great wickedness, yet they are so comforted answers that he does not know of such, and consoled by their preachers, with their which he can by no means, truthfully say, infant baptism, supper, alms and with the then I would, lastly ask, if he does not merits, grace, death and blood of the Lord, know a tree by its fruits; if he cannot see a that they presume themselves to be the light that shines in darkness, as all true Lord's chosen holy church and people. Christian lights are called in the Scriptures, In the third place I would say, because nor a city which is built upon a high mounthe speaks doubtfully, saying, If it were true ain Matt. 5: 14. that many of his audience turn the preach- Since Gellius and all the preachers, receive ing of the word to lasciviousness, and little and suffer such impenite-nt persons, whom fruit was brought forth by it, something he himself calls of the world, as heard, in which he however does not admit, &c., the communion of their churches, against the reader should well mark how assidu- the practice of Christ and of the apostles, ously they defend the world and the church therefore they mu ththereby acknowledge of anti-christ, saying, If it were true, &c. that Christ's church is of the world or the Yet the whole German nation has degener- w orld of Christ's church; that they, contrary ated to such a wild and reckless freedom, to the apostolic doctrine, ordinance and exby the preaching of their free gospel that if ample, dispense the sacraments also to the we reasonably admonish and reprove them world, which according to the Scriptures for their open unchastity, carousing, pomp properly belong to the penitent alone, who and splendor, cursing and swearing, lasciv- have placed themselves in the church of the ious and foul words, we must immediately Lord, in obedience to the word; that they, hear that we are conspirators, vagabonds, thereby, include the penitent (if such there fanatics, heaven-stormers, anabaptists and be) in the communion of the impenitent; other indecent, disgraceful slanders. and that they are open flatterers and ene

Page  30 30 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. mies of the cross of Christ, Phil. 3: 18, who their own souls but also those of their church, act hypocritically with the higher class and and support and defend them in their gross flatter the world, lest they lose their favors; abominations and impenitent carnal lives, and thus openly and faithlessly transgress by their perversion of Scriptures and usethe Lord's word and ordinance, for the sake less consolations, to their eternal destrucof their bellies and reject it as powerless I tion. and discouraging. In the fifth place it should be observed, Again, as to his reference to the Lord's what the preachers' desire and seeking parable, I would say, That I would have should be. The Scriptures teach that Moses him take a better view of it and not console and Jeremiah, Exod. 4: 10, reluctantly achimself herewith; for it has reference to the cepted of the service when they, Jer. 1: 6, true preachers and disciples who have been were called and sent of God, as Jeremiah put to the trial of the cross of Christ, in laments when the cross bore heavily upon obedience to the word, and not to the cross- him, Exod. 4: 10; Jer. 1: 6; Jer. 20: S. fleeing preachers and the world, as may be All that the prophets, apostles and faithlearned not alone from the Scriptures but ful servants of God ever sought and desired also from experience. was nothing else than that they might proFor some reject the received and manifest claim the name of their God and might truth, and the sown seed is devoured of the point their neighbors to the way of peace. fowls of the air and does not bring forth IThey did not seek money, gold, honor and fruit. Some are withered by the scorching an easy life, but they executed their office sun of the cross, oppression and misery, to which they were appointed, and which which proves them wood, hay and stubble, was, alas, not weighed by the heedless peo1 Cor. 3: 12. ple, under many sore trials, miseries, anxiOthers are smothered by the cares of this 1 eties, tribulations, beatings, poverty, opworld, and by deceitful riches and the lusts pression and tortures, and at the risk of of the flesh, so that the received knowledge life even, as sacred and profane histories, dies in them, and the lusts and love of this in many instances, teach. But why the world prevail, which in our times, as well preachers of the world have hitherto refused as in the times of the primitive church, is too and yet refuse the service, and what they often the case with those who, with Demas, seek thereby, experience and the Holy Spirit alas, again grasp the love of the world. plainly teach us, saying, that they promise But the last receive it in a sincere, pious death to the pious and life to the wicked, heart, and meekly bring forth fruit with for the sake of a hand-ful of barley or a patience; although they are much tempted piece of bread; that they seek the fat and by all kinds of trials, anxiety, oppression the wool, milk and flesh; that they eat but and deadly perils, yet they are, by the gra- do not feed the Lord's sheep, Ezekiel 34: cious help of God, so armed with a true ^; that they preach peace for their bellies' faith, love, hope, and patience or long-suf- sake (that is, if well paid), and war if not fering; are so confirmed in God, that nei- well fed, &c. ther the fire of tribulation can consume them Facts testify openly that it is true that (for they are gold, silver and precious they do not seek the salvation of souls, but stones), nor sword and pain can frighten or a careless, easy life; for we never saw in all deter them from the ways of the Lord, our life that the preachers lived where there Rom. 8: 38. were no rents or liens. That, also, Gellius That the beforementioned parable has re- does not seek the salvation of his sheep, ference to such christians and not to the but the rents, he has testified when lie left world and its preachers, is too clear to be Norden, where he was called by the same controverted or denied. And Gellius and calling, and moved to Emnden where the anhis like preachers of the world remain de- nual income was greater; something which fenders of unrighteousness, comforters of the paters, in times gone-by, esteemed as the impenitent and servants of the kingdom I unjust in their concilions and decrees, and of anti-christ, who not only pitifully deceive punished with excommunication.

Page  31 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 31 If he sought the salvation of their souls, reward of the deceived souls; this, all of and not the rents, as becomes a good and sound understanding must acknowledge faithful shepherd, according to the example and admit. of Jesus Christ and of all faithful servants, 0, my faithful reader, remember, so long why, then, did he make void his first call- as the world donates such splendid houses ing, which was, according to his assertion, and large incomes to their preachers, the divine, and leave the first sheep who were false prophets and deceivers will be numerno less delivered through the death of the ous. Lord, and bought with his precious blood, They pretend to vindicate by Scripture than the last, of which he now has the all heresy, deceit, idolatry, pomp, hypoccharge. 0, hypocrisy and feigning! risy, tyranny and drunkenness, together Again, Gellius says in regard to the sustenance of the with their unreasonable and shameful servpreachers, That they have little care as to how the ice of the flesh and world, and make the community, of whom the magistracy ale a part, provides ignorant and blind world believe that it is them the necessaries of life, while it is certain that if right. they serve the gospel, as he says, they shall also live of the gospel; and cites Matt. 10: 10; Luke 10: 7. But I openly testify, I testify it unreservedly that the preachers of the world, to take Answer. If Gellius and the preachers them all in all, are Balaamites, who love were such servants as are referred to in the reward of unrighteousness, and serve these Scriptures, then it is plain, that the for the sake of a handful of barley and a sustenance of the gospel was promised piece of bread, whereby they profane the them. But if any-body goes into the service name of God, Ezekiel 13: 19. "Prophets and uselessly destroys and ruins the Lord's which eat at Jezebel's table," 1 Kings 18: 20, goods, if faithless, seeks his own self in all servants and defenders of Maaz, 1 Chron. 2: things and does the things which are con- 27, who are honored with great rewards of trary to the will and honor of the Lord, Antioch, that is, anti-christ; Ahabites, who, should such a faithless servant receive the for the sake of an acre, stone the pious Nareward which is reasonably due to the faith- both, 1 Kings 21, that is, who advise and ful, assiduous laborer? I think you will an- instigate the world by their speeches, writswer in the negative; and that he should ings, backbiting, complaints and permis rather receive the displeasure and punish- sion to the killing of many an innocent, piment of the Lord. For he speaks, " When ous child of God. the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, Again, they are priests of Jeroboam, who, what will he do unto those husbandmen? contrary to the example of Christ Jesus and They say unto him, Hie will miserably his holy apostles, hire themselves, for an destroy those wicked men, and will let out annual stipend, to an unevangelical service his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which of impenitence, which is practiced, in all shall render him the fruits in their seasons," respects, without power, spirit, repentance Iatt. 21: 40, 41. and regeneration, as may openly be seen; We acknowledge that sustenance has been their service is vain labor and mockery, bepromised, by Scriptures, to the true and sides, an unbecoming speculation. faithful servants. But, since Gellius and 0, how distinctly has the Holy Ghost his like preachers are unfaithful servants portrayed them before our eyes, if we would who destroy the Lord's goods, steal his gain, but see, saying, "And through covetousness scatter his sheep and do not gather them shall they, with feigned words, make mertogether; who, alas, fearlessly lead to hell chandise of you." Again, "Having men's his precious treasure, namely the poor mis- persons in admiration because of advanerable souls, in great numbers, as those tru- tage," 2 Peter 2: 3; Jude 16, and other like ly regenerated can scripturally judge by sayings; For that they have sought unreathe testimony of their open deeds; therefore sonable gain and an easy life, from youth, their sustenance is not the sustenance of and yet seek it, is so obvious, that it cantrue preachers, but an unreasonable, shame- not, at all, be denied. ful gain; an unbecoming livelihood and the Besides, their liens and properties have

Page  32 32 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. been obtained from anti-christ, through art- and the Spirit and word of the Lord comful dealings, enchanting roguery and cler- mand, and enjoin upon all faithful servical robbery, and are yet, daily, thus ob- ants. tained from those who walk upon the broad I will conclude my remarks in regard to way without repentance, and who find, alas, the calling of the preachers, and would yet no pleasure in the Lord's holy word. say, Since the Scriptures teach that the servThey act hypocritically and flatter the ants of the holy word are called either of magistrates and those of high-standing; the Lord himself, or by means of the pious, they console the impenitent and persecute as has been heard; that they shall be unthe pious; they adulterate the plain word, blamable; able rightly to rule the Lord's sacraments and ordinances of Jesus Christ, church, bring forth permanent fruits, destroy by which the church should be gathered and and build up; that they shall not seek unmaintained in Him; they preach to suit and reasonable gain, but sincerely seek the honplease the world, that they may receive, un- or and praise of God and the salvation of der the semblance of the gospel, the blood- their neighbors, &c.; and since we plainly reward of the poor and miserable souls, for see and palpably feel that they, alas, are which they assiduously strive; that they altogether called of such as we would wish may peaceably possess it and turn it to the had the Spirit of Christ; moreover that they advantage of easy times. Yet they console are blamable in all things, for they are of themselves with the idea that they serve the an unmerciful, tyrannical disposition, and gospel and therefore should live of the gos- of an earthly, carnal life; pervert the gospel. Behold, thus they give a scriptural pel, and do not teach it in power and true shape to all kinds of false doctrines and repentance; wrongly use tile sacraments works, and thus they give a fine appearance without power, spirit and repentance, and to hypocrisy. dispense it to those who are not disciples of My faithful reader, I warn you in sincere Jesus Christ; they deceive the people; do love, take heed. Again, I say unto you, not bring forthl permanent fruits, plant that The true and faithful servants of Jesus did which is evil and root out that which is not have such annual stipends, rents and good; they do not seek the honor and praise property attached to the apostolic churches; of God but their owIn profit and gain, the but the greater part earned their livelihood favor of the world and an easy, careless by their own labor; yet served the church life, I will let their doctrines, sacraments. of Christ, and, in all love and humnility, frulits and life testify to this; therefore I say walked before them with true doctrines and vwithout any reservation that they are not an unblamable life. They have diligentlyh the called preachers and servants of the watched over the Lord's house, city and church of Christ, whom we shall, according vineyard; opposed all evil and deceiving to the Scriptures, obey, accept and follow, spirits with the word of the Lordd; admon- as they pretend we should, but that they ished the disorderly, consoled the afflicted, are preachers for the sake of gain and servreproved the transgressors, excommunlicated ants of anti-christ, against whom we are, the disobedient and refractory; served rea- on every hand, warned by the word of God; sonably, left the world to the world, and not to hear or follow them nor their dochave patiently borne its cross; and what trine but to flee fromn and avoid them as denecessaries they needed they received, not ceivers, false prophets, wicked men and of the world, but at the hands of their pious faithless servants. disciples, in humility, wit'out avaricious- ea, my reader, what can they say about ness or on desire of shamefiul gin. Script- l their callnn, p'.reahig and lich ch-ser-vice ures allow tlis lmuch, a said aboove, for It Ji, bri S fly stated, not ossie, according they right ly pastared te Lor sieep, ey to the sur, romises and prophecies of faithfully planted the vineyard, assiiuous- Cri Jess and te piro-pets, that a Srue ly tilled the land, and stored t ahe slheaves arnd faitu ml cc I eaer, w \Ilness or teacher, and fruits in the Lord's barn, as the er am- esp ceia]iy in 3these evil times iand inl this pie of the prophets and apostles -oints out, w vcked and tyrannical world, can faithfully

Page  33 REPLY TO GELLIUS [FABER. 33 teach and proclaim, without respect of per- may be at ease, not be persecuted and enjoy sons, the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, with- good times; this is something which is genout being exiled, proscribed or killed; much erally well understood, and a sure proof less enjoy life at ease and liberty, as they that their sending or calling together with do, without persecution, yea, receive annual their doctrine and church-service is in every stipends of the world and be highly hon- particular without the ordinance, Spirit and ored and loved by them. word of God, as said before. Peruse all the Holy Scriptures and see if Herewith, Gellius' article on the calling you can find that Christ Jesus, with his holy has been replied to. I would earnestly beapostles, true witnesses and followers fared seech him and all the preachers to reflect in as they do and received as they do; wheth- the fear of God for before the flaming eyes er persecution, cross, tribulation, anxiety, of the Lord, which search heaven and earth, prison and death were not, generally, their nothing wrong will be hidden, however artlot and part. Besides experience, yet daily, fully it may be covered before man's eyes, teaches this abundantly. and however much it may be decked and If, then, the preachers acted rightly, if adorned with smooth words. they were walking according to the exam- Next, Gellius denies our calling, and says, Before we pie of Christ and his apostles; if their can agree with the preachers or teachers who claim that teachings and dealings were right, as they they bring forth fruit, they must first be rightly called pretend them to be, then all the Holy Script- of a church of God, and not from a collection who have x mt be w g te w been deceived by false prophets; and then come boldly ures must be wrong, the word of the cross ures must be wrong, the word of tohe cross forward and preach; or they must show by facts (as he be fulfilled and Christ and his prophecies says) that Christ has done wrong, and that he should must be fmlse, this is incontrovertible. There- have rather preached seecretly to avoid the cross (as he fore, all their boasting and artful citations says we do) than in public, &c. concerning their calling, office, doctrine Answer. The sending or calling of Moses, and church-service, together with their de- of Christ, of Paul, of the apostles and prophfense are, in fact, wrong, futile, hypocritical, ets was also denied by the perverse. Moses unjust and without truth. "For all seek had to hear that he had killed the Lord's their own, not the things which are Jesus people and that he had led them into the Christ's," Phil. 2: 21; their own ease and not wilderness that they might perish through the salvation of their neighbors; they are want and misery. Christ Jesus was called enemies of the cross; they serve their own a wine-bibber, blasphemer and one possessbellies, Rom. 16. If they would rightly re- ed of the devil, Matt. 11: 19. Paul was callprove all the ungodliness, idolatry, abuse, ed a rebel and an apostate Jew, &c. Bepride, pomp, splendor, hypocrisy and un- hold, thus in their times the sending of faithfulness of this world, without respect the faithful servants of the Lord, nay, the of persons with the same earnestness, assid- the Lord and Messiah himself was despised, uity, heart and mind, &c., as did Christ although testified by many miracles. How with his holy apostles and true witnesses, much more, then, shall we be despised, who and in other respects would not act so are such weak and insignificant instruments, freely; if they would hate all unright- and live in seven fold worse and more wickeousness of the world as Christ Jesus and ed times than those in which they lived. his apostles hated it, then they would not Inasmuch, then, as we are accused by our long remain at ease in their comfortable opponents, the learned, that we are not callhouses; they would not have such incomes ed of a church of God, but of false prophets, and they would be little regarded by this or of a false church, therefore I would briefreckless, wild world. Of this I am con- ly admonish the reader, to weigh well with vinced. the Scriptures who, how and what the church But they do differently; they make the gar- of God is; that it is not a collection of ment to fit the man (as the saying is), and proud, avaricious, extortionate, vain perthey so teach and act that the world may sons,drunkards andimpenitent,asthechurch suffer them and love them and that they may of the world is, of whom the learned are be the friends of the world, so that they called but a collection or congregation of 41

Page  34 34 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. saints, as the Holy Scriptures and the Ni- faith, doctrine and calling of a deceiving, cene symbol clearly teach and represent, refractory and corrupted sect, by the secesnamely, of those who, through true faith, sion of whom the Lord intends to purge his are regenerated of God unto Christ Jesus church. For this reason I am necessarily and are of a divine nature, who will gladly forced to explain my actions briefly, which conform their lives according to the Spirit, I, under different circumstances, would, for word and example of the Lord, are actuated the sake of modesty, remain silent; namely, by his Spirit and are willing and prepared how I first came- to the knowledge of my patiently to bear the cross of their Lord Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and how I Jesus Christ. afterward, unworthily, became one of his Behold dear reader, such were they whom servants; and I hereby beseech all my readthe apostles and faithful servants won unto ers, for God's sake to consider well this my Christ Jesus, and added to his church with narration, and that they will not think hard his Spirit and word, nor does Scripture ac- of it, nor consider it as vain boasting that I knowledge any others. From such and of here tell it; for the honor of my God and such they have, with fasting and prayer, the love for his church urge me to do so. chosen and called unto the service of the Let all judge me as they will He who has Lord the pious and unblamable pastors and created me and has hitherto graciously deteachers; and not of the world, as has been livered me from my enemies, knows me; he heard. knows what I seek in this life and what my Since, then, the preachers of the world greatest desire is.-* and their congregations, are not the church Again, that Gellius wants us to preach of Christ but are such preachers and church- publicly, has been sufficiently replied to es as shown, by their spirit, words and deeds above, as I trust, in treating of night preachthat they are of the world; and since the ing. Yet I would propound these three merciful, great Lord in these latter days of questions. abominations, graciously gathers together, In the first place, Whether a person would by his Spirit and word, many faithful hearts not be guilty of blood, if he would persuade from the different unscriptural sects, both somebody by artful words or force him into great and small, and from different nations a deep water or by such means get him to and tongues, in one faith; and places them take poison, if he knew beforehand that as an admonition to sincere repentance, death would be the consequence? with their doctrine, life, goods and blood, In the second place, Since he boasts to be before the whole world, yea, as a light up- a called preacher and preaches in public, I on a candlestick; therefore these must be would ask, Why he is not moved to love the Lord's church and people; or else the and compassion for his own country? Why and compassion for his own country? W7Vhy word of God, which is and remains true, word of God, which is and remains tru he does not, amongst the papists, openly must be wrong and false. And some from proclaim his faith, sacraments and docthese and of these are chosen with fasting contrary and prayer and ordained to the service of to te emperors decree the Lordby the layingnof hadsaccor- tyranny, persecution and ill-will as he would the Lord by the laying on of hands accord- have us to do? ing to the example and doctrine of the? apostolic churches; now, all of sound mind Thirdly, since he will d admit, as I suppose, may judge and weigh, according to Script- and must admit, if he judge according to ure whether such a calling or choosing is the Scriptures, that the avaricious, proud, not consistent with Scripture and according haughty, drunkards, vain, extortioners, to the usage of the primitive churches; and liars, unrighteous, &c., can not inherit the whether it cannot stand before the Lord and kingdom of God, and that they therefore his church as divine, holy and just. are not christians; I would ask him, Why Further, it is a fact well known to me, it is that he does not lay aside the fear of that the preachers tell the simple, and which r * Here follows in the original works of SMenno Simon Gellius' writing, if carefully read, also in- his renunciation ofthe Church of Rome. See Firstpart, sinuates that I should have received my Page4.

Page  35 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 35 the cross (of which he blames us) and sepa- avoided the raving, mad people, after they rate, without all respect of person, the im- had resolved upon his death, until the time penitent of his church, from the communion of his suffering had arrived (which time of his sacraments, according to the doctrine was known to him beforehand), and the and ordinance of the Holy Ghost, since it is prophecies were fulfilled, Luke 21:32. God's express word and ordinance? He Also, that although Jesus Christ sent his would have us preach publicly, notwith- disciplesto preach the gospelto allpeople, to standing that he well knows that we can no Gentiles aswell as. Jews, he didnot command more do so without the loss of life, than to them, nor would he, that they should serve go on the water without sinking, or to take and dispense his sacraments, namely, bappoison without dying. For he and the tism and Supper to the enemies of his word, learned have brought about such a state of Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15. Therefore it is affairs, by their disgraceful slanders and obvious that he accuses us of this without preaching, that we are, alas, already judged any truth orfoundation of the Scriptures. He before we are caught. Besides he advises does not only accuse and reprove us but the magistracy to stop our doings; and he also Christ Jesus, God's eternal word and well knows how he treated a certain person, wisdom himself; for he has celebrated his about ten years ago, who would gladly pro- Holy Supper, at night in a secret place, with claim to the people the testimony he had, a separate people; he also accuses and rein sincerity of heart, and that herefusedme proves Paul and the primitive, apostolic a discussion of Scripture twice, as has been church, who oft held theirbrotherly meetings heard. Yet he says, if we are true teachers at night, in retired places, as has been suffiwe should preach in public; while he him- ciently adduced above. Observe how openly self, for the sake of a livelihood and the fear he speaks against God's word. of the cross does not preach his doctrine He writes further, that our calling is not testified by (whatever it amounts to) in his own place any thing, further than that we not only fill the hearts but has moved to another and more safe of many with a mad and irreconcilable hatred of all place, and there, although he can freely church ordinances and true servants of the church, howpractice his doctrine and sacraments, he ever pious they be, but also inspire them with a contentious, envious spirit. neglects separation, scriptural reproof and the ordinances of God from the fear of the Answer. If animosity and bitterness of cross. Now the reasonable reader may heart had not so entirely blinded him, and educe from all this what kind of a christian, if but a small spark of a true, christian not to mention preacher, he is; since he spirit were in him, then he would soon acwould have us, miserable ones, to do knowledge the precious fruits of true repentthat which he himself dares not do nor ance. But as it is, he has become so blinded, touch, as you may see. that, alas, he calls the glorious fruits of the If Gellius could take these three questions Holy Spirit, the fruits of the devil and new to heart and would consider them in a script- monkery; and the burdensome, pressing ural light and in the fear of God, he would cross of so many pious saints, the cross of be ashamed all his life that he so indis- evil-doers or heretics. Which is in my creetly attacks us, against all love, reason, opinion an abominable sin and gross intelligence and the Scriptures and that he, slander under such a semblance, so tyrannically The Pharisees said, "This fellow doth strives after the ruin, blood and death of not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub, the the pious. prince of devils," Matt. 12:24, although they But in answer to this writing that the strongly felt in their hearts that it was the prophetic and apostolic doctrine and sacra- finger and power of God. Christ said that ments should not be taught and dispensed it was blaspheming against the Holy Ghost, in secret, retired corners and shops, but in Luke 12: 10. But what Gellius does against public, I would say, We admit that Christ us I will leave to the Lord. Jesus, generally preached in public, how- God knows that I wish that I might deever with such discretion that he sometimes liver him and all the preachers from their

Page  36 ~~~36 -REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. sore damnation, even at the cost of my own if such be deaf unto truth, reject admonilife. Behold, thus I hate him and all those tion and start perverse sects, then we may who seek my life; although we must hear no longer receive them as brethren, as the so much evil spoken against us; and I trust Scriptures teach us. So long as we continue that all who fear the word of the Lord, will to do this in obedience to the holy word be of one mind with me in this regard. and in the true fear of God,we are convinced Notwithstanding this, he writes that we fill from the inmost of our hearts, that we will many hearts with anger and irreconcilable be clear of all sectarianism as also of blashatred against them, &c. By no means. phemy and perversity; although we must And this for no other reason than that we innocently hear such charges from the in sincere and faithful love,earnestly reprove world. the hypocritical deceivers, whom he calls Since it is a fact well known to Gellius the true and pious servants of the church, and his fellow-preachers that peace-breakand the unscriptural infant baptism, to- ers and sectarians are not allowed in our gether with all abuses, which he calls church communion at all, but are unanimously ordinances not only by the Spirit and word separated from us, according to apostolic of the Lord, but also by our possessions doctrine and usage, Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10, and blood, and because we point them to therefore it is very wrong in him to call so Christ Jesus and him crucified, to his Spirit, many pious persons contentious, and cause word, ordinances and to the doctrine and them to be of such bad report with the usage of his holy apostles. world, without truth; while they hate disI truly believe that a spiteful, envious cord and strife and seek nothing but that person has no part in God's city. And if they may humbly follow te crucified Jesus, we, who are daily killed for our love, are in the peace of their hearts. yet spiteful and envious, then much suffer- If he should say that he accounts them as yet spiteful and envious, then muchsuffer-of us because they have received the same ing is in vain. I trust that I write the truth of ecase they have received the same when I say that I am more terrified at baptism with us, then I would say again hatred and envy than at fire and sword. that Peter, Simo, Pal and c., were also Yet we must hear that we are spiteful. Be- one. Then all papists, Lutherans and hold, thus good is ever turned to evil and Zuinglians besides all thieves, murderous our love to hatred. Whatsentencethe Script- wizards, bggerers fornicators and rogues ures pronounce against such may be seen are one; for they have received one bapin Isaiah 5. tism; this is incontrovertible. Again, in regard to his accusation that He also accuses us That we are not unanimous but i quarrel amongst ourselves in regard to many articles of we dispute among ourselves in regard to christian religion; namely, in regard to obedience to obedience to the laws; the justification of the laws; to the justification of man; to the Godhead of man; the power of the magistracy &c. I Christ and his becoming man, and in regard to the would say, that I trust I can testify before powers of the magistracy &c. the Lord and his church with a clear conAnswer. I trust that I can write with a science, that I never but once to my knowlclear conscience that we, who are grains of edge, disputed, or as Gellius calls it quarone loaf, are also of one mind in Christ reled with any one in regard to the justifiJesus. But as in the times of the apostles, cation of man, and this one has already false teachers arose in the apostolic church run to ruin. Nor have I ever discussed the who started and taught false doctrines and questions of obedience to the laws or the who were, after faithful admonition, sepa- power of the magistracy other than by way rated from the communion of their church, of brotherly instruction. What our conif they did not repent, as may be learned fession and grounds are concerning the from many Scriptures; so also it is in our before-mentioned articles, may be clearly times. Satan is ever at work. Paul says, educed from our writings. "There must be also heresies among you, 0, dear Lord, that Gellius would once that they which are approved may be made consider his own words when he writes that manifest among you," 1 Cor. 11:19. And the calling of the pious should not be nulli

Page  37 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 37 fled on account of the impious, and would ments may be dispensed to the impenitent have sufficient fear of God in him to feel and perverse; the twelfth denies it; and concerned about the lies, violence and in- other like differences exist among them. justice which he unreasonably practices on Notwithstanding they call the godly, us. For what else does he but wilfully pious hearts and peaceable children of God, defame the pious, perhaps against his own who are zealous for God and his righteoussentiments, that he may oppose the word, ness, as much as is in their power, and who may uphold his cause by making ours false do not countenance quarreling, a contenand suspicious, lest his pharisaical faith- tious sect and ungodly, deceiving conspiralessness be made manifest. Yea, he writes tors, while they, on the contrary, are peaceas if he would say, Judas was a traitor and able, teachers of one mind; besides they thief, therefore all the other apostles are call the impenitent, wicked world the church traitors and thieves. Again, Simon was a and people of the Lord. rogue, therefore all the members of the apos- Behold, so manifestly the Lord "will tolic communities were rogues, &c. For he destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will well knows that we do not, may not suffer bring to nothing the understanding of the heretics, peace-breakers &c. in the commu- prudent", 1 Cor. 1: 18, yea,that tothem Christ nion of the peaceful and pious, as already Jesus is Belial, and Belial Christ Jesus; heard. light, darkness and darkness, light, 2 Cor. 0, that he would leave off slandering the 6; that they, alas consider the doctrine, peaceable and could rightly see into the life, power, confession, and the sacrifice of angry quarreling, bitter hatred, division, possession and life of the chosen as nothrupture and brawlings of all those who up- ing; but that they judge every thing perhold infant baptism; could see how dread- versely, unfavorably and with partiality, fully they are divided amongst themselves; according to the flesh, and thus construe that they are so inflamed by envious zeal every thing to offensiveness; that they seek one against another that they not only all kinds of excuses to offend the pious, to slander and adjudge each other to hell by blaspheme truth and to uphold unrighteouscalling each other fanatics, profaners of the ness, that nobody be converted, repent and sacraments and anti-christians, but that sincerely seek and follow the word of the they also take up the sword against each Lord. O, Lord! grant that this may be other, as is the way of sectarians; that they made manifest unto them. utterly destroy countries and inhabitants, He further writes: "Nor is it a desirable fruit, but a cities and towns, against the meek nature, shameful disgrace that they, contrary to the example of doctrine and example of Christ Jesus and Christ, and the apostles constitute themselves a church, ^.~~his apost^~les. ~desecrate the Lord's Sabbath, leave the open assembly hIs aposistles. lere ar sod dand service, hate and upbraid the servants, and not only Besides their learned 1men are so divided not examine the solicitous labors and prophecies of the amongst themselves that we can scarcely find servants but also boldly despise them, contrary to the five or six in one country who agree in doc- command of the Holy Ghost and the doctrine of the trine. One includes every thing in the command of the Sabbath." providence and predestination of God, Answer. Observe, reader, how adroitly Quasi necessarium (as an impliednecessity). they can adorn lies, and how frightfully Another disputes it; the third includes they can suppress and despise truth under Christ's flesh and blood in the bread and cover of virtue. All the evangelical Scriptwine; the fourth understands it spiritually; ures teach us that the church of Christ was the fifth baptizes the children on their own and is, in doctrine, life and worship, a peofaith; the sixth on the strength of the cove- ple separated from the world. It also was nant with Abraham and its promise; the in the times of the Old Testament, 2 Cor. seventh says that faith is no obstacle to 6:17; 1 Peter 2:9, 10; Exod. 19:12. persecution; the eighth denies it; the ninth Since the church always was and shall believes in faith without fruits or work; the be a separate people, as has been tenth says, that faith through love shall be heard, and since it is as clear as the meridiactive; the eleventh says, that the sacra- an sun, that for centuries no difference has

Page  38 38 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. been made between the church and the In short, they do not despise the solicitworld, but that they have been indiscrim- ous labors and the prophecies of the true inately blended together in baptism, Supper, and faithful servants of Christ, nor the life and worship, which is so plainly con- precious gifts of the Holy Spirit, against trary to all Scripture, therefore we feel the commands of the Holy Spirit and the ourselves constrained by the Spirit and doctrine of the command of the Sabbath, word of God, and not of our own account, as he very wrongly complains we do, but to gather together, to the praise of Jesus they shun, at the risk of possessions and Christ and to the salvation of our neigh- life, according to the advice, doctrine and bors, and not unto us, but unto the admonition of the Holy Spirit, and the docLord a pious and penitent church or com- trine of the Sabbath, the false labors, and munity from all untrue and deceiving sects the powerless, impenitent and hired prophof the whole world, not contrary to the doc- ecies of the anti-christian servants, who do trine and example of Christ Jesus and the not serve Christ and the church, as they apostles, as Gellius falsely accuses us, but boast, but serve their bellies and the world; according to the Spirit, doctrine and exam- and they dare not hear and follow them ple of Jesus Christ, manifested unto us; because their doctrine and fruits show that yea, gather them patiently under the cross they are those whom the Scriptures and of misery, in spite of all the violence and divine truth forbid us to follow. gates of hell, and not by force of arms and Their priests, says the Lord, "teach for persecution as is the custom of the world, hire, and the prophets divine for money." but separate them from it, as the Scriptures They rely upon the Lord, and say, Is not teach, that they may be an admonition, the Lord amongst us? No evil can betide example and reproach to the impenitent us; therefore "Zion shall be plowed like a world as has already been heard. field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps," They keep and sanctify the Sabbath Mic. 3:12; Jer. 26:18. It is also manifest which is not the literal, but the spiritual that Gellius and his like preachers have Sabbath, which never ends with true chris- done the same thing of which he accuses us, tians, not by wearing fine clothes, not by for they, long before we did, have separated carousing, vanity and idleness, as the reck- themselves from the papists into a separate less world do, but by the true fear of God, church, as is known to all mankind to be by a clear conscience and unblamable life, incontrovertible. But we are sorry to say in love to God and their neighbors; for that that our separation from them was caused is the true religion, Heb. 12:1, and in the by themselves. For if we would have found fear of their God they do not attend the them to be right we would have remained public Sabbath and holiday gatherings with them; but as it is, we have, alas, to which are, alas, not consecrated to Christ, leave them at the cost of life and possesbut to anti-christ in all manner of vanity sions, as may be seen. and hypocrisy, in pomp and splendor; nor Behold, my kind reader, here you have do they take part in their idle church-service before you, my brief reply to the main artiwhich tends to nothing but deceiving that cles concerning the calling of preachers, they may thereby attend the gathering of which Gellius so respectfully brought forthe saints and the true service, convince the ward to the defense of his cause and to the erring, and thus make manifest, truth and detriment of ours. the true doctrine, to the reformation and I have no doubt but that you, by the salvation of all mankind. grace of God, will find a clear difference, They do not hate and envy the open explanation andfoundation, if you conpare deceivers and false preachers who so miser- his writing with ours and judge according ably deceive the poor people, as Gellius to the word of the Lord by the manifest accuses us, but earnestly reprove them in I fruits on both sides; and this is the sumlove according to God's Spirit and word, mary of my writings, that nobody can be a that they may repent and be converted, as truly called preacher and God-pleasing the Scriptures teach us. servant in the Lord's house and church,

Page  39 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 39 without having the Holy Spirit which work- but the praise of God and the salvation of eth in all true christians; without regenera- his neighbor, nor without the salutary, tion which transforms the heart from earthly precious word which cuts and cleaves withto heavenly things, through faith; nor with- out respect of person; nor without the pious, out unfeigned love, which seeks nothing unblamable life which is of God. CONCERNING BAPTISM. I deem it unnecessary to write much con- I which is practiced without the command of cerning the baptism of the believing, in this God, idolatry? They answered that it was. place; why we teach that it shall be re- ~When I heard them answer these quesceived and practiced at the confession of tions thus unreservedly, I said, WTell, dear faith; for we have explained this matter men, what will become of your infant bapbefore, by so many plain Scriptures and tism? They all three simultaneously anreasons, to the intelligent reader, that he swer: Yea, dear Menno, if you would ask can plainly see and palpably feel the foun- of us for the command, then show us first dation and truth. where it is commanded that we should bapTherefore I will refer to the main articles tize the believing. When I heard this I and arguments with which Gellius under- was much alarmed, for I perceived that, in takes to defend his infant baptism as apos- fact, they meant nothing but party and tolic and christian, and will rebut them carnality. I pointed them to the sixteenth with the Scriptures; andItrust tobeenabled, chapter of Mark, where the Lord speaks, by the grace of God, to do this with such "Go ye into all the world, and preach the clearness and power that all attentive, intel- gospel to every creature. He that believeth, ligent readers may fully perceive that he and is baptized shall be saved," Mark can stand before the holy ordinance, word 16:15, 16. and truth of the Lord, with his infant bap- But this was no command to them. Then tism, as little as he can with his calling. I referred them to Matthew 28: 19, where Before I enter upon the examination of the Lord says, "Go ye therefore, and the matter, I would, not without cause, teach all nations baptizing them (or as the first relate to the kind reader, that some Greek text has it: Make all nations disciyears ago, I had a discussion with John pies, and baptize them), in the name of the A'Lasco, Gellius and Herman; and, as we Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy had a lengthy reasoning concerning bap- Ghost." tism, and they admitted that all the Script- This did not avail with them, for it reads, ures which I adduced, relating to the mat- they said, "baptizing" and not "baptize ter, were spoken by the ancient or believing, them;" although, alas, they well knew that we at last got on the subject of infant bap- the surest translation is the Greek text in tism, which, according to their opinion was the imperative mode, namely, baptize also right, although not Scriptural. At them; something which I had till then never last, after having had a lengthy discussion noticed so particularly. and after they had made many unscriptural Behold, they contended so wilfully against assertions, I propounded two questions and the plain word and truth of God, that they prayed them for God's sake to answer them openly denied it to be a command; while Scripturally. The first question was, Has they had many times read (also according a ceremony any promise, which is practiced to the Lutheran translation) that the Lord without the command of God? They an- had commanded it in an express command, swered that it had not. Then I asked them, saying, "And baptize them." * in the second place, Is not such a ceremony, * German Translation

Page  40 40 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. When I perceived that they wanted to cannot, in their feeble understanding, unfind an excuse by means of the use of the derstand the doctrine, which is a doctrine participle, I proposed the following, If I of penitence. If they cannot understand the command my servant and say, Go and plow doctrine how can they then believe; if they the ground,sowing it with wheat; as the Lord do not believe how can they then repent, said, "Go and teach all nations, baptizing and if they do not repent how can they be them," &c., have I not, I now ask, com- included in the preaching of repentance? If manded my servant to plow the land and they, then, have neither doctrine, faith nor to sow it with wheat, although I use the par- repentance, which he admits they have not, ticiple sowing, the same as baptizing was on account of their feeble understanding, used. They answered that this was using and which is not necessary for them to have, philosophy and not the Scriptures. Behold while they are God's own and while sin has my reader, thus boldly they sought to deny not become alive in them to bring forth the truth. fruit, therefore all of sound judgment must Seeing that they, although convinced, ob- admit he reproves himself and acknowlstinately persevered in falsehood and would edges that he wrongfully accuses us, when not receive the powerful and plain truth, as he says, that we speak blasphemously did the Pharisees, I was much grieved against the holy church, because we say that and said, Men! men!! Since I find it to be the unconscious children cannot repent, bea fact that you, in perversity of heart, lieve nor obey; for he admits that they, in reject God's truth, and delight in false- the feebleness of their understanding, canhood, I will be silent and not speak an- not understand the doctrine, from which other word with you concerning this mat- faith, repentence and obedience originate, ter; for, alas, it is all in vain! Reader, in as has been already said. the day of the appearance of Jesus Christ, In the second place he writes, That there is one church before his impartial and eternal judgment, and one faith, both under the Old and New Testaments, -t will be found true as I here write, from the time of Adam to the end of the world; and Behold, so dishonestly do they deal withat from the time of Abraham, under the Old TestaBehold, so dishonestly do they deal with ^. - " "ment, preaching and circumcision was commanded for God's precious and eternal truth, that they the purpose of the gathering, edification, growth and then pretended that there was no command extension of the church, and under the New Testament, to baptize the believing, and now they have preaching and baptism, without regard to the age of an abundance of commands to baptize the persons. unconscious children. 0, God! thus they Answer. I understand it that all those mock with the souls of men, and they know who, from the time of Adam to the presnot how much to garble, bend and break ent time, and also hereafter, had, have the sure foundation of truth, that they may and shall have the Spirit, mind and nature remain on the broad road, without the cross, of Jesus Christ, and who did, do and shall that they may please the world and that walk as obedient children by virtue of such they may lead a careless life according to a spirit, in truth, were, are and shall be the the lusts of the flesh. Lord's church, kingdom and people. But Gellius first says in regard to this matter, That we we would have reasonably expected that blasphemously speak against the holy church, because Gellius would have added that each in his we say that the children cannot believe, cannot repent times had a peculiar doctrine, ordinance and cannot obey the word of the Lord, while they (as he says) constitute a great part of the church, and that they an usage. That from the time of dam to are referred to in plain and clear words by the prophet Abraham no ceremony was practiced on Joel, in the preaching of repentence, &c. the children because the Lord had not comAnswer. His commencement is unscript- manded it; and that circumcision was comural and his end will be unscriptural. Ob- manded from Abraham to the time of Christ. serve, the word of God shall be our judge. But now we have Christ, the promised prophSay, beloved, is it not a great blindness in et, Deut. 18: 15; Acts 7: 37, to whom all the him to undertake to include unconscious Scriptures pointed that we should obey and children in the preaching of repentance? and follow him. He is the eternal Word and a little further on admits himself that they Wisdom of God; all that abide in his doc

Page  41 REPLY TO GELLI1TS FABER. 41 trine, walk in the truth, for his word is spoken it, as Scripture informs us, Jer. 23: truth, and his command is eternal life. 17; Ezek. 13: 7. What ordinance this wise counsellor has Say, reader, is it not an intrepid deed commanded us concerning the children, un- and a condemnable boldness, that he dares der the New Testament; what he has cor- publish to the whole world that God has manded us and what he has not, concerning commanded it; since eternal Wisdom has them, all pious, faithful hearts may learn neither commanded it by word nor deed? from his holy word. Peruse the whole New Testament from beBut what he says in regard to them, that ginning to end, and if a word can be found in the New Testament no regard is made as that the mouth of the Lord has commanded to age, but that we should preach to all and it, or that the apostles have anywhere baptize them, is in my opinion so directly taught or practiced it, then we will, by the contrary to Scripture, common sense and grace of God, unanimously admit that he his own words, that he should reasonably is right. be ashamed of the assertion. For how can Inasmuch, as it is clear that nothing we teach a little, unconscious child repent- has been mentioned concerning it in all the ance according to the word of God? Christ Holy Scriptures, as has been said, and that commanded that we should preach the gos- he, in the face of this, dares write that they pel to those who have understanding, and do it according to the command of God, those who believe are to be baptized. Nor then the pious reader may imagine how has he left in his gospel any other com- abominably he sins against his God, esmand, ordinance or example concerning this pecially since truth is manifest, and how matter. lamentably he deceives the poor souls by Besides, he acknowledges that the chil- open falsehood when he writes that God dren, on account of their feeble understand- commanded it; since the Holy Spirit, I say, ing, cannot understand the doctrine, as al- has not expressed it in a single word, nor ready rdYeheard. Yet he writes, in the face of manifested it unto the church of God by this plain ordinance of the Almighty God, word or practice of the true witnesses of and his own confession, that in the New Christ. Testament, teaching and baptizing are corn- His assertion that the command is not manded, without respect to age. altered, is so diametrically opposed to Behold, thus grossly err all who reject truth, that we may well wonder at it. The the word of the Lord. Is this not violently Scriptures clearly testify that God promised rejecting Christ and accepting anti-christ, Abraham the multiplying of his seed, and and is it not plainly wrong? I must admit the land of Canaan as an eternal inherthat I have never read a word in the Script- itance, and commanded him that he ures with such misunderstanding. should circumcise himself, his son Ishmael, &c.; also all male children of the In the third place Gellius writes, That the church age of e t days; for ia a c hildenant in should give the seal of the covenant of grace to chil- of eight days; for it was a covenant in dren according to the command of God because they are the flesh, Gen. 17. participants in the covenant or promise of God, and in And thus was commanded to Abraham, the sanctity of the church and in eternal life; for the at the promise of the multiplication of his covenant is not altered and God is no less gracious to seed and the possession of the land of our children, who are born under the promise, than to Canaan the blood-sign of the circumcision the children of Israel who were born according to the flesh; for it is written, I will be thy God and thy chil- of the foreskin, on the eighth day of their dren's after thee; and that therefore, in the gathering age, of all the male children and not the of the churches, under the Old and New Testaments the female children. But to us the blood-sign same command obtains, both as regards the preaching, of circumcision is not commanded, but bapand the use of the holy sacrLaments, tism in the water. Now, observe the first Anzswer. Gellius does even as all the false difference. Not on the eighth day, but when prophets have done who miserably deceived we, through the spirit, in faith, are born of the people, and pretended that the Lord of God, and have become followers of Abralords said so, although the Lord had not ham. Observe the second distinction. Not 42

Page  42 42 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. alone the males, butbothmales and females, must also be displeasedwithallthe children who through the preaching of the holy under the New Testament, for they are not word, have died unto the old life and have commanded to be baptized. arisen with Christ in newness of life; who 0 no, to children belongs the kingdom of are pricked in their hearts; who circumcise God. Not by virtue of any sign, but alone their hearts and minds; who put on Christ, by grace through Christ Jesus, Matt. 19:14. and who have the testimony of a clear con- And as to his calling infant-baptism a sealscience, before God, Rom. 6; Acts 2: 37; ing of the covenant of grace, I would Col. 2; 11; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet, 3: 21. Observe reply, If he can show me a place in all the third difference. Not to possess a lit- the New Testament where the baptism of eral kingdom and land, and to become a the believing is called a sealing of the covegreat people upon earth, as was promised nant of grace, then I will admit that he is to Abraham and his seed; but to bear all right. But I know to a certainty, that he manner of anxiety, affliction, tribulation cannot do so. If the baptism of the believand misery upon earth, for the sake of the ing, which is ordained of God himself, is testimony of the word of God; to turn the not called such, how can infant baptism, heart away from all visible and perishable then be called such, which is not ordained of things; to die unto pomp, splendor, the God, but is merely self-chosen fiction inworld and flesh, and thus to walk in our vented of man? weakness as Christ has walked in his per- If he should allude to the circumcision, I fection, &c. would say that they are two distinct and Behold, reader, how openly he adulterates different signs, and that the first has no rethe Scriptures, and how grossly he perverts lation whatever to the second; for these folthe truth when he writes that the command is lowing reasons: Firstly, because all the unchanged, and that the gathering of the signs, before and under the law, given to churches under the Old and New Testa- the patriarchs, as the coats of skins to ments are the same, and that no different Adam; the rain-bow to Noah; the circumcommands are given, both as regards cision to Abraham; theyearly offering of preaching and the use of the sacraments; the high priests, &c., Gen. 3: 21; 9: 16; for it is all changed and renewed as may 17: 10, 11; Lev. 16, all, unitedly pointed to be clearly educed from the foregoing refer- Christ who has now appeared, and in whom ences. I will leave to your reflections if all the preceding signs are fulfilled; and we such a thing may not be called perverting now have no sealing or assurance through truth into falsehood. outward signs and symbols, but through Again, from his saying that the church is the true Sign of all signs, Christ Jesus, as no less gracious to our children than to the he himself says, "As Moses lifted up the children of Israel, born in the flesh, I un- serpent in the wilderness, even so must the derstand him to say, If God will not have Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever beour children baptized, that he is less gra- lieveth in him should not perish, but have cious to them than he was to the children eternal life; for God so loved the world that of the circumcision; by which he openly he gave his only-begotten son," John 3: 14 testifies that he couples the kingdom, grace -16. Secondly, because we, now, are not and promise of God with that sign. a people according to the letter, as was If God is only gracious to such children Israel, but are a people according to the as have received, or may receive that out- spirit; who, before they receive the sign, ward sign, then it must necessarily follow are turned to God through the preaching of that God has been ungracious to, and dis- repentance; who die unto the old sinful pleased withallthechildrenbeforethe law of life; who receive the light of grace in their circumcision; besides to all children who hearts; who accept the true Sign of peace, died before the eighth day, and during the Christ Jesus, through faith; arise with him forty years they passed in the wilderness, into a new life and are thus sealed in their together with all the maids and women, be- hearts, through the promise of the Holy cause they were not circumcised; then he Ghost and the eternal covenant and the

Page  43 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 43 grace of God. For if we were not sealed in elude that as the children of Abraham were our hearts before the sign, then we could circumcised with him on account of the not truly repent before the sign; nor could promise; that also our children should be we burden ourselves with disesteem, dis- baptized on account of the same promise, I grace, anxiety, tribulation and misery would reply, Firstly, God promised Abrawhich are connected with the cross. ham to be his God and his children's God. But by the sign, which we accept in obe- In this promise the females were included dience to the holy word, we testify that we, as well as the males; this must be admitted. through Christ, the true Sign, given us by Notwithstanding, Israel did not circumcise the Father, and made known to us through the females but only the males, although the word, have peace with God, and that the females were included in the promise; we are assured of the spirit of his grace. and that because God had so ordained it. Behold, my reader, here you may now From which it may be safely educed that observe that the signs of the New Testament the male children of the seed of Abraham do not seal or assure us, as the learned were not circumcised for the sake of the teach the poor people; but that our only, promise but for the sake of the ordinance eternal surety, is Christ Jesus; that the which was commanded to Abraham and his sealing of our hearts is the Holy Spirit; seed. For if it had been done for the sake and that the signs or sacraments are noth- of the promise, and not for the sake of the ing more than that they are given to the ordinance, then the females should also penitent, sealed and assured christians, for have been circumcised, as joint participants the purpose of admonishing and reminding and joint heirs of the same promise. This us that we should walk in continual repent- is incontrovertible. ance; that we should practice our faith, and In the second place I would say, That if that we should eternally give praise to the Israel had followed the doctrine of Gellius, Lord for his inexpressibly great kindness and some other preachers, in respect to this and grace, through Jesus Christ. matter, then they would also have circumAll who teach differently, and point you cised the females, notwithstanding they to water, bread and wine as a sealing or as- were not commanded to do s5; for they surance, as Gellius does, points you away were joint heirs of the covenant of grace, as fromthetrueBeing, to the signs; from Christ our children whom they want to have bapto Moses again; give you a vain hope and tized, are joint heirs of the promise. a false surety and cause you to remain im- If they should answer, that the ordinance penitent and without Christ all your life- referred to the males and not to the females, time; for you console yourself so much with although the females were joint heirs of the the signs, that you remain without the sig- covenant of grace, then I would reply that nified truth, as may, alas, be plainly seen their cause is already lost. For as the by the whole world. command of circumcision at that time, had For however drunken, covetous, pompous only reference to the males and not to the vain and given to lies they may be, they females, although the females were joint still boast themselves christians. They are heirs of the promise, so also does now the so consoled with this ungodly sealing of ordinance of baptism have reference to the the idolatrous water (I say ungodly sealing believing and penitent, and not to the unbecause it is so directly contrary to the conscious children, although they are joint word of God) and with the bread and wine I heirs of the promise, as heard. of the preachers, that they all walk upon They further say, If infant baptism is not the broad road, and remain without the commanded neither is it prohibited. To word of God. this I reply: The circumcision of the females Behold, this is the proper fruit and effect was neither ordained nor prohibited, even of the sealing of Gellius, which he so highly! as infant baptism is neither ordained nor praises and so artfully teaches. But, as prohibited, yet they did not circumcise the regards the saying: I will be your God and females, and that because they were not your seed's after you, from which they con- commanded to do so. Therefore, all who

Page  44 44 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. blame us because we do not baptize our hands, in putting off the body of the sins children, who are joint heirs of the promise of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. and are not prohibited from being baptized, Buried with him in baptism, wherein also also blame Israel because they did not cir- ye are risen with him through the faith of cumcise their female children, who were the operation of God, who hath raised him joint heirs of the promise and were not pro- from the dead; and you, being dead in hibited from being circumcised. your sins, and in the uncircumcision of Thirdly, I would say, since I observe that your flesh, hath he quickened together with Gellius only includes the children of believ- him, having forgiven you all trespasses," ing, and not of unbelieving parents in the Col. 2: 8-13. baptism, and since he well knows that the My faithful reader, observe the word of proud, avaricious, pompous, envious, blood- the Lord; the doctrine of the New Testaguilty, whoring and idolatrous are not be- ment, and his sacraments treat of none but lievers, nor, according to Scripture, joint those who have ears to hear and hearts to heirs of the promise, therefore I cannot stop understand. For it is a service of the Spirit, wondering at his inattention, that he, and not of the letter, as Paul says, 2 Cor. against his own belief and doctrine, yet 3: 6. baptizes the children of such parents, whom Inasmuch as the preachers ever point the he must acknowledge, as being without poor, simple people to the elementary waGod and Christ, and therefore having no ter, bread and wine, and teach that baptism promise. If he says that he does not know is our seal which assures us that we are the faith of others, then I would say again, heirs of the covenant of grace; that God that he then acknowledges, in the first place, operates through his sacraments, &c., and, that his infant baptism has an unstable since we find, however, that neither the sealfoundation, if we, according to his own ing, surety nor power are found in their words, are to baptize them on account of hearts, as the fruits testify, but that they the promise to the parents, while he does are led by the preachers to a false profesnot know whether the parents believe or sion, vain hope and an unstable surety, not; and, in the second place, that such under the semblance of the gospel; thereparents are not fruitful trees nor shining fore I would faithfully admonish all my lights, readers and hearers with these words adBut what shall we say! If Gellius were to duced from Paul, not to be at all deceived tell all his pompous, drunken, usurious, by such high-sounding, smooth words of and unrighteous members, without respect the philosophy and artful fictions of men, to person, that they are without Christ and nor by the hypocrisy and worldly instituhave no promise, and would not baptize tions of the learned, but to follow after the their children, he would not long remain a perfect Institutor, Christ Jesus, in whom is preacher at Emden, nor enjoy his easy, embodied the perfection of the God-head, careless life in peace. truth, light, power, righteousness, &c., and He further writes, That Paul testifies that baptism who therefore does not point to uncertain, has taken the place of circumcision, has the same sig- deceitful, dark and unrighteous ways, but nification and is called the circumcision of Christ. in him all true christians are perfect and Answer. In this instance Paul himself full of his grace, Spirit, love and power. rebukes him, that he has mistaken his word; He is the head of all principalities before for he says, "Beware, lest any man spoil whom every knee shall bow, and whom all you through philosophy and vain deceit, tongues shall confess that he is the Lord, after the tradition of men, after the rudi- and that besides him there is no other, ments of the world, and not after Christ, Isaiah 45: 23; Phil. 2: 10. Therefore his for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the word shall avail, and his command shall God-head bodily; and ye are complete in stand, and not that which the world adds him, which is the head of all principality to his kingdom or church, in which all reand power; in whom also ye are circum- generated children, who are of his Spirit, cised with the circumcision made without are not now circumcised unto Christ, with

Page  45 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 45 hands, as was the case with literal Israel, Him? I say an abomination, because he but the impure foreskins of their hearts are has not commanded it, and because neither circumcised with the Lord's word, Spirit doctrine, confession, faith nor repentance and power, that they may become in spirit precede it, which these signs represent, in a new, regenerated Israel and people of the New Testament. Then, also, the sign God, by dying unto their sinful flesh, and and the signification must be one and the by smothering the old man through the cir- same, which never was nor ever will be cumcision of Christ, which purifies and the case unless the letter becomes spirit. changes their hearts through his word and This is incontrovertible. Yea, my reader, Spirit. For the penitent are buried with how the baptized children are circumcised him in baptism, die unto the old sinful life, with the circumcision of Christ Jesus in the and arise in the new life of righteousness foreskin of their hearts, which is the circumandvirtue, by means of faith, through which cision of the New Testament, the deeds and God operates by the preaching of his pow- the fruits of the world, alas, plainly show. erful word, and the inspiration of his Holy In the fourth place he writes, As in the Scriptures, Spirit. The faithful God and Father who which testify that women are participants in the merits has resurrected his Son from the dead, has of Christ, and are disciples, a command is implied that the Holy Supper shall be dispensed to them, so, also, a also bestowed his power upon us, poor sin- command is implied in the Scriptures, which testify ners, and has graciously resurrected us, that children are of the church of Christ and of the who were dead in so many gross sins and Kingdom of God, that they should be baptized. tresspasses, into a new life with him; has Answer. The words of Gellius prove called us from darkness unto light, and has clearly that women are participants of the placed us with him in a celestial being, in Lord's Supper; for he acknowledges that Christ, Eph. 2: 1; 1 Pet. 3, &c. they are disciples. If they are disciples, Behold, dear reader, this is the proper as they are in fact, then it is manifest ground and meaning of the words of Paul, that they hear the word of God, bebywhich Gellius tries to show, that bap- lieve, repent, suffer themselves to be tism has taken the place of circumcision baptized, and that they are gifted of God and is called the circumcision of Christ. in power with the representation of the Judge now, if you fear God, whether you Holy Supper, and that they are participants find a word in the writings of Paul, that has of his mystery no less than the men. Since reference to unconscious infants. That this they are believing and penitent disciples, saying of Paul has reference to the believing as heard, therefore it is reasonable and and penitent, and not to unconscious chil- right that they should partake of the sign, dren, all reasonable, to say nothing of spir- whereby this mystery of faith and of the itual persons, must acknowledge and ad- holy gospel are represented to the believing, mit. Notwithstanding, he writes that this and admonished to the repenting. As we saying implies that baptism has taken the cannot deny but that the believing, repentplace of circumcision and is called Christ's ing women understand and realize the repcircumcision. He does, or will not observe resentation of the Holy Supper-namely, that the circumcision of Jesus Christ to the remembrance of the offering of the flesh which Paul alludes, is done without hands, and blood of Christ, the love of God and and that he daily serves with his hands the one's neighbors, &c., for which purpose it infant baptism which he calls the circum- was instituted by the Lord, therefore they cision of Jesus. Behold, thus lamentably should have a place at the Lord's table, as does he satisfy Paul, and thus violently believing, penitent disciples and guests. break the word of God. Now, Gellius, to make his infant baptism If he seeks an evasion to adorn his cause, of effect, must prove and show to us by and say, that God works through his sac- w orks, Scriptures and truth, that little, unraments invisibly in the heart, which the conscious children realize the effect of holy sign represents, then the deceit will be more baptism, namely, faith, repentance, obedistinct. For how shall God operate through dience to the word, a clear and peaceable a sign which is an abomination before conscience, &c., for which purpose the sign

Page  46 46 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. of baptism was instituted of the Lord, as on the seventh or ninth; nor to the female the believing, penitent women realize the children as has been heard. signification of the Holy Supper. But if If they, now, had circumcised the females, he cannot prove this, then it is sufficiently or if they had circumcised the males beplain that this, his assertion and argument fore, or after tie eighth day, although it are not according to the Scriptures, but was not expressly forbidden, they would that it is deceitful, false, and contrary to have committed an abomination, as did God's word. Nadab and Abihu with the strange fire, He further says, If such a command to and circumcised without God's word; by baptize children is not sufficient, as the one the grace of God, no man can Scripturally he has adduced from the Scriptures, then he convince me to the contrary. wants us to point him out a prohibition (as It was also commanded Israel that they he says), or sufficiently prove that God wills should eat the Passover in remembrance of that we shall not baptize children. their deliverance and departure out of In the first place, I reply: Gellius here- Egypt, on the fourteenth day of the first with openly betrays that his reference to month, in the evening; it had to be a male the command of infant baptism can, in his lamb, without blemish, of the first year, &c., own opinion not stand, according to the Ex. 12: 5. Israel did just according to the Scriptures. For he turns from the doctrine of command, and never offered a female lamb, commands and wants us to point out a pro- but in every instance a male, although the hibition, never observing that if one wants Lord had not expressly prohibited the ofto partake of anything (that is a ceremony), fering of a female lamb, for if they had he must first adduce and point out the corn- offered a female, they would have offered mand of the institution. contrary to the command, which stipulated If he wants to make good the infant bap- that it should be a male. tism which he teaches and practices, then In the second place, I would say that I he must prove that it is commanded, and would refer to the testimony of the Almighty not ask us to point out or show where it is and great God, who says, "This is my beprohibited. loved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear We practice baptism in a manner as the ye him," Matt. 17: 5. If Gellius, now, can mouth of the Lord has commanded, for we point to a single word of divine truth and know that it stands written, "What things unadulterated testimony of the Holy Scriptsoever I command you, observe to do it; ures, that this Son of God, Christ Jesus, the thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish Father's eternal Truth and Wisdom, has from it," Dent. 12: 32; Prov. 30: 6. Yea, taught or commanded one word of infant my reader, I would say to Gellius and the baptism, or that his holy apostles and mislearned that if they can find an instance in sionaries have taught or practiced it, then all the Scriptures where the pious and faith- I will recall my doctrine, willingly subful servants of God have changed a word of mit to dungeons and bonds, confess my the commands, and ceremonies, and prac- guilt, repent and stand before the whole ticed them differently than God had com- world conquered and abashed; this I prommanded them, then we will further reflect ise in sincerity of heart. upon the matter. But we know it to a cer- But, if he cannot do so, as he never can, tainty that it cannot be done. and still professes that infant baptism is The Lord commanded Israel that they apostolic and right, whereby he forsakes should circumcise their male children on the ordinance of Christ and the apostles the eighth day; there was no command that doctrine and usage; consoles the people in they should not do it on the fifth, or on any their impenitence-then it is manifest that other day. Yet they never circumcised a he is a deceiver of the poor souls and an female; nor did they circumcise on any adulterer of the holy word, who would other day but the eighth. For the ordi- be wiser than the Son of God himself; for nance and command of the Lord was on the he says that it is a sealing of the covenant eighth day, to the male children, and not of grace, an embodiment into the church of

Page  47 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 47 Christ, &c. And the great Lord has not at adoption unto membership; this great favor, all commanded that he should reprove the love and grace through Christ Jesus; this Holy Spirit which has not manifested unto holy, unblamable life in love, of which Paul us in the Scriptures this doctrine and usage; speaks, is taught by the gospel. All who nor the apostles that they did not at all rightly believe this, and who are, through disclose unto the pious such an important faith, truly converted, changed, renewed matter, as he says, and that they have not and born of God, and have the Holy Spirit, given a word in all their writings, in testi- are children of the covenant, are graciously mony thereof, and thus manifested it unto accepted of God, and are blessed with all their descendants. spiritual blessings in heavenly places in In the third place I would refer Gellius, Christ; even before they have the sign of and all his preachers, to Luther, who writes baptism. very clearly that we should renounce not Behold, thus we are, by God's choice only that which is contrary to the word of through faith in Christ Jesus, and through the Lord, but also that which is beside it, the inspiring power and renewing of the and advises every body, although, alas, he Holy Spirit, embodied into the body of himself did not follow the advice, to follow Christ, which is the true church, and becertainties and not uncertainties; for the come flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone; Scriptures admit of no addition nor dimin- and not through any outward sign. ishing, by which he has caused quite a But this rule does not apply to unconrupture in popery. If the Scriptures admit scious children; for they have no ears to of no additions, and we find nowhere a hear nor hearts to understand. They are, word in Scripture commanding infant bap- however, in grace, children of the kingdom, tism, as Luther himself admits, then I would participants in the promise; not through leave it to the impartial judgment of all any outward sign, I say, but in the adopwho have understanding, whether infant tion of Grace through the reconciliation, baptism is not prohibited. mediation and merits of the death and In the fifth place, Gellius writes, They say that the blood of Christ, as the Scriptures teach. children have no ears to hear; and cannot distinguish The New Testament treats with those of unbetween good and evil. But it does not follow from this, derstanding minds, and its sacraments behe says, that the sacrament of the embodiment into the church should not be practiced upon children; for the long to the penitent. Let this be to you a children of the ancient church had no such ears that sure and eternal reference and doctrine. they could hear, and they could as little distinguish All those who give a different meaning to between good and evil, as our children can. the signs of the New Testament, by their Answer. If Gellius will show us the com- philosophy, and teach you that they should mand, ordinance or usage of the Lord, that be dispensed before faith, deceive you, howwe shall take them in by such sign, then we ever much they may adorn it with choice will consider the matter further. But he words, such as, sealing, sign of grace, emcannot do so. bodiment, &c., for it is in fact, nothing but We say with holy Paul, "Blessed be the human wisdom, deceiving of souls and hyGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, pocrisy. If the children under the old covwho has blessed us with all spiritual bless- enant were incorporated by circumcision, ings in heavenly places in Christ, according and the children under the new covenant as he hath chosen us in him before the foun- are incorporated through baptism, as he dation of the world, that we should be holy, says they are, then we are forced to conclude and without blame before him in love; that the children which died before the having predestinated us unto the adoption eighth day and those who were left in the of children by Jesus Christ to himself, ac- wilderness, besides, all the females, were cording to the good pleasure of his will, to not in the Israelitic church, and consequentthe praise of the glory of his grace," &c., ly had no share in the grace, covenant nor Eph. 1:3 —6. promise. My faithful reader, understand well what The same would also apply to our chilthese words of Paul mean. This paternal dren which are hindered from baptism,

Page  48 48 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. through death. 0, abomination and blas- and instigates the unmerciful cruel tyrants phemy! If that is not attaching God's se- to robbery, imprisoning, banishing and lection, grace, favor, love, kingdom, cove- murder. My faithful reader, reflect, and nant and salvation, to the element, water, see if I do not write the truth. and to works, I will leave to the judgment In the seventh place he writes, The example of the of all the godly and pious. apostles shows that it is a command; for the Holy In the sixth place he writes, and says, We have ever Spirit testifes that the apostles baptized whole famireceived, in return for our assiduity and clear, convin-lies; no children are excepted, which, surely, would oing explanation of the Scriptures, yea, for our solicitous have been excepted if it were wrong to baptize them. care, to again gain them, nothing but anathemas. For To this I reply, in the first place, that what else do we hear from them than that we are Gellius hereby testifies that there is no wolves, blood-hounds, deceivers, &c., who run their own command for infant baptism; for he here course and bring forth no fruit? urse and bring frthnos wo rigtl s our founds his doctrine and faith upon preAnswer. All those who rightly seek our I sumption and not upon imperative words, salvation, who rightly teach the word of according to which all things should be the Lord, and who walk before us with an nbamabeife udestn c judged that are to be a pleasure in the sight unblamable life, understand, according to of the Lord. In the second place I would the doctrine, Spirit, and example of Christ say, that the Holy Spirit has testified in Jesus, are not reproved by us, nor by the plain words, that the three families of which Scriptures; but we sincerely thank and love the Scriptures make mention in particular, them and will by the grace of God, never themandwillby the grace of God, n vrto have been baptized, were all believing despise their fraternal assiduity and pa- psons a been bapie, ee understool ternal solicitude, but will, in sincere love ero a ma e ainly understo and very thankfully, accept them, and as t i i much as we, in our weakness, are able to But as to the house of Lydia, it is plain do, follow them. But we are not to blame that she at that time had no husband; for that Gellius and the preachers are called the house is called after her name, which is eceivers, false prophets, ravening wolves, neither the custom of the world nor of the deceivers, false prophets, ravening wolves, men guilty of blood, &c., by the Scriptures, Scriptures, if the husband is alive. Since but they themselves, are the cause; because the New Testament, then, makes mention of but four households in particular, to they so lamentably adulterate the Script- o but four households in particular to ures, reject Christ Jesus and his Spirit, have been baptized, and three of them word and walk; because they preach ac-were believing, and the fourth, as appears, word and walk; because they preach ac- had no husband, as has been heard, how cording to their own pleasure, seek improp- hd no h d s hs n heard, how er gain; because they teach and walk to much then should we rely on it, that there were little children in these households, suit the world, destroy the poor sheep by b re ittle chire i thes teh useho their false doctrine and deceiving practices; nature and the Scriptures teach and because they upbraid, blaspheme, belie, He further writes, That it cannot be gainsayed that the betray the pious, faithful hearts and thus children, all through the Scriptures, are always included ey the po ath f er s d thus in the household, for a household or family includes deliver them to the sword of the magistracy both young and old; therefore also children should be and executioner, as may, alas, be too clear- baptized because the Scriptures mention that whole ly witnessed at many different places. households were baptized, which includes children. Yea, reader, if he cannot bear to be called I reply: If Gellius proves to us, by the by such hard names, of which he is guilty, testimony of God's word, that the unconaccording to the Scriptures, then he should scions children have faith, then we would reasonably consider how shamefully he ac- gladly include them in the believing, bapcuses, in his writings and conversations, tized households and allow them to be bapthe poor, miserable souls who are quite in- tized. But as he cannot possibly do so, we nocent, as being ungodly heretics, apostles would faithfully admonish him and all the of the devil, deceived conspirators, hedge- preachers to take heed, how and what they preachers, sneaks, adulterators, &c., and say concerning this matter;for all they how he, by his rebellious, fiendish, bloody philosophize and teach about it, is mere doctrine, deprives the innocent of their deceit. Besides, I would yet ask, if we property, welfare, honor, blood and life; can also cause unbelief in small children by

Page  49 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 49 false doctrine, or, if we can teach them j hearts, they were allowed to be baptized. faith, through God's word? If he answer This doctrine (he says) I wish to have again in the affirmative, then his answer is con- resuscitated, Lib. Art. 18. trary to all the Scriptures, common sense, Bucer writes that the ancients generally and contrary to his own words; for he ad- baptized adults and not children. mits, that they, through their feeble under- Oecolampadius writes, I, in my weakness, standing, can not comprehend the word. cannot yet find Scriptures which command But if he answer in the negative, then he infant baptism. admits, himself, that his including both old Luther admits that they have no express and young in one household, is contrary to command to baptize children. Paul. For Paul says, that the vain talkers What Martin Cellarius and others write, and deceivers subvert whole houses, Tit. concerning this matter, is too lengthy to be 1: 10, something which cannot be done to here reproduced. little children, on account of their not hav- Since it is plain that few children were ing sufficient understanding, as he himself baptized of the ancients, as the above menadmits. He also says that we too boldly tioned Rhenanus, Zuingli and Bucer show; exclude the children, which the Holy Spirit that Cyprian left infant baptism optional, has not excepted, &c. To this I reply: The and the others acknowledge that there is no Holy Spirit has commanded and ordained express command for it; how can Gellius, that we should teach the understanding, and then truthfully write that they received inbaptize the believing, and this ordinance fant baptism from the apostles; that it is we follow. Therefore, it is not boldness, an incorporation into the church, and a but obedience to do as the mouth of the sealing of the covenant of grace Lord has commanded us. But whether the Yea, my reader, if infant baptism has preachers are not boldly opposing the Holy the virtues which Gellius ascribes to it, Spirit, who reject his doctrine, advice and then our ancestors grossly sinned to have ordinance as heretical and sectarian, and baptized so few children; and also because institute instead a doctrine and ordinance they left optional that which (he says) the to suit their own taste, of which we find not apostles practiced and taught to be an ina single word in the Scriptures, I will leave corporation into the church, a sign of grace all the pious to judge according to the word and a sealing of the covenant of grace. of the Lord. In the third place I answer, If we consider As to his reference to Tertullius, Cyprian, the confession and doctrine of the learned Origenes and Augustinus, I would reply: in regard to infant baptism, we find it to be If these writers can support their assertions such a Babel that we are forced to acknowlby the word and ordinance of God, then we edge that it is not of God. For some of the will admit that they are right. If they can- ancients (not the apostles) as appears, not do so, then it is a doctrine of men, and baptized some children, but not a considercondemned by the Scriptures, Gal. 1: 8. In able number. Some said they had received the second place I say, Rhenanus annotates it from the apostles; others, again, denied on Tertullius that it was customary with it. Some have, and some still baptize them the ancients to baptize adults with the bap- to wash off hereditary sin; others because of regeneration. they are children of the covenant. Some Cyprian left infant baptism optional. baptize them for the sake of the faith of the Erasmus writes that the ancients have church; others, again, for the sake of the disputed much concerning infant baptism, faith of their parents. Some on the strength and never came to a conclusion. of the faith of the patriarchs; others on the Zuinglius writes, Although we are aware strength of their own faith; and again, that the ancients baptized children, yet it others that better care shall be taken of was not practiced so commonly as it is in their education. Behold, thus the defenders our times. They were openly instructed in of infant baptism are divided among themfaith; and when they verbally confessed selves. their faith which was imprinted in their Inasmuch, then, as they do not teach

Page  50 50 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. one doctrine and are not of one mind in re- I shall be saved," Mark 16: 15, 16. Behold gard to infant baptism, therefore it is man- this is the express, eternal and unchangeifestly proven that they baptize them with- able ordinance of the Lord, which he has out the word of God. For if their cause commanded and left for his church to follow. had a foundation in Scripture, then they Also have the apostles so taught and pracwould baptize to the same purpose or end, ticed it. according to the same ordinance, rule and If now the unconscious children have doctrine. This is incontrovertible. faith, that is, if they are penitent, Rom. 6; In the eighth place he writes "that it is not prohibit- have circumcised the foreskin of their hearts ed at all, in Scripture, nor testified that infant baptism is by the circumcision of Christ, Col. 2: 11; if wrong. And that the Lord Jesus Christ testifies that it they have a clear conscience before the is not his word and will, but the will of his Father ho is. in eaven." Lord, if they have a new mind, which are who is in heaven." all the result of faith, and which are repreAnswer. Peruse all the Scriptures-Moses enn btism c ~ sented by baptism-then baptism can not and the prophets, Christ Jesus and the erefsedthem. But while tis plinthat apostles, and diligently meditate uponthem, be efe the t e i t is in that they have not one of the beforementioned and you will find different instances thate oe b e f nt God was not only displeased at unbidden qualities, therefore we say that infant bapGod was not only displeased at unbidden I au ceremonies and worship, but that he has tism is a self-chosen superstition, an abuse ceremonies and worship, but that he has i o n often severely punished such. 0, dear Lord, of the or d nae of Go, a adulteration of the ordinance of Christ, a what blind reasoning! If they can, with a vain hypocritical consolation to the imenclear conscience do so because it is not ex- v, h c t i - pressly forbidden that infants shall be bap- itent, a sacrament of the church of anti-christ, pressly forbidden that infants shall be bapnay, an open deceit, blasphemy and idoltized, then they may as well accept holy y, an open deceit, blasphemy and idolwcandles, palms, clocks, confession atry. Notwithstanding allthis, this thoughtwater, candles, palms, clocks, confession less man writes that it is the word and will before a priest, masses, the building of of the Father and then uses the eternal convents, altars, the becoming of monks, conventsaltars the becoming ofmonks, Father and his beloved Son and Holy Spirit, pilgrimages and the praying for thtogether with the chosen, holy apostles, as departed souls, &c., as just and right; for toer i th the ch ose hol abominaio a a cover for his deceitful abomination and there is not a word to be found in the Script- wicked bashe. Lord wicked blasphemy. 0 Lord! ures which expressly prohibits these works; or which says: You shall not do these In the ninth place he writes: "That they have the or which says: You shall not do these promise, that God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, a things. true and living God, is powerful in his command and If he should say that the circumstances works; and will, through his power, sanctify the children of Scripture and its fruits testify that they of the church and bestow on them his Spirit." are contrary to the word of God; then I Answer. If he could prove that infant would again say: Still clearer do the cir- baptism was commanded by the word of cumstances of the Scriptures and the fruits God, by apostolic doctrine and usage, or testify that infant baptism is contrary to by the example of Christ, as he pretends God's word. For the mouth of the Lord that it was, then we would gladly admit it has not commanded so at all. All those to be a holy rite, and pleasing to God, and who practice it, misuse the name and ordi- that it would be a blessed, admonishing, nance of God, and act hypocritically, and useful, fruitful and powerful thing, for God those that receive it, console themselves, commands nothing in vain. But since it when they come to years of understanding, cannot be proven that it was commanded, that they are baptized children, although and since baptism cannot apply to little their whole walk is manifestly, for the children, because the signs of theNewTestgreater part, quite impenitent, ungodly, ament are applied to the penitent, therefore earthly and carnal. we say again, that it is not a God-pleasing In the second place I answer: Christ Jesus ceremony, but according to all Scripture, a has testified and said, "Go ye into all the wicked blasphemy and abomination, as has world and preach the gospel to every creat- already been heard. And how powerfully ure. He that believeth and is baptized, God works through such abominations, may

Page  51 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 61 be plainly seen in the cases of Nadab, Abi- be brought to him, that is (according to hu, Jeroboam, Uzza and others. their understanding), to baptize them. The pious reader should also know that In the second place I ask, whether in any the children of the churches are not sancti- part of Scripture bringingq to Christ is called fied by means of ceremonies, words and baptism? If they answer in the affirmative, water, but solely through the grace, favor, then they can not produce proof. If they merits, blood and death of the Lord, and answer in the negative then they admit that by no other work nor means, at all. But they, in the second place, adulterate the as to his writing that God bestows upon word of God, by explaining and construing the baptized children his Spirit, we would bringing to Christ to mean baptizing. say that we would have him consider more In the third place I ask, whether Christ deeply and learn to know what the work of baptized the children, brought to him, with the Spirit is, before he teaches such doctrine. water? If they answer in the affirmative, Is it not deeply to be regretted that such then I would answer with John, that Christ, people dare take upon themselves the care himself, did not baptize, John 3: 5. But if of souls, while they have not yet learned they answer in the negative, then they acwhat is the nature, fruit and power of the knowledge, in the third place, that it is a Holy Spirit? For wherever the Holy Spirit false doctrine to try to defend infant bapis, there also must be its fruits; this is in- tism on the strength of this bringing to him. controvertible. And what fruits we find in In the fourth place I would ask, because children when they begin to become of un- he says that Christ baptized the children derstanding minds, we may; alas, educe with the Holy Spirit. If, then, baptizing from their words, works and life. with the Spirit is the same thing as bapI would further say, that if the Spirit is tizing with water? If they answer in the bestowed upon children, through baptism, affirmative, then Spirit must be letter, or as he says, and since the Scriptures teach letter, Spirit. But if they answer in the that the Holy Spirit is given to the believ- negative, then they, themselves, pronounce ing, then it must follow therefrom, since the sentenceagainstinfantbaptism; that Christ's children do not believe, that the Holy Spirit action with the children does not teach nor is not given them through faith, but that it imply it. is given through the merits of the ceremony In the fifth place I would ask, How we of baptism, which the preachers practice. are to understand this bringing to him —in And what is worse, such a spirit, which in a carnal, or spiritual way If they answer every respect is without knowledge, intelli- in a carnal way, then I would say, that it gence, inspiration, power, fruit and work, cannot now be the case, since Christ, in as may be seen. 0, great blindness and body, is taken from us and removed hence, aerror!ybsen grabidesa where we cannot approach in the body, 1 error' ~ ~ ~.!Tim. 6: 16. But if they answer, in a spiritIn the tenth place he writes: The Lord Jesus Christ. Bt i the answe i a sii commanded that the children should be brought to him ual way, then I would again ask why Gel(which the anabaptists do not at all) and that he em- lius so shamefully abuses the pious, whom braced them, laid his hands upon them and blessed he calls anabaptists, by writing that they them, that is, baptized them with the Holy Spirit; and do not at all bring their children to Christ all this, done by Christ, is not powerless." (something which could not have been writAnswoer. Here I would ask Gellius, and ten in purity of heart), while many of them all who practice infant baptism, Firstly, If are so solicitously caring for the salvation all the believers brought their children to of their children by teaching, admonishing Christ when he was preaching If they an- and punishing them, and by having a conswer in the affirmative, then they ought to stant solicitude for them, as God's word be ashamed; for they can not prove their and the love of their children command and assertion by the Scriptures. But if they teach all christian parents to do. answer in the negative, then they acknowl- 0, that God would grant that Gellius and edge that they in the first place, are wrong his followers would more deeply consider to teach and practice that children should this spiritual bringing to Christ, as I trust

Page  52 62 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. that many of ours do, by the grace of God; 1 of John, that all the children of the church, and that they would abandon this unscript- or of the believing members, have the Holy ural infant baptism, of which they make so Spirit, then the greater part of his fellowmuch ado. This, in my opinion, would be believers of the German nation(whom alone, a very desirable thing. For, as a general he esteemed as faithful servants, and who, thing, they abandon their children, from with him, are of the same calling, office and the cradle on, to the wiles of the devil, by service) are greatly contemned in their doceducating them in ignorance, blindness, trine, faith and usage; for he writes that pomp, splendor, vanity and idolatry, as the children of the holy church have the their fruits plainly show to all of under- Holy Spirit, and they believe and teach that standing minds. Behold, my reader, from I they have the evil spirit, for, before they these questions and answers you may con- baptize them, they say, Depart thou evil elude whether Gellius and the learned can spirit, and give room to the Holy Spirit. stand on the strength of the saying, " Suffer I Behold, thus it is generally with all who the little children to come unto me," with j teach and practice this shameful doctrine. their doctrine and practice of infant bap- And, although they are unanimous in the tism, which they practice so indiscriminate- practice, yet they are so divided in opinion ly, and about which they make so much as to the grounds of this doctrine, that we ado? are forced to say that it is nothing but a Observe, too, that Gellius, by his writing vain mask and infernal mockery. Notwiththat we do not bring our children to Christ, standing he writes that infant baptism is at all, not only judges and disgraces us, commanded, and that it has the promise; but also Christ Jesus, because he has not while he well knows that he cannot advance commanded us such bringing to him; he one plain word from all the Holy Scriptures, also judges the holy apostles who have not to show that the wisdom of God has comtestified nor taught us a word in regard to manded it, or that the apostles have taught this matter neither by word nor practice in or practiced it; or, moreover, that its sigthe whole Scriptures. nification, penitence, regeneration, &c., can In the eleventh place he writes: Since Luke testifies apply to children. To say nothing of the that John the baptist was sanctified in his mother's author mentioning that the primitive, inwomb, and leaped in the presence of Christ (which, he p ice it, as has corrupt church did not practice it, as has says, doubtlessly, was caused by a spiritual movement), o and as also Jacob, &c, therefore it is manifest that God been heard also works in the children of the church according to Is not this adulterating the word of God, their measure, through his Holy Spirit, and that infant breaking the Scriptures, perverting truth baptism is a command and has the promise. nto lies, stealin the honor and praise of Answer. If these particular miracles of G killing sols and defendingthe church od, which were wrought in the case of anti-christ? I say again, as I did before, John and of Jacob, are to be a common I have never read a word in the Scriptures rule, then these following miracles were also i destading;with such misunderstanding. common rules, namely, that Sarah and In the twelfth place he writes: "That, according to Elizabeth, two barren women, conceived in Iatthew, baptism was not first instituted by Christ. their old age, and that Balaam's ass spoke; For it was before commanded of John and practiced by Num. 22: 28; and, therefore, all aged, bar- the disciples of Jesus Christ; so that we are not obren women should conceive, and all asses liged to follow one rule." speak. O no. That such miracles of God Answe)r. Let every one take heed, and obwere no common rule things, maybe educed serve what the word of the Lord teaches. from the floating of iron at Helizeum; from Gellius, alas, is not at all ashamed to deny the passage of the Israelites through the the plain word of God, and writes: "That Red Sea, and from the standing still of the we are not obliged to follow one certain sun and moon, 2 Kings 6: 6; Ex. 14: 21; rule in regard to baptism; that Christ did Joshua 10: 13. not command to baptize the believing I would further say, if, according to the persons alone; nor that his heavenly Fadoctrine of Gellius, it follows from the case ther did, when he commanded John that he

Page  53 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 8a should baptize; and that it was not Christ's had taught," we admit. Yet through no meaning that such and such persons should other command nor ordinance than that be baptized." Behold, thus the Lord's holy they should preach the gospel, make disciword is perverted. pies throuh ththe doctrine, baptize these disInasmuch as Gellius so degrades his ciples, and thus to gather unto the Lord a Lord's mouth, and so lamentably adulter- peculiar people, who should walk in Christ ates his word, therefere I will place the Jesus in righteousness, truth and obedience, words of Christ, according to Matthew and as the regenerated children of God, and Mark, before the reader, that he may see give eternal praises to his great and glorious what rule and law he has made concerning name. And with such a people, who walk baptism, and what command he has given. in his fear, love, word, ordinances and cornChrist says, "All power is given unto me in mands, he will be, always to the end of heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and the world. But of infant baptism not a teach all nations, baptizing them (under- word is mentioned. stand, whom you make disciples, by your In the thirteenth place, he writes, "That the apostles, doctrine) in the name of the Father, and of some of whom were baptized of John, and those who the S, of the H he, ta cin came to him from the cities and from Jerusalem were the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching indiscriminately baptized of John, and could not have them to observe all things whatsoever I have had much knowledge of Christ, or a true, strong, sincommanded you," Matt. 28. Again, " Go ye cere faith in him." into all the world, and preach the gospel to Answer. If I understand him aright, he every creature. He that believeth (namely, would conclude from this, that, as the bapthe gospel) and is baptized, shall be saved; tized disciples were not, before baptism, but he that believeth not shall be damned," thoroughly fitted in the doctrine, faith and Mark 16: 15, 16. Behold, this is the word repentance, but had to exercise themselves and ordinance of the Lord, how and when in continual penitence, and to die unto sin, we are to baptize. I think these words are as baptism represents, that also the chiltoo plain to admit of perversion by fine dren, although they have no faith before words and accuteness-preach the gospel baptism, will, after baptism, when they beand baptize those that believe. come of understanding minds, study the But that John taught and practiced bap- doctrine, repent, die unto sin, and walk in tism before Christ, is evidence for us and newness of life. not against us, for he practiced upon those To which opinion (if this be his opinion) who confessed their sins, Matt. 3: 6, and I would reply: The prophets prophesied of not upon unconscious children, as the diso- John, Isa. 40: 3; Mal. 3: 1. His birth was bedient, offensive preachers do. made known by an angel; Christ testified Since John did not baptize any but the of him, that lie was the second Elias, a penitent, before Christ; since Christ corn- shining light, not clothed in soft raiment manded it at the confession of faith, the and not like the waving reed; that he was apostles taught and practiced it so, and, I the greatest of all children born of woman, also the primitive church, as heard, there- &c. From which it may be safely educed fore, the reasonable reader may reflect, in that he was no light-minded nor reckless the fear of God, how miserably and lament- preacher, but that he earnestly and valiantly ably the poor souls are deceived by these executed his office, according to the pleasdegenerated men who so boldly adulterate ure of God, and that he rightly practiced the pointed, plain words of Christ concern- the commanded baptism according to the ing baptism, and his pleasing, salutary or- ordinance. And, although his disciples dinance, and thus destroy it and found it were not so thoroughly instructed in all upon an unstable foundation and wrong things, yet he did not baptize any but those meaning. who confessed their sins, as said, Matt. 3, But his writing, "That the apostles were Acts 19. commanded to gather unto Christ a church, But, as to his explanation of the words: from all nations, and to teach them, not "If thou believest with all thine heart," that which Moses, but that which Christ which Philip spoke to the Ethiopian, that

Page  54 54 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. they mean to believe without deceit and knowledge, faith, command or word, as the hypocrisywhichhe rightly askedoftheEthi- reckless, ignorant world, in pait, can judge opian; and of Luke, to leave an example to and see. all servants of the church, how those of ma- If we, then, are anabaptists because we ture years should be baptized, he has right- re-baptize those who received a baptism ly pointed out, since he also had arrived to instituted of man and which was practiced years of maturity. We say, that this is upon those who had no knowledge whatever, right. We would also state what we desire how much, then, was Paul an anabaptist of all baptizers, is: That they first examine since he re-baptized those who were of well the faith and foundation of those who understanding minds and baptized with a wish to be baptized, before they baptize baptism which was from heaven and orthem, that they, in their work and service, dained of God. may not prove hypocrites. In the second place I would ask, since he I think that this is a plain example that calls us anabaptists, as has been heard, the servants of the church should not ask Why he still adheres to Cyprian, together the confession of faith from others, but with both the Concilions-the African and from those, themselves, who wish to be bap- the Nicene? which unanimously resolved: tized, as also Otto Brunsu. says concern- "That heretics have no baptism, and that ing this: He says not (he writes), If you therefore those, who have been baptized of do believe or answer for your child, it is heretics, should be baptized with the true then permitted to be baptized. baptism." If he says that it is according Since Gellius refers us to the disciples to the Scriptures and right, then he admits and to those baptized of John, and, as ap- that he was not baptized with the right pears, would thereby demonstrate that bap- baptism, and that we are right in re-baptism does not require true faith, and that it tizing those who have been baptized of such makes no difference whether faith comes who are not alone by Scripture, but also by before or after; and, since we, also, are Luther, Zuingli and the learned, procalled anabaptists by him, therefore I in nounced anti-christian servants and the my weakness, would ask him, If the com- root of all heresy, before the whole world, mand of Christ and the example of the eu- as we may on every hand see in their nuch are not sufficient to show that faith writings. should precede baptism, and that baptism But if he pronounce it offensive and secrequires true faith, and whyaPaul re-baptized tarian, then he thereby testifies, in the first the disciples of John, who had before been place, that the church, or at least a great baptized with the baptism of John, while part of it, was at that time offensive and John's baptism was not of men, but from sectarian. heaven? Matt. 21:25. He cannot, script- In the second place, That he couples God's urally, answer it otherwise, than that it Spirit, word, work, ordinance and command was done because they had never known with the anti-christian and heretical service that there was a Holy Ghost. Inasmuch, and works. then, as these disciples were once bap- In the third place, That he is an antitized in their years of maturity, with divine christian and heretic himself, since he was baptism, and lacked nothing but that they baptized with an anti-christian and heretidid not have an understanding of the Holy cal baptism, and that he yet defends it as Ghost, and were, on that account, re-bap- the true baptism. tized of Paul-therefore Gellius should con- 0, my reader, that Gellius had but half sider whether or not true, christian baptism an understanding of the word of God, and requires true faith, and whether he does could but see a little of the truth, he would, not wrong us by contemptuously calling us all his life-time lament to God that he has anabaptists because we re-baptize those so lamentably profaned the Lord's express who were not baptized with a divine bap- command and ordinance, given through tism, as were the disciples of John, but i John, Christ and the apostles; that he has with an anti-christian baptism, without any so inimically slandered the pious, and that

Page  55 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 55 he passes such a thoughtless and ungodly not gradually practiced upon the children, sentence, by his writings that he not only as Gellius pretends; but it was afterward inpronounces us, but also Cyprian, all the stituted without the word, ordinance and African bishops, the Nicene Fathers, be- command of God, by disobedient and selfsides also, holy Paul himself open ana- conceited men, who, alas, have considered baptists, nay, heretics. a wrought ceremony above the Lord's comIn the fourteenth place he writes, "That it is with mand and its representation, as is generalbaptism as it was with circumcision. As God corn- y the case with the learned and worldlymenced circumcision with Abraham, upon preceding mindedc instruction,-and, for the purpose of the sealing of the promise, it was practiced upon Abraham's seed and Again, as to his writing "that the promchildren-so John, the baptist and the apostles corn- ise is sealed by baptism, and that it is menced baptism with those of mature years, and it was given not only to the aged, but also to the gradually practiced upon the children, since it could not children "-the reader should observe that be otherwise on account of circumcision." the promise of the race of od, and of the Answer. That it is with baptism as itI eternal covenant, is not sealed, now any was with circumcision before, namely, in more, by the perishable blood of oxen and this respect; that it was commenced on rams, nor by visible water and ceremonies, previous instruction-is our ground and but solely by the precious blood of Christ doctrine; for Christ Jesus has so ordained on the cross. Blessed is he, who believes it and his holy apostles have so taught and it, and cordially accepts it. This promise practiced it. But that it should, by the is made to the unbaptized children, no less command of Christ and by the teaching than to the baptized believing, so long as and practice of the apostles, gradually have they are clothed with childish innocence. been practiced upon the children, is mere and continue in simplicity. But when they conjecture and not Scripture. come to maturity and accept the dispensed For if it were so, then the apostles did gospel of grace through faith, then the wrongly that they did not, according to the Scriptures teach us that we should baptize manner of circumcision, commanded of God, them, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15. But if baptize both the believing and the children they reject grace, and lead an easy, impen(something which they did not do), as Abra- itent life, neither Christ's blood nor death ham circumcised himself and his house to- will avail them; much less will word and gether with the males of eight days old waer avail them. For, "he that believeth after him, according to the command of not" (the Scripture means those of underGod, and did not gradually institut standing minds) "is condemned already," cumcision, as Gellius maintains, and would John 3: 18. make us believe, that the apostles should In the fifteenth place he writes, " They err abomina have done with baptism. bly, because they conclude, from the Scriptures and But that he writes that this should have examples which have reference to those of mature years, been done on account of circumcision is to a certainty, thatit is an ordinance of God that the chilconjecture and not Scripture; for as the drenshouldnot be baptized, notwithstandingthat there is apostles and also John served on the be- not a tittle in the whole New Testament which forbids it. And therefore they are no less wrong than I should lieving ones of the Jews the sign of baptism, be if I would not feed my children that cannot labor, why not, then, on their children, if God had because Paul says, he that does not labor shall not eat, so ordained and commanded it, as Gellius which is incontrovertibly spoken in regard to those of pretends he did? mature years, and not to children. No, no, the command of the Lord con- Answer. In my opinion, Gellius wilfully cerning circumcision expressly applied, first intends to uphold the things contrary to to Abraham and his household, and then Christ and truth, that he may execute the directly to the males of eight days old, office of an anti-christian preacher, accordGen. 17: 14; but this is not so with regard ing to the pleasure of the world. For, when to baptism, for it applies only to the be- he should write that we act rightly according lieving and not to the unconscious children, to the Scriptures, and that there is not a Matt. 28; Mark 16. Therefore baptism was tittle in the New Testament that children

Page  56 56 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. should be baptized-he writes that we err | fully he reflects on God, the Father, Son and abominably, and that there is not a tittle Holy Spirit, John the Baptist and the aposthat forbids infant baptism, &c. ties, in this matter of infant baptism; how Inasmuch as he so willfully and violent- I lamentably he adulterates the plain Scriptly contends against the Lord and his truth, ures and deceives the poor souls; what gross and since he in various ways seeks to give falsehoods he teaches the poor people; how his cause a fine appearance by the use of deceitfully he teaches the accursed abominamany borrowed words, lies, conjectures and tion and passes it for a holy, glorious work; perversion of the Scriptures, and says that and also, how unjustly he accuses us of we err abominably, &c., therefore I would abominably erring, we, who clearly have on briefly state: That if he can at any time our side Christ's plain word, the apostolic prove to us by the unadulterated, divine doctrine and usage, the signification of bapScriptures and truth, that John the Baptist tism, and the usage of the true, primitive practiced infant baptism any where; or that churches; while he cannot show by a single it was commanded of Christ and taught and word of all the Scriptures, that his infant practiced by the apostles; or, that it was, baptism has any foundation in the ordithrough the ordinance of the Lord, grad- nance and command of God. My faithful ually practiced upon children, as he writes reader, beware; fear God; act justly; search it was; or, that bringing to him is called the Scriptures; shun falsehood and follow ed baptism and baptism bringing to him, the truth. in the Scriptures; or, that Christ and the Again, by undertaking to draw the sayapostles have baptized the children that ing of Paul, "That if any would not work, were brought to them; or, that Christ bap- neither should he eat," into his argument, tized them with a spirit that was powerful he contradicts himself, and is unworthy of in works (the Spirit of God is never idle); a reply. For, as Paul thereby commands or, that small children have faith, or that the idlers and busy-bodies to earn their own they are penitent, that they bury their sins bread by honorable labor, lest they become and are circumcised through faith and there- an offense, and troublesome to others, and by arise with Christ in newness of life; or, since such cannot apply to children, therethat circumcision is called baptism, and fore such labor was not thereby commanded baptism circumcision; or, that they have them. Neither does Paul say, he who does the answer of a good conscience; or, that not work, &c., as Gellius writes; but he baptism, anywhere in the Scriptures, is says, "If any would not work, neither called a sign of the covenant of grace, a should he eat." So, too, baptism is not sealing of the promise, and an incorpora- commanded to be practiced on unconscious tion into the church, or that unconscious children, but it is commanded in the Scriptchildren speak with tongues as the believ- ures to be practiced upon those who believe ing members of the house of Cornelius did, the word of the Lord, lead a penitent life of whom Peter says, "Can any man forbid and who have a sound understanding and water, that these should not be baptized, comprehension of baptism, as has been said which have received the Holy Ghost as well several times. as we?" Acts 10: 47, or, that the true, primas we?" Acts 10: 47, or, that the true, prim- In the sixteenth place he writes, "That in Christ itive church practiced it by the apostolic Jesus no respect of persons or time is made. For the doctrine, usage or command; or, that God glory of the kingdom of Christ is not limited to any is powerful through works which he has cities, times or persons; so, neither to any age nor gennot ordained, then we will lay aside our eration." pen, repent and confess before the whole Answer. Herewith, if I understand it, he world that our cause is mere deceit, and would assert that, although, according to nothing but falsehood, in this respect. his assertion, baptism has taken the place But if he cannot do so, as it is impossible of circumcision, and the males only were for him to do, then I would faithfully ad- circumcised in Israel, that notwithstanding monish and fraternally beseech him to con- this, both males and females are to be bapsider earnestly amd thoroughly how shame- tisd, now, be they believers' children, and

Page  57 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 57 born of believing parents or not. If that is his disciples; but since he has not done so, his meaning and foundation, then he should we pronounce it, according to the Scriptknow that as the grace, favor, love, cove- ures, accursed, as said, Gal. 1: 8. nant and promise of God under the New I further say, If they, now, place tlhe Testament, extended to both men and children of both believing and unbelieving women, so, also did it extend to all under parents, on the same foundation, which, acthe Old Testament. For, if God had coupled; cording to my opinion woild not be conhis covenant of grace anld all to signs, trary to the Scriptures, then they must rewhether it be circumcision or baptism, and call their doctrine whereby they. before, if those alone were in the church who had applied the grace and covenant of God, received the sign, then the Israelitic women with many words, to the children of believand maids, and also the children of the ing parents, and admit that their doctrine primitive churches, were in a bad situation; in regard to Abraham and his seed, wheresince the first, according to the Scriptures, by they make baptism take the place of were not circumcised, and the latter, ac- circumcision, has no similarity to, nor concording to the ancient authors, were not nection with it, at all; for it was not conbaptized, as has been already said. manded of Abraham to circumcise all the No, reader, no. Abraham and all his l children round about him, who were not his seed, I mean both men and women, young seed, but only those which were of his seed, and old, were the Lord's people and church. as may be learned from Genesis 17. But the males only, were circumcised, and In the seventeenth place he writes, Would to God not the females, the male children of eight tat theycouldonce ritlyunderstandthe 5th cpterof Paul's letter to the Ephesians, wherein he describes the days old, and not the female children, ac- i old, and not the church, saying, Christ loved the church, anti gave himcording to the ordinance of God; yet, they s elffor it, that lie might sanctify and cleanse it with all, both men and women, were members of' the washing of water in the word, or as Erasmus says, the church under the covenant of God, and S through the word. Then he goes on and says, This inwere children of the promise, although, I controvertibly includes the children along with their repeat it, the males only were circumcised, parents, that is, the believers and their seed, nay, the whole church. IIow should they, then, be excluded and not the females. from the word, while it reads, He has cleansed the So it is under the New Testament. The church with the washing of water by the word? gospel is preached, and all who believe it Answer. I trust that we, through the and are baptized, shall be saved; be they grace and enlightenment of the Lord, in our males or females. They are members of weakness, do not misunderstand these the church of Christ under God's covenant words of Paul, but that we do rightly unand grace; they are joint heirs of the king- derstand t hle meaning. WTe offer Gellis dom of God, and children of eternal life; and all the learned, the use of all the Scriptalso the children, although they are not ures, besides all reason and experience, if baptized, Mark 16: 16; Acts 5: 14; 1 Cor.' they can show one tittle in the Holy Script12: 13; Rom. 8: 14. ures to prove that reason and experience For, as God would have his ceremonies teach, that we can teach little children the under the Old Testament,'such as circum word of God, from which originates the cision, the passover, sin-offering, burnt-of- true cleansing of the heart, or that the fering, &c., practiced just as he ordained Scriptures of the New Testament any where and commanded them through l oses, in the apply the word and sacraments to them; if same manner he will have his signs, under they can, then we will admit that they are the Neew Testament, such as baptism and cleansed by baptism through the word, or Supper, practiced in no other way than he in the word. But, if they can not do so, has commanded and ordained through his then it is already proven that these words Son.'of Paul are not written in regard to little For he says, "This is my beloved Son in children. whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." If, It is true, Christ has so loved his church, now, this Son had ordained infant baptism, that he has given himself for her, and has then we should practice it, if we would be sanctified her through the power and merits 44

Page  58 58 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. of his innocent blood, and cleansed her by j and all are not, on that account, apostles, water, which is a sign of a new and peni- prophets, evangelists, pastors and servants. tent life, but i6t otherwise than in the word, Thus it is with the ordinances of baptism or through the word, which, preached in and the Holy Supper, in his church; not the power of the Spirit, and accepted in true that we should therefore serve them to the faith, is followed by the ordained baptism unconscious children, but only to the beas commanded. lieving and penitent, according to the ScriptChrist said, "Ye are clean through the ures. word which I have spoken unto you," John As to his minor proposition, I would say, 15: 3; not, my reader, that they were clean our doctrine, belief, foundation and confeson account that it was outwardly spoken sion is, that our unconscious children, so unto them, but because they believed that long as they live in their innocence, are, which was spoken unto them. For God through the merits, death and blood of does not cleanse the hearts through any Christ, in grace, and joint heirs of the promliteral water, word or ceremony, but through ise, as has already been heard. The docfaith in the word; otherwise all who out- trine of the New Testament, which is a wardly hear the word and receive the out- doctrine of the Spirit, does not include them ward sign of the water, would be holy and with those who are ruled and governed by clean; this is incontrovertible. the word and sacraments of God, and who In the eighteenth place, He advances an argument are properly called the church of Christ in and syllogism. Whatever pertains to the church, also Scripture. pertains to the members of the church. Baptism per- That the children should be counted into tains to the whole church, both old and young-there- the church on account of the promise, we fore baptism pertains to all the members of the church. consent to, but we controvert that they Answer. In my opinion it were better should be included in the ordinances of the for Gellius, since he boasts himself a preach- church; for this is contrary to all Scripture er of the holy word, to leave his logic to the and common sense, as we will prove by wise of the world, who, alas, seek their own Christ's own words. He also openly repraise and honor more than they do God's; proves Christ and the apostles, together and satisfy himself with the true doctrine, with the Holy Spirit. For he writes, "Bapfoundation and truth of Christ, and with tism pertains to both young and old;" the unpretentious, plain testimony of Mat- while they have not left us a single examthew, the publican, and of Peter and John, ple, nor one word in all the Scriptures the fishermen, &c., that he does not deceive whereby it is taught or commanded, as may the unlearned by such accute reasoning and be seen. lead them off the true way. Since both his major and minor proposiAs to his major proposition (as he calls tions are not consistent with the word and it), I would say, that if Gellius had applied command of God, as shown, how then, his it to grace, reconciliation, promise, eternal conclusion, that baptism pertains to all the life, &c., which were bestowed upon the members of the church, can be consistent whole church, young as well as old, for with the word and ordinance of God is sufChrist's sake, and not upon the ordinance ficiently clear to the kind reader. of the church, then he would have been I would further say, that if this, his sylright; but as it is, he will have to admit logism, is right and true, namely, Whatevthat it is wrong, and contrary to the word er pertains to the church, must pertain to of God. For, as regards the ordinances of all the members of the church, &c., which, which he speaks, in which baptism is in- however, is not so, then it would also be eluded, I would say, that all the members true that as doctrine, faith, knowledge of of the church are not of one and the same Christ, true repentance, a regenerated, new calling, service and work, and are notunder life, the circumcision of the hieart, a clear one and the same ordinance; for the Lord conscience, baptism, Lord's Supper, the has ordained apostles, prophets, evangel- love of one's neighbor, a living hope, arists, pastors and servants, in his church, j dent thankfulness, &c., pertain to the church

Page  59 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 59 -therefore they pertain to all the members, teach us, and not a vain, dead and unfruitboth young and old. ful conjecture, as the world pretends it to If he denies this first proposition of mine, be. And that such faith is not to be found then he denies his own, for it is like his. in children of two, three or four years old, If he denies, besides, the second, because both the Scriptures and common sense teach children, on account of their weak under- us. standing, as he admits, cannot understand 0, dear Lord! what great blindness, that the word, and that they, therefore, cannot this thoughtless man does not observe that repent nor be admitted to the Supper, &c., he and his like preachers, some of whom then he testifies that the children do not be- have grown already gray, who daily read long to the church which is governed by the Scriptures after their manner, are yet the Lord's word and sacraments; and that so unbelieving that they dare, for the sake his syllogism, wherewith he includes all the j of a piece of bread, adulterate the plain members of the church, both young and word of God, lead the poor, miserable souls old, in one and the same ordinance, is wrong 1 to hell, in great numbers, upbraid, slander and false, nay, contrary to God's word. and hate all the pious, and innocently heap This is my answer to the argument of upon them slanderous lies and disgraces, Gellius and his fellows. How they can incite the magistracy to tyranny and blood, stand with this, according to the Scriptures, and that they delight in pomp, splendor, you may reflect upon in the fear of your the lusts of the flesh, avarice, &c., which is God. I such clear proof that they are not alone unIn the nineteenth place, he makes a long discourse in believing, but that they are also quite regard to the child which was, according to Mark and earthly and carnally-minded; and yet they Luke, called to Christ; and will thereby prove and assert that a child of two or three years of teach that children believe, or if they do not believe, g ad er that they are accounted as believing, be they of what-' ever age they may. He further writes that a child The reason that Christ called unto him of two, three or four years old may be corrupted by self the child, and placed it in the midst of bad examples; and that we are too timorous because we his disciples, was because the disciples dare not baptize those whom Christ accounts as believ- were casting about as to who would be the ing (as he says). greatest. He set the child as an example Answer. If Gellius and the learned had to them, and said, "Verily I say unto you, received but a little understanding of the Except ye be converted, and become as litnature, power and properties of true faith, e children, ye shall not enter into the they would be ashamed all their lifetime to kingdom of heaven." And that we must have such a poor idea of that precious faith inherit the kingdom of God, as a child (in which is a power and gift of God. Moses malice, understand), as Mark and Luke says that the children have no knowl- write. Paul says, "In malice be ye chiledge of good and evil. The wise man dren." Christ says, "WXhosoever therefore says, that they have no understanding. shall humble himself as this little child, the Paul says, "Brethren, be not children in same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven; understanding,"l Cor. 14: 20, and yet Gellius and whoso shall receive one such little child dares write that they believe; as if faith in my name, receiveth me. But whoso were but a dead thing that has no motive shall offend one of these little ones which power or work. believe in me, it were better for him that a O no, true faith, which avails before God, mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and is aliving and sa-vingpowerwhichis,through that he were drowned in the depth of the the preaching of the holy word, bestowed of sea,"? Matt. 18: 4-6. Behold, Christ himGod upon the heart; that moves, changes self explains to what children we should and regenerates it to newness of mind; that apply this. smothers all ungodliness; that destroys all As to his writing that children are acpride, ambition and selfishness; that in counted believing, is merely a conjecture malice, makes us like children, &c. Be- and opinion which cannot be substantiated hold, such is the faith which the Scriptures j by a single word of the Scriptures. Again,

Page  60 60 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. as to his assertion that a child, two, three Luther writes in his preface to Isaiah or four years old may be offended, I would and says, "God will notbe told how he is to say, first, If we were to apply, as Cellius be served. He will teach and lead us. His does, this saying, "W5hoso shall offend one word should be our guide; for without his of these little ones which believe on me," &c., word it is all idolatry and vain falsehood, to young children (to which I, on my part, however fine and pleasing it may appear." do not consent), then the whole world might Again, in the 3rd chapter of Daniel, " Worwell be astounded at these words, from the ship without God's word is ever idolatry." inmost of their souls. For how they edu- I would further say, All those who seek cate their young children, and with what God, and sincerely fear him, obey his ordiungodly, offensive life they walk before nance and word. them, their disgraceful ill-manners and Israel never circumcised a female, nor ofroguery, alas, teach us, both in city and fered a ewe for the passover; for God orcountry. 0, reader, that the world would dained that the males shouldbe circumsised take to heart the salvation of their children, on the eighth day, and that rams should and not, from the cradle on, lead them in be offered, Gen. 17: 11; Exod. 12: 5, as the way to hell, by their doctrine and ex- heard before. ample; what a blessed thing it would be Since we clearly learn from the Holy for their souls at the day of judgment! Scriptures that Moses and the prophets and Second, If the preachers and magistrates besides, the Father, himself, unanimously would rightly understand this saying of 1 point to Jesus, who is Wisdom and Truth, Christ, and believed it just and true, then, to obey him; and since we surely know, by in my opinion, the offensive, deceiving doc- the grace of God, that he is the true Prophet trine would soon be at an end, and the, and perfect Teacher, whose word is truth, tyrannical sword be put into the sheath, by and whose command is eternal life, and which, now, alas, hundreds of thousands of since he has not commanded us a single souls, are offended to everlasting destruc- word of infant baptism, nor his true wittion, and consigned to the kingdom of the nesses, the holy apostles have taught it or devil. 0, Lord! "Woe unto the world be- left an example, and since we also find that cause of offences," says Christ, God's mouth the signification is not applicable to chiland wisdom. dren, and besides, that the Scriptures do To his writing that we are too timorous, not admit of strange worship, self-chosen because we dare not baptize children, I ceremonies, nor addition, nor subtraction, would say this, that the Scriptures teach us and that God has several times punished not to do that which we see proper, but such self-chosenrighteousness and worship, that which is commanded us, Dent. 4: 2; as heard; and further, that the primitive 12: 32. church did not practice infant baptism, as Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron1, has been often heard, therefore we are so offered strange fire before the Lord, which timorous, that we dare not baptize our little he commanded them not, And there went I children; for these cases to which we have out a fire from the Lord and devoured them, referred, together with the unfeigned love of Lev. 10: 1, 2. salutary, divine truth, the sincere fear of Jeroboam was chosen king of the ten re- our God, and the power of our faith, alvolted tribes of Israel, worshipped in a man- though i weakness, prevent us. ner not commanded of God, and thereforee 0, reader, would God grant that our oplie was told by the prophet that God would ponents could rightly understand what take away the remnant of 1is house, as a' frightfrul abominations they commnit on every:lau tr~_e~.'~'-s~a'i - i)d lh.ow man taketh away- dung, till it be all gone, \ hanmd w i their imnfat batis, and hw I Kings 14: -10. +lthey practice it to the dishonor of God and Lzzial was smittlen for life bcause hte co'rrution of their leiglbo-ls, then, I trust, t3o-,,.i of tfteir -erliqh ors thn I trust, burned incense upon the altar of incense, to this umatter would soon be reforned, and by which the Lord had not called him, 2 Clhron. the help of God, he changed to a scriptural: 16. I usage.

Page  61 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 61 In the first place, they falsify God and made with the fingers cannot help or save a the Holy Scriptures by their infant baptism; child? That the innocent creature, the unconfor they assert that it is God's ordinance, scious child, which is cleansed by the blood while there is not a single word or example of the Lord, is not possessed of the devil, to be found in all the Scriptures, that teach- and that one cannot insure the faith of es infant baptism. others, since it is a gift of God? In tile second place, they thereby destroy Say, kind reader, Vhat worse mockery the true church of Christ, and establish an and hypocrisy could be imagined, than to anti-christian one which bears the name ask of one in the name of another: Do you and semblance of the christian church; al- believe? Do you renounce Satan, &c. and though it hates and despises its doctrine, on an affirmative answer, to baptize an unspirit, ordinances and usages, taught by conscious child that knows nothing of the Scriptures. neither yes nor no, of God nor devil, of truth In the third place, they thereby console nor falsehood, of life nor death? 0 blasthe world in their unrighteousness; for phemy and shame! however ungodly, adulterous, perjurious, covetous, pompous, envious, blood-thirsty,, Lord 0, dear Lord!! how long shall greedy, drunken, carnal, idolatrous and this gross deceit and vile abomination be hypocritical they be, yet they boastthat I time that they are baptized Christians. they are baptized christians. { the world should take hleed, and learn to lace, they hate and know such open deceivers and their doctrine, In the fourth place, they hate and perse- i cute all those, who, out of pure, godly zeal, baptism, supper, life and fruits, and {hat avoid this deceitful abomination, reprove they would pay more attention to the orditheir damnable worship, and point them to nance, will, word, ways and works of the Jesus and his word alone. Nay, they are Lord. called their apostate anabaptists, apostles In the twentieth place, lie accuses us of a false securicalled their apostate anabaptists, apostles, ty, as lihe calls it, because we, or ours, say that we are of the devil, deceived here-tics, off-scourings }assured in our hearts that they err, and that we are and booty. right, &c. In the fifth place, although they, and their Answer. The Lord speaks through Moses, authors, in the past, have condemned unto "Whosoever will not hearken unto my hell the institutions and commands of men, words which he" (that is Christ) "shall and have written one volume after another speak in my name, I will require it of him," against it, yet they, alas, altogether ad- Deut. 18: 19. here, to this abhorrible abomination, be- The Father says, "This is my beloved cause they want to avoid the cross, and Son i whom I am ellpleased; hear ye gain the favor of the world; they act hypo- im," lia 17 5 critically in all things, and do the things C t s " Christ says, "Teach them to observe all which are pleasing to the world; they heap one abominable error upon another; hang things whatsoever I have commanded you," one abominable error upon another; hang I 2S: 29. Matt. 28' 29. crosses upon the child's breast and forehead; I they conjure and ask the parents if they be- Paul says, "Toug e or an angelfrom lieve, &c., drive out devils, and commit other heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than t hat which we have preached unto you, disgraceful acts; so that we are forced to say than that wic we have ached unto you that all the infant baptizers are hypocrites of let him be accursed," Gal. 1:S. all hypocrites, and that infant baptism is John says, "Whosoever transgresseth, an open incorporation into the church of and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, anti-christ, the beginning of all deceit, and has not God. Ite that abideth in the docan accursed blasphemy and enchantment, trie of Christ, he liath both the Father and which is not only contrary to the plain the Son," 2 John 1: 9, and other like sayword and ordinance of the Lord, but also ings. against all reason, nature aind common Since all the Scriptures point us to the sense. -For who that has read the word of Spirit, gospel, command, ordinance, usage the Lord at all, does not know, that a cross and example of Christ; and since we, in

Page  62 62 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. our worship, do not follow conjectures, our of all the pious and good-fearing, if this is own desires, false explanations and doe- not seeking the blood of the innocent. trines of men, as we are accused of, Christ's 0, that he would have sufficient discretion plain word and command, the doctrine and not to mix the innocent with the guilty. usage of the holy apostles, and of the true, For what else does he seek than to change primitive church; and, as they (our oppo- Simon Peter into Simon Magus, and John nents) are no more commanded to baptize and James into Judas? children than Israel was to circumcise fe- If I should say, I have known some infant males, or that they should found churches, baptists which were open perjurers and altars and places of worship on hills, or in thieves, therefore Gellius and all the infant dales, or that they should offer their chil- baptists are perjurers and thieves. Would dren as burnt-offerings, or that the papists not that be wrong? 0, faithful reader, how should baptize bells as they are accustomed justly has holy David portrayed such slanto, and since they call and persecute the derers, saying, The wicked murder the baptism ordained of Christ, as the baptism innocent in secret places; his eyes are privily of heretics, and esteem and practice infant set against the poor. He lieth in wait sebaptism, which was instituted through hy- cretly, as a lion in his den; he lieth in wait pocrisy, as a christian baptism, and since to catch the poor, &c., Ps. 10: 8, 9. For, by they, besides, boast that they do right by such murderous cries, it is caused, that in not abandoning this practice; therefore I different places, the pious and faithful hearts would gladly leave it to the judgment of -men and women, youths and virgins, the all reasonable and impartial readers, who gray-headed, the lame and halt are pitof us are the Sanherib, Holofernes, Pharisa- ilessly and mercilessly imprisoned and ical, and deceiving sects, mentioned as robbed, their children sent abroad in the trusting in false security. world, homeless and penniless, as the most He further writes, What else has deceived the ana- wicked upon earth. Some are thrown into baptists in the past, thai they took up the sword, than boiling oil; others are hanged, racked, just such security. They imagined that they, as the drowned, strangled, burned, beheadedor torpeople of God, were marked with the sign, Tau; should tured by some other heathenish and tyrannisubdue the whole world, and hang us preachers, who l means. Behold, such are, alas, the they said knew better, to our own door-posts? o t d fal'^ ~consequences of the deceiving and false Answer. Reader, observe, What else writings of such blood-thirsty preachers, in does he hereby say than, Beloved lords, some countries. will you yet be merciful unto such an offens- Would to God, that he and his preachive people and wicked heretics? Persecute, ers, together with all the papists and monks, imprison, banish and destroy them. They who are guilty of innocent blood, may find are deserving of it. You may consider and mercy and grace before the eyes of the great judge whether the Holy Spirit, in the Reve- Iand Almighty God, in the day when the lation does not call this the sting of scor- fearful sound of the last trumpet shall pions, Rev. 9: 10. Further on he says that sound, and that the innocent blood of which our church was originated by me; some- they are guilty, be not counted against thing which, as will be hereafter shown, I them. This is my sincere wish and prayer. do not admit. lie knows very well that I But if they continue in their present minds, never was found in the company of the re- and do not turn from ungodliness, then, bellious; but that I reproved their doctrines says the Spirit of God, the fiery pool will and abominations with the word of the be their reward and part, Rev. 19: 21. Lord, as much as I ever did those of the Further, I would say, Just as we hate preachers. Notwithstanding, lie accuses us and reprove (understand this in a gospelof these ungodly practices and wicked like way) the bitter and inimical heart, and deeds; that he may thereby make us, who the bloody and fiendish crying and writing are innocent, suspicioned of all the world, of Gellius and all the contentious —so, also, and deliver us unto the sword of the magis- do we hate and reprove those that take up tracy. I will leave it to the consideration the sword, steal, rob, or in any manner

Page  63 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 63 wrong any one on earth, be he friend or foe. should take heed that he sincerely fears God, In this we should pay no respect as to acts rightly, and that he does not wilfully sin persons, be it father, brother, emperor, king, against his God, that he does not pervert neighbor, friend, great or small, baptized or falsehood into truth, nor truth into falsenot baptized. All those who shed human hood, as did the scribes. For who knows blood against the word of God, who act but that he who wilfully sins against his contrary to love, who wrong, offend or af- God, will never truly repent and receive flict their neighbor, can not be our brethren, grace? Christ says, "Whosoever commitfor they plainly show that they are not teth sin, is the servant of sin," John 8: 34. christians. I fear that if his imperial highness were We must ever hear that the rebellious to present to me many costly gifts, and I and their aiders at Munster, have, in the i should ungratefully squander them, or past, alas, taken up the sword, contrary to trample upon them, or cast them from me, God's word, as if we were one with them in his imperial highness would, undoubtedly, that abomination; although we are quite severely punish me for such ingratitude, innocent in the matter. But they do not and would probably not again offer me see that they arm whole countries and cor- I such favors and costly presents. rupt them; that they destroy one principal- Therefore, take heed that you do not wility after another, that they use all manner fully despise and adulterate your Lord's of violence, and thus cause affliction, misery word, nor walk according to the pleasure and sorrow, every where. Yea, this is, of a carnal mind; lest the manifest grace at alas, called doing right. once be withheld from you, and you are led Since it is manifest that not only France, into perverse ways. Qui timt Deum,, recedit Italy, Spain and Burgundy, but also all a malo, he that fears God, shuns evil. the German nations, and the rest of the As Gellius exerts himself to adulterate, world who boast of the word are guilty of by his false doctrine, the word of the Lord, the same deeds, as regards fighting, warring, to render of no avail his precious blood, robbing and shedding blood; why do they, and to harden and console the impenitent, then, reprove the crimes of the rebellious, reckless world in their wild and wicked while they are so far from being innocent, ways, under an appearance of the holy yea, have done the same criminal deeds as word; so he also exerts himself, in my opinthose they reprove? Paul says, "Therefore I ion, to root out the salutary, pure truth thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever from earth, and to deliver the pious and thou art, that judgest; for wherein thou I godly children into the hands of the execujudgest another, thou condemnest thyself; tioner, by all manner of false defamations for thou that judgest, doest the same things," and criminal accusations. If I am wrong Rom. 2: 1. rebuke me. In the last place he writes, Our eyes have seen better If the name, "grasping kite, is not more than the eyes of the anabaptists in regard to wil- applicable to him than a gathering hen, by ful sinning, because they have made many doubtful which name he would like to be called, I and caused some to recede, &c. will leave to himself and the Lord. Answer. If he aims this at us, then he But the Lord, who is the shield and surety should know that he has written more than of all the oppressed, defends them against he should have done. For I can say with the ungodly. He destroys the liars. He a clear conscience, that I never was troubled abhors the bloody and deceitful; " There is concerning this matter by the brethren, and no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward that the doctrine has not been broached part is very wickedness; their throat is an among us in my time. open sepulchre; they flatter with their I have ever taught that all sins which are tongue," Psalm 5: 9. repented of are pardoned in the blood of Therefore they shall not stand before the the Lord, be they what they may. David's storm; their light shall be extinguished. adultery and shedding of innocent blood, and their glory shall vanish. For the Lord is to me a sure testimony. Yet everybody I is strong, who shall judge them, and he

Page  64 64 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. will require the poor, deceived souls, and let the infallible and true word of the Lord, the innocent blood at their hands, and he and your impartial heart judge between us will give them their reward. and the learned. Behold, dear reader, from this you may I would hereby, for God's sake, beseech see that the doctrine and confession of the all readers not to think hard of it that I repreachers in regard to infant baptism, can prove falsehood, according to the Scriptnot stand, according to the Scriptures; that ures; defend truth with truth, point out the it is not founded upon the Lord's command, righ wa the salvation of your souls, nor upon the doctrine or practice of the 1 - holy apostles, as is the baptism of the be-controvert the false prophets, expose their lieving, but merely upon logic, opinion, deceiving, secret snares and defend the conjecture, falsehood, borrowed names and Lord's praise. He who seeks the Lord in custom. If you be of reasonable mind, then sincerity of heart, read and judge. THE LORDIS SUPPER. WE will very briefly review and reply to I impenitent, light-minded and vain people, the treatise of Gellius on the sacrament nay, worldlings, part of whom not only called the Lord's Supper, because we have little regard the Spirit, word and knowlpublished our foundation and belief of this i edge of the Lord, but trample it under foot, matter, and referred to many Scriptures, in as may be seen-therefore we abstain from the past. Whosoever finds a delight in the Itheir supper; for the sincere fear in our truth, may read them and reflect on them hearts, caused by the word of God, prein the fear of God. Yet we would, in our vents us from partaking of it with such disweakness, remind the pious reader, before pensers and partakers, lest we also partake we commence our reply to Gellius' publica- of their deceiving actions and abominable tion, that it is written, "For we, being many, abuse, and, at the day of Christ, receive the are one bread and one body; for we are all same reward with them. partakers of that one bread," 1 Cor. 10: 17. He boasts a great deal of his admonition, Since we learn from the Scriptures that the yet all his admonition is nothing but vain Holy Supper was instituted of the Lord as I boasting, without all power; for how can a sign and testimony, not to the world but he and his like preachers rightly teach to the church of God, that all of us who are Christ, and admonish others, while they are one bread are members of one body, name- yet filled from the top of their heads to the ly, of the body of Christ; and since we i soles of their feet, with all manner of unplainly see that both the dispensers and righteousness, blindness and disgrace? partakers of the worldly supper, are not They would do well to reflect upon the true members of the Lord's body, because words of Sirach, and rightly learn to know the dispensers are all hirelings, thieves of themselves, because many of them are as the honor of God, and murderers of our yet such useless people, that they are more souls, who retain the thoughtless, reckless fit to be herders of swine than to be sheppeople in all manner of unrighteousness, herds of the sheep of Christ, as he writes. blindness, and in an unbridled, carnal life, And because Gellius is not only an adulby their promises, philosophy and logic; terer of the Scriptures and deceiver of souls, who deceive all the world and hate, upbraid, but also a very cruel, profane and defaming belie, apprehend, banish and exterminate man, as may be very clearly educed from the pious, who renounce evil, follow the word his writings. of the Lord, and ever eat of his bread; and He writes that they admonish them in the first place, because the partakers, generally, are an! what should be the qualifications of the partakers, ac

Page  65 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 65 cording to the doctrine of the law, and especially of the He further writes, that they, in the second and third holy gospel. place, admonish them (their hearers) that it is not Answer. Wherever the law is preached enough to know and understand the doctrine, but that rightly and taken to heart, through faith it should be, also, manifested in their walk, yea, at the rightly and taken to heart, through faith {. 2 > > risk of body and life, that they should be prepared for and manifested in Spirit and power, there the cross and temptation, that they should patiently we find a subdued mind, a penitent, humble and obediently bear it, and follow their bridegroom, heart, and a conscience which trembles be- for the devil dislikes such confession and therefore fore the word and true fear of God, and hates and persecutes them. which allays and disperses sin, as Sirach Answer. Caiaphas said unto the Pharisays. sees and Scribes, "It is expedient for us This is the real intention and object of that one man should die for the people, and the law: To reveal unto us the will of God, I that the whole nation perish not," John to discover unto us sin, to threaten us with 11: 50. the wrath and punishment of the Lord, to His intentions sounded right, yet his cruel, proclaim death and to point us to Christ, blood-thirsty heart did not perceive that it that we may, before the eyes of God, be was he, who, through bitter zeal, sought the humbled in heart, die unto sin, and seek life of the king of all glory. and find the only and eternal medicine and We do not controvert but that Gellius remedy for our souls, Jesus Christ. and his fellow preachers sometimes talk of In the same manner it is in regard to the a pious life, according to the Scriptures, gospel. Wherever it is preached in true and admonish their hearers of the cross; zeal, according to the pleasure of God, and but how they love true righteousness, which unblamably in the power of the Spirit, so true doctrine brings forth, and how they that it penetrates the hearts of the hearers, treat the confessors thereof, may, alas, be there we find a converted, changed and new educed from their indiscreet and disgracemind, which joyfully and gratefully gives ful writing and crying. praises to his God for his inexpressibly Since he writes that he thus admonishes great love towards us, miserable sinners, in them, as heard, and that it is plainly manChrist Jesus, and thus enters into newness ifest that he not only hates the true rightof life willingly and freely, by the power of eousness, power, fruit and obedience which a true faith and a new birth. true preaching brings forth, but also cruciIf Gellius would knock at the innermost fies it, I fear, by his indiscreet and disheart of his followers, and of himself, with graceful writing, therefore, the godly, pious the hammer of the law, and zealously en- reader may consider if he is not like unto kindle in them the fire of the holy gospel, the Scribes and Pharisees, in this respect, so that they would, in true repentance, who, although they understood the law, change their unclean, obdurate hearts, and yet so hated righteousness, that they, by abandon their heathenish pomp and splen- their connivance and advice, crucified him dor in their houses, and clothes, their vain who was promised in the law, the Fulfiller, show of gold and silver, their extravagance, Christ Jesus. avariciousness, drinking and carousing, Dear reader, understand what I write. and would enter with Christ into newness Outward preaching, hearing, baptism and of life, then I would admit that that which Supper do not at all avail before God; but he has written here concerning the Lord's before him avail teaching and believing, Supper, did well compare with their walk. faith and works, outwardly baptism and But as it is, he consoles the poor with an Supper, according to the letter, and inwardempty purse, only, and acts in a manner ly according to the Spirit and truth. Beentirely contrary to that in which he should. hold, this is what God's word and ordinance For the signs of the New Testament are in teach us. themselves quite powerless, vain and use- So long as such impenitent, carnal people less, if the signification, namely, the new, are the dispensers, and such vain, pompous, penitent life, is not there, as has been said covetous, extortionate, carousing and drinkabove in treating of baptism. inrg people the partakers, so long, I say, it 45

Page  66 66 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. is not the true Supper of the Lord, but it is admonish and serve each other as members a supper of the impenitent, an encourage- of one body; and that we will prove ourment to the unrighteous, and an enchanting selves unto death, as the newly born chilmockery, however much it may be adorned dren of God in all righteousness, holiness and decked, before men, with high-sound- and truth. Behold, dear reader, for ing words and praises; for outside of the this purpose the signs of the New Testachurch of Christ, which is a gathering of ment were instituted. If Gellius and his the penitent, there is neither baptism nor like preachers were to use the Holy Supper Holy Supper. Again understand that which in such heart and spirit; if the signification, I write, Neither water, bread nor wine fruit, spirit and power, although in weakavail in Christ without true repentance, if ness, were found in them and their disciples, they were, even, served by the apostles as it is represented and taught by the sign, themselves; before him avail, alone, a new then we would, by the grace of God, soon creature, a converted, changed and broken meet, and not dispute about the use of the heart, a sincere fear and love of God, un- sign. But so long as they walk on the feigned love of one's neighbors, a sober, broad road, practice and uphold infant humble, peaceable and converted life, ac- baptism, defame the baptism of the believcording to the word and example of the ing, do not separate their disciples and Lord. Where there is such a new being, lo, church from the world, and teach an unthere is true baptism, and the true Supper. blamable doctrine and life, so long we canBut to be baptized outwardly and partake not unite with them in doctrine and sacraof the Supper, according to the letter, and ments, whether this is attended by prospernot inwardly before God in Spirit and ity or adversity, as God pleases. For we truth, I repeat, is nothing more nor less know to a certainty, that the Lord's invincithan a shadow, vain mockery of God's ble, strong truth is on our side, and the work, nay, hypocrisy and deceit. damnable, weak falsehood on theirs. Is it not a lamentable blindness, that My faithful reader, reflect upon what I these poor, misled people attach so much write. Our separation from the doctrine value to the outward, visible sign, and do and sacraments of the preachers is princinot observe that they are, with all their pally for two reasons. In the first place, heart inimical to the invisible signification, because we can plainly see, from the Scriptfor which the visible sign was commanded ures and by their actions, and are assured, in the Scriptures? as if God had a special that they are not pastors but deceivers. pleasure in the mere elements, water, bread All the Scriptures teach us that we shall not and wine, and not in the proper significa- hear, but shun such preachers. For if we tion, which is represented and admonished are afraid of thieves, murderers and wolves, thereby. according to the flesh, how much more O no, reader, we can not please nor serve should we fear those who so miserably deGod with mere water, bread and wine; for vour our poor souls, who retain us in darkby his hand, it was all created. But we ness, deprive us of the light of Christ, and can serve and please him with the significa- fearlessly lead us to the frightful, indissolution of his baptism and Supper, namely, bledarkness of everlasting and infernal torthat we thereby testify our faith and obe- ment, for the sake of a meal of bread. For dience, that we will walk in continual and God's sake, dear reader, do not think hard eternal penance, that we will remember his of me. Behold, before God it is true what inexpressibly great love and blessings, that I write. we are thereby admonished that he has of- The second reason is, that we may, by fered for us his spotless, pure body, and such shunning, testify to you and all others, that he has shed his precious blood for the by open deeds, that you are outside of the reconciliation of our souls, in his ardent Spirit, word, kingdom and church of Christ, love for us; that we will ever walk with him that you walk upon the wrong way and in unity of the Spirit, and follow him; that that you are miserably deceived by your we will love, assist, console, reprove, bear, preachers-so that you may yet awaken in

Page  67 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 67 time, depart from evil, walk in truth and christian doctrine and faith, our sacraments be eternally saved. and actions before the whole world, cause If you are of reasonable minds, then con- much trouble and affliction; and we, by the sider well what we hereby seek, and think grace of God, do not treat them inimically, not that we are so thoroughly deprived of but patiently bear with them, teach, reprove reason that we walk this narrow way, and admonish them; maintain truth with through contentiousness and partizanism. truth; and in sincerity of heart, show and 0, how gladly would we save our wreak point out to them the right way, at the risk bodies, our wives and small children, our of blood and life, for which they so hate us, possessions and lives, and live peaceably so also, some raise up among us, as was with the world, if we were not constrained the case in the times of the apostles, who by the love of God, and the eternal salva- would rather follow their own opinion than tion of your souls and our own. But, as it the Scriptures; who again return to the is, we should, for the two mentioned reasons, broad road, seek honor and a name, and sacrifice all to robbery, and, if the case re-'therefore make unscriptural pretensions. quire, to death, in sincere, genuine love. With such we entreat and reason, admonish For, as a general thing, truth is maintained and reprove them, as the Scriptures teach dearly; and sincere, faithful love crowned us, and I trust we do this reasonably and with a crown of thorns. 0, Lord! in love. If they suffer themselves to be In the last place he writes, "From this, every pious tauht, cange their ays and strive after christian may educe, how unreasonably these people, peace, then we thank the Lord forhis blesswho accuse us of enmity, contention and discord, and ing. But in case they despise fraternal adwho quarrel about the articles of faith among them- monition, remain obdurate in their ways selves, and thus sow enmity, contention and discord, as and cause contention and discord, then they said, Yea, who never thoroughly searched our doctrine, cannot be our fellows and brethren, until and who have scarcely seen us partake of the Supper, notwithstanding, they reprove us of our Holy Supper,they acknowlege their faults, and retur and leave the assembly of Christ's church." to the Lord's people in peace, 1 Tim. 6: 5; Answer. To this I would reply in the a a c e a disInsuwer. To this I would reply in the 2 Tim. 2: 17; Tit. 3: 11. If this should be first place: The unrighteousness which shuts clle causing contention, enmity anddiscord about the articles of faith, or whether us out from the kingdom, church, body and cord about the articles of faith, or whether Supper of Christ, is not merely included in t should be called purification of the ouse enmity, contention and discord, but also in f the Lord, all the right-minded may judge, all other kinds of works of the flesh, such both y their common sense and the Scriptas, pomp, splendor, avariciousness, drink- ure ing and carousing. | PIn the third place I say, the reason why we do not hear their doctrine, and do not Although enmity and discord are, by the see their partaking of the supper, as he use of their supper, partially appease I n use of their supper, partially appease~ complains, is, because we have for a long among some of them, as he writes, yet a time witnesse by their fruits, that their the other abominable sins and unrighteous- doctrine is vain and powerless, and their ness remain untouched as may be very sacraments are not accordin to the word. plainly and publicly seen by their fruits. For of what spirit both their preachers and The heathens, too, conclude peace among disciples are, may, firstly, be educed from themselves, when they are at variance with the dishonest, infamous, bitter, false, spiteeach other, yet they are not the right grains ful and incentive writings of the preachers, of the Lord's bread, and the true members and, seconly, from the abominable show of his body. Let every one of sound mind of clotes, the eravagance about their reflect upon what I say. houses, and fror the superfluous, carnal In the second place I say, le can not with life of the best of their disciples. What truth substantiate his accusation against does their fine appearance, their ornamentus, that enmity, contention and discord al logic avail, while they, in fact, forsake exist among us. the Scriptures and the signification, fruit But as he and his fellows berate our j and power of the holy sacraments, nay,

Page  68 68 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. hate and persecute it? If I do not write the Behold, reader, I write to you the truth truth, reprove me. and lie.not I seek nothing, before my In the fourth place I would say, Gellius God, but that I may gain Gellius and all accuses us that we forsake the church of the preachers, wherever they may be, to Christ. But I say that we, according to the Christ, by the Spirit and word of God; or teaching of the word and ordinance of God, that I may be vanquished of them and and to the example of the holy apostles, stand abashed before all the world, as an forsake the world and their false prophets, open deceiver. If they, now, be of chrisand that we, through the Spirit and grace tian disposition, and preachers of the holy of God, rid the church of Christ from word who are desirous of unity, as they snares, faithfully admonish her members, pretend to be, then let them agree to what I and in our weakness, establish and edify desire they should, namely, a free discusthem, according to the command of the sion of the grounds and doctrines of both holy word, Isaiah 52: 11; 2 Cor. 6: 17; Acts sides; that thereby the pure, saving truth 2: 40; Rev. 18: 4. What shall this poor of Christ may be maintained, and the imman say and boast of the church of Christ, pure, damnable falsehood of anti-christ be while she is yet quite unknown to him? I destroyed. voluntarily make this offer: If they allow But in case they refuse this, as they have me a discourse with them under safe con- before twice refused me, and continue their duct, either privately before witnesses, or infamous defamation and upbraiding as publicly, before a full assembly, and if I they have ever done before, and accuse us cannot prove or maintain, by the power of with all manner of accusations before the the truth that the preachers, in general, are common people, that we forsake the deceivers and not pastors, and that their church of Christ; that we are a misled, depompous, avaricious, extortionate swear- ceived people, and that we pervert good into ing and cursing disciples, are of the world evil; what else can we then do but leave and are not christians, then I will publicly them to the Lord and his judgment; and acknowledge before all the world, that we willingly submit to the cross, as we not only have forsaken the church of Christ, I have done, possess our souls in patience, but also lamentably destroy her and cause l admonish those of unperverted heart, many a pious heart much misery, affliction I as much as possible, minutely consider and trouble, in vain. what kind of preachers and pastors they But, as we can substantiate these asser- have, what great injustice they do us, poor tions by the power of the truth, why, then, miserable ones; how scornfully they reject must we yet hear so many evil words? It truth, and maintain falsehood, since we, in were, indeed, high time that the preachers all humility and true love, invite them to would quit their deceiving, that they and this free, christian discussion of the Scripttheir disciples, who, where and what they ires, to the praise of Almighty God, and be, would awaken, that they would tremble his eternal truth, and to the beneficial reat the wrath and punishment of God, would freshment of all the oppressed and afflicted repent, conform themselves to the Spirit, souls. But they refuse us this, and besides, word and example of the Lord, and estab- slander and defame us by their inlish a true christian chuich, in accordance famous publications without discretion, to the command of the Scriptures, and and without all foundation and truth, and that they disclaimed and abjured their bor- thus, disgracefully accuse us before the rowed names and false boastings, as evan- whole world, and cause many pious, innogelical teachers, faithful shepherds, soul- cent children to be deprived of their possessavers, and preac'hers of the holy word, sions, honor and lives, even, as may, alas, which they, to the dishonor of God, merely be witnessed in many different localities of claim in appearance. the Netherlands.

Page  69 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 69 EXCOMMUNICATION, BAN OR SEPARATION. BEFORE I commence a reply to Gellius' ex- serving of the ban, according to the word cuse why they do not practice Excommuni- of the Lord, they remained upright and cation, Ban or Separation in their church, I pious; but when they neglected it, inclined would briefly refer the kind reader to differ- their ears to falsehood, and gave way to ent passages of the Scriptures to show that false prophets, they deviated from the way the Excommunication, Ban or Separation of life, and degenerated into all kinds of was not always practiced in the same man- wickedness and idolatry, as the prophetical ner, nor according to the same ordinance, Scriptures, on every hand, complain and by the Lord's people. The ban of Moses was testify. punishment with death, Dent. 13; Lev. 16; i It was also the case with the primitive Numb. 31; Josh. 7. This ban was in force church; for so long as the pastors and teachuntil the Roman dominion. At that time a ers strictly required a godly, pious life, change was made; for, under the Roman served baptism and Supper to the penitent scepter, they were not allowed to put the law alone, and rightly practiced separation, in force, in regard to capital punishment as according to the Scriptures, they remained before. But they separated those who dis- the church and community of Christ. But obeyed the law; that is, they ejected them as soon as they commenced to seek an easy, from their synagogues and assemblies, careless life, and to shun the cross of Christ, shunned their daily intercourse, neither ate they laid aside the rod, preached peace to nor drank with them, as may be learnedfrom the people; gradually abandoned the ban; many of the Scriptures of the apostles, and thus established an anti-christian Luke 15: 2; Matt. 18: 17; 1 Cor. 5: 11; 2 church, a Babel or worldly church, as may, Thess. 3: 6-14. alas, be noticed, to look back over the last To this shunning, rule and usage, the several centuries. Yea, my reader, if we doctrine and example of Christ Jesus, and had not until now strictly maintained this the holy apostles unanimously point us; means ordained of God, then, we and ours, and these two following benefits are derived at this day, would have been a reproach from them. and curse to the world, while, now, I trust, In the first place, that we be not deceived they, in their weakness, will be, by the grace by the erroneous doctrine of false spirits, of God, an example and a light to many and weakened by their carnal, vain life, 2 men; although the world will not acknowlJohn 1: 10. "Know ye not," says Paul, edge it. In short, a church without ban or'that a little leaven leaveneth the whole separation, is like a vineyard without an lump Purge out, therefore, the old leaven," enclosure and trenches, or a city without &c., 1 Cor. 5: 6, 7. walls; for the enemies have free ingress into Yea, my reader, wherever this excommu- it to sow and plant their pernicious tares nication, ban or separation is zealously and unhindered. earnestly taught and maintained in the fear In the second place, that the wicked, by of God, without respect of persons, there, a reasonable admonition, and separation doubtlessly, the church of the Lord will be from the pious, may, at heart, become maintained unprofaned, in salutary, pure ashamed, humble themselves and sincerely doctrine, and in an offensive life. But repentbefore God andthe church. Therefore, where this is neglected, we find nothing but Paul delivered the Corinthian unto Satan vanity and worldliness, as may be plainly for the destruction of the flesh, that the observed by all the churches and sects which spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord are not of us. Jesus, 1 Cor. 5: 5. He also thus delivered Reader, observe, so long as the literal Hymeneus and Alexander, that they might Israel, in this respect, followed the ordi- no longer blaspheme, 1 Tim. 1: 20. At annance of the Lord, and punished those de- other place he writes, "If any man obey

Page  70 70 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. not our word by this epistle, note that man, I mand, ordinance and word of Christ in and have no company with him, that he doctrine, as may be plainly noticed. Cogqita may be ashamed; yet count him not as an quae dico, Qui male facit, non videt Deum, enemy, but admonish him as a brother," 2 3 John 11. Remember that it is spoken, Thess. 3: 14, 15.'"He that doeth evil hath not seen God." Behold, reader, here you have it briefly In the second place he writes, "We admit that in many stated of whom, how, and to what purpose, churches negligence is found, which we cannot conmthe ban or separation is ordained in the mend; which is caused in some places by the punishhouse and church of the Lord. Judge, now, ment of all open transgressions by the magistracy, so if you fear God, if it is not an especiall diligently that the pastors esteem it unnecessary to put if you fear God, if it is not an especially theban in force." noble and necessary institution of pure love,. I m. Answer. In my opinion it is high time which is ordained of the God of love to a service of love, athat the preachers would quit their trifling service of love, although the unenlightened w t with the souls of men; that they would and refractory judge and consider it as en- wh e souls o en that they nity. For its ultimate design and fruit is, unreservedly acknowledge that they are mity. Forit cultimay design a ond frit is, not the church of the Lord, but a poor, errthat the church may remain sound in doc- in trine, and unblamable in life; and that the g and worldly flock; and then would o l ma be J -. earnestly commence to learn to know themerring, either in doctrine or life, may be erring, either in doctrine or l ife, my be selves and next, to preach rightly the word converted, and again return to the pasture conv erted, and again return to the pasture of sincere repentance, in the power of the and flock of the Lord. But how far, yea, Sp. how very far, are all the preachers and who would accept it in howveryfar, are.allthereache d sincerity of heart and truly repent, should churches of the world from this God-pleas- sert of heart and tr reent s ing ordinance and very necessary practice. e the sacraents ofe Lord, according to the ordinance of God, and those His first excuse that separation is not practiced in o stubornly ret, should, by their church is, That the papistical abomination has so w,, abominably destroyed the ordinance of the churches virtue of the holy word, be excommuniand the right usage of the ban, by their abuse, that it cated, without respect of persons; then they cannot be immediately re-established. might gather a church unto Christ, and Answer. If we diligently search the writ- rightly practice the ordinance of the Lord, ings of the historians and compare the ac- according to the Scriptures. tions of the church, to which they refer, with But so long as they baptize unconscious the Scriptures, then, I think, that we surely 1 children, esteem all those who are baptized find that there was not among all the Ger- as christians, dispense the bread to the imman nations, a true, apostolic, christian penitent, and admit all the avaricious, exchurch which stood right in doctrine, sacra- tortionate, pompous, drinking and carousments, ordinances and life; but that they ing, in the communion of their churches, were all founded upon the papistic founda- the world will be their church, and their tion and abominations, and remained so, church the world. In such a state of affairs these many years. they may preach and admonish all their Since, then, the church is not founded by life-time about separation, and the true the apostles upon the foundation of Christ, church ordinances, but never establish them, but is founded of the Pope, upon his own since it is evident that all their doctrines foundation, and is in every respect a pa- and sacraments are nothing but a vapor, pistical, and not a christian church, and vain and powerless, for they are not the since it is palpable that it has at this hour, rightly called preachers, their sacraments neither teachers, communion, life nor sacra- i are not the true sacraments and their disments conformable to the ordinance, doc- ciples are not the Lord's church and people. trine and example of Christ, therefore ihe Say, beloved, how shall a house be built can not practice the ban until he separates, without workmen, timber, iron, stone and himself, because he is an adulterer of the Im ortar? Qui sanicordis est, cogitet qcae Scriptures and deceiver of souls, and then i co. IHe who is of sound mind, may ponall the church, because they are generally I der on what I say. impenitent in life and outside of the corm- I would further say, that if Gellius right

Page  71 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 71 ly understood Christ and his word, he would I the Scriptures, therefore I cannot neglect to be ashamed all his life-time; and for these admonish all magistrates and subordinates, two reasons: and in faithful love to warn them, to conFirstly, because he undertakes to excuse sider how miserably they are deceived by the neglect of the pastors, by saying that the preachers. Beloved lords, observe. You the magistracy punish open trasgressions, all boast that you are christians and have as if therefore it were not necessary. I the word of God, while it is manifest that think that hundreds of pastors can be found so many of the lords and princes, daily in Germany, who never in their life knew shed human blood like water, by their unthat the avaricious, drunken, adulterous, godly warring and tumult; that they rob &c., should be excommunicated; nay, what many innocent people of their homes and is worse. that the greater part of them are property, that they cause many afflicted themselves guilty of such infamous doings. orphans and helpless children to be made; In my opinion it is as clear as day-light and that many of them drink and carouse that his covering up and decking this igno- day and night; abuse the creatures of God rance, nay, negligence and disgrace, with above measure, namely, wine, beer, victthe excuse that the magistracy punish the uals, clothes, &c., all of whom are deservtransgressors is nothing less than to will- ing of excommunication and can not fully defend falsehood and oppose truth. stand the test of the Scriptures, as, I preSecondly, because he complains that the sume, many of the learned and preachers magistracy do not grant authority or hear- themselves, well know; yet they connive at ing to the pastors. Say, kind reader, where, such, desire their authority and assistance; in all the days of your life, did you read in they act hypocritically with them, they talk the apostolic Scriptures, that Christ or the so as to please them, do not separate and apostles requested the authority of the punish them, however wickedly they bemagistracy to punish those who would not have; dispense to them the bread and wine hear their doctrine or obey their words? as if they were members of the body of the Yea, reader, I know to a certainty, that Lord and brethren of his church. By this wherever the magistracy is to maintain the they so comfort and encourage them in their ban by the force of the sword, there are not wickedness, that they never stop to inquire the true knowledge, Spirit, word and church into the fear and ways of the Lord; for it is of Christ. If this is not rightly called by all peace, peace, whatever they preach, as the papists, Invocare brochium seculare, the prophet complains, Jer. 8: 8; Ezek 13: that is invoking the assistance of the world, 22. Beloved lords, take heed; they lead I will leave to the judgment of the discreet you straightway to the abyss of hell; therereader. fore, beware. I tell you the truth in Christ Also, observe here his hypocrisy and his Jesus, they deceive you. Again, I say, bepernicious flattery of those in high standing; ware, they deceive you. for where do we find, alas, more ungodli- On the other hand, they hate and upbraid ness than among those in authority? Not- above measure, all those who seek the Lord withstanding, he wants the ban to be main- sincerely, who strive after his holy word, in tained by them, as if they were the true and their infirmity, and who would gladly, in faithful members of the church of Christ and theirweakness, lead a pious, godly life, inthe children of his community; and never ob- fear of the Lord; because they point trem to serves that if the pastors would rightly Christ; and in true, godly zeal, and brotherjudge, according to the holy word, the mag- ly love, reprove and admonish them, to their istrates, next to the preachers themselves, own good, of their false doctrine, false sacwould be the first who should be, according i raments, hypocrisy and indifferent life, to the Scriptures, separated and excluded according to the teachings of the Scriptures. from the communion of the pious. Nay, we are called apostles of the devil, Since he, in this instance, so openly whee- apostates, anabaptists, conspirators and dies the magistrates and those of high stand- heretics, by them. ing, and thus flatters them, against all Behold, thus they connive at and flatter

Page  72 72 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. those of high standing, although they, gen- head. Besides, he had to hear, that he was erally, are upon the broad way; and thus possessed of the devil, and wrought his they shamefully upbraid the innocent who miracles in the name of Beelzebub. never harmed them, and who would gladly Is it not a perverse, lamentable hypocrilead a pious life. Yet they boast that they sy, that this man undertakes to blame us are preachers of the gospel and teach the for their not practicing the ban, while it is word of God. known and manifest to the whole world, In the third place he writes: The disrespect to the that the greater part of the preachers are servants of the church, has, everywhere, become so prev- such an indifferent, blind and carnal people, alent, through the doings of these devilish conspirators that they neither acknowledge God nor his ^^.. ^ ^ ^-i ^ ^ ^ ^ ~ that they neither acknowledge God nor his and heretics, that few churches submit themselves, in unity of spirit, to their pastors, which is necessary. word, and seek nothing else than that they may satiate their carnal appetites and conAnswer. That the disrespect to the preach- petites and cons tinue in their careless easy life? WVhat kind ers has become so prevalent, is caused by ers. has bcm 1... i of christians their churches or disciples are, nothing else but their own, exceeding wick- w chrthe r hce s re what knowledge they have, and how they edness, deceit, avarice, blasphemy and whow they edness, deceit, avarice, blasphemy and fear God, may, alas, be educed from their shamelessness, as the prophet says, "Be- hold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread words and, in city and country. dung upon your faces, &c." "'Ye are de- In the fourth place he writes, It is a fact well known parted out of the way; ye have caused many to the whole community (he refers to the community at parted out of the way; ye have caused many a Emden) that we have for several years, assiduously lato stumble at the law; ye have corrupted bored to again establish the christian ordinance of tle the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of ban. hosts; Therefore have I also made you con- Answer. The world acknowledges no ban, temptible and base before all the people, but when such a transgression has been according as ye have not kept my ways, committed, that the executioner bans them but have been partial in the law," Mal. with the sword, noose or fire, for the sake 2:3, 8, 9. of their evil-doing. Or, if one sincerely reYea, dear reader, they have become so pents and returns to God, abolishes the sinful, and have so trafficked with the souls wicked, sinful life, in true fear, and puts on of men, that the just and great God could the new life of true repentance, that they, no longer endure it; he therefore graciously along with the papists, often deprive such inspired some pious hearts with the Spirit j an one of honor, possessions and life, or of his divine knowledge, in his great love, I exile him and thus drive him into the mouth and has discovered unto them the decked, of the gaping lions. babylonian woman, the preachers and their But that they should, according to the churches, with all their fornication, abom- Scriptures, shun the misers, drunkards, forinations and blood-guiltiness, and thus nicators, &c.; that they should neither eat made manifest their inhuman disgrace. nor drink with them, they do not know, And these, on account of their warning, all, since they are, as a general thing, unin unfeigned love, against the deadly, en- changed at heart, earthly-minded and full chanting poison of her cup, by doctrine, of all manner of avarice, pomp, extravalife, example, blood and possessions, by gance and carnalworks. which they seek nothing but the praise of Therefore I say again, they will admonGod and the salvation of their neighbors, ish all their life time, concerning the ban, are called devilish conspirators and here- but never establish it according to the word tics. 0, Lord! O! never heard of blasphe- of God; for how can one avaricious person my! 0 disgrace of all disgrace! shun the other, one drunkard the other and Ah, my reader, my faithful reader, if we one deceiver the other, according to the could reason with them, how soon would it Scriptures, and separate him from the combe shown who are the devilish conspirators munion of the church, while they are altoand heretics! But what does it avail? The gether earthly-minded and without the Scribes and Pharisees sat upon exalted I communion, Spirit and word of the Lord, seats, but Christ had not whereon to lay his as has been heard.

Page  73 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 73 In the fifth place he writes, "The example of the Gellius calls them), in spite of all our faithanabaptists frightens us, who so practice the ban with ful admonitions, assiduity, labor and brothdiscord, hatred and irreconcilable anger one against the erly service other, that it tends more to the destruction than to the edification and gathering of the church, among them." The fact is, the seed did not fall on the Answer. All that I read and see of him, rig kind of soil, but by the wayside, on r ighkt groin andaof gst thonsi, Matt is a benighted vision, wrong judgment, rocky ground and amongst thorns, Matt. wheedling of those of high standing, up- 13: 5. braiding and slandering the pious, excusing I repeat it. We have applied to them perverseness and adulteration of the Script- the faithful service of our brotherly love, ures. from our inmost hearts; admonished and 0, how little does he, as appears, fear entreated them, and have patiently borne God; for here he undertakes to cover up with some for one or two years, still waithis fleeing from the cross and his disobe- ing on their reformation, and in truth dience, by citing the example of others. have not hastily separated them, as he acReader, remember that the word of God cuses us, without all foundation. Since we should teach and govern us; that some re- follow and practice the ordinance of the fractory persons take offense at us, we can- Lord, in this respect, if he feared the Lord, not prevent. We act as the word of God he should reasonably commend our action, has commanded us. because we do rightly, follow the commands All those who once enter into the obedi- of God, at the risk of possessions and life, ence of the word, and afterwards live or and because we act according to the Scriptteach contrary to it, can not be permitted ures, without all respect to persons; and he to continue with us as brethren and sisters, would acknowledge the truth, and confess if they will not hear our admonitions. In that not our example frightens them, but this case, neither greatness nor littleness, the fear of the cross. For if they would riches nor poverty avail. With God justly act and treat with kings, dukes, there is no respect of persons; they must lords and princes, and also with their all bow to the Spirit, word and scepter of drunkards, misers, vain-showers, &c., then Jesus, or else they cannot remain our it would be quite a different thing with brethren. them; this I dare unreservedly say, and Since it is manifest that the Spirit of the could prove it by facts. Lord becomes extinct in such as seek the In the sixth place he writes, "if they think that they broad road,.and are desirous of te fr- do much good by their banning, toward the edification of the church, then let them point out fiom the several hundom of the flesh, of money and possessions; dreds which they have banned, not ten, but only five, and that they offend the pious by their whom they have banned in love, and reformed through light-mindedness or self-conceit, therefore, their brotherly love, or whom they have brought to they should, though reluctantly, be sepa- order and saved by their banning." rated from the intercourse of the godly, when Answer. He seeks all kinds of causes to there are no hopes left of their reformation. blaspheme the word and work of God, that If they take offense at this, because they hate he may give some appearance of reality to to bear this shame, which is visited upon his cross-fleeing and hypocrisy. Inasmuch, them in love, for no other purpose than for as he says that separation tends more to their reformation, and therefore slander and destruction than edification, therefore the upbraid us, as, also the preachers Ido be- reader should know that we daily find, by cause we dare not hear their teaching, and experience, that the following benefits are partake of their sacraments, we cannot help derived from separation, among us: Firstly, this; nor can we prevent that some of them that we thereby obey God's word. Secondbecome Davidists* and Epicurianst (as ly, that we thereby rid the community from false doctrine, discord, and offensiveness, *Davidists are the followers of David George, a sect as has been said. Thirdly, that the disoof quiet mystics in the sixteenth century, who were ac- b nt thereby, daily admonished to cused of very erroneous sentiments. i, tFollowers of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philoso- reflect, repent and return. Fourthly, that pher. —Webster's Royal Octavo Diet. I we thereby testify that we do not consent 46

Page  74 q4 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. to, nor unite with the Munsterites, and oth- j greater obstacle to us in re-establishing the ban, than er rebellious sects. Fifthly, that we thereby the anabaptists, who have caused a disturbance in the admonish all preachers and their chur, edificationrof the church'of Christ, and in its right admonish all preachers and ther churches, course; who have brought the servants into disrepute, that they are without the ordinance and and have, under semblance of truth, drawn many zealword of God, in this respect. Sixthly, that ous hearts from the church (on whom it was to be practhereby the whole world may learn from us ticed) and led them into falsehood." that the advice, doctrine, ordinance and Answer. If I had not learned to know command of God should be maintained and Gellius from his other writings, this excuse obeyed. of his, in regard to the ban, would more Behold, dear reader, these are the fruits than clearly teach me what kind of a man which true separation, daily brings forth, he is. 0, dear Lord? It is nothing but hyby the grace of God. But these, the preach- pocrisy, falsehood and deceit, whatever he ers, alas, do not regards If it were true says! He writes that we obstruct the ban; that few are reformed thereby, as he im- yet, if he would confess the truth, he would be putes, they must still admit that these be- forced to admit, that we do not obstruct him, forementioned results are obtained thereby. but his own unbelief, carnal-mind and his Reader, take notice that however we may cross-fleeing flesh, as said before. act, it is of no avail with the perverse; for He writes that we have disturbed the ediif we had disregarded this means and divine fication of the church, while it is manifest ordinance, as the preachers do, and had that we point out to all the churches of the left every body to follow his own mind, world, by doctrine and life, by the periling from which the great Lord ever preserve us, of possessions and blood, the right way to how loudly would they cry that we were a true worship and ordinance, and that rebels and Arians*. But while we separate they are those who, with all their strength, them, according to the Scriptures, from the disturb the course of the edification of the communion of the church, it is called a de- church of Christ, by their light-minded docstructive means and a hasty ban. Behold, trine, false sacraments, and vain life. thus they seek, on every hand, to destroy He writes that we have brought the sertruth and uphold falsehood. vants into disrepute, because we reprove In the seventh place he writes, "It is better not to t use the ban, than to abuse it, to the destruction of the m, i unfeigned love, and point them by church. doctrine and life to Christ's example, Spirit Answer. If it were true as he asserts, then, and word, while he acknowledges above, still a good thing should not be abandoned that some are more fit to be herders of swine for the sake of some. If the ban is a means than shepherds of the sheep of Christ. of destroying and rupturing the church of He writes that we have, in semblance of Christ, then Christ and the apostles have truth, drawn many zealous hearts from the very much deceived us in this regard, to church, and led them into many errors; have taught us this ordinance, openly, both while the facts show that we do not sepaby word and example, as may be read in rate them from the church but from the the Scriptures. But what does it avail? He world, and that we lead them, by the hand might briefly state his point thus: We do not and help of God, intoeternal truth. separate and ban, for we are, as a general I would further say, Their doctrine has thing, all led by an erroneous spirit, and been preached for over thirty years, in Germembers of the body of anti-christ. many, and there are whole kingdoms, prinIn the eighth place he writes, "None have proved a cipalities and cities where not a single ana* Arians, followers of Arius, a presbyter of the church baptist, as he calls them, is to be found. of Alexandria, about 315, who maintained that the Son Who is it that obstructs the pastors there of God was totally and essentially distinct from the in re-establishing the ban? In all the time Father; that hewas the first and noblest of those beings that they have preached and taught their whom God had created-but inferior to the Father in nature and dignity: also, that the Holy Ghost was not doctrine, they have never yet banned an God, but created by the power of the Son. —Buck's adulterer, drunkard, miser, &c., and exTheol. Die, cluded such an one from the communion of

Page  75 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 75 their churches; notwithstanding he writes where is the christian brother who does not that we obstruct and hinder them. O, dear know his neighbor? If the preachers do Lord! thus are the pious everywhere not know all, on account of their great evil spoken of, although they seek God numbers, still one brother should know the sincerely, and would gladly see a christian other; they should teach, admonish, comchurch, true in doctrine, sacraments, ordi- fort and reprove each other; they should nances and life. seek each other's salvation; for this the In the ninth place he writes, "For two reasons we word and unction of God teach us. could not so soon establish it (he means the ban) as the Reader, observe. He pretends "that they anabaptists did. Firstly, because our gatherings are cannot possibly know all;" and I, who am open and consist of many hundreds, whom we cannot most of the time, keeping myself in retired all know; while their gatherings are secret and consist mt the tim in m in retir of but few. Secondly, because we do not establish places, could point them out in great numsects, as they do, which is a work of the flesh, and be- bers. Let him, once travel through city friended of the devil; but we establish an eternal and country where they boast of the word, church unto Christ, which is beguiled and robbed by and let him take a close observation, and the devil." he will find out how they dare heap one Answer. Above he has partly acknowl- falsehood upon another, and one ungodly edged that many of their hearers are of the act upon another; how they dare swear by world. Here he writes that their gatherings the Lord's sacred flesh, blood, death, wounds consist of many hundreds, and that they and sacrament, and how they are decked gather an abiding church; yet they never with different, vain ornaments. Let him came to the point that they separate their take a view of the taverns, fencing-schools, disciples and church from the world, and the houses of ill-repute, &c., of which there conform to the divine ordinance. The reason is no lack in Germany; let him examine is because they are of the world. the courts of kings and princes; and into But to his writing that their assembly is the ways of the nobility, and I presume he large and kept in public, and that ours is will find thousands doubly deserving of small, I would, with the word of the Lord, separation. But an earthly mind and perreply in this manner, "Wide is the gate, verse heart has, alas, little regard for the and broad is the way, that leadeth to de- ordinance and word of the Lord. struction, and many there be which go Again, to his assertion that they do not in thereat; because strait is the gate, and establish sects, as he says we do, and that narrow is the way which leadeth unto life it is a carnal work, I would reply thus: and few there be that find it," Matt. 7:13, 14. I do sincerely wish that Gellius and all the Yea, my reader, if you attentively read Papists, Lutherans, Zuinglians, Davidists, the Scriptures you will find that the number &c., could appreciate this matter, for it is of the chosen ones ever was small and the written of heresies and heretics, that they number of the unrighteous was always great. shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The pure and true gospel of Jesus Christ, It is a small matter to us to be called herthe true knowledge of eternal truth, never etics by the world; for the children of God, was so appreciated by the world that the in the apostolic times, were also called the true believers can be counted by many same. Notwithstanding, we, in our humilthousands in any country or city. Christ ity, would say this in regard to this matter, Jesus and his eternal truth must ever abide that we point to Christ Jesus, God's eternal with few, in retired places; but anti-christ Wisdom, Truth and Son; for he is the One and his falsehood can go abroad undis- on whom to rely, and we unreservedly refer turbedly and in public, and count his fol- to his doctrine, ordinance and usage. If lowers by thousands. any one under the whole canopy of heaven, Again, by his writing that they cannot can convince us with the infallible truth know all on account of their great numbers, that we are wrong and act contrary to his he testifies that brotherly love is very scarce word, then we will gladly hear it and obey with them; for where is there a christian the truth. pastor who does not know his sheep t and But in case they cannot do so, they must

Page  76 76 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. confess that we are the apostolic christian palities, cities and towns, who is banned, church, and that they are the deceiving, namely, at London, England. I havenever, carnal sects. in all my life time heard of a more ridicuBut that sectarians are raised amonst us, lous assertion. How manifestly does the and not amongst them, is also a strong great Lord turn their wisdom to foolishness proof that we are the church, and that they and their understanding to nothing, 1 Cor. 1. are not. For Paul says, "There must be Yet the blind, ignorant world does not see it. also heresies among you, that they which iReader, reflect, and see if these are not are approved may be made manifest among the mockers of which Peter and Jude prophyou," 1 Cor. 11: 19. John says, "They went esy, 2 Pet. 3: 3; Jude 8. The whole Gerout from us, but they were not of us," 1 John man nation or people, nay, all countries, 2: 19. are so replete with ungodliness, abominaSay, beloved, why should Satan beguile tions and wickedness that we should stand these with heresies, who are already here- dumb-founded. Yea, that the righteous, tics and his adherents But those that turn who fear the Lord, are as scarce as the to the Lord, such he beguiles and seeks to grapes of a vintage which has been dilidevour them, Gen. 3: 15; 1 Pet. 5: 8. gently gleaned, and in which few are left to In the tenth place he writes, If they only said that pluck and use, as the prophet laments, we do not teach the ban, it might insult us and many Mich. 7: 1; and out of so many hundreds teachers and churches, and they might almost be dis- o thousands, he points to one who was graced thereby. But they say that we neither have, nn i i hold to, nor practice it. banned at London, that it may be said that hold to, nor practice it. Answer. In my opinion it would be well they practice the ban, and thus that they for him not to ridicule these things, but to thus may give a semblance to their disobedience. closely observe the word of the Lord. Be- dience. fore God, the literal teaching does not avail;thattheyactso ardlythat but before him, avails action in power and the whole world must see that it is nothing truth. If they should say that this would but hypocrisy, falsehood and deceit. 0, cause a disturbance, then I would ask what Iord, how long will this mockery be endured! But to his writing that if the church kind of protectors and shepherds they are, should lose her name on account of an error if they neglect the will and word of God on account of the disturbance of the world. that then, also, our bodies would lose its Let all the right minded judge this accord- name on account of a blemish or wound, I ing to the Scriptures, Matt. 10. would reply: If this was the only error in ing to the Scriptures, Matt. 10. In the last place he writes, But, admit it to be true their church, ten there would yet be hopes that this failure exists in all of our churches, although of a reformation; but their failures and the contrary is true of many of them, for in the German short-comings are so numerous, that they church in London, England, one is banned; and it is would better be compared to a dead body, not altogether neglected here in Emden. Would the than to a body that has but -one blemish or church on that account lose its name and henceforth, wound as he pretends to say. as they say, be no longer the church of Christ? Then, truly our body, to which the church is likened, would I thnk that n ths istance the cunnine g lose the name of body on account of some blemish or of the fox which destroys God's vineyard wound. (which he, in his writing imputes to us) is Answer. I think this is posuimTs nmeznda- plainly discernable here. For how cuncium spem nostram, to make lies our ningly they flee from one latibulo (hidingrefuge. For he says, the contrary is true place) to another, lest they be caught, may, of many churches; yet he can point to alas, be clearly educed from this frivolous only one, of the many kingdoms, princi- excuse of the ban.

Page  77 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 77 CONCERNING THE CHURCH, AND AN INSTRUCTIVE COMPARISON HOW WE MAY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, AND THE CHURCH OF ANTI-CHRIST. GELLIUS complains that we destroy and will, and for that reason are called the anleave the church of God, and that we are ti-christian community or church, because devilish sects and conspirators; and, on the they, through the spirit and artifices of contrary boasts that they gather an abid- anti-christ, although in semblance of the ing church. Therefore, in my opinion, it word, and in the name of Christ, teach, beis necessary, in the first place, to compare lieve, act, and establish a strange worship, the churches with the requirements of contrary to the Spirit, word, example and the Scriptures, that the pious reader may ordinance of Christ. know the difference, and see which and In the second place, it should be observed what the Church of Christ is, and also what that the church of the pious is from the bethe church of anti-christ is; how long they ginning; yet, it had not always the same orboth have existed; of whom they are; of dinance; nor was it always called by one whom they are brought forth; to what pur- name in the Scriptures. For, before their depose they are begotten; of what disposi- parture from Egypt, they had no particular, tion or nature they both are; what their written law; yet they feared the great and fruits are; and by what signs they may be powerful God, faithfully served Him, offered known, lest he be deceived by the preach- burnt-offerings, and walked in his ways, as ers, and mistake the church of Christ for a may be seen in the case of Abel, Noah, heresy and conspiracy, and the church of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others; they anti-christ for the church of Christ. were, at that time, called God's children. In the first place, it should be taken into Afterwards, Abraham was commanded to consideration, that the community of God, circumcise himselfand his household,and all or the church of Christ, is an assembly of the males after him, on the eighth day after the pious, and a community of the saints, their birth, Gen. 17: 10. About four hunas is represented by the Nicene symbol; dred years after that, Moses gave the law; who, from the beginning have firmly trusted and from that time they were generally and believed in the promised seed of the wo- called the people of God, or the house of man,whichis the promisedProphet,iMessiah, Jacob and Israel. At last Christ Jesus, the Shilo, King, Prince, Emmanuel and Christ; Messiah of all the world appeared, to which who accept his word in sincerity of heart, all the Scriptures point. All those who follow his example, are led by his Spirit, hear him, believe his word and follow him, and who trust in his promise in the Script- are now called christians, or the church of ures, Deut. 18: 18; Gen. 49: 10; Jer. 23: 5; Christ, as heard, Isaiah 58: 2, 4; Jer. 23: 5. 33: 15; Isaiah 7: 14. Although at different times she was under Such are now, generally called christians different ordinances and usages, and, alor the church of Christ, because they are though the church is called by different born of Christ's word by means of faith, by names, as said, yet all, before, under and his Spirit, and are flesh of his flesh and after the law, who, in sincere, true fear of bone of his bone, as the children of Jacob, God, walked, and continue to walk accordon account of their natural birth, were ing to the word and will of God, and trust called the house of Israel, Rom. 9: 7-9. in Christ, are one community, church and On the contrary it should be observed body, and will ever remain so; for they are that the church of anti-christ is a gathering all saved by Christ, accepted of God, and of the ungodly, and a community of the im- gifted with the Spirit of his grace. It should penitent, who reject the aforementioned also be observed that the church of the unseed, Christ, and his word, and oppose his godly, which is the church of anti-christ,

Page  78 X8 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. commenced first with the ungodly, who were unto the Pharisees, " Ye are of your father, inspired with the spirit of the devil, which the devil, and the lusts of your father ye is envious of all good things; and will be will do. He was a murderer from the beunto the end. For the anti-church has gen- ginning, and abode not in the truth, beerally existed, from the beginning, side by cause there is no truth in him. When he side with the christian church, and is the speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for most numerous; and till the deluge, it is he is a liar, and the father of it," John 8: 44. spoken of, in the Scriptures as the "children "He that committeth sin, is of the devil; of men," Gen. 6: 2; John 8: 44. But from the for the devil sinneth from the beginning," flood until the circumcision of Abraham 1 John 3: 8. they are called Gentiles. After the time of Reader, observe. By these words the the circumcision they are called Gentiles or spirit of truth has already judged all liars, uncircumcised, Gen. 17: 11; Rom. 15: 9. blood-shedders, avaricious, perjurers, adulThey did not know the true and living terers, drunkards, pompous, idolators toGod, but they worshipped and served the gether with all the unrighteous that they handiwork of men, wood, stone, silver and are of the devil; that is, that they are the golden gods, besides, dragons, serpents, devil's community. Nevertheless they boast oxen, fire, the sun, moon, &c., until the that they are the church of Christ, as also apostles preached the gospel unto all the the Pharisees boasted that they were Abraworld, and gathered a church unto Christ, ham's seed and children, John 8: 39-44. Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Rom. 10: 17; Col. In the fourth place it should be observed 1: 23, which church has been in the mean- that the church of Christ is begotten of sintime so destroyed by anti-christ, that the cere, pious preachers and christians, who greatest number have degenerated into open are actuated by the Spirit of Christ; and Gentiles and idolaters, although, in appear- who are, as Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jereance they call themselves christians; for miah, Peter, Paul, John, &c., unblamable in they bend their knees to rods and blocks, doctrine and life; who, in pure and faithful and require the assistance of the artificer. love, seek the salvation of their neighbors, Others, and these are the best minded of and who can, in sincerity, say with Paul, them, seek consolation and their salvation "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am in wrought ceremonies, water, bread, wine, of Christ," 1 Cor. 11: 1; who preach the and absolutions; so that we are forced to word in the power of the Spirit; who are say that they are the church of the impeni- shining lights before all men; and who tent, and the church of anti-christ. with all their strength strive with their reIn the third place, it should be observed ceived talent, and may make a great gain that the christian church is of God, as Paul to the treasure of the Lord, Phil. 2: 15; says, "For both he that sanctifieth, and Matt. 5; 16. For it was God's way and will they who are sanctified, are all of one," from the beginning, to proclaimthe doctrine Heb. 2: 11. For as Christ Jesus, who is the of repentance through pious and unblamatrue Savior, is of God, nay, God's only be- ble servants, as has been sufficiently shown gotten and firstborn Son, so also are all above under the head of the "Calling of the those who, in sincerity of heart, believe his Preachers." word, and are actuated by his Spirit. On the other hand it should be observed John says, "But as many as received him, that the church of anti-christ is brought to them gave he power to become the sons forth by faithless preachers, who are actuof God, even to them that believe on his ated by the spirit of anti-christ; who with name; which were born, not of blood, nor Korah, Dathan and Abiram seek the apof the will of the fesh, nor of the will of plause of the people, Num. 16: 2, who with man, but of God," John 1: 12, 13. Balaam seek inordinate gain, Num. 22: 24; Again, " Every one that loveth, is born of and who with the prophets of Jezebel seek God," 1 John 4: 7. On the other hand it choice victuals. Who, with Hananiah flatter should be observed that the church of anti- the people, Jer. 28: 11; who, with the false christ is of the evil one, as the Lord said prophets preach Peace, Ezek. 13: 16; who

Page  79 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 79 are earthly and carnally minded, and seek that Israel inclined their ears to false nothing but world, ease, honor, belly and preachers, Isaiah 30: 9; Jer. 8: 8; 14: 14. gain, Phil. 3: 19; Rom. 16: 17. Christ Jesus, and his holy apostles faithO, reader, how the greatest and highest fully warn in many Scriptures against false esteemed preachers of our day, whose prophets; for they deceive you, says Christ; names have become wide spread, seek the they serve their bellies and not the Lord poor, naked and crucified Christ Jesus, and Christ, says Paul; they promise others libthe souls of men with their gospel, may, erty and are themselves servants of corrupalas, be educed from the accursed, ungodly tion, says Peter. They turn the grace of pomp and splendor about their houses, and God unto lasciviousness, Jude 4, and they from the vain and curious ornaments, chains, are of anti-christ, Matt. 7: 15; 16: 9; 2 Pet. rings, silk and satin, of their women and 2: 19. 0 reader, reflect diligently on what children. Notwithstanding their doctrine I write. is called the evangelical theology, and they, In the sixth place it should be observed the servants of the holy word. that the church of Christ is begotten for the purpose of hearing the Lord, to fear, love, In the fifth place, it should be observed puros that the church of Christ is begotten by the serve, praise, honor and thank God sincereSpirit and wor of Christ. For as an hon- ly, as Moses says, "And now, Israel, what Spirit and word of Christ. For as an hon- doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but orable woman can bring forth no legitimate o the Lord thy God, to wk n all his children but from the seed of her lawful w n 1 1 ^.J *. ^1 *ways, and to love him, and to serve the husband, so, also, the bride of Christ, name- w, d to l him, and to s th Lord thy God with all thy heart and with ly, the church, can bring forth no true chris-y o thy and.' ^ ~^~ 4.,3 * 4. all thy soul; to keep the commandments of tians but from the legitimate seed of Christ, a th sou to ee the o adents that is, from the unadulterated word, rightly the Lord, and his. statutes," Deut. 10: 12.. T. ~~Again, Ye shall walk after the Lord preached through the Holy Spirit, and con- a h or ceived in the heart of the hearers. Paul your God, and fear hm, and keep his comceived i the heart of thehearers.mandments, and obey his voice, and ye says, "In Christ Jesus I have begotten you man s, and bey his voie, and ye through the gospel," 1 Cor. 4: 15; James shallserve him,and cleaveuntohim," Deut. says, "Of his own will begat he us with the 13 4. Petersays,Ye are a chosengenerword of truth," Jas. 1: 18; also read Rom. ation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a 1.0 iPe~t 1 ~peculiar people; that ye should show forth 10; 1 Pet. 1. "I~.'~.'~~ ^the praises of him who hath called you out On the other hand the church of anti- of darkness into his marvelous light," 1 christ is begotten of deceiving doctrine, Peter 2: 9. through the spirit of error. Paul says, Behold, the church of Christ is begotten "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that that his great miracles, his Almighty Majin the latter times some shall depart from esty, his inextinguishable love, and his the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, adorable, high and holy name may be eterand doctrines of devils; speaking lies in nally glorified. hypocrisy," 1 Tim. 4: 1. Yea, reader, what But the church of anti-christ despises, else has the church of Christ abolished, and hates and reviles God, as the prophet says, the church of anti-christ re-established, but They transgress my covenant, as Adam did, the false doctrines of the learned, the many by which they despiseme. Yea, all who reject inconsistent concilions, decrees, statutes, the Lord's will, word, advice, admonition, doctrines and commands of men? What chastening, grace and love, hate him and else blinds the German nation, to-day, and will not be ruled by him They do not his what else retains them in their ungodliness, will, but their own; they say in their hearts: but the lightminded doctrine of the preach- Depart from us, we will know nothing of ers, the ungodly, infant baptism, the un- thy ways; who is this Most High, that scriptural, idolatrous supper, and the neg- we should serve him? Behold, thus they lect of the Lord's ordinance (separation), boldly despise the Almighty, eternal God, as it was practiced by the apostles? who is the Creator, Messiah and Lord of all The prophets on every hand complained the world. May the dear Lord grant them

Page  80 80 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. eyes that they may see their great faults, ably; fraternally teach, admonish, reprove, and hearts to realize them; this is my sin- uphold, and comfort their neighbor; daily cere wish for them, Amen. die unto the flesh and its lusts; conform In the seventh place it should be observed their ways according to the word of the that the church of Christ in her weakness, Lord and continually lament over their beis disposed and minded as Christ; for Paul ing such poor, weak and frail sinners, says, " If any man be in Christ, he is a new Matt. 7: 17. creature," 2 Cor. 5: 17; he is led by the Spirit, They strive to become conformable unto and acknowledges through this Spirit that the death of the Lord that they may arise he abides in God and God in him; he par- from the death of their sins, and that they takes of the divine nature. Yea, dear reader, may attain unto a perfect being in Christ. the true church hates that which Christ hates, Not, my reader, that they have already atand loves that which he loves; for she is his tained or become perfect. By no means; Bride, flesh of his flesh, and "made to drink but they strive, with Paul, to follow after, into one Spirit." Therefore she can not be if that they may apprehend that for which otherwise minded than Christ is minded, for also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus, she is begotten of his word and abides in Phil. 3: 12. him and he in, over, and through her, 1 John On the other hand look at the fruits of 4: 12; John 15: 4-7. the church of anti-christ. Their preachers Compare this with the church of anti- falsely teach, boldly deceive, and live an christ, and you will find that it is of like easy, superfluous life. The magistracy benature as her father of whom she is begot- have as if they were born for no purpose ten, namely, proud, envious, murderous, buttomakewar and tumults; to torture,murfalse, disobedient, self-conceited, earthly der, destroy cities and countries; to make and carnally minded, selfish, avaricious, vain show, drink, carouse, and to live in all bold, proud, pompous, superfluous, impure, manner of lasciviousness, yea, many act so and altogether opposed to Christ. For all that they, alas, would better be called Leones things that Christ prohibits, they do; and rugientes (roaring lions) and lupi yes perthat which he commands, they despise; tini (howling wolves) than humani (human whatever he hates, they love, and whatever beings) and reasonable persons to say nothhe loves, they hate; notwithstanding they ing of christians. boast that they gather an abiding church, The common people drink, carouse, curse, as has been heard, 1 Cor. 8: 6; 1 John 3: swear, grasp, tear, lie, and cheat. In short, 24; 4: 13. He that hath ears let him hear, we find such behavior on every hand, as if and judge whether or not I speak the truth. God was a chimera, and his word a fable. In the eighth place it should be observed Behold, such are the fruits of those who that the church of Christ brings forth the boldly boast that they are the church of fruits of Christ, as he says, "I am the vine, Christ. Oh! would to God that they could ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, see what Christ Jesus, after whom they call and I in him, the same bringeth forth much themselves, and his holy apostles, have fruit," John 15: 5. taught them in plain words, and what exEvery tree bears after its own kind; all ample they left them, that they might yet who are born of God, and partake of the be saved. For as it is they only play with divine nature, fear, love, serve and praise the letter, cry and boast; but, alas, no spirit, God with all their heart; walk unblam- work, power and fruits are apparent.

Page  81 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 81 THE SIGNS BY WHICH BOTH CHURCHES MAY BE KNOWN. ALTHOUGH I think, kind reader, that the j herit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6: 10; Gal. difference between both churches may be 5: 21. fully perceived in the foregoing comparison, The second sign is the right and Scriptuyet I will, for the sake of greater clearness, ral use of the sacraments of Christ, namely, briefly present the following signs by which the baptism of those who, by faith, are born the one church may be known from the of God, sincerely repent, who bury their other, that truth may be the more fully tes- sins in Christ's death, and arise with him tified and manifested. in newness of life; who circumcise the foreThe first sign by which to distinguish the skin of their hearts with the circumcision of church of Christ is the salutary and unadul- Christ, which is done without hands; who terated doctrine of his holy and divine word. put on Christ, and have a clear conscience, God commanded Israel to abide by the doc- Tit. 3: 5; Rom. 5: 4; Col. 3: 11; 1 Pet. 3: 21. trine of the law and not to deviate there Again, the dispensing of the Lord's Holy from, neither to the right hand nor to the Supper to the penitent, who are flesh of left, Deut. 5: 32. Isaiah admonished them Christ's flesh, who seek grace, reconciliato conform themselves to the law and its i tion and the remission of their sins in the testimony, or they would not receive light, merits of the death and blood of the Lord, Isaiah 8: 20. Christ commanded his disci- who walk with their brethren in love, peace pies, saying, " Go ye into all the world, and and unity, who are led by the Spirit of the preach the gospel to every creature," and Lord, into all truth and righteousness, and " teach them to observe all things whatsoever who prove, by their fruits, that they are the I have commanded you." The prophets tes- church and people of Christ. tify on every hand that they spoke the word Where baptism is practiced without the of God, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, command and word of Christ, as those do they say; again, the mouth of the Lord who not only baptize without faith, but also says; again, thus speaketh the Lord God i without reason and consciousness; where who has led you out of the land of Egypt, the power and representation of baptism, and other like testimonies. Paul also says, namely, dying unto sin, the new life, the "But though we, or an angel from heaven, circumcision of the heart, &c., are not only preach any other gospel unto you, than that not upheld, but also quite hated by those which we have preached unto you, let him of mature age; and where the bread and be accursed," Gal. 1: 8. In short, where the wine are dispensed to the avaricious, pompchurch of Christ is, there his word is preach- ous and impenitent; where salvation is ed purely and rightly; but where the church sought in mere elements, words and cereof anti-christ is, there the word of God is monies, and where a life is led contrary to adulterated; there we are pointed to an all love, there is the church of anti-christ; earthly and unclean Christ and to means of this all intelligent persons must admit. salvation which are strange to the Script- For it is manifest that they reject Christ, ures; there we are taught a broad and easy the Son of God, his word and ordinance, way; there the great are flattered, truth and place in its stead their own ordinance perverted into falsehood; there easy things and works, and thus establish an abominaare taught, such as the poor, ignorant peo- tion and idolatry. pie will gladly hear. In short, there they The third sign is obedience to the holy are consoled in their unhappy state, that word, or the pious, christian life which is they may underrate it, and say, "Peace, of God. The Lord says, "Ye shall be holy, peace, when there is no peace," Jer. 8: 11. for I, the Lord your God, am holy," Lev. They promise life to the impenitent, while 19: 1. Christ says, "Ye are the light of the the Scriptures say, that they shall not in- world." Paul says, "Be blameless and 47

Page  82 82 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, I and with the mouth confession is made unto in the midst of a crooked and perverse na- salvation," Rom. 10: 10. tion, among whom ye shine as lights in the But what kind of a church is found, where world," Phil. 2: 15. John says, "He that i they are papistic, when with the papists; saith he abideth in him, ought himself also Lutheran, when with the Lutherans, &c., so to walk, even as he walked," 1 John 2: 6. now build up, and anon demolish and act But how holy the church of anti-christ is, the hypocrite to suit the magistracy, every how her light shines, how unblamably and one may judge who is enlightened by the purely they walk, and how their life con- truth, and taught of the Holy Spirit. forms to Christ's life, may, alas, be educed The sixth sign is the pressing cross of from their words and works, on every hand. Christ, which is taken up for the sake of The fourth sign is the sincere and un- his testimony and word. Christ says unto feigned love of one's neighbor, for Christ his disciples, "Ye shall be hated of all nasays, "By this shall all men know that ye tions for my name's sake," Matt. 24: 9. are my disciples, if ye have love one to an- "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, other," John 13: 35. Yea, reader, wherever shall suffer persecution," 2 Tim. 3: 12. Sisincere, brotherly love is found without rach says, "My son if thou come to serve hypocrisy with its fruits, there we find the the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. church of Christ. John says, "Let us love Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, one another; for love is of God; and every and make not haste in time of trouble. one that loveth is born of God, and know- Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that eth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not thou mayest be increased at thy last end. God; for God is love," 1 John 4: 7, 8. Whatsoever is brought upon thee, take Butwhether the church of anti-christ is not cheerfully, and be patient when thou art there where brotherly love is rejected, where changed to a low estate. For gold is tried they hate, defame, strike and beat each oth- in the fire, a acceptable men in the furer, where every one seeks his own interest, nace of adversity," Eccl. 1: 5. Also read, where they treat each other deceitfully and Matt. 5: 10; 10: 23; 16: 24; Mark 13 13; faithlessly, curse, swear and slander, where Luke 6: 22; John 16: 2; Acts 14: 18; 2 Tim. they defile their neighbors'maidens, daugh- 2; Heb. 11: 37; 12: 2. ters and wives, deprive each other of honor, That this very cross is a sure sign of its possessions and life, commit all manner of being the church of Christ, has been testirecklessness, abominations and malice fied not only in olden times by the Scriptagainst each other, as may, alas, be seen ures, but also by the example of Jes on every hand, all intelligent persons Christ, of the holy apostles and prophets, may judge according to the Scriptures. by the primitive and unadulterated church; and also, by the present pious, faithful chilThe fifth sign is, that the name, will, dren, especially in these our Netherlands. word and ordinance of Christ, are unreserv- On the other hand, the ungodly, heathenedly confessed, in spite of all the cruelty, ish, lying, hating, envying, upbraiding, tyranny, uproar, fire, sword and violence of blaspheming, and the unmerciful apprethe world, and that they are upheld unto hending, exiling, robbing and murdering, the end. Christ says, "Whosoever there- as may be witnessed in different localities, fore shall confess me before men, him will I are plain signs of the church of anticonfess also before my Father which is in christ. For John saw that the Babylonian heaven," Matt. 10: 32. "Whosoever there- "woman was drunken with the blood of the fore shall be ashamed of me, and of my saints, and with the blood of the martyrs words, in this adulterous and sinful gener- of Jesus," Rev. 17: 6. He also saw that to ation, of him also shall the Son of man be the beast which arose from the sea, a mouth ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of was given, speaking great things and blashis Father, with the holy angels," Mark phemy against God and his holy name, 8: 38. Paul, also, says, "For with the and his tabernacle or church, and them that heart man believeth unto righteousness; dwell in heaven. And it was given unto

Page  83 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 83 him to make war with the saints, and to A. By the spirit and doctrine of antiovercome them, Rev. 13: 5, 6, 7. Yea, dear christ. reader, this is the proper way and work of Q. For what purpose do they beget her? the church of anti-christ, To hate, persecute A. That she may despise, forsake and and put to the sword those whom she can- hate God. not enchant with the golden cup of her Q. Of what mind is she abominations. A. Of an earthly, carnal, and devilish O Lord! 0, dear Lord! grant that the mind. wrathful dragon devour not entirely thy Q. What fruits does she bring forth t poor, small number; grant that we, by thy A. Fruits contrary to the gospel. grace, may, in patience, conquer by the sword of thy mouth; and may leave an THE TUE SIGNS BY HIC T C CH abiding seed, which shall keep thy com- C M mandments, preserve thy testimony, and I. By an unadulterated, pure doctrine, which shall eternally praise thy great and Deut. 4; 6; 5; 12; Isaiah 8: 5; Matt. glorious name. Amen, dear Lord, Amen. 28:20; Mark 16: 15; John 8: 52; Gal. 1. Herewith I will abbreviate the doctrine of II. By a scriptural use of the sacramental the churches, and conclude this subject with signs, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16; Rom. the following questions and answers, which, 6: 4; Col. 2: 12; 1 Cor. 12: 13; Tit. 3: 5; I trust, by the grace of God, will enlighten 1 Pet. 3; Matt. 26: 25; Mark 14: 22; the diligent reader considerably. Luke 22: 19; 1 Cor. 11: 22, 23. Quest. What is the church of Christ? III. By obedience to the word, Matt. 7; Ans. A community of saints. Luke 11: 28; John 7: 18; 15: 10; Jas. Q. With whom did she originate? 1: 22. A. With Adam and Eve. IV. By unfeigned, brotherly love, John 13: Q. Of whom is she? 34; Rom. 13:8; 1 Cor. 13: 1; 1 John A. Of God, through Christ. 3: 18; 4: 7, 8. Q. Of what kind of servants is she be- V. An unreserved confession of God and gotten? Christ, Matt. 10: 32; Mark 8: 29; Rom. A. Of those who are unblamable in doc- 10: 9; 1 Tim. 6: 13. trine and life. VI. By oppression and tribulation for the Q. Whereby do they beget her? sake of the Lord's word, Matt. 5: 10; A. By the Spirit and word of God. 10: 39; 16: 24; 24: 9; Luke 6: 28; John Q. For what purpose do they beget her 15: 20; 2 Tim. 2: 9; 3: 12; 1 Pet. 1: 6; A. That she shall serve, thank and praise 3: 14; 4: 13; 5: 10; 1 John 3: 13 God. Q. Of what mind is she THE TRUE SIGNS BY WHICH THE CHURCH OF ANITI-CIIRIST M-IAY BE KNOWNT. A. Of Christ's mind, in weakness.TI- T AY BE KNOW Q. What kind of fruits does she bring I. By a light-minded, easy and false docforth? trine, Matt. 7: 16; 15: 9; 16: 4; Rom. A. Fruits which are conformable to the 16: 26; 1 Tim. 4: 2; 2 Tim. 2: 16, 17. word of God. II. By an unscriptural use of the sacraQ. What is the church of anti-christ? mental signs, as infant baptism and A. A community of the unrighteous. dispensation of the supper to the imQ. With whom did she originate? penitent, 1 Cor. 11: 19, 20. A. With the first ungodly. III. By disobedience to the word, Prov. 1; Q. Of whom is she? Tit. 1: 15, 16; Matt. 7: 26; 25: 26. A. Of the evil one, through anti-christ. IV. By hatred of the brethren, 1 John 3: 15. Q. Of what kind of servants is she be- V. By hypocrisy and denial of the name gotten? of God and Christ, Matt. 10: 33; Mark A. Of such as are blamable in doctrine 8: 38; Luke 9: 26. and life. I VI. By tyranny and persecution against Q. Whereby do they beget her?, the godly, John 15: 20; 16; Rev. 12: 13.

Page  84 84 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. Behold, dear reader, we have here shown and of the church of Galatia, whom Paul reproves on you the foundation of both churches; what account of their abominable sins, still continued to hear they are, of whom they are, and by whom the word of God, and to receive the sacraments from their bishops and pastors." they are begotten; of what mind they are,pastors." they are begotten; of what mind they are, Answer. If Gellius and the preachers what kind of fruits they bring forth, and by Answer. If Gellius and the ehers ^what signs they iay be known. | would conform their doctrine and life to the what signs they may be known. Whoever does not willfully err, to him a Scriptures; would rightly serve out their plain way is hereby pointed out. If you, sacraments, would separate their church then, would be a true member of the church from the world, according to the Scriptures, of Christ, you must be born of the word of th en we might talk of listening to the preachGod; be of a christian mind: bring forth ers. But so long as the preachers remain christian fruits; walk according to his word, deceivers, use their sacraments contrary to ordinance and command; die unto the flesh the word of God, and their disciples are of and the world; lead an unblamable life in the world; so long as they practice neither the fear of God; serve and love your neigh- ban nor punishment as the Scriptures rebors with all your heart; confess the name quire, it is, in my opinion, of no use to say and glory of Christ, and be prepared for all much in regard to this, for it is manifest manner of tribulation, misery and persecu- that they are without Christ and his word. manner of tribulation, misery an preu Reader understand this matter rightly. tion for the sake of the word of God and its Read, undtand this matter rightly. testimony, John 3: 3, 4; 15: 4; 8: 31; 1 Pet. Paul did not bear with the ungodly state of 1i: 23; Phi3. 2: 15; Rom, 8: 154.;3 affairs in the beforementioned churches, as 1' 23; Phil. 2: 15; Rom. 8: 14. But if you refuse this and remain un- the preachers of the present day, do; but changed in your natural state, lead an im- he rebuked them, in severe terms, especialpenitent, easy life, lay aside the word and ly those of Corinth, and pointed the obediordinance of the Lord, act the hypocrite withent to the separation, if they, at his comthe world, and refuse the cross, then you g again, had not reformed themselves 2 cannot be a member of the church of Christ;. 12: 1 or else the word of God must be false and Gellius should, reasonably, also do this fallible; for on every hand the Scriptures and should not console the poor, reckless teach faith, love, the fear of God, repent- people with the idea that other people, in ance, obedience, dying unto the flesh, self- the past, have also sinned; for this is surely denial, a new life, and the cross. Therefore, what Siracl calls, excusing with the examsincerely fear God, deny yourself, search ple of other people; neither can it help his the Scriptures, follow the truth, and take cause; for, in the first place, these churches heed lest you be deceived and eternally lose were rightly built, but afterwards some of your soul for the sake of temporal life and them were misled by false prophets and its enjoyments, Mark 1: 15; 8: 36; John 1: heretics, and led into byways. Some of 3; 13 14; Luke 13: 24; 9: 5; Rom. 6: 8; them, as appears, have again given themCol. 3: 9; Gal. 6: 1; Matt. 16: 25. ^selves to an easy, carnal life, as is generalHaving given a scriptural explanation of ly the case with those who turn their backs the difference between the two churches, I upon the truth, delight in new doctrines, will now turn to Gellius' argument by which discord and disputation, as experience, he would prove their church to be the chris- alas, has sufficiently taught me for these tian, and ours the heretical and conspir- last, several years, Jude 19; 2 Pet. 3: 3. tor's church. This, I trust to be enabled to Paul calls the disturbers at Corinth, conshow by the word of the Lord, so that the tentious and heretics; and those of Galatia impartial reader must clearly see that he he calls deceivers; he desires and commands (Gellius) strives, with all his power, to sup- that they be separated from the church, lest press the salutary and plain word of God, the whole lump be leavened by this leaven, together with his church, and to excuse and 1 Cor. 5:'; Gal. 5: 9. uphold as well as he can the deciving ser- Since the beforementioned churches, being pent and his church. i rightly established, in the first place, and In the first place he writes: "The saints at Corinth being afterwards made contentious by the

Page  85 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. heretics and carnal who arose among them, Spirit, and against the example or usage of were reproved of Paul, because they suffered the holy apostles; notwithstanding they such contentious persons, with their open well know that the institution and comabominations, to remain in the church; how, mand of the Lord does not admit it, yet then, can Gellius make good their cause by they willfully do this. Therefore they can their example, while he and his preachers not be Christ's church and community so never were the true preachers, and their long as they continue to do so; or else the churches never were separated from the express word of God must be fallible and world, and therefore were not the church of false. 0, reader, reflect upon this matter. Christ, as heard? But from his writing that the disciples of In the second place, he writes: Zachariah, Elizabeth, the prophets did not separate them from Joseph, Mary, Simeon and Anna, together with other the church, among whom were the murdersaints, heard the word of God in the church of the Jews, f p I' ^ ^ J, ^. ^ ^ ^ ers of the prophets, I understand him to among whom were the murderers of Christ; and, the disciples of the prophets did not separate the murderers say that their church still remains the church of the prophets from the church." of Christ, notwithstanding numbers of wickAnswer. These words of Gellius show ed and ungodly persons are found among that the Jewish synagogue, although many them, and suffered to remain among them, pious persons were among them, as Zacha- directly contrary to the evangelical Scriptriah, Elizabeth, &c., was not the christian ures and the usage of the apostolic church. or apostolic church, and that they had not 0, no, reader, beware, this cannot be. So the ordinances of Christ and his holy apos- long as the transgressors and willful detles, nor used them; for it can never be spisers are unknown to the church, she is shown that the apostolic church, so long as innocent; but when they are known and she remained the apostolic church, were not excluded, after proper admonition, but persecutors and murderers of the pious, or suffered to remain in the communion of the that she suffered such, as was at that time church, then, in my opinion, she ceases to the case with the Jewish synagogue. There- be the church of Christ. For she transgressfore he answers and judges himself, for he es willfully, and does not abide in the does not claim that their church is the Jew- doctrine of Christ; she despises the word ish synagogue in which such abominations and ordinance of God, because she will not were found, but he claims that they are the bear the cross of Christ to the praise of God christian church, which never thought of and to the service of their neighbors, and, such things, much less practiced them. because she does not want to lose the favor Again, we should not follow the before- of men, and makes herself guilty of the mentioned church in such abominable sins of others, therefore she, according to abuses and sins, but should be thereby ad- John, has not God in power and in truth, monished how we should, according to the 2 John 1: 1; 1 Tim. 5: 22; Deut. 17: 2; Lev. doctrine of Paul, treat such, which ever 19:17; Matt. 18: 15. arise among the pious; and that we should In the third place he writes, "That they are plainly not, on account of such, mistrust the prom- | the church of God and Christ who publicly assemble, ises of the Lo, as if we we not the c h keep the word, accept and preach it; who with open ises of the Lord, as if we were not the church }confession and in the holy, divine name, dispense and of Christ; for we are thereby taught that in partake of the sacraments, and who banish the offensive the church of Christ, which is ever beguiled criminals and obdurate sinners." by her opponents, offenses, blasphemies Answer. If to meet publicly, although in and heresies will arise; that, however, we all manner of vanity, pomp and splendor, should separate such whenever the case re- to preach as the world likes it, to baptize quires it, after proper admonition; whereby infants, to break the bread with the impenshe openly testifies before God and man, itent, feignedly to pray, and exterminate that she is clear of such offenses and de- thieves and murderers with the sword, conceivings. This the worldly church does not l stitutes the church of Christ, then, also, all do; they suffer and retain them as mem- the papists, together with the Arians, monks, bers, against the word and command of I &c., were Christ's church; for they all have God, against the ordinance of the Holy done these things publicly. This is incon

Page  86 86 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. -~-~. v-`.. ~ - ~-..,_....,.~, _._.. trovertible. Oh no, no! But where they meet In the fifth place he writes, "That the churches at in the name of Christ, where the unadulter- Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, &c.; and also the strangers ated word of God is preached, be it in secret ^here and there in Ponto, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and.ated word of o is p itin Bithynia, are called, by Paul and Peter, saints and choor public, where the baptism and Holy Sup- sen. For the church, he writes, is called after the per are served in accordance with the ordi- better part of its members, and is called the church nance of the Lord, where not merely the of God or of Christ, holy, pure, and unblamable." criminals, who are judged by the law of the Answer. Think not, kind reader, that all emperor, but also drunkards, whores and those who lived at Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, adulterers, avaricious and extortioners, are Ponto, Galatia, Cappadocia and Bithynia, excluded from the communion of the pious, are called the church of Christ, of Paul and according to the doctrine and example of Peter, as all those who live in Meissen, the apostles. Behold such is the visible Duringen and the German countries are church which is attested by the Scriptures. called the church of Christ by the preachers. In the fourth place he writes, "That they, invisible to By no means. But they meant the small the eyes of man, which cannot search the heart, but only number, who, begotten by the word of the before the eyes and'judgment of God, are the true divine power, separated themselves from church of Christ and of God, which are found in the the world, and with open confession willvisible church. that is, among the number of the elect; in ts u r C t *,i ^ i. ^ ^~ fT.' ^-i i ingly-placed themselves under Christ and since God, through the preaching of his holy gospel and i a ud in through the use of his holy sacraments, powerfully hs covenant. If I should write, the chosen works in them, and whereby many are again born unto children and saints of God at Antwerp, life everlasting, who are only known to Him who knows Ghent, Leeuwarden, and the strangers in his people, and who searches the hearts of men. These the German countries, here and there, I are the true bride of Christ." are the true bride of C~hrist." would not mean all those that live at those Answer. In part I admit this to be right, places mentioned. By no means. For they however with this understanding; that the also live there, who persecute and trouble visible church, in which the invisible (as he the chosen children of God; but I would calls them) should be included, must be refer to those who confess Christ Jesus, salutary in doctrine, sacraments and ordi- through true faith and are obedient to his nances, and unblamable in life before the holy word. world, so far as man, who is able to judge Behold, reader, if the preachers, in the only that which is visible, can see. same manner, would separate their church Since it is as clear as day that Gellius and from the world, would preach the word of his like preachers are blamable in every God in purity, would use the sacraments in thing, because they adulterate the word of accordance with the Scriptures, and would God, abuse the sacraments, flatter the world, strive with their churches, after a pious and upbraid the pious, do not separate their christian life, then he might truthfully boast church from the world, and none of their that the chosen, which he calls the invisible disciples reprove such open transgressions church, are included in their church, as he and abuses, but every one is satisfied with pretends they are. his doctrines and sacraments, follows and In the sixth place he writes, "If they should say, maintains them; therefore they all act the your church is not believing, holy and unblamable, then ocrite, walk upI would refer them, first, to the Jewish church, from hypocrite, walk upon te brd which we may learn that they, at the time of Elias, Jerthe cross of Christ and lay it upon others. emiah, Daniel and all the prophets, of John the Baptist, Notwithstanding all this, that the invisible of Christ and the apostles, were not all holy; this the church should still be among them, I cannot Scriptures of the prophets and of the apostles sufficientadmit; and for this reason; for I know to a ly teach us. But that they, notwithstanding both peocertainty that it never fails, that where the e and agistrates ere fr themostparticked, were called the church of God and of Christ, and were thus true church of Christ is, there she will be \ true church of Christ is, there she will be called on account of some pious persons, to whom God made manifest among this wicked and per- sent his prophets." verse generation by words and work, for Answer. If the preachers would rightly she can as little be hidden as a city upon a discharge the duties of their office, as Elias, hill, or a candle upon a candle-stick, Mfatt. Jeremiah and the prophets did; and if 5; 14; Phil 2; 15. I some were found in their church who follow

Page  87 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 87 the word of the Lord, as in the time of the Lastly I would say, All the Scriptures, both prophets, then this might help the case of of the Old and New Testaments, on every Gellius. But they are not such as Elias, hand, point us to Christ Jesus, that we shall Jeremiah and Daniel, nor the teachers who hear him, Matt. 17: 5; Mark 9: 7; Deut. 18: are led by the Spirit of Christ; but are such I 15. Whosoever does not hear him, it will be preachers and teachers as were reproved of required of him. Therefore take heed. As I Jeremiah, as may be seen in many of his have said before, although all the pious, Scriptures; such as were destroyed by Elias, from the beginning, were the community, and against whom we are faithfully warned church or body, yet at different periods they of Christ and his apostles not to hear them, have had different doctrines, ordinances and Jer. 8: 14; 23: 27; Matt. 7: 15; John 10: 3. worship. I would further say, Israel was the literal Moses gave the law and Israel had to obey people, and had the promise of the fathers, it, until Christ appeared, who was promison account of their birth after the flesh. ed. We are now directed to his Spirit, word The law was given them that they should and ordinances. If it can be proven to us serve God, and walk according to his com-p serve God, and walk according to his comr- +by his word, that his Spirit suffered drunkmandments; when they transgressed the ards avaricious, pompous, adulterers, baslaw and did not observe that which God phemers, ptyrants and murderers (underhad commanded them, they yet remained stand, such as do not repent), in the commuthe literal people; and God, ever mindful ion of th apostolic churches; and also I nion of the apostolic churches; and also of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac i that his Spirit ordained open eceivers and and Jacob, has awakened his faithful ser- worldly minded persons to be bishops and vants, the prophet, and often sent them to re- pastors, ten I will admit that they are th prove them earnestly, out of the word of the church of Christ; but if they cannot do so, Lord, to point them again to the law, and as it is impossible for them to do, ten the boldly threaten them with punishment for must confess that their church, which is full their sins, Gen. 15: 17, 18; Deut. 5: 32. This of such people-aye full, is not the church is not the case with us at present; for we of Christ, as they boast it to be; but that it are not the literal race, brought forth from is a disorderly, refractory and disobedient the loins of Abraham and Isaac, but are people, nay, that it is the church of antibegotten of the word of God, through the christ, and of the world; and that their preSpirit. If we again forsake this birth which tensions in this respect are nothing but is of God, do not abide in the word of open seduction, falsehood and deceit. ReadChrist, and again enter into the broad way, er, observe, I testify this unto you in Christ; then we do not remain his church and corn- believe it if you will; I write the truth unto munity, 2 John 1: 9. Behold, reader, it be- you ing manifest that Gellius and the preachers In the seventh place he writes, In the second place of his class, together with their churches, I refer them to the church of the Corinthians, whom never were the spiritual people, because they, Paul, in the first place, reproves on account of their as appears, are not born of God in truth dissensions," saying, "I, brethren, could not speak unto but are earthly and carnally minded, live you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal," 1 Cor. 3: 1. according to the lusts of the flesh, did not Answer. Heretofore I have said that this enter in at the right gate, teach an impure church was first rightly taught of Paul, and doctrine, and use strange sacraments, where- won unto Christ; but, being deceived by by no abiding church can be gathered unto philosophers, who despised the doctrine of Christ, as has been heard; and, besides, the cross, and by false apostles, they bethey act altogether contrary to the Spirit, came divided; for which they were reproved word and will of Christ, nay, hate and de- and fraternally instructed of Paul, and adspise them; how then can they be likened in monished to separate the unfaithful and the fall, unto Israel, who were the people carnally minded; for the Scriptures comand church, on account of the patriarchs, mand and instruct us to do this, namely, while this people and church never were the that such should first be admonished, and church of Christ in Spirit, as has been heard? if they do not repent, that they should be

Page  88 88 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. unanimously separated from the commun- save us. Oh I what noble wheat they deion of the church. Judge now, what Gel- stroy I But what does it avail? Satan must lius can substantiate hereby; since he and rebel and murder; for it is his nature and his, never having been separated from the work, as the Scriptures teach, Gen. 3: 4; world, are not the church of Christ. Yea John 8. he, good fellow, does nothing more nor less Some of the other parables, as of the net than that he hereby manifests his cross- in which good and bad fishes are caught; fleeing and open disobedience, and that he of the wise and foolish virgins and their covers up and defends the abominable lamps; of the wedding of the king's son transgressions of his disciples, however and the guests, and of the threshing floor gross they be, with the precedents of others. with wheat and chaff, although the Lord In the eighth place he writes, "In the third place I spoke them in allusion to the church, yet refer them to the parable of Christ, of John the bap- they were not spoken for the purpose that tist, and of Paul. Christ likens the church unto a field the church should knowingly and willfully in which the tares grow with the wheat until the har- accept and suffer open transgressors, runk vest. Again, she is likened unto a net in which both good and bad fish are caught. Again, unto the virgins of whom five were wise and five were foolish. More- CioUS, robbers, gamblers, and usurers, in over, unto a royal wedding, where the good and evil their communion; because, then, Christ and are gathered together, one of whom is found by the Paul would differ in doctrine; for Paul says king, to be without a wedding garment." that we should avoid ad shun such. But Answer. This first parable is explained they were spoken because many intermix by Christ himself, saying, "He that soweth with the christians, in semblance only, and the good seed is the Son of man; The field place themselves under the word and sacrais the world" (understand it rightly, Christ ments, who, in fact, are no christians, but says, It is the world, and not the church, are hypocrites and enemies before their as Gellius claims); "the good seed are the God; and these are likened unto the refuse children of the kingdom; but the tares are fish; unto the foolish virgins who had no the children of the wicked one; the enemy oil in their lamps; unto the guest without that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is a wedding garment, and unto the chaff, the end of the world; and the reapers are which will be cast out by the angels, at the the angels," Matt. 13: 37-39. day of Christ. For they pretend that they Reader, understand it rightly. Christ, fear God and seek Christ; they receive bapthe Son of man, sows his seed (God's word), tism and the Lord's Supper, and outwardly through his Spirit, in the world; all who act in semblance, but, in fact, no faith, rehear, believe and obey it, are called the pentance, true fear and love of God; no children of the kingdom. In the same man- Spirit, power, fruit nor work is found in ner the opponent sows his tares (false doc- them. trine), in the world, and all that hear and But, as to the two kinds of laborers in the follow him are called the children of evil. vineyard, Matt. 2: 28, 29, and as to those Now, both wheat and tares grow together called to the great supper, Luke 14: 16, the in the same field, namely, in the world. reader should know, that they have a differThe husbandman does not want the tares ent meaning and cannot conform to his sento be plucked out before their time, that timents. Whosoever loves truth, may exis, he will not have them destroyed by root- amine them, and judge by the Holy Scripting them up, but wants them left until the ures what their proper meaning is. Again, harvest, lest the wheat be destroyed with as to his citation of the vessels to dishonor, the tares, Matt. 13: 29, 30. I will let Paul's words explain them. He 0, reader, if the preachers rightly under- says, "If a man therefore purge himself stood this parable and feared God, they from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, would not cry so loudly against us, who, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, alas, are every where called tares, heretics and prepared unto every good work," 2 and conspirators, "Down with the heretics;" Tim. 2: 21. oven if we were heretics, from which God Behold, dear reader, here you may ob

Page  89 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 89 serve how miserably he perverts the word God, abuse the sacraments, practice no sepof the Lord, that they may, apparently, be aration, and for the greater part, both teachthe church of Christ, although they know- ers and hearers walk upon perverse ways; ingly and willfully admit open transgress- whether we therefore sin, because in faithful ors to the communion of their church, love we admonish them for their own good, against the Scriptures. But the flaming and in humility show them that they, under eyes of the Lord, which search every thing, such a state of affairs, are not, neither can cannot be blinded by such sophistry. be the church of God, the reader may judge. In the ninth place he writes, " The church, now being We know to a certainty that where there is perplexed by such evils as these which she has to suffer no pure doctrine, no pure sacraments, no unto the day of judgment, as some of these parables im- pious, Christian life, no true, brotherly love, ply; nay, that it never was her lot to be entirely rid o f evil ones and hypocrites, however strictly she used t m confession, that there ban, therefore they are wrong, and grossly sin by con- is no christian church; let them boast ever demning us, and saying that we are false teachers, and SO much. not the church of God, as was the church of the patriarchs, prophets and Moses; and by maliciously and Again, in regard to his complaint, "That wrongfully calling our church, which is founded by our we not only call them, but all the churches faithful service upon the true foundation, according to of the German countries, nay, of the whole the example of all the messengers of God, and which s hristianworld, unbelieving, unholy and condaily increased and built up, upon the chosen corner- demn them the reader should know tat we ^- T.T. i^ ^n ^ i iademn them, the reader should know that we stone, an unbelieving, unholy and blamable church, against all the Scriptures, and thereby not only bring- condemn no one; for he, Jesus Christ, to ing our church into disrepute, but also all the churches whom the Father has given it, will do that. of the German countries, nay of all the christian world, Yet we say, and teach it verbally and by which have and must have a different doctrine from writing, that all those who are not born of their church, which they call holy, pure, unblamable G and his word are not actuated by the and spotless on account of their dreadful ban." Answer. If he should have said that the Spirit of Christ, are not changed into his Answer. If he should have saidl that the. t nature and disposition, however high and church is troubled with such evils, and that disposition, however high and c hurh i fine an appearance and name they may she must suffer them, in such a manner as to mean that the true church must suffer the a I enmity, rebellion, violence and tyranny of king, doctor licentiate, pope nor Luther will avail. All who would be in the church the wicked, and ungodly actions of the per- will ai. w w in te church of Christ must be in Christ must be of his verse, then he would have written the truth. h I *....mind and walk as he walked, or else Christ But since his meaning is, that since the m d, and wal he alkedor else Christ church ever has hypocrites among her num- Jesus, John, Paul and all the Scriptures church ever has hypocrites among her hum- must be false; this is too clear to be denied, ber, that therefore the evil ones, that is, mustbefalse;thisis to leartobedeied, despisrs and transgressors should b John 5: 22; 1 John 2: 6; Rom. 8: 14; Phil. open despisers and transgressors should be. tolerated; therefore he writes contrary to the word of God; for Paul says, "Therefore Since he accuses us that we condemn all put away from among yourselves that the churches of the German countries, and wicked person," that is, separate from the of the whole christian world, as he boasts, communion of your church him who is therefore I would answer with a few plain wicked, 1 Cor. 5: 13. words: If the German churches and the Again, to his writing, "that we grossly beforementioned world were born of God, sin by saying that they are not the church were of Christ's mind, walked as he walked of God," and to his boasting "that they ithen the accusation of Gellius would be build their church upon the corner stone," I right, since we do not acknowledge them to would say that his boasting is false; for be true churches. But as they prove by their light-minded doctrine, false sacra- deeds that they are without Christ, walk ments, reckless life and his indiscreet wri- and act against his word and will; as they ting, alas, prove too plainly, that they do are quite earthly and carnally minded, not build their church upon the true corner- therefore, they are not judged of men, but stone; it being manifest that they, on every of the word of the Lord, for Christ says, hand are at fault, adulterate the word ofI "The word that I have spoken, the same 48

Page  90 90 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. shall judge him in the last day," John his commands, and speaking blasphemies 12: 48. against the Most High, you may reflect Further, by his writing that the said upon, and judge by the Scriptures. O, readchurches have and must have a different er, awaken. Beware, and learn to know doctrine, he judges himself that they are your preachers, and of what spirit they are not the church of Christ. For Christ will, the children. that his church should keep and follow his In the tenth place he writes, "Thus they are given to word, ordinances and commands, whether a wrong understanding, prejudge without knowledge, it be to the joy or to the pain of the flesh. and leave the church frommotives of spiritual pride and Behold dear reader, since it is doubly fancy of righteousness, more than from motives of sinBeholdy^^~~~~ r a 81 d b cere righteousness; they have no other reason to leave plain that the Scriptures teach, both by the church, than that they, according to the manner of words and examples, that open transgress- the Pharisees, would justify themselves by despising ors should be excluded from the communion others." of the church; and since the preachers, who Answer. I fear that it would weary the fear men more than God, and serve their reader to reply to all his false accusations bellies more than the praise of the Lord, minutely. Yet I would say, in regard to neglect this on account of the cross, which this, If I could speak with Gellius before might resultfrom such action, therefore their the public, I have no doubt but many, public actions testify that they are not the through the grace of God, would begin to bride and sheep of Christ; for they do not see that it is not us who have a wrong unhear his voice, neither do they follow his derstanding, but them; that they prejudge doctrines and commands, 2 Thess. 3: 6; us, indiscreetly; remain outside of the John 10: 26. church of Christ, from motives of pride; Again, to his writing thatwe consider our and not only despise us, according to the church holy, pure and unblamable, on ac- manner of the Pharisees, but also often decount of the cruel ban, this is my simple prive us of possessions and life, as may be reply: We do not at all boast but of the witnessed in different localities. But we grace of our God through Christ Jesus. must suffer, bear, and console ourselves Our frailty is great, our stumblings are with the saying, "Blessed are ye, when many, and we feel with Paul, that nothing men shall revile you, and persecute you, good dwells in our flesh. Notwithstanding and shall say all manner of evil against all true members of the church of Christ you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be strive after the unblamable, holy being, exceeding glad; for great is your reward in which is in him; they conform their walk heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets to the word of the Lord; they follow his which were before you," Matt. 5: 11, 12. commands and ordinances; and separate In the eleventh place he writes, "They will probably those who are separated by the Scriptures, say that if we would be the church of Christ, we must which he, alas, calls a fearful ban. 0, Lord. verify the saying of Christ;" "The gates of hell shall O God! Thus the precious word is es- notprevail against it;" and ask where our church has teemed as unworthy by this thoughtless existed, inviolated by the devil, anti-christ and heresies. teemed as unworthy by this thoughtless He further writes, "Since the church, which is not limman. For, by this abominable, unseasoned ited to certain boundaries, but is scattered over the blasphemy, not only we, but also the Son whole world, has this article of faith," "I believe in the of the Almighty and living God, together holy, Christian church, the communion of saints," "and with the Spirit of eternal wisdom, by whom that she will endure unto the end of the world, therethis ban wa s commanded, and also all the fore we are forced to acknowledge, that God, true to his this ban was commanded, and also all the ZD a nd, th pr-imi chc, wo s promise, saves his church, and has always saved her, alapostles and the primitive church, who so though the old serpent, the devil, deceives her by the diligently taught and earnestly practiced it, lusts of the flesh, the pomp of the world and by many are adjudged fools. If the ordinance is sects; and, although she is combatted, persecuted and foolishness, then the Institutor, and all who disturbed, by the potentates of the world, until she, inteach and practice it, must be fools; this attentive to her cause, drowsy in her prayer, indifferent cannot well be denied. to the will of God, and ungrateful for the word of God. cannot well be denied. or, until found apostatical of Christ, so enrages God Observe, reader, if this may not be called that he takes from her the light of his word, and lets hating the word and will of God, despising her fall into weighty errors, and adhere to idolatry,

Page  91 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 91 adultery, whoredom, and other sins and disgraces and iS found, as has been heard, and there is follow after them, so that the church in such case, al- also the promise that the gates of hell will most destroyed and ruined, scarcely is worthy of the not prevail against her. For although she name." Answer. I would beseech the diligent grows as a rose amongst thorns, as he exreader earnestly to observe how the words presses himself, keeps herself amongst of Gellius sound, which I have here cited at wolves, bears and lions, and as a ship cast length. He admits that the church, de- about by wind and waves, she must suffer ceived and enchanted by the devil, the lusts much tribulation, yet she cannot be capof the flesh, the pomp, sects and potentates that is, she cannot be turned fom of the world, has become drowsy, inatten- Christ (understand this to be the true christive, ungrateful, and an apostate of Christ, tian church); for she is built upon a rock, has enraged God, and fallen into all man- M.: ner of wickedness and sins; yet he claims That this is the truth, the Scriptures and that she remains the church of Christ, as if their examples teach us on every hand; and the church was inherited by one generation we also have found it so by facts, within from another, and did not consist in faith, the last few years. For, however fiercely Spirit and power. I would not know what the lions, bears and wolves have roared, poorer excuse he could find. Therefore ob-raved and torn, for the last few years, by serve that which I write, and let it be unto their frightful mandates, apprehending, toryou a certain rule, namely, where the Spirit, turing and murdering; and, although the word, sacraments and life of Christ are waves often roll up to the clouds, yet the word, sacraments and life of Christ are manifested truth remains with the humble found, that there the Nicene article comes manifested truth remains with the humble in, "I believe in the holy christian church, and pious children; and however sharply the communion of saints, &c. On the the thistles and thorns may sting, yet this noble and beautiful rose daily grows, and, other hand, where the Spirit, word, sacra-nobe a beautiful rose dailygrows, and ments and life of Christ are not to be praise be to God, increases in size and found, but where the spirit, doctrine, sacra- strength, whereby it is made manifest unto ments and life of anti-christ are followed, many reasonable persons, that God's promthere, also, is the churc of anti-christ, and ise to the church stands firm, and it is the not the church of Christ, although we might miracle and power of the Most High; for not the church of Christ, although we might nt d no l n ae no p say a thousand times, "I believe in the neither death, nor life, nor angels, norprinholy christian church." For without, or cipalities, nor powers, nor things present, against the Spirit, word, sacraments and nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, life of Christ, there can never be a christian nor any other creature shall be able to sepchurch, however much we may pervert the arate them from the love of God, which is truth. The word stands immutable. "Who- in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rom. 8: 38, 39. soever transgresseth, and abideth not in the Yet this thoughtless man thinks that they e of Christ, hath not God," 2 John, 9. are the true, christian church, and does not doctrine of Cobserve that the beforementioned thistles, In the twelfth place he writes, "Because God, in his thorns, wolves, bears and lions, by which grace, has made an eternal covenant with his church, t,, as y and has promised her that the gates of hell, although the true church has been so much troubled, they may rend and weaken her, shall not thoroughly and still continues to be, are members of prevail against her, therefore he will, at all times, pre- the very church which he claims were and serve a shadow of the evangelical doctrine and of his yet are the true church of Christ. For they, sacraments, upon which the church shall be upheld; and during the last few centuries, have used one he will also preserve some members upon the true foundation, who will grow up amidst the thistles, thorns, sacrameit and, unseparated, were greeted wolves, bears and lions, and deliver them as in a violent as the children of grace, and were admitted hurricane, from the elements, as Noah was saved from and accepted in the communion of these the deluge." churches. Answer. WThere they conform themselves He, besides, also consoles the poor people to the Spirit, word, sacraments, ordinances, that the Lord has, at all times, preserved a commands, prohibitions, usage and exam- shadow of the evangelical doctrine and of pie of Christ, there the holy christian church his sacraments upon which to support his

Page  92 92 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. church; as if God was well pleased with soever transgresseth, and abideth notinthe such a dead shadow of false preaching and doctrine of Christ, hath not God," 2 John of infant baptism; and, as if the church of 1: 9. Christ, the bride of God and of the Lamb, My second proposition, Gellius admits to could be supported by adulterated doctrines be true; for he says, that anti-christ has and unscripturalsacraments. 0, dear Lord! trampled religion and worship under his How long shall such errors yet endure? feet, as heard. Who cannot understand such palpable de- Since, then, that the first proposition can ceit? He must have an extremely obdurate be substantiated by the Scriptures, and the and perverse heart, or he must be a very second is acknowledged by Gellius to be ignorant and blunt man, I think. right, therefore, my conclusion must also be right, namely, that the church to which In the thirteenth place he produces two argumentsi s is n. whereby he means to prove that their church is the gen-he refers, is not the church of Christ. For eral church (as he calls it) wherewith God has so dealt. she does not accept the word of Christ, but a And in the first place writes, "in which church anti- strange gospel; and does not abide in the christ was seated; for, according to the prophecies of pure doctrine of his holy apostles; therePaul, he had placed himself therein and exaltedhimself fore they have not od in power, and are above God; and asserts that it is the true church toCh; which God has given the promise, although she was nt te i s o r o lse dreadfully stained and miserably torn up. In our church sayings must be wrong and false. the anti-christ has been seated, and placed himself as a As regards the first proposition of GelGod, and has exalted himself above all that is of God lius, Paul testifies in plain words, that it is and religion-therefore our church is the true church false, for he says, "That day shall not and temple of God, to which the promise of God is given." "This argument he proves with these words: e t c a f n "The first proposition is true; for Paul calls the church first, and that man of sin be revealed, the in which the anti-christ would place himself, the temple son of perdition," 2 Thess. 2: 3. Here Paul of God; the other is also too clear to be denied, from teaches in tolerably plain words that the the prophecies of Paul and the teachings of experience. falling away of faith would first come as For in the churches which baptize infants, he and allwas also the case here, 2 Thess. 2: 3. the violent tyrants have exercised their power and vio- n tifi th pr lence, and trampled under foot all religion and worship. ine al oenl t e y the Spirit If both propositions now are true, then it follows, also, of God, that the falling away would come that the conclusion is true; and shows the anabaptists, before the day of the Lord, and also shows in what a fearful condition they are, since they have through whom it would come, namely, left us and our church." through the man of sin (son of perdition); Answer. By the side of this I will place my and since it is clearly visible that this son syllogism: Where true religion andworship, of perdition has placed himself in the temas required of the Scriptures, are trampled pie of God, that is, in the hearts of man, or under foot, there is not the church of Christ. rather, in the stead of God in the beforeAnti-christ has, Gellius testifies, trampled mentioned church, and has quite demolished under foot the true religion and worship and destroyed it, and through deceit has required by the Scriptures, in the church of changed it, under the semblance of the name which Gellius speaks; therefore, the before- of Christ, from the doctrine and ordinances mentioned church is not the church of Christ. of God to his own doctrine and ordinances, All Scriptures teach that my first proposi- therefore, I would leave the attentive reader tion is true; for Moses says, "Whosoever i to judge if this church, which is quite dewill not hearken unto my words which he" molished and destroyed by him, can be (meaning Christ) "shall speak in my name, called God's temple. If he judge that it I will require it of him," Dent 18: 19. Christ cannot be so called, then he judges rightly; says, "If ye continue" (mark, "continue"), otherwise many passages of the Scriptures "in my word, then are ye ny disciples in- would be fallible and false; and, as a condeed," John 8: 31. Again, Paul says, "If sequence, God and the devil, Christ and any man preach any other gospel unto you anti-christ must have been seated in one than that ye have received, let him be ac- temple, and reigned in one church. But, if cursed," Gal. 1: 9. John, also, says, "Who- they deny this, then I would again say that

Page  93 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 93 Luther and the learned have done wrong in fallen away, as it was with the Turks; although abombringing about such a disturbance, tribula- inably adulterated and weakened by anti-christ; theretion and misery in the world by their doc- fore, the name of the church remains with our commumiy 3'. 3' I nity and has true members in it." trine and change, since they, according to Gellius, still remained the church of Christ, Answer. If his first proposition was conalthough the anti-christ had quite destroyed sistent and right, then it would also be conand demolished the true religion. Reader, sistent and right to say, The doctrine and reflect upon this, and judge whether I write faith never were entirely fallen away with the truth or not. the Arians, Circumcellians, Munsterians Inhissecondpropositionhejudgeshimself; and other sects; the gospel was not altofor he writes, that anti-christ was seated in gether rejected and profaned, and the sactheir church, which baptizes children; has raments altogether trampled upon by them, placed himself therein as a God; trampled therefore, the name of the church remains under foot the true religion and worship; with them, and true members of the church he also acknowledges, above, under the are found among them. We are, therefore, head of the separation, that the papists are also wrongfully called "devilish heretics, no christians; for he says, "that those who conspirers, and apostate anabaptists," by leave us would sooner become papists than him, for we so highly prize the gospel and christians again." Kind reader, observe the sacraments of our Lord Jesus Christ, closely what I write. Since it is manifest that we daily sacrifice our possessions and that the Roman anti-christ has, for a num- blood for their sake, as may be seen. ber of years, reigned in peace in their If he should say that the beforementioned church; has given them to drink from his sects did not act and teach in accordance cup of abominations; has destroyed the true with the Scriptures, and that they therefore religion, and re-instated his abominations; were not in the communion of the christian and since he himself admits that the papists church; then he judges himself still more are no christians, therefore, it is certain and markedly. For the papistic church to plain that their church was not, as he claims, which he refers, did not do this; if they did the general christian church and temple of rightly act and teach, then he very unjustly God, to which the promise of God was says that they are not christians, as has given. For it cannot be that they can be been heard that he did. the disciples of anti-christ and then yet remain the Christian church and temple. Again, by his writing, " There still reNowconsiderif the pious, whom he calls mains the name of the holy church," he anabaptists, are so much out of way, by openly testifies that his assertion is without renouncing all the anti-christian abomina- all foundation in the Scriptures; for he does renouncing all the anti-christian abomina- ot refer to the unadulterated doctrine, to tions, false, condemned sects and churches; ot refer to the adlterated doctrine, to and, if they place themselves in such a the suty use of t hl sacraments, frightful position, as he sighingly corn- to the pious, unbamable life, which should ever be found in the church of Christ; plains, by humbly submitting themselvesever found hechch Christ; to the only, eternal Messiah, Christ Jesus, as if the name could keep the church in and by placing themselves as an examlplfe I God and could bind it to the promise, withand by placing themselves as an exampleouteSprwrdsaamnfihad of all obedience and virtue, in their weak- out theSpirit, ord, sacraments faith and ess, before all the world. obedience of Christ. No, no, reader, no. " I know," says the First and the Last, His second argument is this: "In and with all church- es which teach the doctrine and faith of Christ Jesus; te blasphemy of them which say they are not altogether fallen away; do not altogether reject are Jews, and are not, but are the synaand profane Christ and his holy gospel and which do gogue of Satan," Rev. 2: 9. If the name not altogether trample upon the use of the holy sacra- alone constituted the true church, then all ments and neglect them, as under the reign of Mahomet, t nts enemies of hristian there still remains the name of the holy church. In i truth, all murderers, perjurers, whoremonand with our church, which has the infant baptism as Itr all murderers, perjurrs an apostolic ordinance, the doctrine and faith of Jesus ger, avaricious, pompous and unrighteous, Christ, as taught by the apostles, never was altogether would be members of the church of Christ,

Page  94 94 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. for they call themselves after the name of not dispute about whether or not there are Christ. This is incontrovertible. some of the chosen one's of God, in the beAs to his second proposition, I would say forementioned churches; for this we, at all in the first place, Since he says that their times, humbly leave to the just and gracious church has infant baptism, as an apostolic judgment of God, hoping there may be ordinance, that he thereby heaps open false- many thousands who are unknown to us, hood upon the holy apostles, the upright, as they were to holy Elias; but our dispute pious testifiers of eternal truth; for he never is, in regard to what kind of Spirit, doctrine, can prove by a single word in the Script- sacraments, ordinances and life, Christ has ures, that they taught or practiced infant commanded us to gather unto him an abidbaptism, as has been sufficiently shown, ing church, and how we should maintain it above. in his ways. Behold, reader, these are his most imporIn the second place I would say, That the tant arguments with which to maintain his church to which he refers, was not only assertion, "that their church is the true one," adulterated and weakened, as he calls it, namely, because they sprang from the pabut has become so estranged from God, that pists, and practice infant baptism. Just she has worshipped, honored and served hear how strangely he writes. In my opinwood, stone, gold, and silver gods, and, ion, he pens all that comes in his mind, if besides bread and wine; as has, alas, been it has but a little semblance, that it may seen these many years, in all the temples tickle the ears of the thoughtless people, and houses of worship, throughout Europe; and console them in their impenitent, easy and, as may yet, daily, be seen in many life. If these adduced assertions of his were kingdoms, cities and towns. Yet, Gellius true, then it could not be otherwise than asserts that their church ever was the church that hitherto the church of Christ must have of Christ. I have never heard more incon- been the church of anti-christ, or that of sistent reasoning. Therefore, dear reader, anti-christ must have been the church of beware, and do not listen to the smooth Christ; also, Christ and anti-christ must talk of the learned, for they deceive you. have both reigned in one church; infant But hearken unto him who says, "I am the baptism must have been called apostolic, light of the world; he that followeth me without the Scriptures, and the mere name shall not walk in darkness, but shall have constitutes the church of Christ; this, by the light of life," John 8: 12, and then you the grace of God, no one can successfully will never be deceived. rebut; let him garble and twist the matter Reader, understand what I mean; we do as adroitly as he pleases. CONCERNING SOME ACCUSATIONS AGAINST US. In the first place Gellius accuses us, saying, "They Answer. Zuingliusformnerlytaughtthatthe (he means us), falsely, adorn and deck themselves with will of God actuated a thief to steal, a murthe sanctity of the church. For, since the Holy Spirit, i. derer to kill, and that their punishment was which sanctifies the church both by the remission of sin, and dying unto the old man with all his lusts, and also also brought about by the will of God; which, by the nullifying of the sins in the flesh, is given in my opinion, is an abomination of abomthrough faith, therefore I cannot see how they can inations. Now, if I conclude that because receive the Holy Spirit, together with true sanctifica- Zuinglius taught so, all preachers teach it, tion, and be the true, holy church, while they so bitterly t would be a rong conclusion Athanacontend among themselves about the divinity of the. Holy Spirit (which, besides other evidence, sufficiently SiUS could not prevent Arius from teaching proves his divinity by the work of sanctification), as that the Holy Spirit was a creature of the well as about many other articles of faith." creature of Christ.

Page  95 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 95 Reader, understand my meaning. I never Answer. We may well sincerely thank have thought that God's Holy and eternal the Most High, that he so manifests unto us Spirit was not God, with God and in God; his paternal grace and great mercy, that yet, he would accuse us, who are not guilty, even our most adroit and acute opponents of denying the sanctification, grace, fruit cannot accuse us but by such puerile, and, and power of the Holy Spirit, because some, for the greater part, false reasoning. If he who have been separated from us, have err- would consult natural honor, not to mened in this respect, and probably still err; tion love and truth, as much as he, alas, although he plainly sees and palpably feels consults bitter and envious feeling, how loth the sanctification and power of the Holy would he be to think that which he now is Spirit in us, namely, that it smothers the not ashamed to publish in writing, indisold man with his lusts, and destroys the sins criminately saying that we resuscitate the of the flesh; something which he calls the old Arian heresy, while he and his like, well sanctification of the Holy Spirit, as has know that such have no part in the combeen heard. Behold, thus he upbraids and munion of our churches, so long as they do accuses the guiltless. Whether this is not not renounce such errors, as heard. the Parisaic, envious and disgraceful spirit, 0 dear Lord, how long will such bitter which explains away the good intentions of and envious accusations and false backChrist and his disciples, and thereby in- bitings continue? Would to God that the flamed the thoughtless populace against magistrates would have a little fear of the them, I will leave to his own reflection. Lord, and consider what they are doing, In the second place he accuses us, saying, "They have and that they would hear and compare the an obdurate faith; one half of which is founded upon different parties, so that they would once the merits of Christ, and the other upon their own learn whom and for what purpose they permerits. For Obbe Philips, who has a great many followers (as he says) does plainly assert that the justifica- secute, and what kind of people and teachtion of man is not brought about by faith alone, but by ers they are whom they daily maintain and faith, love and good works." encourage in their injustice and abominaAnswer. I would humbly ask Gellius this tions, by their violence. question: Does it follow that because Obbe In the fourth place he accuses us, saying, "If they are Philips formerly taught this doctrine, Men- the true, holy church, the spiritual bride of Christ, pure, no and the others also teach it? If he an- holy, andunblamable, then let them prove the unity of the swer in the affirmative, then I would say Spirit, especially concerning the twelve articles of faith, which are the foundation of the church; then the one that he does us an injustice, as, alas, he should not be Mennonite, the other Adam Pastorite, the often does. For our doctrine and publica- third Obbeite, the fourth Dirkite, &c. For although they tions abundantly testify that we aRd the may ban one another as much as they please, it still is church of God are not thus minded, but evidently true that they are all anabaptists and enemies that we seek justification alone in the right- to infant baptism, and thus still continue to conspire eons and cruci-fied Christ Jesus. aud fanaticize against the churches of Christ." ecus and crucified Christ Jesus. BAnswer. I trust that we, by the grace of But if he answer in the negative, then I.11 i J ^ ^ i. ^ 3' J. God, are so wedded to our Lord and Bridewish he would have the kindness and virtue od, are so wedded to our Lord and Bridein him to make a difference and not mix groom, Christ Jesus, that we are prepared e inn nt wih te gi; and I ao to sacrifice our lives for the sake of hearing the nt with the wgulty; and I also th his holy voice. We do not boast of our howish that he would say no more than the. wish that he would say no more than the liness and piety, as Gellius accuses us, but truth; for he writes that the beforemention- of our great wekness. I also trust that we, ed "1 Obbe Philips has a considerable num- of our great weakness. I also trust that we, ed "Obbe Philips has a considerable num-,and I make the assertion who are grains of one loaf, agree in not ber of followers, and I make the assertion that her of follo nd more thean six or n only the twelve articles (as he counts them), that he cannot find more than six or ten.... who hbelive as he does. but in all the articles of the Scriptures, as regeneration, repentance, baptism, Holy In the third place he accuses us, saying, "How can Supper, separation, &c., which we, along they e a holy church who disagree among themselves ith Isaiah Peter and Paul, Isaiah 28: 16 about the head of the church; do not suffer him to be the true God, and thereby resuscitate the old Arian 1 Peter 2: 6; Eph. 2: 20, accept as the only heresy." foundation of the churches, as preached by

Page  96 96 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. Christ's own, blessed mouth, and left and have invited him, while he well knows that taught us in clear and plain words; and I have to endure so much for the sake of not only the twelve articles as he does. my doctrine and faith? It would be reasonNeither are we so divided as he says; for able, if we err in some things, from which Dirk (Dietrich Philip) and we are of the God preserve us, that he should go with me same mind, and I trust, through the grace before the public, vanquish and convince of God, we will ever remain so. But that me of our errors, for God knows that I am Obbe has become a Demas, and that Adam willing to be vanquished if I can be conPastor has separated from us, is not our vinced by stronger Scriptures and more fault. Such things, also, often happened powerful truths; that he might thus receive in the apostolic times. God reclaim them the applause of his fellows (which he, in at his will; they have taken their leave, my opinion, very much strives after), and, and are, alas, no more counted among us, besides save my soul and the souls of many so long as they do not repent. others. His writing "that we still conspire and If he is a true pacher, and a member of contend against the church of Christ," and the true church of Christ, why does he, then, other like bitter and resenting words, show desire us to go before the public, while he that he is so actuated by the spirit of envy, well knows that I could not do so without that he cannot write or speak a discreet the loss of blood and life? I freely offer myand reasonable word about us; but hemust self, if he can show one plain passage in call us fanatics, conspirators, hedge preach- the Scriptures, that the apostles andprophers and sneaks; and he never observes how ets have publicly taught at such places different of opinion, and how divided in where they knew that the people had redoctrine the baptizers of infants are, who solved upon their death, as, alas, they have claim to be the true church; and into how every where resolved upon our death, and, many different sects they are divided. One by the grace of God, we will do the same. party is papistic; the other Lutheran; the I know to a certainty that he can find no third Zuinglian; the fourth Calvinistic, &c.; such examples nor Scriptures in the Bible. and, although they violently quarrel among Yea, dear reader, if he would be straightthemselves, disgrace, condemn and ruin forward in assigning the reason why he each other, as much as they please, yet it ever desires us to go and preach in public, is still evidently true that they baptize their he would confess that he seeks nothing by children, are unfriendly to the baptism his hypocritical and artful pretension, other of Christ, continue to conspire against than to make our cause suspicious with the the truth, and persecute it and the church of people, that his cause shall make a good Christ. 0, reader, that the world would appearance, and that he is very desirous once learn to know who are the fanatics and and thirsty after the blood of the innocent conspirators; then we might hope for the while he, I say, against all reason, love, better, but as it is, it is hidden from their a Scriptures, desres us publicly to proand Scriptures, desires us publicly to proeyes. claim our doctrine, well knowing that in all In the fifth place he accuses us, saying, "If they are the ermany, not a place can be found where holy church, then, let them hearken unto the voice of n a e n e on er Christ; which says that the word of the holy gospel and its this could be done without imprisonment, sacraments should not be preached and dispensed in secret violence, or rebellion. If he, now, were in nooks and corners, but in public." the truth, as he would like to be considered, Answer. If we are not the true church of namely, an upright, unblamable preacher, Christ, but if Gellius and his like are that how loth would he be to think of such gross church, as he pretends, and would yet have disgrace, which he now, alas, dares loudly us publicly proclaim our doctrine, why has proclaim both by speaking and writing. he then twice refused a public discussion David says, "The Lord will abhor the with me, under safe conduct, to which I bloody and deceitful man," Ps. I: C.

Page  97 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 97 In the sixth place he accuses us, saying, "As they himself, acknowledge Christ, both according want to be the true church of Christ, they would do to his divinity and humanity, as the true well to look back to the origin of their church and see an only begotten on of God; and how it agrees with the origin and age of the true church. That their church is not of the origin and times of we dare not teach and believe more nor Adam, Abraham, or David, is proven by their wrong otherwise than the word of the Lord teaches opinion and abominable error in regard to the incarna- US of him. I would therefore beseech all tion of Christ, whereby they make him neither God nor readers and hearers to consider well the man, and rob us of our Messiah. Also, above, under the following brief answers and references. I head of the Calling, he writes, It is an abominable fruit, that they have resuscitated, and again introduced into God, will be the world such a disgraceful error in regard to the in- able to explain the matter so clearly in a carnation of Christ. For if Christ was not of our flesh few words, that the reader will plainly see (of which he was not, unless he received it from the wo- that they not only rob us of Christ, the docman), then the law was not fulfilled in our flesh; then the trine, sacraments, Spirit, life, ordinances righteousness of God is not yet acquitted, which with- and usage of our Savior, but also rob him out the ransom would not leave us unpunished. of his most holy origin, glory, honor and Answer. The learned ever slander us and person; and, that they, by their deceiving complain because we, with the angel Ga-comments and reasoning, render Christ a divided, impure and inconsistent Christ, briel, Luke 1: 32; with John the Baptist, consi t Christ, briel, Luke 1' 3; with John the Baptis, both according to nature and the Scriptures. John 1: 15-36; with Peter, Matt. 16: 16; Whosoever has ears to hear let him hear, with Martha, John 11: 27; with the apostles, and whosoever has a mind to understand Matt. 14: 33, and with the eternal Father let him understand. THE CONFESSION OF THE LEARNED CONCERNING CHRIST. The Confession of the Learned concerniug:hrist, is, lowing weighty and intolerable improprie"That the eternal word, the second person fithe God- ties and abominable errors resultfromtheir head (these are their words), the eternal Son of God, has taken unto himself the nature of our flesh. Yea, that as ear day. the whole man, Christ, who was sacrificed, and who died First, A divided Christ; of which one for us, is the natural seed of the woman, of Abraham, half must have been heavenly and the other and of David. Theseedof the woman (they say) accord- earthly; as some, even dare boldly assert ing to the ordinance of God, Gen. 3, with which seed, that the person of Christ consisted of two namely, Mary's flesh and blood, the beforementioned principal parts, namely, God and man. divine person, the eternal Word and eternal Son, has united himself; and thus became one person and Christ. Secondly, An impure and sinful Christ, Or that the whole person, Christ Jesus, with body and for the defense says: Christumz non alterius soul, is the natural fruit of the flesh and blood of Mary, ll carnis particiem factum esse, uana in which the eternal Word dwelt. The man, Christ Jesus, died, but the Word remains whole and intact." quae and peccato (ut tentaretur) and morti Answer. It seems very strange to me sirnul obnoxia esset, &c., that is, Christ parthat the learned never cease to upbraid us took of no other flesh but of sin, that he by their indiscreet words, and cause us might be tempted and subject to death. At more and more tribulation, by the blood- another place the defense says, in regard to thirsty; we, who have plainly and incontro- C S s vertibly on our side, the firm and immuta- in Patis judicio conemntu? tht ble foundation of the holy apostles and cat nPatrisju o cnd at that prophets, nay, also the blessed word and is, If Christ is holy, why is he then judged testimony of Christ; while they have neither in the judgment of the Father because of common reason nor the Scriptures on their sins this agrees perfectly with the writing side, as may be seen. For, that all the fol- of Gellius; that the righteousness of God 49

Page  98 98 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. would not leave us unpunished, without the the first is the Son of God without a mother; ransom. the second, the son of Mary, without a faReader, observe, How could they speak ther; in which son of Mary, the Son of God more blasphemously of the most holy man- should have been embodied, and thus have hood of Christ, nay, of the Son of the Al- been united, as they claim. Just behold mighty and eternal God, than they thereby what a monstrosity they produce! do? For if Christ was flesh of our sinful Fifthly, The person, Christ Jesus, then and death-guilty flesh, and if he was thus was neither the first nor only begotten Son, tempted of his own flesh, then the sin, of but the third son of God in order, who was which he was tempted, must have dwelt in not born, but created of God; and would his flesh, and then he died for the sake of be, as Pomer says, the accepted son of God, duty, and not for the sake of grace; this is Quod & Bonosianorumn five iionosolitarum too clear to be refuted. Nor could it be hceresis est. I say He would be the third otherwise, if we assert that Christ's flesh in order. For the first is the Word; the secwas of Adam's sinful flesh. ond, the first Adam, Luke 3: 38, and the Again, If his holy, precious flesh was third, the man of Mary's flesh, who should such a ransom as Gellius claims, howcould have been accepted as a son of God, as the righteousness of God be fulfilled and heard. acquitted thereby, according to the holy Sixthly, Then we are not redeemed and will of God? If this may not be rightly delivered through God's first and only becalled, preaching an impure and sinful gotten Son, but through Mary's son, creChrist, and robbing our most holy Savior ated of Adam's impure and sinful flesh, as and Messiah (something of which they ac- also the defense and his followers dare ascuse us), I will leave all right-minded and sert, in the face of all the Scriptures, sayreasonable people to reflect upon in a script- ing, that the nature imbodied in the loins ural light. of Adam, which committed the transgresThirdly, Two persons in Christ, namely, sion also, according to the righteousness of the one the second person in the Godhead, God will requite and remit the same. and the other the man of Mary's flesh, in Seventhly, If we are thus delivered through which human person the divine person Adam's.4esh, as they claim, then we should dwelt. Which error is not alone contro- not only give thanks to the Father for his verted by us, but also by Luther, saying, Word, but also to Adam's flesh, through "Beware, beware (I say) of the Alleosi; it which our deliverance is caused; this, all is the devil's mask; for it will ultimately right-minded persons must admit. establish such a Christ as I would not be Eighthly, If the man Christ was a creatcalled after; namely, that Christ henceforth ure of Adam's flesh, and we were delivered is no more, and that his suffering avails no through him, as the learned claim; and more than the suffering of a common saint. since God speaks through the prophet, That For, if I should believe that alone human he will not give his glory to another, Isaiah feeling suffered for me, then that Christ 48: 11; and since it is manifest that we would be a poor Savior; he would stand in should honor our Redeemer, Christ, no less need of a Savior himself. In short, it is un- than we honor the Father, therefore it must speakable what the devil seeks and intends follow that God either did not speak truly by this Alleosi. We say, God is man and through his prophets, or else they were man is God; we cry against them that they all idolaters because they gave divine homdivide the person of Christ, as if it were age to a creature of Adam's flesh; sometwo persons." thing which is so strictly forbidden in the For, if the Alleosi shall stand, as Zuingli Scriptures, and which often was severely teaches it, Christ must be two persons, one punished of God. Behold, reader, such an divine, the other human. This he says, inconsistent, impure and divided Christ he "Reader, observe, to what kind of Christ is to which the learned point and teach you they teach and point us. by their sophistry and garbled Scriptures Fourthly, Two sons in Christ; of which A christ composed of two persons and two

Page  99 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 99 sons; of which one person and son should sins, for he knew not sin, but for our sins, have dwelt in the other; and of which one he was innocently condemned to death, person and son should have suffered and nailed to the cross, died, buried, arose, the other not; and the one that suffered and ascended to his Father in heaven, where should have been the son of Mary and not he dwelt before; and there he is our only of God. I think this may well be called for- and eternal Mediator, Advocate, Intercessaking the Lord who has bought them, and sor, Expiator and High Priest, with God, preaching a strange christ whom the Script- his Father, Mark 16; Acts 1; John 6; 16; ures never knew. and thus the Almighty and eternal God, 0, reader, dear reader, how lamentably our merciful, heavenly Father, alone rethe deceitfulness of the old serpent robs us, ceives the honor and praises, through this through the reasoning of the learned, of his Christ, our eternal Messiah, his first this noble, exalted and precious Messiah, and only begotten Son and eternal word; and points us to an impure, sinful, earthly and not through the impure and sinful flesh and created being; never minding that the of Adam, as the learned teach. Holy Spirit openly testifies that the Word Observe, reader, which of these confessions of God was made flesh, John 1, and that is the most powerful and has the strongest this same incarnated Word is our Emman- foundation in the Scriptures; and in which uel, and our God, Matt. 1: 25; the Lord of the two the greater love of God, and higher who justifies us, Jer. 23; the first and only honor to Christ is perceptible. Whether begotten, John 1; God's own Son, Rom. 8; God had taken a man of the seed or flesh descended from heaven, John 3: 13; the liv- of Adam, as the learned teach, or whether ing bread from heaven which was not his he had given his eternal word, power, wisinvisible godhead, as the learned say, but dom, nay, the heart of his own body, (to his visible flesh, as he himself testifies, John make a common expression), in death, for 6: 51; come forth from God, John 16: 30; us, as all the Scriptures teach us that he did. the first and last, Rev. 1: 11; who humbled O what an inestimable word is this, " God himself and did not assume the form of a Iso loved the world that he gave his only great emperor or king, but of an humble begotten Son, &c., John 3:16. Again,"In this servant; came down to the level of man; was manifested the love of God towards us, assumed the form of man; obeyed his Fa- because that God sent his only begotten Son ther unto death, nay, unto the death of the into the world," and again, "Herein is love, cross; truly God and man, man and God. not that we loved God, but that he loved us, God at all times, of God and in God; God's and sent his Son to be the propitiation for eternal word, who, in due time, according our sins," 1 John 4: 9, 10. Mark, he has sent to the promise made to the patriarchs, be- his Son and not a man of the seed of Adam came a miserable, suffering and mortal who had no father. Paul says, "He spared man in Mary, the pure virgin, who was of not his own Son," Rom. 8: 32, and other the seed of Abraham, and married to a man explicit sayings. of the house of David, named Joseph (upon [I Here, in the original works of Menno Simon, which Joseph, the evangelists base their follows a brief argument, in reference to the incarnation enealogy); not divid.e', as the learned of our Lord, which the publishers have deemed proper genealogy); not divided, as e learne to omit, for the reason that they felt that the book teach, but an undivided, only Christ and i would be more edifying to the general reader without it.] Son of God; pure and spotless; planted in In the seventh place, he accuses us, saying, "That, her of the seed and Word of his Father, by secondly, their church has not existed since the time of the HIoly Spirit of God; conceived of her Abraham; and that she is, therefore, not the true church, through faith; fed and nourished in her virgin throutghfaith; fed and nourishedinher'virgin is clearly visible from the fact that they, in disobedience to the will of God, refuse the seal of the eternal body and in due time became man, as Isaac I y d i d t b m a covenant to the children of the church, which has, since was brought forth of Sarah, and John of Elis- the time of Abraham, been practiced and maintained in abeth; born of her according to the promise; the churches." obedient to the law; a light to the world; a Answer. Abraham was commanded of preacher of grace; an example of righteous- God that he should leave the land of his ness; and at last, not on account of his own \ fathers, and of his kinsmen, and that he

Page  100 100 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. should leave his father's house, and remove sides has given us such a fruit through his to a land which the Lord would show him. Spirit, that we dare not willfully and knowAbraham believed in the Lord, and departed ingly deviate one hair's breadth from his as the Lord had commanded him, Gen. holy word, ordinance and command, as is 12: 4-6. testified and shown by our tribulation, misAgain, the Lord commanded him that he ery and deprivation, to the whole world, should offer Isaac, whom he loved, his only yet, alas, according to the judgment of Gelbegotten of the free woman, as a burnt of- lius, and of the learned, we are not the befering. Abraham believed in God; he was lieving church, nor the disciples of Christ, obedient, and prepared to do whatever God as may be seen by their writings. commanded, Gen. 22; Rom. 8: 32. Behold, thus the righteous judgment of In the same manner he was commanded the Almighty and great God is passed upon to circumcise himself, his son Ishmael the wise and learned of this world, that the (Isaac was not yet born) and every man clear and plain signs, by which the true child of his household, and all the males disciples and church of Christ may, and after him, at the eighth day after their must be known, are esteemed an abominabirth. Abraham believed in God, and did tion and error-that they who have reas the Lord commanded him. ceived light from above, through grace, are Behold, thus Abraham believed in the not accounted christians, by them as has Lord; and he counted it to him for right- been related. eousness, Gen. 15: 6; Rom. 4: 3. In the In the eighth place he accuses us, and says, "They same manner God has spoken unto us in must admit that their church has existed but sixteen or the New Testament, not only by angels and seventeen years, that is, since the time Menno Simon prophets, as he did unto Abraham and the commenced preaching. For they do not want to be patriarchs, but also by his Son, which Son counted at all, of the Munsterites, Amsterdamites, and has thus commanded, namely, That the gos- Oude Kloosterites, among whom Menno lost a brother, pel should be preached to all the world; to lest they be called seditious or the seed of sedition." the Gentiles as well as to the Jews; and Answer. We point to Christ Jesus our whosoever believes it should be bap- only and eternal Prophet and Messiah, sent tized, Mark 16; even as it was commanded of the Father, who is the only true CornerAbraham to circumcise all males, Gen. stone in Zion, the true Teacher, Law-giver, 17: 10 —13. Commander, Intercessor and Head of his This command we have received from the church, together with all his angels, aposmouth of Christ, therefore we believe in it, ties and prophets, through whom he, in even as Abraham believed in his time. We former times, spoke, and also his Spirit, believe it, I say, and do accordingly; we word, ordinances, commands, prohibitions, teach those of understanding minds, and usage and example-and if Gellius, or any baptize those that believe, not in disobedi- other person under the canopy of heaven, ence, as Gellius says, but in obedience to be he learned or not, can convince us by the clear, plain and express ordinance and divine truth that we teach or maintain any command of Christ, God's own Son. thing contrary to his word and ordinances, Dear reader, observe. The Lord, Christ, then I, for myself, sincerely desire to corthanked his Father, and said, "This is life rect the wrong, and to follow that which is eternal, that they might know thee, the only right. This he knows who has purchased true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast me; for I want to be saved. But if they can sent," John 17: 3. At another place he not do this by the truth, but only in apsays, "If ye continue in my word, then are pearance of truth, and thus blaspheme it, ye my disciples indeed." Mark, he says, as all the perverse do, and have to leave "If ye continue," John 8: 31. And, while our testimony unbroken, then it is suffithe merciful and affectionate Father,through ciently proven that our hated, despised, his great kindness, has discovered unto us and small church is the true, prophetic, the glorious knowledge, and the wonderful, apostolic, and christian church, which was deep mystery of his beloved Son, and, be- begun with the first righteous who walked

Page  101 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 101 according to the will of God; and not with preachers, priests, monks and all the world me, as Gellius, alas, maliciously says. do. I presume that I have merited this Secondly, I would say, since he has accused cruel allusion by nothing less than by my us, at different times, of the errors and se- faithful love, because I have, in sincerity of dition of the Munsterites, of which we are heart, pointed him and all the preachers to clear and ever have been, before God and the divine truth of the word, and because I man, therefore, I would beseech him to take have admonished them to their own wella view of his own infant baptist church, of being. And how this allusion, which canwhich he is a teacher and head, and see not have been made but in envy, agrees Ihow abominably they have, for years, re- with honorableness, and with the fear of'belled amongst each other; how they have God, all reasonable readers may judge by afflicted countries and nations with their ac- the Scriptures and the common rules of cursed, ungodly wars, and have given the decency. May the kind Lord grant that he blood of innumerable human beings, togeth- may rightly learn the heart from which this #er with their poor souls, to the prince of unmerited allusion comes, that he may hell, and have placed them as an offering purge it and sincerely repent; this is my upon his altar; of which, alas, the learned, revenge and punishment which I invoke on by their seditious writings, together with him. the priests, monks, and preachers, were the In the ninth place he accuses us, and says, "That we principal cause, which is as clear as day to cannot prove that infant baptism is an anti-christian many reasonable persons. abomination; nor show from the anti-christian ordima dy Iwould say, that innance who was the institutor thereof. It can also be Thirdly, I would say, that in my opinion, proven, he says, that infant baptism was practiced ever lie here so indiscreetly alludes to the error since the apostolic times; long before the violence of of my poor brother, for one of these two anti-christ, which was yet unknown, or, at least, very -reasons: Either, that he thereby would make weak, at the time of Augustine." me suspicioned with the reader, that I, for- Answer. We teach and practice such a merly, also was of the same feeling with baptism as was commanded by Jesus Christ, -my brother, or, that he would thereby in- God's own Son; as was taught by his faithjure my reputation. For my brother is no ful witnesses, the apostles, in clear and exlonger subject to the punishment of man plicit terms, and as was transmitted to us which he once suffered in the flesh, but by their practice; which is the baptism of alone to the judgment of God. It seems the believing, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; that Gellius can not master this envy and. Acts 2: 38; 8: 36; 10: 48; 16: 33; 19: 5; bitterness of his heart; for nobody can be Rom. 6: 3; Col. 2: 12; 1 Cor. 12: 13; Tit. corrected or taught righteousness by such a 3: 5; 1 Pet. 3: 21. Whosoever, now, will course. teach and practice any other baptism, must If he did so for the first reason, namely, show by the Scriptures where it is commandto make me suspicioned, then all those who ed. But if they can not do this, as is imformerly heard me, when yet of the papal possible to do, then it is already proven church, and all who have ever heard me that it is not Christ's baptism, but that of until this hour, and also my published writ- anti-christ, however finely it may be ornaings, will be my testimony, that he wrong- mented with learned words; this is too clear fully suspicions me; for I never thought of to be denied. such a thing, much less taught it. But, as to his assertion, that the violence But, if he did so for the second reason, of anti-christ was yet unknown at the time namely, to blemish my reputation, then he of Augustine, or that it was at least feeble, should know that I and mine, I trust, never is too absurd to admit of an answer. Whoharmed him nor his in the least; and also, ever will, may read history, and he will that my poor brother, to whom he so cruelly find in great clearness, that anti-christ was, alludes, did no greater wrong than that he at the time of Augustine, in full honor and erroneously, alas, defended his faith by that he reigned with his doctrine, in the force of arms, and retaliated the violence hearts of men. committed against him, as all the learned, In the tenth place he accuses us, and says, "If they

Page  102 102 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. were the true messengers of God, who are to purge and by writing, to all the hungry hearts, at the deliver the church of Christ from such abominable, peril of life and possessions. anti-christian errors, they should not be a separated sect; for the prophets, and all the faithful servants of Lastly, I would say, Since he calls us an God, by whom God has often purged his church, did not excluded sect, because we do not unite separate themselves from the church and establish a with them, why have he and his followers church of their own, but they remained with the church seceded from the Papistic and Lutheran and bestowed their faithful labor upon the church, at churches If he answer: Because of their abominations. Then I would again say, Answer. Whatever Gellius does, it seems that we do it for the same reason. For they that he must slander. I say again, take forsake the Son of the true and living God, Christ Jesus and all his prophets, apostles, and point us to an earthly creature of the Spirit, word, ordinance and life, and if he unclean and sinful flesh of Adam as being can thereby convince us, that in any article our Savior; besides, they do not follow the we are at fault and contrary to their teach- command and ordinance of God in regard ing (his slandering amounts to nothing), or to baptism, Holy Supper, and separation. that we do not conform thereto, or, that, in We will never, at any risk, desire to be of our weakness, we do not agree therewith- one church with those who seek their reconI will give up that we are a separated sect. ciliation and salvation in the sinful flesh of But if he can not do so, as it is impossible Adam, who reject God's testimony of his for him, and yet calls us a separated sect, he Son and his ordinance; but we desire to be shows thereby that he is no better judge of of one church and body with those who the church of Christ, than Tertullus was give the praise to God through his word; when before Felix, and the Jews at Rome, with those who confess the whole Christ as before Paul. the only, and first begotten Son of God, and who abide unchangeably in his holy ordiI would further say, that if he can prove nances, example, Spirit and word. Let to us that the faithful prophets intermingled those of understanding minds understand with the worshippers of the calf of Jero- that which the word of the Lord teaches, beam; with the servants of Baal, and the John 10. abominations of Israel, which they so zeal- In the eleventh place lie accuses us, saying, "From ously reproved; and remained united with this it follows that the calling of their doctrine is those who disobeyed the law; and, also, wrong, and that their whole church, service, and walk, that the holy apostles admitted the Phari- cannot aid to salvation, but can only lead to the corsees and Scribes, together with other refrac- ruption and destruction of the true churches; and there*. X. r * I * fore they do not suffer as innocent and harmless christory persons, in the communion of their tory persons, in the communion of their tians, but as busy-bodies in other men's matter (he rechurches-then we admit that he has a good fers to 1 Pet. 4), except that they want to suffer for cause to reprove us, and to write as he does. such a cause of which they must be doubtful themselves, If they did not do so, (and they have not), and for which no martyr ever suffered." but, on the contrary, reproved, by the power Answer. As the Spirit of Christ, and of of the Spirit, the abominations that crept in unfeigned love, accepts all good and godly from time to time, according to the pure word actions as right and godly, so, also, the and ordinance of God, at the peril of their spirit of anti-christ, and of bitter envy exlives, then he must admit, that he accuses us plains every thing that is right and godly, without cause, since we do not otherwise than as wrong and ungodly. For it is testified to according to the example of the holy apos- with possessions and life that we dare not ties and prophets, reprove all false doctrine, willfully and knowingly deviate one hair's unrighteousness and abominations with the breadth from the word and example of the pure, apostolic teaching, Spirit, ordinance, Lord, but judge every thing according to and word of our Lord Jesus Christ (without the doctrines and usages of the apostles, so which no true church of Christ can exist); far as the Lord gives grace. We, in our avoid that which is wrong, and, faithfully, weakness, would gladly conform our lives in love and purity, teach and promulgate to the requirements of the Scriptures, the salutary, christian truth, verbally and and gladly seek the praise of God and the

Page  103 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 103 salvation of our neighbors, at the peril of are the church and Israel, is false, since they stain the possessions and life. Notwithstanding true church of Christ by many errors which they daily this, he dares write that the calling of our produce and bring forward as from the abyss of hell; destroy the true sheep of Christ; unreasonably adorn doctrine IS wrong, that our walk and ac- themselves with the sanctity of the church; cause strife tions are not conducive to salvation; that and dissension concerning the articles of faith; are we cause all manner of corruption and dis- carnal, sneak about and preach in secret, and do not order, and that we do not suffer as agree with the elders of the churches, as said before." christians, but as evil-doers, who are busy- Answer. If the spirit of truth had been bodies in other men's matters. Behold, thus the writer in this case, the game would have, all good offices of the godly, are ever ex- doubtlessly, been reversed, and this accusaplained to the reverse. tion laid on our opponents; for they still 0, reader, beloved reader, that the poor, maintain and uphold some gross errors ignorant world would sincefely accept this, which were formerly brought forward by our despised doctrine, which is not of us anti-christ from the abyss of hell (to use his but of Christ, and that they would faithful- own expression), both by doctrine and ly obey it; for then they might change their force; and thereby cause the godly much deadly swords into plow shares and their affliction and tribulation, cause many a spears into pruning hooks; they would pious child to be deprived of possessions level their gates and walls, dismiss their and life, adulterate truth, preach falsehood, executioners and hangmen, for all those are carnally minded, and in fact deny that who accept our doctrine, in its power, by the man, Christ Jesus, is God's only and the grace of God, will not desire to injure first begotten Son, while we, with our small, any one upon earth, not even their most despised number shun and forsake all the bitter enemies, much less wrong or harm anti-christian abominations and errors, them by works and actions; for they are build up the church of Christ and again the children of the Most High, who sincere- place it upon the true foundation, again ly loves all that is good, and, in their weak- publish and proclaim the clear and plain ness, avoid that which is evil, nay, hate it truth, to many, both verbally and by writand are inimical thereto. Yet we must ing, at the peril of life and the displeasure hear that we suffer for the sake of wrong- of the world, confess the whole Christ, as doing, as has been heard. the true, only and first begotten Son of God, But in regard to his assertion "that we as did the angel to Mary, John the Baptist, suffer for a cause of which we must be doubt- Peter, Martha, and the Father from high ful ourselves, and for which no martyr ever heavens himself, and rightly use his ordisuffered," he should know that if we at all nances of baptism, Supper and separation, doubted our faith, we would not so deeply as all those did from the beginning who impress the seal with our possessions and rightly knew God, and acted according to blood, as we do; for a house built upon his will. the sand cannot withstand such torrents of Behold, reader, these are the most imporwater and wind-storms as visit us daily, tant accusations charged against us by Matt. 7: 25. him; and that they, for the most part are Neither do we suffer on account of an un- artful fabrications, false explanations, false certain cause as he says, but for the sake suspicions, false accusations and partial of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; for charges, whereby he obstructs the course of the sake of his holy, precious word and or- divine truth, maintains falsehood, insults dinances; for the sake of the sincere con- the godly, and consoles the impenitent in fession of God and Christ; for the sake of their easy life, is fully proven in this our obedience to the Scriptures, for the sake of replication. which all have suffered, from the beginning, In the last place he writes of us, saying, "Experience who have rightly suffered according to the fully teaches that their teachers and prophets are not the teachers and prophets of God. And that they are not will of God, as may be plaily and clearly the people of God, I have, perhaps, already proven too educed from profane and sacred history. powerfully. From which, then, it is clear that our magisIn the twelfth place he accuses us, saying, " That they tracy are right not to let them proceed in their wicked

Page  104 104 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. course, but to stop them; and they might, in pastoral and to the judgment of the great and Almighty paternal faithfulness or solicitude for the church of God alone. But they are taught by their Christ, speak and act a little harder towards them, lest the pastors that they should proscribe impris*hurch be quite destroyed. But then we would be theiry o e persecutors and blood-hounds." y persecutors and blood-hounds." on, torture and slay those who are not obeAnwer. Jeremiah Micah Elias, Christ dient to their doctrine, as may, alas' be Answeer. Jeremiah Micah, Elias, Christ seen in many different cities and countries. Jesus and Paul could not be called the true sn in an dieret citie coutrie In short, kind reader, if the merciful Lord prophets and servants of God; nor can we.. t i, But the great Lord shall, in due time, make did not, in his great love, temper the hearts.But the grea ijord shall, 4. due tof some of the magistrates, but would let it manifest who are the faithful prophets of some of the magistrates, but would let and servas of Gd ad wo ae. them proceed according to the fiendish inand servants of God and wno are not. stigation and blood-preaching of the learnAgain, to his saying that we are not the d, no pious person could endure. But people of God, we answer with holy Paul some are yet found, who, notwithstanding that it is a very small thing that we should the crying and writing of the learned, suffer be judged by the judgment of men; and and bear with the miserable, and, for a time, especially of such men who are so diamet- show them mercy, for which we will forever rically opposed to the ordinance, will and give praise to God, the Most High, and for word of God, as may be seen in the case of which we feel very grateful and thankful to Gellius, by his writing. Yea, kind reader, such kind and discreet regents. if he and his like preachers acknowledged But, to his writing that in paternal and us to be the people of God, they would pastoral solicitude and faithfulness they thereby testify that they are are not; some- might use harsher means against us, I thing which an ambitious, carnal person, would say this: If he had entered in at the who seeks reputation and fame, never will right door with Christ, who is the Prince do. and Head of all true pastors, and if he could Again, in regard to his approval of the taste in his heart, of the friendly and amiamagistracy hindering our course, which he ble Spirit, nature and disposition of Christ, calls wicked, I would say that the longer he would not at all think of such a resoluand the more he writes, the more indiscreet tion against the blood of others, much less and offensive he becomes, and the more he advocate and invoke it. This I know to a manifests his blindness. If he be a preacher certainty, for the Spirit of Christ is not called of the Spirit of God, then let him thus natured, John 10: 2; 1 Pet. 2: 3. show a single word in all the New Testa- Reader, observe that he, in this instance, ment, whereby he can prove that Christ or does not write plainly that the magistracy the apostles have ever called on the magis- should put us to the sword; this e does, tracy to defend and protect the true church because he does not want to be called a against the attack of the wicked, as, alas, blood-hound or persecutor; nevertheless he he calls us. No, no. Christ Jesus and his makes it understood that if they should do powerful word and Holy Spirit is the pro- so, he would call it a praisworthy thing. tector and defender of his church; and not Whoever is not quite destitute of underthe emperor, king, or any worldly potent- standing, well understands what he hints ate. The kingdom of the Spirit must be at in this instance. 0, a doctrine of blood! protected and defended by the sword of the 0, that he could comprehend the force of Spirit, and not by the sword of the world. the word which the Lord says, "Ye are of This is too clear to be controverted, accord- your father, the devil, and the lusts of your ing to the doctrine and example of Christ father ye will do. He was a murderer from and his apostles. the beginning," John 8: 44. For, since he I would further say, If the magistracy encourages the blood-thirsty by such writrightly understood Christ and his kingdom, ing, and I have myself heard from his own they would, in my opinion, rather choose mouth that it is right to persecute and kill death, than to meddle with their worldly one on account of his faith (understand, power and sword in spiritual matters, which such faith as they think to be heretical), he, are not subject to the judgment of man, but therefore, has thereby burdened the inno

Page  105 REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER. 105 cent blood on his soul. I say innocent and more terrible heresy, deception and blood, for neither he nor anybody else upon blasphemy can be imagined than to assert the face of the earth, can, by the grace God, that the pure and holy flesh of Christ, is a convince us by the force of truth, that we ransom for sin, to adulterate so sadly his act or do aught against Christ or his word; ordinance and the apostle's clear and plain or that we deserve the punishment and doctrine of baptism; to neglect Exclusion sword of the magistracy. as required by the word of God; to slander He should further know that this blood- the pious, and to console and encourage doctrine of his, is not only contrary to the impenitent and carnal minded by garJesus Christ, God's own Son, and that of his bling the Scriptures, as he has constantly servant, Paul, but also contrary to the doc- done in his writings from beginning to end. trine of Luther, see his book, "De Sublimi- If we were thus to resolve against those ori mundi potestate." Besides contrary to who are wrong in doctrine or faith, as he the doctrine of Hieronimus, Augustine, says we should, then we would have to comTheophilactus, Anselmus, Remigius and mence with him, because he is a defender others, who unanimously agree that the of such great errors, as may be plainly seen heretics should not be killed, but admon- by comparing both our writings. ished and convinced, and if they do not re- May the merciful, dear Lord permit him pent after admonition, that they should, and all our opponents to see the right founaccording to the word of God, be separated from the communion of the church, and dation of truth; understanding hearts to shunned. understand it rightly, and a willing, free and Besides, this stone thrown by him might new mind to believe and follow it with sinlight upon his own head. For what greater cerity, Amen. CON CLUSI 0N. HERE, dear reader, you have my forced an- I hereby offer myself to you and to the swer to the unseasoned, blasphemous writ- whole world, if these writings are not suffiing of Gellius, which he has published and cient for you, to let me have safe conduct to printed, A. D. 1552, against the unadulter- an open and free discussion with Gellius ated truth of God and his scattered church; and the learned; and if I cannot maintain whereby he so lamentably adulterates the my doctrine and faith by virtue of the salutary doctrine of Christ, and so misera- Scriptures, and if I cannot prove their docbly accuses the innocent, pious hearts, be- trine and faith as deceiving, then I will not fore the whole world, that I could not neg- refuse to acknowledge my fault before the lect to do so, by virtue of my office, to which whole world, to retract my doctrine and to I was unworthily ordained of God, through consign myself and my writings to the fire. the pious. I had to controvert him with the my w the word of the Lord, and publish it through But if I can substantiate my doctrine, then the press, as he in the first place has done I desire and ask nothing more than that against us, to the praise of God and his they acknowledge their fault, discontinue truth, to the justification of the innocent, to deceive the people, repent, teach the truth and to the instruction of the humble. to the people and flee from falsehood. Whoever seeks and strives after truth Herewith I commend you to God; he will may find it; for it has been shown with guide your feet upon the way of peace, and great clearness; but whoever despises it, lead you all in the unadulterated, pure does not despise us, but Christ Jesus, who has taught it unto his church through his knowledgeofhiseternal,savingtruth,Amen. holy apostles, and who has bequeathed it The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with to us by the testimony of the Scriptures all who sincerely seek and fear him, Amen. through his Holy Spirit. MENO SIMON. 50

Page  106

Page  107 A VERY HUMBLE SUPPLICATION F0 THE POOR, DESPISED CHRISTIANS, TO ALL THE PIOUS, KIND AND REASONABLE MAGISTRATES; CONCERNING THE ABOMINABLE CHARGES, UPBRAIDINGS, BACK-BITINGS AND CLAMOR OF THE LEARNED, WHEREBY THEY ARE, ON EVERY HAND, SLANDERED AND TROUBLED, AS MAY BE HEARD AND SEEN. BY MENNO SIMON. "If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him," "He shall be into you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself," Levit. 19: 33, 34. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871.

Page  108 To all the pious, kind and reasonable magistrates, lords, princes, regents and commanders, we, poor, despised and scattered children wish eternal happiness, a happy reign, and every blessing of God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen. "Amend your ways and your doings;" "For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor; if ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt, then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever," Jer. 7: 3, 5-7. "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out, to thy house when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning," Isaiah 58: 7, 8.

Page  109 A VERY HUMBLE SUPPLICATION OF THE POOR, DESPISED CHRISTIANS. IT IS well known to many persons, noble, the kingdom and church of Christ, if we honorable and kind lords, that many are would please God, as is testified and shown more diligent and zealous to execute the on every hand, by our tribulation, oppreslaw of Theodosius (although this law was sion, misery, anxiety and blood-therefore formerly forced from the good emperor by it is, before God and man, unchristian, nay, the blood thirsty bishops), the mandate of manifestly wrong and detestable, to impose Charles the fifth, and the decree of the Ro- the same penalty and punishment on us man empire, passed against those whom that is imposed on the Circumcelliones, on they call anabaptists (issued in our times), account of the baptism, alone, which we than they are, to have the word of God have maintained in conformity with the obeyed; never minding that these laws and word of God, with the apostolic doctrine decrees were made, not on account of bap- and usage, and against all human philosotism itself, but on account of the ungodly phy and inventions. To treat us, I say, errors and abominations which were com- the same as they did the Circumcelliones, mitted by the doctrine and doings of the who, according to history, committed such baptized; for, if the beforementioned law, detestable, cruel tyrannies, and also the mandate and decree were issued on account same as they treated the Munsterites, who, of baptism, and not on account of the contrary to the word of God, to all the evancrimes committed at different times bythose gelical Scriptures, and, also, contrary to that were baptized, then were also Christ sound policy, established a new kingdom, Jesus, the apostles, Cyprian the Martyr, rebellion, polygamy, and such like things; all the African bishops, the Nicene concilion, all of which we unflinchingly oppose and and besides the great apostle, Paul, thereby reprove, as may be seen by our open actions adjudged as public criminals. This is in- and doings. controvertible. We would, therefore, in the first place, Since we are opposed to the Donatists, for the sake of Christ humbly beseech your Circumcelliones, Munsterites, and to the Excellencies, and honorable Wisdom, to errors, abuses and abominations of all up- consider, in pity and paternal solicitude, roarious sects, committed in our times (on how lamentably your miserable subjects, account of which, formerly the law of Theo- who are created, with you, of one God, and dosius was passed, and in our times the were purchased with the same treasure, and imperial mandate and the condemnation of who will at last appear with you before the the empire, were issued); also were opposed same judgment, are, without their faults, to them from the beginning of our doctrine belied, derided and slandered of the whole and faith; and, since we, before God and world, and especially of the preachers; and his angels, seek nothing upon earth bftt how, in many places, they are pitilessly that we may, humbly and obediently follow and unmercifully destroyed as the worst the express and clear word, Spirit, ex- criminals upon earth, and are given as food ample, command, prohibition, usage and to the fowls of the air; how they are (as ordinance of the Lord, according to which our predecessor, Christ), with the criminals, we should judge every thing pertaining to put to the stake and on the wheel; and how

Page  110 110 A VERY HUMBLE SUPPLICATION many of us, with our wives and little chil- ordinances and commands of the Lord, and dren, are driven from our country and pos- who sincerely die unto every thing contrary sessions, must roam in foreign countries, thereto; who diligently combat all licennaked and destitute; and all this for no tious, vain thoughts, and besetting sins other reason, God knows, than that we do which flow from the inherited Adamic natnot agree with the inordinate way of living ure; and who daily sigh and mourn before of this world, and do not commune with the Lord, on account of their human weakthe preachers who oppose the word of the ness, errors and short comings, with an Lord by their doctrine, sacraments and life; humble, broken heart; who are prepared to that we rightly use baptism and the Lord's take upon themselves the cross of Christ, Supper, shun all idolatry, self-righteous- and to forsake father, mother, husband, ness and abuses, according to the Script- wife, children, possessions and self, for the ures; and that we would gladly, in our sake of the testimony of his holy word, weakness, fear the Lord, and follow in when the honor and praise of God require righteousness. it. In short, they are minded as Christ We beseech your Excellencies and Honors Jesus; are in Christ and Christ in them; to consider, in the fear of God, what he re- they are led by his Spirit; and they abide quires of you, namely, That you shall immutably in the word of the Lord, through rightly judge between man and man, with- true faith, firm confidence, and a living out all respect of persons, and that you hope, in all temptations and perils, Rom. shall deliver the oppressed from the hands 6: 4; Col. 2: 12; Gal. 3: 27; 2 Tim. 3; Matt. of the oppressor, The Lord says, "Execute 10: 38; Luke 14: 27; Phil. 2: 3. judgment between a man and his neighbor;" Inasmuch as it is found in fact that our' Oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, faithful brethren and sisters in Christ Jesus, and the widow, and shed not innocent the beloved companions in tribulation, and blood." Consider this; that your despised in the kingdom and patience of Jesus servants and miserable subjects, who fled Christ, Rev. 1: 9, so sincerely fear and love from the roaring lions, may, in peace and the Lord, their God, that they would rather quiet, serve the Lord, and earn their bread give their reputation and money, goods, according to the Scriptures, under your pa- flesh and blood, and every thing of which ternal care and merciful protection, Jer. human nature is desirous, as a prey to the 7: 6, 7; 22: 17; Isaiah 59. blood-thirsty, than willfully and knowingly Secondly, we desire that your Excellen- to speak a false word or to act hypocriticies and Honors would weigh, with the in- cally, contrary to the word of God; therefallible word of God, with the living exam- fore we would beseech your Excellencies pie of Christ, and with the pious, unblama- and Honors to consider whether they are ble life of the saints, how a true christian such pernicious and dangerous people as, should be disposed according to the Script- alas, they are called by many, and adjudged ures. If reading, singing, water, bread, by all. Yea, dear lords, all their pleasure wine, name and boasting, would constitute is in the word of the Lord. Their mouths true christianity, then there would be a flow with wisdom, their love smells like the great number of christians. But no, be- precious ointment on the head of Aaron, loved lords, no. The word of God knows their prayers are as the noble incense beno christians but those who are born anew fore the ark of God; their life enlightens as in Christ of the living seed of God, through the golden candlesticks in the temple of the the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, which, Lord, and they seek nothing on this earth, being preached in the power of the Spirit, but, that they may serve the whole world is accepted in true faith, by the grace of muto righteousness, both with body and God and through the operation of the Holy spirit, and that they may deliver many Spirit; who, by virtue of this birth, bury from the destruction of their souls, and win the old sinful life, and arise with Christ in them unto Christ, through the grace, Spirit, newness of life; who, in their weakness, power and word of the Lord; and, that they gladly obey the holy will, word, example, may thus, with the gracious help of God,

Page  111 OF THE POOR, DESPISED CHRISTIANS. 111 improve the short time of their earthly ex- and dry trees, according to the word of the istence, in Christ Jesus, to the praise of prophet. The prophecy of Christ concernGod, and to the service of their neighbors, ing the latter days; also, of Daniel and of and be eternally saved, Jer. 17: 8; John the apostles, are fast fulfilling. The flesh1: 8; Ps. 133: 2. consuming sword of the Lord glitters every If this is heresy and devilish deceit, as where, and his bloody darts are flying in the preachers cry, then the Son of God, every country; one kingdom has risen Christ Jesus, together with allthe prophets, against another; one principality against apostles and testimonies of God, were open another; one city against another, and one heretics; and then all the Scriptures which neighbor and friend against another. teach nothing but reformation, and point Some are put to the sword, some are imus to Christ, are nothing but deceit; this prisoned; cities and villages are leveled and can not be denied; for they, in their weak- destroyed; the poor, despised people who ness, conform in all their doings, to the are, in part, innocent, are exhausted, proword, Spirit, life, command, prohibitions, faned, taxed, burned and ruined, without ordinances and usages of the Lord, as their mercy; numbers are rendered adulterers open actions testify before all the world, and rogues; one pestilence and epidemic Isa. 1: 17; Luke 9: 35; Deut. 18: 15. follows another; and one panic another. Since, then, they and we walk in unity of Storms, hurricanes, misery and tribulation spirit, and, before God, seek nothing in sweep over land and water. In short, the Christ Jesus, but that we, in our weakness, continual severe punishment show that the would gladly follow Christ, as has been Lord is angry; notwithstanding the wicked said, and we also trust, by the grace of the world does not reform, but yet daily degenLord, that your excellencies will never per- erates more and more, Deut. 32: 23-35; ceive anything else in your poor servants Ezek. 21: 1-6; Matt. 24: 4. (we write of those who are united with us All of them, in general, boast themselves in faith and life), therefore, we beseech your to be christians, and that they have God's Excellencies and Honors, again, for Christ's word, although their seeking and doings sake, to discard all prejudice against us are quite contrary to Christ and his word. miserable orphans, to believe us to be sin- For, if we turn to the magistrates, whom we cere in our profession, and never think that should reasonably expect to know the ways we have any other intentions, if we should and judgments of the Lord, as Jeremiah become as numerous as the spears of grass says, we find that they have broken the upon the fields, or as the sands on the sea yoke and rent asunder the bands. If we shore (something which will never be veri- turn to the preachers, we find there the envy fled, since the way is narrow and the gate of Cain to all those who fear the Lord, an is strait); for Christ, whose name we bear, insatiable love of money, a Balaamitic avahas taught so with his own mouth; his holy rice, a light minded, easy doctrine, idolaapostles have preached it unto all the world, trous sacraments, and a lustful, vain, careand have testified it with the holy gospel, less life, as may be openly seen. If we turn and have promulgated it at the peril of life, to the common people, there we find extorMatt. 7: 13; Mark 16: 15; Rom. 10: 18. tion, hoarding, drinking, carousing,' lying, Thirdly, we desire that your Excellencies cheating, cursing and swearing; some comand Honors would earnestly consider how mit adultery and fornication, others are the Scriptures are being verified in regard marauders, pillagers, thieves and murderto those who boast themselves christians; ers, nay, they lead, alas, such a life that we how mortally the sword of wrath cuts on may well, in anguish, sigh with Hosea, that every side, and how the hand of divine pun- "There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowlishment is laid upon us; great and many edge of God in the land; by swearing, and are our sins; great and severe is the pun- lying, and killing, and stealing, and comishment of the Lord; the fire of wrath is mitting adultery, they break out, and blood enkindled; unless the Lord in his grace, toucheth blood," Hosea 4: 1, 2; with Paul, quench it, it will devour both the green "They are all gone out of the way; they are

Page  112 112 A VERY HUMBLE SUPPLICATION together become unprofitable," "and the tion, that is, upon the firm foundation of way of peace have they not known," Rom. the apostles, and upon the pure doctrine of 3: 12, 17, and, that their sins have reached Christ Jesus, and that such repentance may unto heaven, Rev. 18: 5. 0, dear Lord, how be verified unto the world by a pious, penilong will this dreadfully great blindness, tent, christian life, according to the Scriptblasphemy, deceit, abomination, blood- ures; behold, therefore we are so hated of thirstiness and recklessness continue! the learned, that by their slanderous crying Noble lords, reform; do works meet for and clamoring, we are often robbed of our repentance, such as can stand before the possessions, and our bodies given to the Lord; humble yourselves with the king of executioner. Some of us, through necessiNineveh; take off the ungodly, tainted coat ty, are forced to seek refuge in foreign lands, of sin; repent in sackcloth and ashes; cry on account of their persecution, as has been out unto the Lord with a broken heart; rend said. Therefore we, poor, miserable outyour hearts and not your garments, as the casts, pray your Honors and Excellencies prophet says; let the pious Josiah be your the third time, earnestly to reflect upon this pattern, who turned himself unto the Lord, matter, for Christ's sake, and faithfully with all his heart, and soul and strength, as compare the doings of the preachers and soon as the law of God was read to him, the tenor of the following writing addressed from the book which was again found, John to them, and the matters and things therein 3: 7; 2 Kings 22: 11. set forth, that our apology may be rightly Dear lords, seek, fear, and serve God understood, and the truth explained acwith all your strength; do justice unto the cording to the word of the Lord; and that widows, orphans, strangers, and all the for- the guilty may no longer be protected in saken; cleanse your hands of blood, rule their unrighteousness. Yea, beloved lords, your countries in wisdom and peace, and if this was impartially done, in the fear of let all your thoughts, words and actions be God, you would soon find, by the grace of conformed to the crucified Christ Jesus; God, in great clearness, with whom the follow his footsteps; for " Though your sins truth or falsehood is; and that the doctrine, be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; sacraments and life of the preachers are not though they be red like crimson, they shall in accordance with the Scriptures, but that be as wool;" "As I live, saith the Lord they are deceitful and contrary to the word God, I have no pleasure in the death of the of God. wicked; but that the wicked turn from his 0, beloved, noble lords, we beseech you way, and live," Isaiah 1: 18; Ezek. 33: 11; not to despise our reasonable and christian 18: 32. prayer, but to consider it in love; for it Inasmuch as those who boast themselves concerns the praise of the Almighty God, the church, are so estranged from Christ, his eternal word and truth, and the eternal that they are no more than nominal chris- salvation of all our souls, which are so tians; and, inasmuch as the salt, which is much desired and so dearly purchased with the preachers, has wholly lost its savor, his precious blood. 0, consider the differthat it does more injury than good, for they ence, to live eternally with Christ Jesus in flatter nore than they reprove, if they can the kingdom of heaven, or eternally to die make some earthly gain thereby, and do with all the devils in the abyss of hell. not seek the praise of the Lord; by which Dear lords, we are in great anxiety and they all, both preacher and hearer, are led tribulation, and are terrified in two ways. upon the broad road which leads to de- For, if we follow the truth, which we ever struction, and since there are, alas, none to intend to do in our weakness, by the grace stop them in their career, as the prophet of God, then we are made a prey to all the complains, and, since we, God knows, world. If we deviate, and again enter into would gladly see all men awaken, fear the the broad way, from which the merciful Lord, sincerely repent and be saved, that Father save us, then we fall into the hands thus the fallen city, which is the church, of God and must bear his eternal punishmay again be built upon her old founda- ment. The salvation of our souls is worth

Page  113 A LETTER OF CONSOLATION. 113 more than man can comprehend. The The merciful, great Lord, Jesus Christ, sweet-sounding, precious word will once be who is Lord of lords, and King of kings, heard: "Come ye blessed of my Father, in- grant that your Honors may acknowledge herit the kingdom prepared for you;" and the truth, faithfully act in accordance therealso the fearful word which is threatened to with, and that you may rule the people, all who are disobedient to Christ, which cities and countries entrusted to your reign, pierces body and soul, if well realized: in peace and prosperity, to the praise of "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlast- your God, and to the salvation of many ing fire, prepared for the devil and his an- souls. This is our sincere desire. Amen. gels." Happy they, who are awake at that "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall time, who have their lamps prepared, and obtain mercy." Be merciful, as your Father saved their wedding garments. Yea, blessed is merciful. "Verily, I say unto you, InYa, asmuch as ye did it not to one of the least are they who are called to the Lord's Supper. of these, ye did it not to me," Matt. 5: 7; of these, ye did it not to me," Matt. 5: 7; Dear, noble lords, it is no flattery nor 25: 45. The humble and obedient subjects vain display of words; but that which we of your Excellencies and Honors, in all write, we mean, as our sore persecutions things, we can do according to the will of testify. God by his grace. A LETTER OF CONSOLATION, ADDRESSED TO AN AFFLICTED WIDOW. GRACE and peace be unto you, and kind I speak of the needy saints, and no further. greeting, sincerely beloved sister in the Those who have enough of their own, do Lord, whom my soul loves. The merciful not need your aid and services. True chrisLord having called you to widowhood, my tians should not put each other to unnecespaternal and faithful admonition to you is, sary expenses. Faithful sister, walk pruas a father to his children, to bear with your dently; fear your God sincerely; crucify lot as becomes holy women, and to serve your flesh and its lusts; withstand the enethe Lord, with the pious Hannah in the my and all his enchantments; bear every holy temple, that is, in his church, or a new thing piously; do not imprudently cause and upright conscience, with fasting and anybody trouble; diligently attend to your prayer, night and day; treat, at all times, occupation, household and children; carethe needy saints, as the virtuous widow of fully shun all unchastity, vain babbling, Sarepta in Zidon, treated the faithful Elijah, pomp and splendor; earnestly avoid being at the time of the drouth and panic, when led by the temptations of the flesh, that you she received him in her house, and fed him do not become like the widows who lost with her handful of meal and a little oil; their first faith, and followed after the devil, and the meal of the holy, divine word, from as Paul says; from which may the mercithe measure of your conscience, and the ful Father ever save you. Receive in love, joyous oil of the Holy Spirit shall not be this, my brief greeting, written to you in withheld from you. And, if the new son of true, paternal affection, and reflect upon it your spiritual birth, do sicken a little and diligently. The saints here, greet you. Greet lose his breath for a time, through the weak- all pious friends. Pray for me. The eterness to which a widow is naturally subject nal, saving power and fruit of the precious -yet our true Elias, Jesus Christ, will again blood of Christ, be with my chosen much animate him through his grace, and again beloved sister, in eternity, Amen. restore you to cheerfulness; for, as the Your loving and well wishing brother, Scriptures teach, you receive, love and serve him in his members. MENNO SIMON. Beloved sister, understand me aright. May 18th. 51

Page  114

Page  115 A BRIIEF Complaint or Apology OF THE DESPISED CHRISTIANS AND EXILED STRANGERS, TO ALL THE THEOLOGIANS AND PREACHERS OF THE GERMAN NATIONS, CONCERNING THE BITTER FALSEHOODS, SLANDERS AND ABUSES WITH WHICH THEY, WITHOUT TRUTH, BURDEN THESE SUFFERING CHRISTIANS AND EXILES, TOGETHER WITH A FRIENDLY REQUEST TO HAVE A FREE DISCUSSION OF THE SCRIPTURES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF CHRISTIAN LOVE. BY MENNO SIMON. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," 2 Timothy 2: 24. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Corinthians 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 187 1.

Page  116 WE, poor and despised christians, who have to endure and suffer so much, on account of the testimony of the word of the Lord, wish to all theologians and preachers of all countries who boast of the gospel, whoever and wherever they are, a new, penitent heart; a true, active faith in Christ Jesus; an unfeigned, ardent love; a salutary doctrine; a sound doctrine according to truth, and a pious, unblamable life, in the fear of the Lord, of God our heavenly Father, in the operation and power of his Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, his beloved Son, our Lord and eternal Savior, Amen.

Page  117 A BRIEF COMPLAINT OR APOLOGY. IT is a fact well known to all, dear men the Lord, through his grace, as all the and brethren, how very much the pure, di- Scriptures teach and imply. vine truth is disregarded in our Nether- The Almighty, great Lord, who knows lands, caused by the envious crying and all hearts, knows that we are clear, before clamor of the Papists and Monks; and that the Lord and his judgment, of all the bethe innocent blood is shed like water; on forementioned abominations and slanders, account of which we, miserable children, of which we are ever accused by you; also, are forced to flee from the sword of the ty- that we are clear and innocent before all rants, and to seek refuge in foreign lands, the world. Yea, if any one under the whole with our weak women and little ones, and canopy of heaven, can prove, by the firm to earn our bread in tribulation and misery, truth, that we, and our adherents, are guilty according to the prophecy of God's word. of one of these capital crimes, or that we Many of you, it appears, cry against us, were ever guilty thereof, then we will lay perhaps with good intentions, through mis- our hands upon our mouths and will be understanding, and instigate the magistracy bound by life and possessions to the ac(part of whom should be reasonable and cuser, all our days; with this exception, discreet) to persecution, by false accusa- however, that we do not wish to obey the tions, and contrary to all reasonableness magistracy, when they command things and christian love; and you warn every contrary to the word of God. Is it not a body against us, as being disposed like the deplorable thing that we are slandered and Munsterites; that we would take countries accused of such inhuman disgraces, while and cities, if we had the power; that we are we never even thought of doing them, and rebels, and use the sword; steal; are polyg- much less commit them? amists; have our women and possessions in 0, dear men and brethren, if you knew common; will not obey the magistracy; that what we seek, and how, by the grace of we murder our children bodily and spiritu- God, we are disposed towards you all, you ally; are anabaptists, and profaners of the would not have such hard feelings against sacraments, deceivers, and hypocrites; that us as you have had hitherto; or else you we boast of being without sin; self-compla- are abandoned to a state of ungodliness cent; heaven-stormers; who trust in being and perversity; something which, we trust, saved by our own good works and merits, is not true of many of you. that we are ungodly heretics and conspira- Since you are so lamentably mistaken in tors, new monks, rogues, miscreants and our intentions, heap one falsehood upon possessed of the devil. In short, we are another, and since, alas, we are not allowed alas, portrayed by you, in such colors, that at any place, verbally to defend ourselves, all who are not acquainted with our foun- therefore we are forced to present a defense dation and faith, must shut their mouths in writing, and would humbly pray, and and noses at the sight of us, and must have fraternally admonish you all to consider a horror of us; although, before God and these four things: his angels, we seek nothing upon earth, but First, that you would consider in sinthat we, in our weakness, may be cordially cerity of heart, that lies are of the devil, united in the Spirit, word and example of i that the lying mouth killeth the soul, that

Page  118 118 A BRIEF COMPLAINT OR APOLOGY. a liar has no part in God's city, that the and Paul commands that we shall shun an backbiters are deserving of death, that they heretic after one or two admonitions; John shall not abide in the tabernacle of the Lord, teaches that we shall not greet nor receive and not dwell in his holy hill, Psalm 15:1. the transgressor into our houses, who does Secondly, that nearly all of your accusa- not bring the doctrine of Christ, Matt. 7: 15; tions against us are capital crimes. If we Tit. 3: 10; 2 John 1: 9; they say not: did not fear the Lord, but would strictly Down with the heretics, accuse them before ask our rights, according to the law of the the magistrates, imprison, exile and cast world, and retaliate, what would at last be- them into the fire or water, as the Romans come of us; since you publicly accuse us of have done for many years, and as many of such accursed abominations, which no man you would do, you who pretend to preach ever can prove against us by the power of the word of God. the truth. Fourthly, we would sincerely pray you, Thirdly, that this, your action, is directly for Christ's sake, to consider and examine opposed to all nature, reason, christian whether your spirit accords with the Lord's love and the word of God; for where was Spirit, and whether your faith accords with there ever a person of pious nature who did his holy word; whether the Spirit of the not pity the outcast and sympathize with Lord, and the love of your neighbor conthe afflicted All the Scriptures teach that strain you to the service, or whether it is ws shall receive, serve, protect and console the love of gain and the temporary sustethe afflicted and strangers, in love; and you nance of your bodies; whether you preach see plainly how lamentably we poor, pitia- the pure word of God in sincerity of heart, ble people are every where hated, despised, use his sacraments aright, and whether you banished, oppressed, and in some places lead a pious and unblamable life, as the judged and murdered; yet your hearts are Scriptures teach; andwhetheryoushun open not so much moved as to accost us once transgressors, the pompous, drunkards, with a friendly word, in our sore tempta- misers, extortioners, liars, deceivers, contions and tribulations, and to examine our tenders, adulterers, fornicators, swearers foundation, faith and actions, in a paternal and unrighteous, and separate them from spirit, according to the word of the Lord. the communion, without respect to persons, But you still cause more enmity against us, according to the word of the Lord. For we that we may find no rest upon earth. You see such living and acting, 0, Lord, as if cry, write, falsify, upbraid, clamor, add neither prophet, apostle, Christ, nor the tribulation to tribulation, drag us to dun- word of God was ever upon earth. Nevergeons and prisons, as if you never had read theless you men, want to be called the holy a syllable of the word of the Lord, with christian church, and preachers of sound understanding minds, nor received a spark doctrine, as if Christ did not require more of his Holy Spirit. We will leave to your of his church than mere reading, singing, own judgment, if this can be called acting crying, infant baptism, breaking of bread, in accordance with unfeigned, christian love, and calling themselves after his name; and, with the doctrine and usage of the apostles, as if spirit, knowledge, faith, love, repentand in accordance with the Spirit, word and ance, righteousness, works, power and truth example of the Lord. were no longer necessary. Say, beloved, where do the Holy Script- No, no, dear men, no. This is required ures teach that we shall rule the consciences of the church of Christ, to preach his unaand faith of others, in the kingdom and dulterated word in the power of the Spirit, church of Christ, by force of the sword, vio- to believe it sincerely, and to obey it in lence, and tyranny of the magistracy- every particular; to use his holy sacrasomething which is left entirely to the judg- ments, such as baptism and the Holy Supment of God? In what instance has Christ per, according to his own command and and the apostles ever done, recommended ordinance; to seek, fear, love and serve or commanded this? God sincerely; to be born of God; to love, Christ says, "Beware of false prophets;" serve, console, help and protect his neigh

Page  119 A BRIEF COMPLAINT OR APOLOGY. 119 bor; to shun all false doctrines and works powerful spirit and truth, and who can of darkness; to die unto carnal lusts, which point out a more godly life; but if he can are contrary to the word of God; to forsake not instruct us for the better, then we ask ourselves and the world; to lead a pious, again, for Christ's sake, to leave us undispeaceable, chaste, sober and humble life, in turbed in the truth, and not persecute and righteousnsss, according to the truth. In afflict the pious who walk in it. We hereby short, to be of one mind with Christ Jesus. give notice to you all, that we are desirous For it is incontrovertible, that where these to meet, at any acceptable time and place, are, there are also the kingdom and church with one or two of our members (no matter of Christ. But the deceivers, hateful, liars, whether teachers or not), with you before a slanderers, backbiters, rebellious, blood- full assembly, or before twenty or thirty thirsty, avaricious, unmerciful, cruel, proud reasonable and pious witnesses, just as you and impenitent, are of the wicked one. The choose, to discuss the following points (for Scriptures teach that their part shall be herein we differ), according to the Spirit, weeping and gnashing of teeth, eternal word, life, example, command, prohibition, death and everlasting fire, prepared for the usage and ordinance of God, in sincerity of devil and his angels, John 15: 12; 3: 5; heart, namely: Mark 7: 15; Tit. 3: 5; 2 John 9; Matt. Of the right evangelical preachers and teachers-how 16: 23; 13: 42. they should, according to the word of God, be minded O men and brethren, if you would take and fitted, before they can rightly preach the word of to heart this brief reference, in the sincere God and serve his sacraments. ^On 13.^ Of the doctrine of Christ and his apostles-that it fear of God, and would reflect thereon, and does not change, but must remain unchanged until his judge according to the Spirit of the Lord, coming again. you would doubtless find such a great beam That Christ is a perfect teacher, and that his offer is in your own eye, that you would not re- a perfect offering. gard the small splinter which may, perhaps, Of true regeneration; what it is, of whom it is, and be in your brother's eye (for we are all of what are its natural fruits and disposition. in your roerS eye r we ae a 1 Of true evangelical faith and love; their proper qualAdam's seed). But to know ourselves is ities, power and operation. understanding, and to conform ourselves in Of God's commandments and their keeping. all things to the Lord's word, is a salutary Of true christian baptism-how it was commanded of understanding and wisdom. the Lord, and how taught and practiced by the apostles. Inasmuch as we are thus indiscreetly and Of the Lord's Holy Supper-what it is-by whom it falsely accused by you, and as you boast was instituted and ordained, and what it implies and falsely accused by you, and as you boast,,"represents. to be servants of God who teach his word Of the true apostolic Ban or Separation-its proper and works, therefore we would pray you fruits and usefulness. all, for the sake of the blood of Christ, with Of the pious christian life which is of God. which we are besprinkled, to consider how If you have anything else to discuss, you you treat us, poor, afflicted ones, that you may present it, and have it criticized acno more sin by such open falsehoods and cording to the word of God. tyrannies, as you have hitherto done; but Behold, dear men and brethren, this is that you may show such a paternal dispo- what we would gladly have you accept, if sition as conforms to the divine operation, it can be obtained in sincerity of heart, and to the christian name; for we testify under safe conduct, without any trickery beforehimwhoknows ourhearts,beforeyou, and strategy, according to the rules of and before the whole world, verbally and christian love, and the word of God, as by writing, by our possessions, and blood, Origen, Augustin, Hi]arius and others have life and death, that we, in our weakness, done in their times, with those who were are prepared and willing to obey the word suspected in their doctrine. You can not and will of God, from the innermost of our think hard of us for asking safe conduct souls; and we shall ever be prepared as we and freedom, for it is evident that they cry ever have been from the commencement of vindictively and madly against us, on every our faith and actions, willingly to hear and side. obey any one who can instruct us in a more If you are servants of Christ, and seek the

Page  120 120 DESCRIPTION OF A TRUE PREACHER. praise of the Lord and the salvation of your falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exbrethren, as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter and ceeding glad; for great is your reward in Paul, did in their times, then you would heaven," Matt. 5: 11, 12. But you must fill rejoice; praise the Lord; again restore our the measure of your fathers, and make respect with the people; and henceforth youselves manifest, that you seek not the leave off such slanderous language, as has sheep, but merely their milk, wool and fat, been mentioned; you would reform your Ezek. 34: 3. There are but two ways open, life, accept, and advise and aid in the offered namely, You must either cease your false discussion, in christian faith; because we accusations, and slandering, and enter into do not propose to have the discussion a discussion with us, or you must acknowljudged according to human philosophy, edge that you are not the true teachers, and wisdom and ideas, as some do, but accord- let go your gospel fame and christian name. ing to Christ's own Spirit, word, command, We would herewith commend you all to prohibition, ordinance, usage and example. the Lord, and desire to say that none should But, in case you reject and refuse it, and take offense at this; for we have done so still continue in your bitterness, falsehoods, for the advancement of the holy word, and slanders, upbraiding, backbiting, and dis- for the defense of our respectability, and grace as you have hitherto done, then we we would reiterate, thatwe are, at all times, poor, miserable souls, must leave it to the prepared, and willing for the discussion, on Lord, as has been hitherto done; and pos- the conditions mentioned. sess our souls in patience; suffer ourselves May the merciful Lord grant you all a to be punished, and console ourselves with sincere, pious heart to love the saving truth this saying, "Blessed are ye, when men of Christ, and to walk in accordance thereshall revile you, and persecute you, and with, to the praise of God, and to the salvashall say all manner of evil against you tion of your souls. Amen. DESCRIPTION OF A TRUE PREACHER. "A bishop, then, must be blameless, the holding fast the faithful word, as he hath husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good been taught, that he may be able by sound behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach." doctrine, both to exhort, and to convince He "must be blameless, as the steward of the gainsayers," 1 Tim. 3: 2; Titus 1: 7-9. God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy By us despised strangers and scattered lucre. But a lover of hospitality, a lover christians, for the sake of God's word and of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; its testimony. A. D. 1552.

Page  121 A TREATISE ON, AND Scriptural Explanation OF EXCOMMUNICATION, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PIOUS AND GOD FEARING CHILDREN. BY iMENNO SIMON. "Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek the Lord understand all things," Prov. 28: 5. "Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once," Prov. 28: 18. " For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Corinthians 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871. wi

Page  122

Page  123 A SCRIPTURAL EXPLANATION OF EXCOMMUNICATION. Menno Simon wishes to all fellow-believers, brethren and sisters in Christ Jesus, the grace and peace of God our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus his beloved Son, our Lord, who loved us and has cleansed us of our sins in his blood. To him be the honor, praise, kingdom, power, and glory, for ever and ever, Amen. DEAR brethren, since I find that, for some the ordinance of Christ, and the doctrine of time, much strife has been occasioned in the holy apostles, in regard to excommuniregard to the ban, and this so violently and cation, as right and just, yet they do not indiscreetly, therefore, I fear brotherly love, observe it; some, I presume, from being christian peace and unity, with some, are luke warm, some from motives of carnal love more diminished than augmented, as was and favor of the apostates, and others on the case in olden times; and it appears that account of being neighbors, or relatives, or some, through ambition and self-conceit, perhaps on account of former attachments are desirous of such corrupting disputation, and favors. that they entertain the opinion, in this And, since the express ordinance of Christ matter that not the banned ones them- and his holy apostles, in regard to excomselves should be shunned, but only their munication, is lamentably weakened, obfalse doctrine and offensive life, not observ- scured and garbled, by the first mentioned, ing that they have already become entan- and visibly transgressed and dishonored gled in false doctrine; for thereby they nul- by the latter, and thus the door is opened lify the plain ordinance of Christ, "Let him wide to all corruption, and since they thus be unto thee as a heathen man and a pub- act against all love; First, against the love lican," and also the plain words of the holy of God and Christ, for they thereby despise apostles, Matt. 18: 17; Rom. 16: 16; 2 Thess. and disobey his holy word, will and ordi3: 14; Tit. 3: 10. nance; Secondly, against brotherly love: For Others think that the ban should not be by such perverseness and disesteem, they practiced, further than that which pertains offend and afflict their brethren; Thirdly, to the evangelical usages, as the breaking against the love of their own souls: For, of bread and the kiss of peace; and garble thereby, they willfully expose themselves the plain sayings of the Scriptures, to make to the danger of being corrupted; Fourthly, their opinions good, namely: Do not keep against the love of those deserving the ban: company with such; with such not eat; For they despise the advice of the Holy "Let him be unto thee as a heathen man Spirit, and do not seek to shame them unto and apublican," and other like sayings, 1 repentance; Fifthly, also against common Cor. 5: 10; Matt. 18: 17. love: For, by communing with the aposAgain, there are some who acknowledge tates, they make the worldlings suspicious

Page  124 124 EXCOMMUNICATION. that we are one and the same people with bor. Whosoever has ears to hear, and a theapostatesandperverse; and, sincethepre- mind to understand, let him hear and uncious word of God and his holy church, is thus derstand what the word of the Lord teaches blasphemed and profaned by many, on ac- us in respect to excommunication, in great count of their recklessness and disobedience clearness. -therefore, in a christian spirit and broth- Christ Jesus says, " Moreover if thy brotherly love (of which God is my witness), I er shall trespass against thee, go and tell have endeavored to explain, for the benefit him his fault between thee and him alone; of my beloved brethren and fellow believers if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy in Christ Jesus, the proper grounds of the brother; but if he will not hear thee, then ban, according to divine truth; how the take with thee one or two more, that in the ban is instituted of Christ; how it was taught mouth of two or three witnesses every word and explained by his holy apostles, and may be established. And if he shall negwhat its fruits and benefits are. But this lect to hear them, tell it unto the church; explanation I will leave to the judgment of but if he neglect to hear the church, let him those who seek and fear God with all their be unto thee as a heathen man and a pubhearts, and who are enlightened and taught lican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever by the Spirit of God. Whoever seeks God ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in and the good of his neighbor, will acknowl- heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on edge that this explanation is in accordance earth, shall be loosed in heaven," Matt. with the foundation, meaning, word and 18: 15-18. will of God. Here, faithful brethren, stands the firm Dearly beloved brethren and sisters in foundation of God, as an immovable rock Christ Jesus, I, your poor, unworthy serv- or mountain, at which all will be wounded ant and co-partner in the faith and tribula- and hurt, who try to overturn and nullify tion of Christ, trust and pray, for the sake it, namely: That we shall shun and avoid of the precious blood of my Lord Jesus the apostates, if they take no heed to all Christ, and, for the sake of love to all, that the brotherly services and admonitions none willfully, and knowingly contend which have, in faithfulness of heart, been against Christ Jesus, and against his holy rendered unto them, according to the docword; nor against his own conscience, for trine of Christ, and the dictates of pure the sake of maintaining his error, so that love, if they obstinately continue in their he may avoid the disapprobation and shame errors, as the Jews shunned and avoided of the world. the heathen and publicans, at the time of I trust that they, as Christians, grudge Christ. not one against another, but that they seek In the first place, the Jews did not admit to win again to Christ their erring brethren. the uncircumcised heathen to their passIn the same manner, that if the God fearing over, by command of the Lord, through errs, he is anxious to return again to the Moses; nor to their divine service, as apright way; if he falls, he is desirous to rise, pears from the acts of the apostles, for they and if wounded he would be again healed, were strangers to the citizenship of Israel, James 5: 19; and if, by the grace of God, and Israel was alone the church. he be again delivered from his error and In the second place, they so avoided daily misunderstanding, through the word of the intercourse with them, that they considered Lord, he is not ashamed, but is exceedingly it as impure for them to enter their houses, glad, and praises and thanks his God that I or to eat and drink with them. This also he is led from the crooked to the right way, applied to the publicans. As the Jews, then, and from his error to a true and sound un- did not admit such heathen and publicans derstanding. He earnestly seeks to deliver to their worship, nor to their daily interand disentangle those whom he has former- course, but shunned and avoided them, so ly led astray and deceived by his false doc- also, would Christ have us shun and avoid trine and misunderstanding; for true love an apostate, unrepenting brother, as was does not seek self, but God and her neigh- said above. And that this is the proper

Page  125 EXCOMMUNICATION. 125 and natural foundation of these words of We are aware, beloved brethren, that Christ, as well explained by holy Paul, 1 Moses, in his law, allowed a great deal of Cor. 2, of which more will be heard here- liberty to the outward Israel; to have interafter. course with the Gentile nations, as in buyBehold, brethren in the Lord, all who ing,tradingandusury. But,besides,wealso would rightly understand the meaning of know, that he rigorously judges the willful the words of Christ, above cited, should and open transgressors, by the testimony of know that Christ does not point to the jew- two or three witnesses, unto death, without ish custom, in regard to the heathen and mercy, according to his law, Deut. 17: 6; 2 publicans in the time of Moses and of the Cor. 13: 1. If we were to understand the prophets, but to the custom of his own times; beforementioned words of Christ, Matt. 18, and, he should first, make a distinction as being of the same nature and rigor as between the heathen and publicans, and those of the law of Moses, then it would not consider them as one people; and then follow, first, from the word heathen that we well consider, and judge according to the were at liberty to deal with the apostates, Scriptures, how those two classes were dealt as far as regards daily intercourse, as Israel with at the time of Moses and the prophets, was at liberty to deal with the heathen. before the scepter was taken from them, And secondly, from the word publican it and they were placed under the yoke of the would follow that we should stone and kill Romans. the apostates when their apostasy was esIn the first place, it is incontrovertible, tablished by two or three witnesses. But that the heathen were not of the seed of it would not be proper to take too much Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; that they were liberty with them, and to put them to death. uncircumcised, without God and religion, Taking life, is also quiteinconsistent withthe and without law, nay, a people that was no nature and doctrine of Christ, "For the people, as Moses says, Deut. 32:27. Thus it Son of man is not come to destroy men's is, in the second place, incontrovertible that lives, but to save them," Luke 9: 56. the publicans and sinners were of the Jews. Let every one take heed; for if he take For Luke says, That the publicans came to the word heathen alone, and judge that acJohn, that they might be baptized. Again, cording to the law of Moses, and except the That the publicans justified God, and that word publican, then he does not wrong man, they were baptized with the baptism of John. but the Son of God, and disgracefully anAgain, All the publicans and sinners came nuls his holy word and truth. For he says to Jesus to hear him, but the heathen did not, Let him be unto thee as a heathen, but not come to John and to Christ. Therefore " as a heathen man and a publican." Christ it is manifest that the publicans and sin- says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, ners were not heathen, but Jews. It is also but my words shall not pass away." Thereapparent from the case of the sinful woman fore it is very advisable not to break the and from the publican, Matthew, who was word of Christ Jesus; but to set aside human chosen an apostle of the Lord; and no understanding; to acknowledge the truth; apostles were chosen from the heathen. give heed to Christ Jesus; and believe and This is manifestly true, Eph. 2: 12; Luke obey him; for then he will be likened unto 3: 2; 7: 29; 15: 1. the wise builder; if not, his house will fall, Inasmuch as the Gentiles and Publicans and "great will be the fall thereof." were two distinct people as has been said, Further, most beloved brethren, we underand we should turn to the law to ascertain stand that there are some who comprehend the freedom of the Jews, in regard to the these words of Christ, so that we are not Gentiles, then we must also, in the same bound to shun an apostate and impenitent manner, ascertain the action of the Jews in brother, further than the Gentiles now shun regard to the Publicans, after the law; for the Gentiles, or fornicators shun adulturers the one word is as valid as the other, be- and drunkards, whom they, perhaps, call cause they are both produced and attested the publicans. Such, I would earnestly beby the mouth of the eternal Wisdom. seech and exhort, first, to consider this mat

Page  126 126 EXCOMMUNICATION. ter well, before they accept, believe and of whom the evangelists speak, were not of teach it as a true foundation; to consider to the Gentiles, but of the Jews, as is apparwhat class of people Christ was sent from ent from Matt. 9: 10; Mark 2: 17. Since it the beginning, and among what class he is incontrovertible that the beforementioned commenced building and establishing his publicans and sinners were of the Jews, and church. This, Christ sufficiently explains, were adjudged to death, according to the saying, "I am not sent, but unto the lost law; and since Christ points us as well to sheep of the house of Israel," Matt. 15: 24. the publicans, as to the Gentiles, therefore Paul, also says, "Now I say that Christ it must follow that it should not be exwas a minister of the circumcision for the plained as having reference to the times truth of God, to confirm the promises made when Israel yet exercised their liberties unto the fathers." Since he then, was, from with the heathen, which liberties were althe beginning, sent unto the Jews, and lowed to them, by Moses, in his law; for at preached unto them and taught them, and that time the transgressors, on proof, were not to the heathen, therefore these words of adjudged unto death, according to the law. Christ should not be understood as mean- It would also follow that the lives of the ing that we should deal with an apostate apostates, on proof, should be taken at our as the believing heathen now deal with hands. 0, no, for we know that such a an unbelieving heathen, but to deal with bloody ban is an abomination before God, them as the literal Jews dealt with them at neither is it known to christians, much less the time of Christ. For Christ, I say, did practiced. not preach unto the heathen, but unto the If any one should assert that it applies Jews; and therefore he did not point them, to the present time, that is, of treating an by these words, but to the Jewish ban, apostate as we now treat a Gentile, and not namely, how they shunned the heathen and to the time of Christ, as the Jews then treated open sinners in his times. a Gentile, he must also re-establish the JewIn the second place, I pray that every ish people with their law and religion, and God-fearing heart consider what the word their open transgressors, which is impossiGentile implies; and see if not all fornica- ble. This every one must confess. tors, adulterers, avaricious, unbelievers, perjurers, idolators, murderers and drunk- Since the word Gentile can not be underards are included in the word Gentile. stood as appplicable to the time when the Yea, Paul says that they are without Christ, Gentiles were not yet so strictly shunned have no God, are dead in sins, and that by the Israelites, for then we should have they are children of wrath, Eph. 2: 11. to adjudge the apostates unto death, acSince, then, all sinners and Gentiles are ex- cording to the word "manifest transgresspressed in the word " Gentile," for the Gen- ors;" nor as applicable to the present time, tiles who have not Christ, are also sinners, for now we have not the Jewish transgressand without grace, and since Christ here ors-therefore no one can successfully conspeaks as well of open sinners, as of Gen- tradict, according to God's truth, otherwise tiles, and, moreover, as every word of Christ than that it applies to the time of Christ, at has its full weight and measure-therefore, which time they did not put transgressors the word of Christ can not be explained as to death, but separated and avoided both meaning that we should deal with an apos- the publicans and heathen alike, by means tate brother as we would with other Gen- of the same ban. tiles, who never received nor acknowled the Having sufficiently proven to the pious word of the Lord. and God fearing, by the above mentioned In the third place, I hope that no true reasons, that Christ spoke those words as brother, who is called after the name of the applying to his own times, and to no other, Lord, will knowingly and willfully adulter- we will now show in plain language, first, ate the word of the Lord, but that he will the proper cause why they so scrupulously give it its due praise and honor, and ac- avoided the heathen, and, secondly, why knowledge that these publicans and sinners, I they shunned the open transgressors, and

Page  127 EXCOMMUNICATION. 127 did not inflict capital punishment upon this, for the purpose that they should not, them. as formerly, be led astray, and turned away It is well known to all readers of the Bi- from their God. For this reason, the Jews ble, that the Lord God faithfully warned so entirely avoided intercourse with the Israel that they should not make an alli- heathen. If this reason was of weight, ance, nor terms of friendship, with the Ca- every theologian may judge and weigh naanites, Hittites, and others; nor to inter- with the words of God, Num. 33:35; Judges marry with them, lest they should be led 3: 13; 1 Kings 11: 1; 3: 12; 9: 2. astray by them, and follow strange Gods, Again, the reason why they shunned the Deut. 7. Joshua says, "Take good heed public sinners, and did not punish them therefore, unto yourselves, that ye love the with death, is this: Because the prophecy Lord your God. Else, if ye do in any wise of the patriarch Jacob was now verifiedgo back, and cleave unto the remnant of that the royal scepter, taken from Judah by these nations, even these that remain among Pompey, the great, was now in the hands you, and shall make marriages with them, of the Romans, and that they had officers and go in unto them, and they to you; know of their own in Judea, who obeyed their for a certainty that the Lord your God will superior; and therefore, the Jews did not no more drive out any of these nations from punish with death, according to their law, before you; but they shall be snares and those who willfully transgressed; for they traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, were, at that time, subject to the scepter of and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish the Romans. That this is the truth, the from off this good land which the Lord your Jews declared before Pilate, when they said, God hath given you," Josh. 23: 11, 13. "It is not lawful for ts to put any man to Israel, not taking to heart this paternal death." According to the law they were warning of God, but, contrary thereto, be- permitted; nay, it was strictly commanded friended andintermingled with these strange them; but the lost scepter, now, made it nations, the menace of the Lord God threat- unlawful; for the Roman servants, Herod, ened through his faithful servants, Moses Pilate, &c., who, at that time, swayed the and Joshua, was verified. They became scepter in behalf of the Romans, did not quite degenerated by the strange women want to judge according to the law of the and idols, with which they intermingled, Jews, but according to the rights and statand were severely scourged and punished utes of the Romans, in whose name they of the Lord. Yea, so that the talented Sol- ruled, and to whom they were bound by omon, whose wisdom was far-famed, was oath. When any Jew tresspassed the law so enchanted by the heathen women, that of Moses, and not the Roman morals, the he became unfaithful to the Lord, his God, beforementioned functionaries did not in(who twice appeared unto him), and inclined flict capital punishment, because the law of his heart to strange gods. I think, beloved Moses required it. And since the Jews were brethren, this is the just recompense of those not allowed to punish him according to the who despise the counsel of the Lord. law, for the above mentioned reasons, they And they, deceived by the artfulness of separated him from their communion, and the heathen, often sinned against their God, excommunicated him from their synagogue and being, therefore, so often chastised of and shunned him. God, with his just punishment, they, at Behold, faithful brethren, for the beforelast, took to heart the warning of God, given mentioned reasons, the Jews, at the time of through Moses and Joshua, more than they Christ, shunned both the heathen and the had formerly done; they quit their inter- jewish publicans. They shunned the heacourse with the heathen, altogether, so that then, lest they should be led astray and dethey, as appears, also abandoned some lib- ceived; but the publicans, because, accorderties, which Moses had allowed them. ing to the law, were deserving of death, Yea, so that they considered it as improper Gen. 49: 10, and yet were not allowed to to enter into their houses, or to eat with kill and destroy them on account of the them, as may be plainly observed. And Roman dominion.

Page  128 128 EXCOMMUNICATION. Perhaps some will ask, Why then, did their own words. Does not Moses say, they scourge the apostles? Stone Stephen? "Whosoever does not hearken unto my and why were many saints put to death by (God's) words, which he shall speak in Saul? Why was their community destroyed, my name, I will require it of him," Deut. since they were not allowed capital punish- 18: 19. Does not Jeremiah say, That he ment? "shall execute judgment and justice in the To this I answer: That all this did not earth " Does not the Father from high transpire without the consent of the Ro- heaven, say, "This is my beloved Son in mans, for they, themselves, confessed before whom I am well pleased; hear ye him?" Pilate, saying, "It is not lawful for us to Does not Paul say, "In whom (Christ) put any man to death," John 18: 31. The are hid all the treasures of wisdom and stoning of Stephen was not done lawfully, knowledge?" Jer. 23: 5; Matt. 17: 5; Col. but merely in a riot, as Luke declares, say- 2: 3. I am sure that the word and teaching, Exclamantes autem voce magna, con- ing of Christ is Scripture enough for all the tinuerunt aures suas, and impetumfecerunt pious. He it is, I say, and not I, who unanimiter in eum; and this the Zurichans points his believers to the use of the ban. have also thus translated into the German: Tu quis es, qui ex adveerso respondes Deo " They cried with a loud voice, and stopped That is, Who art thou that wouldst answer their ears and ran upon him with one ac- God with perverseness? cord," as they also intended to do with If there be any brother under the whole Christ, and also with Paul, Acts 7: 57; canopy of heaven, who can show, by the 10: 31; 21: 30; 23: 12; 26: 10; Luke 4: 29. divine truth, that these words of Christ Again, that Saul of Paul destroyed the apply to any other time than to the time of church, and put to death many of the saints, Christ, without violating the Scriptures, as he related before Agrippa, we may be then I will gladly hear him, and open my sure that he did not do so without the con- ears to the truth; for I desire not to contend sent of the magistracy; for it is manifest against the truth, which is my testimony, and incontrovertible, that the scepter did but I desire to uphold it. For, for the sake not allow them to put any one to death, of truth, I have had to hear and suffer much, and, for this reason they said, "It is not these many years; and am yet prepared lawful for us to put any man to death;" the unto death, by the grace of the Lord, to tesscepter was taken from them, and came tify to the truth. But I know, and am coninto the hands of the Romans, as has been vinced, that it can not apply to any other explained above. If they had been allowed time, without violating the word and Scriptto practice their ownlaw of blood, theywould ures of Christ, as we have sufficiently shown not have delivered Christ unto Pilate; and proven, to the reader, above, by abunLucius would not have taken Paul from the dance of reasons and Scriptures. tumultuous Jews; Herod would not have Secondly, I desire, for God's sake, that imprisoned Peter, nbr killed John the bap- my beloved brethren will weigh with the tist, and James; for this would not do, in balance of the Scriptures, what leaven is, the worldly adjudication, for one to grasp and what the Scriptures mean by it, before the jurisdiction of another; such a policy they call this beforementioned ban, to which would, doubtlessly, soon fail, Acts 21: 27- Christ directs us, a pharisaic leaven. It 40; 24: 7. implies, first, the word and its power, or We are well aware, beloved brethren, rather, faith and its power. Secondly, it sigthat there are some who call this Jewish nifies a corrupting, ungodly being or Iman. shunning, or ban, to which Christ has di- Thirdly, a deceiving, leavened, corrupting rected us, a pharisaic leaven, and frankly doctrine. If the Jewish ban and shunning, say, We do not want to be pointed to a to which Christ points us, was a leaven, as leaven, without the Scriptures. Whosoever some mistakenly assert, then they must these may be, we pray them for the Lord's show, by virtue of the Scriptures, what sake, first, to consider well what they say; leavening and corruption it has caused in for, in my opinion, they do not understand the pure word, and in the hearts of the

Page  129 EXCOMMUNICATION. 129 Jews; for, although God, the Lord permit- From all this, it is evident, according to ted some liberties to Israel, through Moses, my understanding of the word of the Lord, in their temporal transactions, as said at that it is a frightful blasphemy, unknown the beginning, yet he did not expressly to a God-fearing christian, thus to undercommand that they should deal with the take to master and instruct Christ, the eterheathen, but rather warned the Jews against nal Wisdom of God, how he should teach them. They now scrupulously observed us, and what he should command us; and the faithful warning of God, being taught to call that which he commands us, leaven, them through many perils, and for that although it is a strong and consolatory reason, probably, they did not make use of shield against corruption and deceit; and the privileges granted them, in regard to therefore, not contrary to the law, but in dealing with them, lest, by these means, conformity therewith; of this we are conthey should be ensnared and corrupted in vinced, for if it were leaven, contrary to the their hearts by the heathen. Let the spirit- law, as some say it is, then Christ Jesus ual judge, now, whether it can be called would, by no means have approved of it, leaven, by the Scriptures, since they did not commanded it and said, "Let him be unto neglect the law and command of God there- thee as a heathen man and a publican," by, but, in fact, left it unchanged and whole since he, in other places, has diligently and were thus shielded against the cor- warned his followers against the leaven. rupter. Some, perhaps, will contradict me by Sincerely beloved brethren, if we are to saying that the shunning of the heathen by esteem as a leaven, this oft mentioned jew- the Jews, that is, not to eat with them, ish ban, to which Christ directs us, because when the victuals were clean, was openly they, for their consciences' sake, abandoned contrary to the express command of the law. some of these liberties (for liberties are of For Moses had commanded Israel that they a nature that we can enjoy them, or not, at should keep the feast of the weeks, and the our option; else they would not be liber- feast of the tabernacles, unto the Lord their ties), not contrary to the law, but rather in God, with a tribute of free-will offering of conformity with the faithful warning, ad- their hands, which they should give unto vice and admonition of God, contained in the Lord, their God, &c., and that they the law-then the holy prophet Jeremiah s hould rejoice before the Lord, their God, might, for good reasons, have reproved the they, and their sons, and their daughters, Rechabites as leaven, because they, on ac- and their man-servants, and their maidcount of the command of their father Jona- servants, and the Levite that was within dab, would not drink wine, plant vineyards, their gates, and the stranger, and the fathersow the soil, nor build houses, although all less, and the widow, that were among them. this was free to them, according to the law To such, I would reply, that these strangers of God; for to them, with Israel, were the also had to keep the Sabbath; to enjoy the possession of the land, and the other bless- | tenths of the third year, the first fruits of ings promised, Jer. 35: 14. 0, no, the Lord the land, the gleanings of the field, olive did not reckon it as leaven unto them, but trees and vineyards with the Levites, the it was accounted to their honor to have hon- widows and orphans. ored the command of their father, and there- The stranger also had, with Israel, an ofby they obtained the promise of the Lord. fering for their sins of ignorance; also, the I would further say, that if it is to be called same punishment with Israel; they had to leaven, if we do not partake of our freedom hear the reading of the law every seventh for conscience' sake, or for the sake of the year, in the solemnity of the year of release. brethren-then freedom cannot be called Therefore, it follows from these and other freedom, and Paul must have been an im- like Scriptures, that these beforementioned pure leaven to have taught that we should, i strangers were citizens among the Israelites, if necessary, deny ourselves the liberty, for and not uncircumcised heathen. For they the sake of the brethren, Rom. 14: 14; 1 Cor. were already among the Israelites at the 8: 13; 9: 14; 10: 23. [time they yet journeyed in the wilderness. 53

Page  130 130 EXCOMMUNICATION. Moses says, " Ye stand this day, all of you, ing to the Latin text. Thus it reads in Latin: before the Lord your God; your captains 2Misit nunciosante conspectum suum, and of your tribes, your elders, and your offi- euntes intraverunt in ciritatum, Samaricers, with all the men of Israel; your little tanorum, ut pararent illi and non recepeones, your wives, and thy stranger that is runt eum, quiafacies ejus erat euntis Hierin thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood osolymam. Which being translated reads, unto the drawer of thy water, that thou He "sent messengers before his face, and shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord they went and entered into a village of thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord the Samaritans, to make ready for him, thy God maketh with thee this day," Deut. and they did not receive him, because his 5: 14; 16: 13, 14; Ex. 20: 10; 23: 12; Deut. face was as though he would go to Jerusa14: 29; 24: 19; Num. 15: 27; Lev. 4: 13; lem," Luke 9:52. Num. 9: 14; Deut. 29: 10-12. What kind of preparation is hereby I think, brethren, that the cited passages meant, may, in my opinion, be clearly sufficiently show and prove that they were learned from the case of the seventy, recalled strangers, because they were not of lated in Luke 10: 1; whom he sent before the seed of Israel, and had no part in the his face by two and two, to make preparadistribution of the land; therefore, Moses tion for him in all the cities and countries commanded the Israelites to allow them whither he himself would come, not to prethe right to the tenths of the third year, to pare a place for sojourning, but for the the gleanings of the field, of the olive trees teaching of the kingdom of God. But here and vineyards, and the first fruits of the they did not receive him. He says not that land, as we have shown and explained from the master of the house did not receive him, the writings of Moses. but they, that is, the inhabitants of the city, In the second place, it might be asked, to whom he had sent them to preach, did why we should shun the apostates, since not receive him; because, as Luke says, he Christ said, "Let him be unto thee as a was going to Jerusalem; fortheSamaritans heathen man and a publican," and since it is and the Jews always have had a severe manifest that Christ, himself, did eat with strife between them in regard to worship thepublicans. To this I reply: Whatkind of and religious matters. Yea, so much so, sinners they were, with whom Christ ate, is that the Samaritans were considered by the well explained by the evangelists. For, Jews as being deserving of the ban, John when the Pharisees murmured, Christ said, 4: 9; and if it were true, that he desired to "They that be whole need not a physician, find a lodging-place, yet it is apparent that but they that are sick; but go ye and learn the Samaritans were not Gentiles, but a what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and remnant of the ten tribes of Shalmaneser; not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the for the Samaritan woman said unto righteous, but sinners to repentance." What Christ, "Art thou greater than our father kind of sinners Matthew, the sinful woman, Jacob 2" That Jacob was not the father of and Zaccheus were, after they had heard the Gentiles, is manifest. She also looked Christ is not a mystery, Matt. 9: 12, 13. for the Messiah, whom the Gentiles did not Again, Luke says, that all the publicans know, she said, "I know that the Messiah and sinners came to Christ to hear him, and cometh, which is called Christ," John 4: 25. with such did he eat, and therefore did he Again, after Stephen was stoned, Philip say to the murmuring Pharisees, "What came into a Samaritan city and preached man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he Christ unto them; and at that time they lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety could not yet conscientiously preach the and nine," &c., Luke 15: 4. gospel unto the Gentiles and go amongst Again, that he ate with the Samaritans, them. From this it may be safely educed is no wonder at all, for they received his that the Samaritans, who claimed the paword and believed on him; but that he triarch Jacob to be their father, who looked should have sought hospitality in a Samari- for the Messiah, and to whom they had altan city, is not rightly translated, accord- ready preached the gospel, before they were

Page  131 EXCOMMUNICATION. 131 conscientiously at liberty to go among the have judged already, as though I were presGentiles, were not heathen, but a remnant ent, concerning him that hath so done this of the Israelites, as said before; therefore deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is no wonder that he requested to sojourn when ye are gathered together, and my with them. Neither did he say, Let him be spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus unto thee as a Samaritan, but as a'hea- Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for then man and a publican." the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit Behold, dearly beloved brethren, however may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus," we turn these words of Christ, they cannot 1 Cor. 5: 3, 4, 5. be made to apply to any other time than These words of the apostle teach us three that of Christ; namely, that, as the Jews at things: First, The great love of the faithful that time dealt with a heathen and publi- servant, Paul, toward his disciples and chilcan-so we may also, now treat an apos- dren; for although he was not present there, tate who, either through false doctrine, or yet as present in spirit, he was paternally through an unclean, shameful life, dishon- solicitous for them, and ever taught, admonors, rejects and disgraces Christ Jesus and ished and advised them to their own good. his holy word. I wish, most beloved breth- Secondly, In whose name, how, and by ren, that every christian would diligently whom this separation, shall be practiced, consider, since we have given our under- namely, in the name, that is, by virtue of standing of thesewords of Christ, whethernot the command and ordinance of our Lord also Paul understood these words as-mean- Jesus Christ. For Paul did not undertake ing the same as we have explained. Yea, to do any thing that he had not first rehe who closely considers this matter, will ceived of Christ, as he says. Yea, if Christ find that Paul, in his doctrine of separation, had not first instructed Paul to do so, he has, in every way conformed to this rule of would not have dared to command the Christ. Thessalonians, in the name of our Lord Thus Paul says, "It is reported common- Jesus Christ, that they should separate ly, that there is fornication among you, themselves from every brother who walked and such fornication as is not so much as disorderly, and not according to his ordinamed among the Gentiles, that one should nances. For this may well be called doing have his father's wife. And ye are puffed things in the name of Christ, when it is done up, and have not rather mourned, that he in conformity to his holy word and will. that hath done this deed might be taken Again, It shall be practiced by the church; away from among you," 1 Cor. 5: 1, 2. that is, every one shall not separate at In another place, Paul teaches how Christ his own pleasure; but it should be done loved the church, and gave himself for it; by the congregation of God, after proper that he might sanctify and cleanse it with admonition in love, diligence and faithfulthe washing of water by the word, that he ness, with the power of Christ, that is, with might present it to himself a glorious church, the binding or closing key of the Holy not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such Spirit. For if it be practiced without the thing; but that it should be holy and with- word and Spirit, without love and brotherly out blemish, Eph. 5: 25. If we admit such affability, whether it is through bitterness, open profaners as this fornicator, and, anger, or a false report, not conformable to moreover, adulterers, drunkards, conten- the word, for reasons not deserving of the tious, avaricious, upbraiders and idolaters, ban,-then it is not a work of God, no medand do not shun them, then we must ever icine to the soul, nor fruit of pure love; but hear this reproof of Paul, that we are a contention of satan, a corruption and pes"puffed up" and do not rather mourn to tilence to the soul, and a manifest fruit of separate such open transgressors from us. the flesh: In short, a curse, abomination 0, brethren, brethren! I fear that this ad- and stench before God. Let every person monition of Paul is not sufficiently weighed well weigh these words of Paul, and he will, by some. Paul says further, "For I verily, by the grace of God, find how rigidly this as absent in body, but present in spirit, separation is commanded in the Scriptures,

Page  132 132 EXCOIMMUNICATION. and how orderly it should be practiced in gaged in this matter, to follow the faithful the church, with the power of the word and advice of the Holy Spirit, in all reasonableSpirit of Christ. ness and love, without respect of persons; Thirdly, That we should deliver an unre- no matter whether it concerns father, mothpenting transgressor unto satan. Not, breth- er, sister, brother, husband, wife, child, or ren, that he was not of satan before sep- any relative or friend; for how can we show aration, for as soon as he turned his heart more spiritual love towards them? But as it away from the Lord and became ungodly, is, a great many do not seek that which is he became the subject of satan, even as a of the Spirit, but that which is of the flesh; penitent sinner is a subject of Christ. But not their neighbors, but themselves. If they now the voice of man, through the church, do so through ignorance, then may the tells him that he is deprived of the com- merciful Father enlighten them with his munion of Christ and his church, and Holy Spirit, and guide them into all truth; that he is now delivered unto satan until he \ but if they do so through willful perverseagain brings forth true fruits of repentance, ness, then we know that it is written, "To before God and his church, that his adulter- be carnally minded is death," Rom. 8: 6. ous, avaricious, refractory and idolatrous In the third place, Paul says, "Your flesh may be brought to reflection and be- glorying is not good. Know ye not that a come ashamed and repentant by such judg- little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? ment and shunning of the pious, that he Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may thus suppress and die unto his flesh, may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. that is, the lusts of his flesh, and that he For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed may by these means be brought to repent- for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not ance and his soul be saved in the day of with old leaven, neither with the leaven of the Lord Jesus. malice and wickedness, but with the unleavHere the godfearing reader may observe ened bread of sincerity and truth," 1 Cor. in these words of Paul, the first reason why 5: 6-7. the Holy Spirit ordained this ban to be Again, with these words Paul reproves, practiced in the house of God, namely, for first, the Corinthians, and, also, all other repentance and not for corruption; that, if churches with them, who glory in being the the transgressor rejects as null and void, church of Jesus Christ and the spiritual all fraternal services and admonitions of house of Israel, and yet tolerate such shamefaithful love that are shown to him, and re- ful, corrupting leaven, as the Corinthians mains unrepentant-that, then, according and the like defilers, in their communion. to the advice of the Holy Spirit, the judg- For how can we glory in the piety of the ment passed upon him, should, with sor- church and reprove other churches on acrowfulness, be made known unto him in the count of their ungodly doctrine and life, so church and that he is separated from the long as we tolerate the like leaven of docchurch that he may thus become ashamed trine and life among us, without expelling unto repentance. it? If we are unleavened, Why are we not Again, about this shame, the apostle fearful of the leaven? since the apostle tells speaks in another place, " If any man obey us that " a little leaven leaveneth the whole not our word by this epistle, note that man lump." and have no company with him, that he Secondly, H-e here gives us the outward may be ashamed," 2 Thess. 3: 14. Israel as an example. For when they kept Take notice, brethren, that true, evangel- the passover, they did not keep leavened ical separation is an express fruit of un- bread in their houses for seven days. Yea, feigned love, and not a law of hatred, as if it was found in any house the souls theresome, very wrongly, complain and pretend. of had to be rooted out from among Israel. Ah, faithful brethren, if we rightly under- NIeither was an uncircumcised or unclean stood God, if we were enlightened with the one to eat thereof. Oh, brethren, if the figHoly Spirit, and loved our neighbors with ure and shadow were to be so pure how divine love, how diligently we would be en- much more should the reality be pure? For

Page  133 EXCOMMUNICATION. 133 our passover is not a quadruped, but it is the rejection of the counsel and will of God the spotless Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. will never go unpunished, Deut. 13: 5, 7; Nor does our passover last seven days, as 17: 11; 19: 15; Heb. 10: 18. did the passover of Israel, but it lasts for- But at present, the Holy Spirit does not ever, namely, from-the offering of Christ un- teach us to destroy the wicked, as did Istil the last day; neither is it kept by un-rae but that we should reluctantly sepaleavened bread, baked of flour, but by the rate them from the church, and that in the unleavened bread of righteousness and by name of te ord, y the power of Christ the word of eternal truth. the Lord, by the power of Christ thef wolred of eternal truth. keep j and the Holy Spirit; for a little leaven leavTherefore, beloved brethren, let us keep eneth the whole lump. It is a common saythis passover holy and unspotted, to the ing, One scabby sheep mars the whole best of our ability, and let us, in the name flock. The lepers were not allowed among of our Lord Jesus Christ, separate from us the healthy, in Israel; but had to be sepathe corrupting leaven, that is, all those that rated until cured. 0, brethren in the Lord! walk in the foreskin of their hearts, and all the leprosy of the soul, is a leprosy above impure in life (understand, open, known all diseases, whether it is in doctrine, or in transgressors), that we may be the holy life. It eats like a cancer, and, as Paul Israel of God, besprinkled with the blood says, "leavens thewholelump." Therefore of the lamb, free from the scourging angel the Holy Spirit has abundantly taught us of God, and that we may thus rejoicebefore to separate such from among us; not to the Lord, in sincerity and truth, and cele- prophets for hear the words of the false prophets, for brate and serve it all the days of our lives. they deceive us; to separate from such who, Further, all the pious may learn from contrary to apostolic doctrine, cause offense these words of Paul, "Know ye not that a and contention; to shun those who are not little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" the pleased with the salutary words and docsecond reason, why this separation is so ine of our dear Lord Jesus Christ but are trine of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, but are necessary and useful to the house of God, contentious and desirous of quarreling, &c.; and that it can not stand without it. This o s s an d artfu l labore r has been shown inIsrael. Moses,the faith- t r nd te flh a s been shown in Israel. oMoses, the faith- and the selfish; to flee the voice of strangers; ful servant of God, strictly commanded the to shun an heretic or a master of sects, after people of God, that they should, without r twice admonished; not mercy, destroy from amon them the ilfuli having been once or twice admonished; not mercy destroy from among y twm the wilful to greet nor receive in our houses him who transgressors, when proven by two or three does not teach the doctrine of Christ; and witnesses; also, that if any prophets should raw fm ey b r wo to withdraw from every brother who acts arise among them, with signs and miracles orderly and walks not accordin to the to lead disorderly and walks not according to theshould not to lead them to other gods, they should not apostolic doctrine. 0, says Paul, that they hear them, blut destroy them. Agnain, the be cut off who disturb you, Lev. 13: 2; Jer. father should not excuse his child, the hus- 23 16; Titus 3: 10; 2 John 10; 2 Thess. 3:6. band his wife, &c., but their hand should be the first upon them. Also, they should I think, beloved brethren, the Holy Spirit level and destroy any city which went after I of God has done well, and fully performed other gods, that Israel might hear these the duties of his office, and his faithful serthings, fear God and no more practice such vice of divine love toward his chosen people evil. I think this was a rigid separation by admonishing, warning, teaching and which was commanded Israel. If they had commanding, in Moses and the prophets, in stood firm and immutable in this, and had Christ and the apostles, in regard to the they followed the command, counsel, teach- Shunning of heretics and apostates; but, if ings and admonition of God, according to we through obstinacy or perverseness, still the Scriptures, and destroyed the false associate with the leprous, against the prophets and idolators, they would never faithful counsel, teaching and admonition have become so estranged from God, and of God and intermingle with them, then we come to such deadly whoring and degener- [ will also be infected with the same disease. ation (understand this as in the law). For i It is the recompense of those who know

Page  134 134 EXCOMMUNICATION. the nature of the disease, and yet neither do not eat; just as the Jews did not eat fear nor avoid it. with the Gentiles and publicans, at the time Say, most beloved, is it not the greatest of Christ; neither did they keep their comfoolishness and recklessness willfully and pany; for Christ and Paul are one and not knowingly to run into the hands of the divided, John 4: 9. murderer, by opening unto him your house I think, brethren, that this text is so plain and office; for what else can you expect but and clear that it admits of no controversy; stealing, robbing and murdering? notwithstanding some violate and garble it. 0, that the pious reader would receive the First, they say, "Paul had no authority command, teaching, counsel, and admoni- to burden us with any laws when it was not tion, so faithfully given by the Holy Spirit. first taught and commanded him of Christ." Shun all heretics (I refer to those who have To this we answer: Let every one rightly been of us), and apostates, according to reflect upon, divide and consider the words tUie word of the Lord; whether it is father, of Christ, "Let him be unto you as a heamother, wife, child, relative or friend, or then man and a publican," and he will find, whoever will try to turn you from God and by the grace of God, whether or not Paul his word, and to corrupt you by doctrine or first received this doctrine of Christ. by life. Whosoever loves any thing more Secondly, they say, "Since Paul makes than his God, cannot be the disciple of the mention here of the Jewish passover, and Lord, Matt. 10: 37; Luke 14: 26. Therefore, adds that we should keep the passover, not believe Christ Jesus, and sincerely fear him in the old leaven," &c., so this passage, and in his word, and you will follow his coun- also his sayings, "With such do not comsel and teaching; but if you be offended pany, with such do not eat," must be underthereat, then await your punishment, for, stood as meaning a spiritual intermingling by the grace of God, I know what it is to or communion. To such, we answer: Isdespise the word and will of God, and what rael had a passover of seven days, but we I have felt and seen in this respect. have an eternal passover. And, as the In the fourth place, Paul says, "I wrote Lamb of our passover is eternal, and his unto you in an epistle not to company with offering eternal, so we must now, perpetufornicators. Yet not altogether with the ally sanctify and celebrate it, ever partake fornicators of this world, or with the covet- of its flesh; ever be sprinkled with its blood, ous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for and ever be diligently guarding against the then must ye needs go out of the world. ungodly, corrupting leaven of both doctrine But now I have written unto you not to and life. If our feast and passover then, is keep company, if any man that is called a spiritual and not literal, eternal and not brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an temporal, how can this then be applicable idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an to the Lord's Supper, which eating does not extortioner; with such a one no not to eat," last but for an hour or so? 1 Cor. 5: 9-11. In the second place, we answer: If these From these words of the apostle we ob- words were spoken of a spiritual communserve that he had on a former occasion, ad- ion then it should read in the Greek text, admonished the Corinthians, in an epistle, choinonia, and in the Latin, communicatio, that they should shun the fornicators, cov- for that signifies a spiritual communion, as etous, &c., but they had also understood it Christ communes with us, and the members as meaning the fornicators of this world. of Christ commune with Christ; also, comIn this epistle, Paul admonishes them that munity of property. But in the Greek text this was not his meaning; for if they should is a different word, and in Latin it reads: shun such, and not have any dealings with commisceri siri commercium habere, which them, they must needs go out of the world. does not imply a spiritual communion at But he meant those who are called brethren, all, but an outward, temporal communion; as he shows in plain language, saying, " If and it appears the clearer from these words any man that is called a brother be a forni- of Paul that he here speaks of the tempocator, or covetous," &c., with such an one ral communion and company, and not of

Page  135 EXCOMMUNICATION. 135 spiritual. For he has prohibited this corn- many years, that some, on every hand, munion with the apostates and allows the use no weight nor measure in this matter; communion with the world, which has no and the result is, that there is much dispute spiritual communion with us, nor can they and trouble about this separation. May have. This is incontrovertible. Yea, if the the Lord grant his divine grace to the peace, communion or intermingling with the world unity and edification of his holy church. were prohibited, then we could not make Amen. use of the necessaries of life, but we would Inasmuch as I am an unworthy and humhave to eke out our life in poverty, destitu- ble servant, called into the house of God, tion, tribulation and misery, 1 Cor. 10: 3; and sincerely seek the good of my beloved Acts 2: 44; 1 Tim. 6: 18; Heb. 13: 16. brethren and co-workers; therefore I will Thirdly, we reply: That Paul had refer- briefly present my views concerning this ence to common eating, and not to the communion or intermingling, according Lord's Supper; for he calls it in Latin, to my talent, with which I desire to apcibum capere (to take food), and not, panum pear before the throne of my Lord Jesus frangere (to break bread); and it is mani- Christ, at the day of judgment, and will fest that the Lord's Supper is, nowhere in leave it to the criticism of God's word, and the Scriptures, called cibum capere. And all theologians. Therefore, my understandif it were spoken in reference to the Supper, ing of commisceri or commercium habere, as some very mistakenly assert, then it (that is, to mix with or to commune), of would incontrovertibly follow that we are which Paul here speaks, is, that it implies at liberty to invite the world to the Lord's daily communion, company, walk, interSupper, to greet them with the kiss of peace course, presence, usage, conversation and and to be one body with them; for this dealing, and thatitdoes not mean accidentintercourse, unclean and prohibited with an al conversation, or necessary dealings, such apostate brother, is, according to Paul, as dividing a legacy, liquidating debts, and clean and allowable with the world. 0, no, such like incidental dealings, or to be serbut as the Jews at that time would not eat viceable in times of need; for the word cona common meal with the heathen and pub- merciumr does not imply anything so strong. licans, and Christ having pointed his fol- Therefore, in my opinion, some err not a lowers to that usage, so Paul follows the little by attaching the same strength to the doctrine and command of his Lord and phrase "have no company with them," that master, Jesus; and says that we shall not they attach to "thou shalt not steal, and thou eat with such. shalt not commit adultery," of which Paul I think that it has been sufficiently shown testifies that those who are guilty thereof, to the pious, that these words of Paul shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. should not be understood as referring to Their argument is, That nay is nay; yea, spiritual communion, nor to the Lord's Sup- brethren, if this were the case, who could per, but only to daily intercourse and corn- stand before his God? mon eating. If, now, it is not allowed in Again, if the word commercium, which in outward or carnal communion, it will be our language, means an intermingling or less so in inward or spiritual communion. communion, is to be explained, that we are Dear brethren in the Lord, I would here not to speak a word with an apostate, not pray and admonish you all, in humility, to have any necessary dealings with him; to consider well what the proper meaning then the word commercium would be viois of this word commercium (intercourse), of lated; many a pious child be retarded, which Paul speaks, and how we should many an unscriptural action done, and the understand it, that you may not give too faithful Paul would be rejected. For he much liberty to the reckless souls, to their says, "Yet count him not as an enemy, but own destruction, and that you do not too admonish him as a brother," 2 Thess. 3: 15. closely bind the narrow minded, since you Besides, it would make an evil report of the have no binding word. For I hear and see, gospel of Christ. and have, alas, seen too much of it, these It is also incontrovertible, that the publi

Page  136 136 EXCOMMUNICATION. cans and some heathen lived in Judea, as, diet it, since there are such good fruits and Herod, Pilate, Philip, Sisanius, Testus, &c., utility derived from this shunning. But it before whom they had to appear at times. seems that this vine must have its worms. Again, they also had to pay tribute to the Again, the refractory make another obRomans; and, therefore, were obliged some- jection, and say, "When one is separated times, to speak to them, and had necessary from the church it is not necessary dealings with them; although they diligent- any more to shun him, for he is no longer ly shunned their daily company, conversa- called a brother." To such we reply: That tion, intermingling, eating, &c. they should, in the first place, consider Dear brethren, take heed, and do not be- that if such an one, who has acknowledged come masters and despisers of the Holy the Lord's word and truth, and, for a time, Spirit, that you do not, through the good led a pious, evangelical life, and has thus opinions of men, make the way narrower received baptism, becomes apostatized and nor broader, than the word, Spirit and ex- afterwards sincerely repents, he is not rebapample of the Lord makes and limits it. tized; for the Scriptures teach but one bapIn the fifth place, Paul says, "What have tism. But if those who are of the world I to do to judge them also that are without? repent,they are baptized after repentance; for do not ye judge them that are within? But before, they neither confessed word, penithem that are without God judgeth. There- tence, faith, righteousness nor baptism; and fore put away from among yourselves that therefore it is a different matter. At the wicked person," 1 Cor. 5: 12, 13. Here Paul day of judgment, it will also be more strictexplains his former words, that he did not ly required of them than of the world, Luke apply them, in his first epistle, to those 9: 5; 2 Pet. 2: 20; Matt. 24: 48. that are without; for God judges them, and In the second place we say that the world, not we. We ought to put away from among notwithstanding, esteem them as brethren, us the wicked persons, and commend the and many of them would gladly be greeted world to God. as brethren; therefore it is very necessary Behold, faithfulbrethren, how unanimous- to shun them, that both the world and they ly Christ and Paul agree in the shunning may know and understand that we can not of the apostates. And also, how earnestly accept such as brethren who are so unclean Paul has taught and maintained this sepa- and blamable in doctrine or in life, lest the ration. Yea, that he has six times enjoined word of the Lord and his church be despised to practice this ban, in such a short chapter. by the world, on their account. "Ye are puffed up, and have not rather In the third place we say, That Israel did mourned, that he that hath done this deed not shun their open transgressors, nor the might be taken away from among you." Corinthians their fornicators until they were "To deliver such an one unto Satan." separated from the church. It is neither "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that a custom nor usage in the Scriptures, to ye may be a new lump." shun anybody so long as he is suffered in "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to the church; and therefore we should not company with fornicators." shun any one, before separation; or else we "With such an one, no not to eat." practice a ban neither known nor mentioned "Therefore put away from among your- in the Scriptures. selves that wicked person," 1 Cor. 5: 2, 5, 7, In the fourth place we say, That if we 9, 11,13. commune and associate with an apostate, All these are found in one short chapter; after separation, then we show in fact that besides what he has taught, commanded we despise the word, command, counsel, and admonished in this respect to the Ro- teaching and admonition of God; that we mans, Galatians, Philippians, Thessalo- do not seek the reasonable shame of the nians, Timothy and Titus. John also has apostate, which is to lead him to repent; explained himself briefly. I do not see how and also, that we do not guard against the a godfearing heart can have doubts in re- corruption of our own souls. gard to this matter and how he can contra- I trust that this is sufficient to appease

Page  137 EXCOMMUNICATION. 137 every godfearing heart, in regard to the what spirit, of whom, on whom, and for words of Christ, Matt. 18: 18, and in regard what purpose this ban should be practo the fifth chapter of the first epistle to the ticed. I think this foundation to be so Corinthians, and that no more useless gar- powerful that it cannot be broken by chrisbling, objections and artfulexcusesbemade tian reasonableness nor by divine truth. to turn it to the lusts of the flesh, for they Let every one fear and love his God with can stand no better than stubble before the all his heart, and he will, doubtlessly, refire, and ice before heat. Yea, from ceive the true knowledge of this matter, and these same words of Christ and of Paul it will rightly follow the scriptural and God appears clearly how, when, where, with pleasing usage. oly ~iWbe I^ r.^T^^^\II

Page  138

Page  139 A CLEAR, INCONTROVERTIBLE CONFESSION AND DEMONSTRATION, FOUNDED ON THE POWER OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, THAT THE ENTIRE CHRIST JESUS, GOD AND MAN, MAN AND GOD, IS GOD'S OWN, ONLY AND FIRST BEGOTTEN SON; NOT DIVIDED NOR SEPARARATED, BUT AN ONLY, UNDIVIDED PERSON, SON AND CHRIST; GOD'S WORD DULY MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH, TOGETHER WITH A THOROUGH CONFUTATION, REPLY TO, AND SOLUTION OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF THE DEFENSE OF JOHN A'LASCO AGAINST US. BY MENNO SIMON. "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; If any man cat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world," John 6: 51. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871.

Page  140

Page  141 PREFACE. To TIIE IMPARTIAL READER:-I see and by the clear and positive Scriptures and inobserve, honest reader, that many books, controvertible truth. printed in Latin and also written German Behold, for this reason have I yet underbooks, are circulated and read, concerning taken this labor before my death. I, who the incarnation of the Lord, which, in my in my weakness, every day look for the disopinion, so slander our reputuation, that solution of this earthly tabernacle with resthose who read or hear them read, shut ignation; that I may leave behind me a their noses and mouths at our approach; sure testimony and memento, how honestly therefore I feel myself compelled, First, to or dishonestly, how highly or how triflingly, reply to some accusations of John A' Lasco, how greatly or how insignificantly I have eswrongfully preferred against me. Secondly, teemed the Lord Jesus Christ, my only and to advance my confession and faith of eternal Surety, Consolation, Refuge, DeliverChrist Jesus, the Son of God; and, Thirdly, er and Savior, during the period of my servto solve and criticise according to divine ice; for I am aware how we are upbraided truth, as far as the grace of God is given and slandered. me, his principal points with which he re- Therefore have I divided this book in futes our foundation and faith. This I do three parts. The first part is a reply to not for my own sake, for I am well aware some articles and accusations without rethat my truths, with him, are lies, and that I gard to the foundation of our actions of will remain, as did all the holy apostles and which John A'Lasco accuses and blames prophets, the learned heretics and impos- us, without any truth whatever. ters, even if Christ spake in and through The second part, is my confession of the me, poor, ignorant creature, with the same origin and descent of the flesh of Christ, power as that with which he spake former- demonstrated according to the power of the ly through the apostles and prophets. But I Scriptures. do this from the pure love of our Lord and The third part contains the principal obSavior, Jesus Christ, and his holy word; jections, particularly of John A'Lasco to from love for my beloved brethren, and also, our foundation, which are overwhelmingly from a heart inclined towards my oppo- answered according to the word of God. I nents, that Christ Jesus the Son of the Al- have so divided it, that the reader may not mighty and great God, may be made mani- become confused, but may obtain a better fest as a true Son of his heavenly Father; and more intelligent understanding and that the Scriptures may remain unbroken; sense of our writings. and that the afflicted, hungering consciences, I desire and pray all my readers, for the which would gladly follow the right, may sake of Jesus, whether they are learned or see and know it and thus thank the Al- unlearned, favorable or unfavorable, to read mighty and eternal Father with cheerful my writings with an unprejudiced mind hearts, through his first and only begotten and attentively and intelligently; to read Son, Christ Jesus; that, also, the God fear- them frequently; to compare them with the ing reader may know through whom he is Scriptures, and weigh them in the balance reconciled with his God; and that we es- of the Scriptures; I pray them to believe tablish our foundation not otherwise than the Scriptures, and not the long and many

Page  142 142 PREFiACE, writings, teachings and the colorings of and further, not to become impatient if I the learned; that they will examine the sometimes repeat the same words and matfoundation without bitterness, and believe ter, when necessary; and also that at the the surest truth, and follow it in the fear of end, he will not judge me without considerGod, and give him due praise, as becomes ation and intelligence; and thus become all reasonable people, according to the angry with me. For I do nothing more christian name. I doubt not but that all than reasonable purging, according to the those who read them with due attention, truth; nothing more than prove my faith will soon find that the foundation, doctrine and hope, to be in accordance with the and faith of our opponents concerning Scriptures, and uphold the honor and praise Christ, the Son of God, is deceiving and er- of my Lord and Savior-something which I roneous, and that our foundation is the am not only called to do verbally, and with foundation and testimony of the Holy my pen, but also with my life-blood, if his Scriptures; yea, that it is the power and the glory demand it. truth. May the beloved Lord, the faithful Son of I would further pray, that the reader do the true and living God, to whom be all not think hard of it if I call falsehood, lies; honor and praise, grant all kind and disand rebuke evil-doing. I trust, by the grace creet readers a mind desirous to examine of God, to do so without any bitter feeling, diligently, and enlighten the intelligent and with as temperate words as possible; hearts to understand rightly. Amen.

Page  143 A CLEAR, INCONTROVERTIBLE CONFESSION, &C. PART FIRST. In the first place, John A'Lasco writes, "That I attacked his reputation, and profaned their church have magnified his name so that I might, on account service." of the correspondence I had with him, obtain gret- Anser. I trust that nobody can truther honor, more consideration and authority among w t d ours" (as he calls them). fully show that I have said anything but Answer. It is true that I called him the truth about John A'Lasco or his abettors noble and highly-learned, &c., in my con- and followers. But if they feel hurt at the fession to him and the preachers; but I did truth, of which he thinks so hard, for this this for no other reason than simply to be they may blame the truth and not me. I am polite. I did not picture him in such hate- willing to leave it to the judgment of all ful colors as he did me; he calling me a reasonable people, whether I wrote justly doctor or teacher of anabaptists. Nor have or unjustly, too much or too little in regard I called him by such high names as he calls to his doctrine, sacraments, church service, himself-Polonie Baro. I have not sought church or community, or that of the preachthrough his name what alas, he ascribes to ers of his kind. If their doctrine and church me. I know, thanks be to the Lord, with service is of God and his word, why are not holy Paul, that I can not be the servant of their unreasonable and reckless disciples Christ, if I seek to please men, Gal. 1: 10. converted from their ungodly ways and If I should become more honored in the doings? For, according to the contents of name of man, be it a king or emperor, than the Scriptures, it is infallible that the docin Christ, it would not be well with me in trine and service which is of God, has her the end. For if I seek mine own honor, power and influence, Isaiah 58. But it is and not the honor of God, it will not be my too evident from their fruits, that there is honor. But I hope to obtain honor which nothing threshed from them but chaff. My will remain with me forever; men may conscience tells me nothing but that I have judge me as they will, they must confess done them and their church justice; for I before their God, in the day of Christ. He have reproved them, with zeal, of the things who has eyes like a flame of fire, knows which all the prophets, apostles and faithwhat I seek and do, my coming in and my ful witnesses of God have diligently done going out, my rising up and my sitting before me, namely: I have reproved their down. If he knew nothing better of me than carnal, impenitent lives, as is manifest biethat which I am judged by man, then I fore all the world. If I have done wrong might justly exclaim: Woe unto me, that I in this regard, then I may justly accuse was born. Moses and the prophets together with Christ In the second place, hle writes, "That I have unjustly and the apostles, of it, for they have earn

Page  144 144 REPLY TO JOHN A'LASCO. estly commanded me, unworthy creature, be in accordance with the Scriptures, then and all God fearing preachers to do so, for his cause would still not be half way right; which we, miserable creatures, have to suf- for the doctrine and sacraments are useless fer so much in this wild, excited world. He if the fruitful, active faith, and the pious, who has created me, knows that I have unblamable life, are not there; for which done so in sincere love to the conversion of purpose the doctrine was promulgated, and their poor souls. the sacraments ordained. And what kind In the third place, he writes, "I have been obliged to of life is generally led by their followers, deliver our doctrine of your slander, by authority of and also by the greater part of their preachthe divine word, which doctrine you may garble among ers themselves, I will leave to the judgment your followers, by your crying, but which you cannot of tose who can observe teir dail action refute by authority of the Scriptures, notwithstanding your boasting that you do so."'and walk, and who have an understanding Answer. If it can be called slander to of the Holy Scriptures. rebuke wrong, according to the Spirit and In the fifth place he says, "If you would have sent word of God Then not only have I slan- your writings to us all, as you promised to do, we might have answered you alone; but yoa have circudered, but also Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all lated them first among your own, before sending them the prophets, and also Christ Jesus, togeth- to us." er with all his apostles. I have rebuked Answer. I do not recollect that I have their cause according to the word of God; promised them this; nor can I see why I and by the grace of God, shown them that should have made such a promise, as I had they are not the true messengers of God, nothing to write but what was my proper nor their church, the true one. But it will faith and foundation; which I desire not be hard for John A'Lasco to show that our only to testify by writing in secret, but also doctrine, which is not ours, but Christ's with my life-blood, before the whole world, doctrine, is wrong, and also that our rebuke if only the Lord strengthen and uphold me according to the Scriptures, is slander; and by his grace. to prove before his God, who judges all But, asto his writing that I should have things aright, that his doctrine is right in circulated it first amongst ourselves, I would regard to the incarnation, the baptism of say, that he has said too much; for as soon infants, the calling of their preachers, their as I had withdrawn myself from them, I separation and the unrestrained, reckless went to a secret place, as I have had to do life of his church, I fear that we will find these many years, for the sake of the testiplenty of philosophy, invention and color- conscience, and siming, but little scriptural power, foundation, ply compiled my faith and foundation in and truth. Yea, kind reader, I am sure writing, and without any delay, after our that if the violence of the world was ever conversation, sent it to them. However, withstood, as it doubtlessly should be, we out of respect, I handed it to M. H. G., he would soon find where the victory of the being, at the time, Baliff or Burgomaster Scriptures would stand. (Mayor). The Great Lord is my witness In the fourth place he says, "If we prove our doctrine that this is the truth, and since it is a fact by virtue of the divine word, then it will be manifest that we were innocently slandered; and our innocence as related, how could I have circulated it will be made manifest." among ours before it was sent to them, as Answer. If he has proven his doctrine he accuses me of doing; and, even if I had and sacraments to be right, by virtue of the done as he accuses me, were he and his foldivine word, as he boastingly asserts, I will lowers thereby wronged? Since it is not acknowledge that I have unreasonably and alone my foundation, but the foundation wrongfully reproved them in this regard. and faith of us all, as is known to many. But it is nothing but consoling the poor But his own reason convinced him that it people with falsehood, and keeping them would seem unreasonable to the reader to on the broad way by fictitious promises. write such an infamous, bitter book, withEven if he could prove his doctrine and sac- out cause, and therefore he must pretend raments, which, however, he can not do, to sometling, so that his writing against the

Page  145 REPLY TO JOHN A'LASCO. 145 mute Menno, who, on account of the great Answer. The reason why he applies tyranny, cannot answer before the world, these epithets to me, is, because I wrote to might seem reasonable. But whether it him and his abettors thus: Let us not conwill stand before the impartial Judgment- trovert these things wih subtle syllogisms, seat of Christ, will be made manifest in his nor with sharp, human cavilings, for we do declaration. May the beloved Lord not not profess them, but we contradict them reckon it as sin; for I know that I am not alone by the clear, convincing word which guilty. cannot be garbled by eloquence, nor broken In the sixth place he writes, "Your followers were by human invention. These are my words, the cause, that I must publicly treat with you, for they A in c w t have steadily circulated the report in West Friesland, and also, in a great part of Holland, that you are at lib- and his preachers. Let those of a pious erty to teach your doctrine in our churches; and that disposition judge now whether I deserve we are certainly conquered, and have nothing where- such bitter treatment. But I am aware that with to gainsay." I did not earn this crown on account of Answer. I never heard a word of this these words, just mentioned, but for the sake until I read so in his writing; if some of us of the poor, despised truth. Reader, do have thus boasted, as he writes (which I not misunderstand me. Never in my life, cannot believe), then it is evident that they have I despised learning and skill in lanhave not spoken the truth in that regard, guages, but from my youth, honored and but falsehood; which falsehood is a shame- loved them. Although, alas, I never acful thing, yea, it is of the devil, and de- quired them, yet (thanks be to God), I am stroys the soul, John 8: 45, 55. not so bereft of my senses, that I should If he has it from hearsay, it was not right therefore despise or ridicule the knowledge in him to listen to such partizans and liars, of languages through which the precious and to publish it in a book, to the everlasting word of divine grace came to our knowledge. remembrance of all the world, and the great I wish that all pious minded persons posinjury of his neighbors. But if he did it of sessed this knowledge, if we would but his own accord, and not from the persuasion humbly use it to the praise of our God, and of others, which I do not presume he did, the service of our neighbors, in the pure then he dishonors his famous name and fear of God. ruins his soul. For lying, I say, is a shame- Is it not a shameful thing that they reful thing, and will not find a place in God's gar truth so little, and continually try, alcity. though unreservedly, to reflect such falseAgain I say, I do not presume that he hood upon me. Yea, dear reader, if I would wrote this of his own accord, but I imagine evil wit evil, as the lawof nature that he was too desirous to listen to the teaches me, I would collect some false liar, too quick to hear, and too hasty to hoods, some of which were spoken, and write. Be this as it may, I know that, ac-some of which were written against me, of cording to christian reasonableness and which neither he, nor any other man, can love, it does not apply to me; let him adorn ever convict me. Whether this can be called it as much as he can. The great Lord will just and right, I will leave to the judgment make manifest in due time what each one of all impartial, reasonable minds. of us seeks and pretends, yea, maintains, Would to God that he and all our oppoteaches, does and defends. nents, would not act differently with me, In the seventh place he accuses me and says, "That I t n do w t r I tru ey do ot made light of two Latin syllogisms which he communi- t I w s cated to me; that I despised learning and the skill of desire my blood, or at least the greater part languages; that I upbraided them as philosophers, and of them. I rebuke and admonish them of passed myself for simply a theologian, whereby I catch all the short-comings which I see, as love the unlearned and simple, and cause myself great con- for them requires, although they think hard sideration. That, however, my want of excellence is no of that. But that I should write falsehoods meanncss but rather ignorance. Yea, he has set me forth in such colors that my remembrance, althougl, against them, from this may the Lord save alas, not much to my honor, will perhaps lbc with man me. For I am well aware from which imas long as the world endures." pure fountain falsehood flows, and what 55

Page  146 146 REPLY TO JOHN A'LASCO. will be the end of it. I am also aware that we may become the city of the living God, it is not the seed from which we shall beget the glorious kingdom, to his honor, and the God's children, and gather unto Christ a temple of his Holy Spirit, 2 Cor. 6: 16. church. I would klve them do the same And this same wisdom which produces (and not differently), if I should, human- such power and fruit, I esteem as being the like, fail in some things; that they would most worthy of all wisdom imaginable; admonish and reprove me according to the even if taught and restored by an unlearned truth; that they would uphold their truth cart-driver or coal-carrier-yea, it is the (if they had any, which, alas, they have only joy and desire of my afflicted heart; not), by force of the Scriptures; and that the only amelioration of my misery; and they would let the seed of the serpent use will be to the end, by the grace of God, the his falsehood, and the seed of Cain his vio- glorious ornament and crown of my honor. lence, Gen. 3: 4. Of this noble, highly learned wisdom and But as to my ignorance, of which he so philosophy read in Solomon's proverbs, bitterly accuses me, I am not ashamed to also Sirach and the Book of Wisdom, and acknowledge before all the world, that I you will find which is its proper virtue, am not only ignorant, but altogether un- work and power. learned, and very little versed in the lan- guages. Yea, dear reader, I freely admit, f t - as did Socrates, that I only know one thing, Sophic sweetness, honor, virtue, fruit, love as regards human skill and wisdom, and and beauty, which I have not learned of that is, that I know nothing. But as re-famous doctors nor in high schools, and for gards heavenly wisdom, I am so far taught the sake of filling my soul with its living of God, through the grace of the Lord, that power, I have rather chosen to be the ignoI sincerely confess that my Redeemer and rant and unlearned fool of the world, that Savior, Christ Jesus, is the only and first I may be found wise before my God, than begotten Son of God; that whosoever be- to be one of the most famous of te world lieveth in him hath everlasting life; that he and at last be found a fool before the wise that believeth not is condemned; that a liar God. And this is my short answer and is of the devil; that "whosoever hateth his excuseto his charges and bitterupbraidings. brother is a murderer;" that unless ye re- I say again, that in the simplicity of my pent, ye shall all perish; that "the wages heart I wrote the words " subtile syllogism," of sin is death," John 3: 8; 1 John 3: 15; and "sharp cavilings," without, at all, deLuke 13: 5; Rom. 6: 23. And from this spising science, and that I did not mean unregarded wisdom (eternal praise be to thereby to despise or curtail any one. I the Lord), I have obtained so much fear in praise science when justly used to the glory my poor soul, that my earthly, carnal mind of God. But above all I praise the humble. is converted into a better; and that I ant so virtuous science and wisdom which is from sorry that I cannot walk in Christ Jesus, above, for it will never perish, but in gloriwith all my strength, according to the will ous honor remain with all the pious, into of God, and be a sincere, unblamable chris- eternal life. tian; that I cannot bring the whole world This, now, is the first part of this book, from its obdurate, ungodly state, into a and I would have preferred to remain silent new, repentant, christian life, with the Spirit, upon these things, if they had not been power, and word of the Lord. For this is published to embitter some, to hinder the my only joy and ardent desire, that we word, and to the affliction of the God fearmay rightly preach Christ Jesus, according ing. But as it is, circumstances have rento his holy word; that we may seek, fear, dered it necessary for me to do so. May love and serve his holy name. Yea, that the beloved Lord grant us his grace. Amen.

Page  147 OUR CONFESSION. PART SECOND. TiHE reason why we do not admit the the confutation and dissection of the controfoundation, doctrine and faith of the learn- versy, to propose to the reader our faith ed, in regard to the incarnation of the Lord, and confession of Christ the Son of God, acbut refute it with the Scriptures and truth, cording to the wholesome, genuine Scriptis this: Because we clearly see and palpa- ures, that he may find and understand that bly feel that they deprive us entirely of the Lord Jesus Christ is not an unclean, diChrist, the Son of God, and point us to an vided Christ of two persons and sons-but earthly, sinful creature, and a man of the an undivided, pure Christ, an only person, impure and sinful flesh of Adam; because yea, God's first begotten and only Son. their doctrine and pretensions are quite in- Let him who is of an understanding mind, consistent with the ordinance of God, and and who fears God, read and judge. also with nature, the Scriptures and the prop- In the first place I advance the ordinance erties of the names, father, mother and son, of God, Gen. 1:28; 9:1, to which JohnA'Lasco and because so many inconsistencies must himself refers me, namely, "Be fruitful and necessarily be included in Christ, as hered- multiply," and prove from this same ordiitary sin, condemnation, curse and death; nance that the production of man is brought because he would be half man, if the wo- about from the seed of man, through the man, according to their confession, contrib- woman, 1 Cor. 11: 11, as will be enlarged uted as much to the fruit as does the man; upon hereafter. because there would be two persons - one To establish this assertion I would first redivine and one human, which they call two fer to the conception of Sarah, when the Lord natures or two parts; because there would spake unto Abraham, saying, I will bless be two sons-one the Son of God without thS wife Sarah, and she shall bear thee a mother, and not subject to pain; the other son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac, Mary's son without a father, and subject to Gen. 17: 19. To understand these words suffering. rightly and also Gen. 1, the reader should Again, because that if God shall be call- observe that Sarah, as she herself said, was ed a Father of the man, Christ, he must be old and it ceased to be with her after the a creating and not a begetting Father of his manner of women, Gen. 18: 11. NevertheSon, and Christ must not be a born, but a less,throughfaith,she conceived and brought created Son of his Father; because he would forth unto Abraham a son in her old age. be the offspring of Adam and his seed, not This blessing of Sarah, according to my through the word by which all must stand, humble understanding, was that she was but through his own flesh, which was subject made fruitful by the power of God, accordto condemnation and death, with which the ing to the promise through the faith of word clothes him, and in whom (while on Abraham. Behold, thus Isaac was conceivearth), it has lived, and because of other ed by Sarah of the seed of his father, and a gross inconsistencies. Therefore I have son was born unto Abraham, according to deemed it necessary, before I proceed with the ordinance of God, Gen. 1: 28; 21: 2.

Page  148 148 MENNO SIMON'S CONFESSION To this add the proverbs of Philon, or the immutable will and gracious promise rather of the wise Solomon, which reads of the Almighty and heavenly Father; as thus: "I myself also am a mortal man, like John, both in his gospel and epistles clearto all, and the offspring of him that was ly testifies. A man, I say, like unto us in first made of the earth," &c., Wisdom 7: 1. all things except sin. Not, my reader that Again, the Lord said unto Jacob, "Be he came from the unclean seed and flesh of fruitful and multiply; a nation, and a com- Adam, and was, through the power of God, pany of nations shall be of thee; and kings preserved from sin, as the learned assert, shall come out of thy loins," Gen. 35: 11. without the word of God, for that which Again, Levi was yet in the loins of his never knew sin is the seed and origin of his father when Melchisedec met Abraham, flesh, as John says, "The word was made Heb. 7: 10. Other clear proofs might also flesh," John 1: 14. Besides examine the pasbe added. sages of the Scriptures which testify that I now leave the philosophers to philoso- Jesus Christ is God's first born and only bephize, and the students of nature to argue as gotten Son, and you will find how grossly much as they please over this matter. God's they err who dare say the man Christ has no ordinance, the example of Abraham and father, as they do. Sarah, and the abundant testimony of the Again of Mary, the Lord's mother, we Scriptures are sufficient proof for me on this believe and confess that the Almighty, eterpoint. nal God and Father graciously prepared Again, I advance the words of the holy her virgin body, as he also did that of the angel Gabriel, when he told Mary that she aged Sarah, by the power of his Holy should conceive and bring forth a son. " Then Spirit, to receive his precious, eternal Word, said Mary unto the angel, How shall this through faith, according to the promise of be, seeing I know not a man? And the an- the angel, and that this same word became gel answered and said unto her, The Holy man; and thus human-like, as Isaac, was Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power nourished and fed on natural food, as a of the Highest shall overshadow thee; there- natural fruit, to the certain testimony that fore also that holy thing which shall be he was a true man and no phantasm; born of thee shall be called the Son of God," in due time, he was born into the world, Luke 1:34, 35. Behold, here is the testi- an undivided and true Son of God and mony of a true messenger, that God the Mary, as a natural child of its father and Father is a true Father of our Lord, Christ. mother, the carnalis intercursus alone I think that God's own angel has here re- excepted, as the Scriptures testify, Luke proved the falsehood of those who say that 8: 10; 1: 27; John 1: 14; 1 John 1: 2; Heb. the crucified Christ Jesus has had no father. 2: 14; Phil. 2: 7. Since we find from God's own ordinance And behold, with such understanding and from so many sayings of the Script- we believe and confess that he is the seed ures, that a true child takes its origin from of the woman, of the seed of Abraham and the seed of the father according to God's David, who was given of God the Father ordinance, as has been related; and since unto the whole world, through particular we are so clearly instructed all through the favor and grace, for salvation and deliverScriptures that God the Father is the true ance, as the highest surety and certain tesFather of his Son, Jesus Christ; therefore timony of his divine love, through faith, acwe say that we believe and confess, that the cording to the sure word of his promise; eternal Word of God, which is also called and that the above mentioned virgin, ordainthe seed, in the Scriptures, came down from ed of God, conceived, as above stated, the heaven, through the overshadowing of the Savior of the whole world, in lNazareth, acdivine power, descended into Mary and mi- cording to the wvoid of the angel, and was raculously became, above all human under- delivered of himn at Bethlehem, accordinog to standing, through the working of the I oly the word of the prophets, Luke 1: 31; Ghost, a true, palpable, passive and mor- Micah 5: 2. tal but imperishable man, according to Faithful reader, observe that Matthew

Page  149 OF THE INCARNATION. 149 and Luke show that Mary was made fruit- him, from his deadly fall, condemnation ful through the Holy Spirit of God, yet and curse, that to him alone be the honor, they do not particularly point out his gene- and that through his Word and Son, Christ alogy, Mic. 5; Luke 1: 31. In the mean- Jesus, his inexpressibly great love and time some sectarians arose in the church, grace be eternally praised. For if the resas Cerinthus and Ebion, who, according to toration had been brought about by any history, have instituted gross deceptions. other means than the word, we might reaFinally, John, at the prayer of the bish- sonably give thanks and praise thereto. ops of Asia, has written a clear account of Behold, with this, our confession, foundathe origin of Christ, the Son of God, and tion and faith, the whole Scriptures accord, that not alone of his eternal divinity, as as, by the grace of God, you will clearly the learned say, but also of his holy hu- see from the quoted Scriptures. manity, as may be clearly noticed on all Thus speaks John, "In the beginning was sides, in his writings. And he has, in clear the Word, and the Word was with God and and pointed words, written and incontro- the Word was God," "And the Word was vertibly shown, who and what he has been made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we befrom eternity, saying, " The word was made held his glory, the glory as of the only beflesh." He says not; The word was made gotten of the Father), full of grace and truth," a man of our, or Mary's flesh, and has in- John 1: 1, 14. This testimony we believe to stalled itself therein, as our opponents say. be true; we therefore leave it unbroken, Besides he shows us whence he came, what that the whole Christ remain, the Son of he has taught, and what example he left God; for we see with open eyes that it acus; what we have received through him, cords, and agrees, as far as regards this and where he again went to, &c. Whoso- subject, with all the Scriptures. ever, now, rightly believes the testimony of We truly believe and doubt not the least, John, of Christ, the Son of God, has life that the Holy Spirit, which seeks to lead everlasting through his name, John 1: 14. us into all truth, did not mean otherwise than But he who does not believe it, and rejects he here spoke through this faithful, plain it, is not of God, and has neither Father fisherman, John. For if the beloved mesnor Son, but is an anti-christ and deceiver; senger of the holy peace had not meant it, and this is our humble and plain confession as he here writes, his writing would not of Christ, God's Son, as has been heard, 2 have pacified the churches, which, at that John 7, 8, 9. time, were very much troubled about this As I now enlarge upon our doctrine, faith matter; but it would have still more esand confession, the reader should know tranged them than before, and would have that the Scriptures show on every hand pointed us, poor descendants to an obscure that God, the Almighty Father has created and uncertain foundation. Oh no! His tesall things through his Word, Jn. 1: 1; Ps. timony is true and plain; and will remain 33: 6; that he rules all things, and upholds so in eternity. The word has become flesh. and maintains all things thereby, Col. 1: 16, This, our confession, is also authorised and as it is manifest that Adam was created by the Lord himself, saying, "I am the by this same Word, and that he, through living bread which came down from heaven; his disobedience was condemned, by the if any man eat of this bread, he shall live justice of God, to damnation and death, forever; and the bread that I will give is together with all his descendants; and that my flesh, which I will give for the life of the he of himself and through himself, could world," John 6: 51. not be restored caqain, he being, together Faithful reader, mark the word of your with all his seed, corrupted in nature, and Lord. Christ says, that his flesh came from condemlned by the justice of God; therefore heaven, and the learned say that it descendthe eternal love of God, if Adam and his ed from Adam's flesh. Here they are diseed were not to remain eternally cursed, rectly opposite. WThat now will the Godhad to restore Adam and his descendants, fearing mind do If he hold to the testiby the same Word through which he created mony and word of Christ, then he Imust be

Page  150 150 MENNO SIMON'S CONFESSION the deceiver and heretic of the learned. did not refuse to become a sacrifice for sin, But if he hold to the testimony and word, and a curse for us, Phil. 2: 7; 1 Cor. 1: 29; then he makes Christ a liar. Since we sure- Gal. 3: 13; 2 Cor. 5: 19. ly know that Christ and the learned are so Yea, kind reader, if he had remained in antagonistic, and since we know to a cer- his first estate, impassive and unchanged, tainty, that Christ is the undeceiving truth, as John A'Lasco and his followers assert; and that all men are liars, therefore we and if he had just surrounded himself with must not turn from truth to falsehood, but a strange tabernacle of Mary's flesh, then from falsehood to truth. Whatsoever the he would not have lost that which he again judgment of man may be, God's word will desired from his Father, while he would remain forever, Ps. 116: 11; Rom. 3: 4; haveremained, nothumbled, butunchanged Isaiah 40: 8; 1 Peter 1: 25. in his first estate. Perhaps our opponents will here seek an But now it is manifest that the eternal, excuse and say, Christ speaks of his more indescribable and inexpressibly glorious honorable part, for his divinity is from heav- word, which from eternity has been with en, and has taken Adam's flesh. I answer: and in the Father in eternal glory and Let them read and believe the word and tes- clearness, but in an illegible manner, has in timony of Christ, and they will find that due time left his glory, for a season, for our they explain it according to their own in- service, and become a poor, despised, morclination, and not according to the sense tal man, and has died a bitter death for us. and truth of Christ; for thus he speaks, "I And thus he again desired his first glory, am the living bread which came down from which he had with his Father before the heaven." Mark, he says, "Came down from world began, and which he had, for heaven," "and the bread that I will give, is a time left, for our sakes. This Scripture my flesh." Mark again, He does not say, is too clear to be obscured by acuteness. It is my divinity, but "my flesh, which I Therefore believe the word of your Lord, will give for the life of the world." trust in truth and you will not be deceived. I think that Christ himself, has here suf- This our confession also accords with ficiently explained his words, and therefore holy Paul, for he says, "Now that he aswe do not need the explanation and gar- cended, what is it but that he also descendbling of the learned. For Christ and John ed first into the lower parts of the earth? could not have expressed themselves more He that descended is the same also that plainly, in regard to the descending of his ascended up far above all heavens, that he holy flesh, than they did in the two men- might fill all things," Eph. 4: 9, 10. tioned Scriptures. Therefore let every one By the side of this plain saying of Paul beware how he garbles. For whosoever place also the word and testimony of Christ, falsifies these clear, fundamental evidences, which he himself testifies in regard to his does not falsify the word of a human being descension. For he says, "No man hath but the word of God. Neither does he re- ascended up to heaven, but he that came ject us, but the Son of God, together with down from heaven, even the Son of man his Holy Spirit, and the exalted apostle which is in heaven," John 3: 13. John, who have left them behind, and taught Ponder diligently upon these words of them in such clear and plain words. Paul. For if he spoke these words alone Christ still further declares this our con- in regard to his divinity, and not of his hufession, saying, "And now, O Father, glo- manity, how would it then accord with the rify thou me with thine own self, with the testimony of Christ, just mentioned, who glory which I had with thee before the world says, "No man has ascended up to heaven, was," John 17: 5. but he that came down from heaven, even I think this also is clear evidence that the Son of man which is in heaven." Christ humbled himself, and that he, for My reader, remember, Christ here calls our sake, abdicated for a time his divine himself the son of man, and says, "That he dominion, right and glory. For, although came down from heaven." The son of he was Justice and eternal Blessedness, he Mary, whom the learned say is of her flesh,

Page  151 OF THE INCARNATION. 151 did not come down from heaven, but must the dead, and of its future clearness, yet he be of the flesh of Adam, if the foundation testifies by this same Scripture, the cominig of the learned were right. Oh no. But the again, and the difference between the first word came down from 7ieaven, is become and the second Adam, when he says, "The flesh or man, in the lower parts of the earth, first man is of the earth, earthy; the second and afterward ascended up far above all man is the Lord from heaven." For, as the heavens where he first was. first man, Adam, is called earthy on acInasmuch then, as Christ not only speaks count of his being of the earth; so, also, in this Scripture passage of his divinity, but the second man, Christ, is called heavenly also of his humanity (since he says The because he is from heaven. son of man), therefore it is manifest that the If any one should contradict this and man Christ is not originally from earth, say, That Christ here is called heavenly on but from heaven, for according to his eter- account of his divinity, you should know nal divinity, if that should have been left that Paul rebukes them with these signifithus unchanged, as the learned say, he can- cant words: The second man, he says "The not be called the son of man. Again, ac- second man is the Lord from heaven." I cording to his humanity, he could not be cannot see how the great witness could exin heaven at the time he spoke these words, press himself more plainly. And since he if he was of Mary's flesh and not of heaven. is, then, such a heavenly Being, and, beTherefore we must accept these Scriptures sides, since he is again glorified of God his as regarding the whole Christ, that is, both heavenly Father, with his eternal glory of his divinity and humanity. From which which he had before the beginning of the it forcibly follows that the whole Christ world, with God, therefore the holy apostle Jesus, God and man, man and God, is from also calls all his true members, after the heaven and not of earth, as also John testi- resurrection, heavenly. Not that they are fies at another place, and says, "He that from heaven, as Christ is from heaven, but cometh from above is above all; he that is because, by grace, through the power of of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the God, in the resurrection, they will partake earth; he that cometh from heaven is above of the heavenly glory and of the nature of all," John 3: 31. Again, Christ says, "I the angels, as Christ says, "The glory came forth from the Father, and am come which thou gavest me, I have given them" into the world; again, I leave the world and (his disciples), John 17: 22. go to the Father," John 16: 28. Again, Paul says, "Our conversation is From these it follows (if we will accept in heaven; from whence also we look for the testimony of Christ, John the baptist the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who and Paul, as true) that the Word came down shall change our vile body, that it may be from heaven, became flesh in Mary, dwelt fashioned like unto his glorious body, acamong man, fulfilled the Scriptures, again cording to the working, whereby he is able ascended and sat down at the right hand even to subdue all things unto himself," of his Father, and is adored by all the Phil. 3: 20, 21. Read also what Christ says angels of God. Mark, reader, how the one of such, Luke 20; 1 John 3. Scripture exactly fits the.other, and how For this reason Paul calls them heavenly exactly Christ, John and Paul agree. Sure and says, "As we have borne the image of and immutable stands the testimony, that the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the Word is become flesh. the heavenly," "For this corruptible must Paul still further explains our confession, put on incorruption and this mortal must and says, "The first man is of the earth, put on immortality;" " Then shall the rightearthy; the second man is the Lord from eous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom heaven. As is the earthy, such are they of their Father" and as the stars of heaven also that are earthy; and, as is the heaven- in brightness forever; yea, when we shall ly, such are they also that are heavenly," 1 be like unto the Lord, and shall see him Cor. 15: 47. Reader observe. Although face to face, as he is, 1 Cor. 15: 49; Matt. Paul properly speaks of the resurrection of 13: 43; 1 Cor. 13: 12.

Page  152 152 MENNO SIMON'S CONFESSION Again, at another place the Scriptures the Holy Spirit, agree. Micah says, "But say of Christ, I am the First and the Last, thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be and the living One, and I was dead, and little among the thousands of Judah, yet of behold, I live from eternity to eternity thee shall he come forth unto me that is to Rev. 1: 8; Isa. 41: 4; 44: 6. In this be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have instance the Holy Spirit brings forward an- been from of old, from everlasting," Micah other indissoluble testimony, at which all 5: 2. Observe, Isaiah says, "Behold a virsharp disputers and famous masters of this gin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall world are made ashamed. If they want to call his name Immanuel," which signifies pervert this clear and plain Scripture ac- God with us, Is. 7: 14; Matt. 1: 23. cording to their own notion, by their deceit- He further says, " Unto us a child is born, ful reasoning, as they do the Scriptures of unto us a son is given, and the government John 1: 14, and all the Scriptures, then they shall be upon his shoulders, and his name should know that we do not follow and be- shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The lieve the sophistry of man, but the word of Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The the Lord. If they leave it undisturbed, Prince of Peace," Isa. 9: 6. then their cause is already lost, for the Holy At another place he says, "Say unto the Spirit testifies that the First and the Last, cities of Judah, Behold your God." Again, and the living One, died. Jeremiah says, "Behold, the days come, That Mary's flesh was not the first and saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David the last all intelligent persons must admit. a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign If then the man Christ had been of Mary's and prosper, and shall execute judgment flesh, as the learned say it is, which neither and justice in the earth. In his days Judah is nor can be the first and last, and if it had shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safethus died, then the Spirit of God, which is ly; and this is his name whereby he shall the Spirit of truth, would not have spoken be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS," rightly. Yea, neither Christ himself, who Jer. 23: 5, 6. says, "I am the First and Last," was dead, My reader, observe, Since the descension and behold I am alive. of this Prince has thus been from eternity, I would further say, That if the man as has been related, and his name is called, Christ Jesus was a natural offspring of by the Spirit of the Lord, Immanuel, The Mary, and if the eternal Word only lived Mighty God, The everlasting Father, Our therein, as our opponents say it did, and if Righteousness, &c.; and since the prophets this same man died, and the Word remained describe him with such significant words, unchanged, then Mary's flesh must be the as also the apostles, whence, who, and First and Last; this is too plain to be de- what he is; therefore I conclude therefrom nied. that the man, Christ Jesus, is not of unSince it is evident that Mary's flesh nei- clean, sinful flesh, but of the unspotted, pure ther is nor can be the First and Last, as seed and word of God, his Father, as John has been heard, and since it is true, accord- says, "The word is become flesh." This, ing to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that then, is our proper faith and confession of the First and Last has died, therefore I con- Christ, the Son of God, namely: That we clude therefrom that the explanation of our are all created in Adam our father through opponents, by which they point us to the ineffable word, and that we, in the same Mary's flesh, is deceitful and false, and that Adam, have become of a sinful nature and the learned are badly mistaken when they subject to death; that we also, by means of say that the Son of God remained unchang- this eternal, ineffable word, and not by ed, and that the son of Mary died. I say means of the sinful flesh of Adam, are graagain, the word stands immutable, "The ciously accepted of God and mercifully Word is become flesh." called unto life everlasting, as Christ says, Again, with this our confession, founda- that "God so loved the world, that he gave tion and belief, all the prophets who have his only begotten Son, that whosoever bespoken of Christ, the Son of God, through lieveth in him should not perish, but have

Page  153 OF THE INCARNATION. 153 everlasting life," Ps. 33: 6; Rom. 5: 12; 1 Inasmuch as the Scriptures so abundantCor. 15: 3; John 3: 16. ly testify that also the man Christ is the All Scriptures force us that we dare not Son of God, therefore it is manifest that M. divide Christ, the Son of God, after the pre- M. and those of his mind, do fearfully err tensions of the learned; but to confess him when they say, " The man Christ was not the as being entirely the true Son of the true Son of God; he had no Father; but there are and living God. The angel testified of Christ, two sons in Christ-the one the Son of God the Son of Mary, saying, "That holy thing without mother, and impassive-and the which shall be born of thee, shall be called other the son of mankind, or the son of Mary the Son of God," Luke 1: 35. without father, and he passive," &c. I think Again, the Father testified, "This is my this may be called rejecting the Son of God, beloved Son in whom I am well pleased," in the face of all these plain Scriptures, and Matt. 17: 5; Luke 9: 35. pointing us to a divided Christ, yea, to an Again, John the Baptist says, "He that unclean, sinful flesh and creature, guilty of sent me to baptize with water, the same death, whom the Scriptures never knew and said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see still less taught. 0 detestibileme blasphemithe Spirit descending and remaining on am (O detestable blasphemy). him, the same is he which baptizeth with All who can be convinced rightly to bethe Holy Ghost; and I saw it and bare rec- lieve that the word did not take unto itself ord that this is the Son of God," John 1: 33. a man of Mary's flesh, but that, according Again, "Nathaniel saith unto him, Rabbi, to the testimony of John, it is become flesh, thou art the Son of God. thou art the King have a true understanding of Christ. They of Israel," John 1: 49. will not argue per Synecdochen, departe ad Again, when Jesus asked his disciples, totun, neque de toto ad partem. They will "Whom say ye that I am? Peter answered not point to the worthiest part in Christ, and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of nor to the communication or communion of the living God," Matt. 16: 15, 16. the names; neither will they unite two perAgain, Martha said, "I believe that thou sons and sons in one person and son, as art the Christ, the Son of God, which should our opponents do, but they will leave the come into the world," John 11: 27. Scriptures ungarbled in their place, and acAgain, the disciples, together with the knowledge with John the Baptist, John others said, Verily, thou art the Son of 1: 15; with Matthew 16: 16; with Martha, God. John 11: 27; and with the whole Scriptures, Again, Christ said to the blind man, that Christ Jesus is God's first-begotten and "Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He only Son; an only and undivided Christ, answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I God and man, man and God, an only permight believe on him; and Jesus said unto son and Son, who, in his flesh, has fulfilled him, Thou hast both seen him and it is he the handwriting of the law for us, as we that talketh with thee," Joh9,: 37. could not, in our flesh, on account of our Again, when the centurion, saw that weakness; and is, at last, judged and conhe so cried out, and gave up the Ghost, he demned, as an innocent, spotless Lamb, to said, " Truly, this man was the Son of God," die on the cross for our sins and guilt. Mark 15: 39. Behold, this is our foundation, faith and Again, Saul was with the disciples at confession of the most holy incarnation of Damascus, and preached Christ in the syn- our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and agogues, that he is the Son of God, Acts Mary; on account of which, alas, we are so 9:20. much upbraided by our opponents, and Again, John says, "We have seen and do have to pass for deceivers and heretics; testify that the Father sent the Son to be and that for the reason, I say, because the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall we teach and testify with the Scriptures that confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God the Lord, Christ Jesus, is God's own and dwelleth in him, and he in God," 1 John true Son, as has been heard. 4: 9. Besides many other clear passages. i Well, since it is so with them they must 56

Page  154 154 THE CONFUTATION. run their course; we cannot prevent it until doings. IIe will execute our cause to his they are met by the angel of the Lord, and honor; for he knows that we do not desire rebuked by the ass, Nun. 22; 2 Peter 2. to seek our praise, but his own. Therefore he They had, however, better beware, lest they will protect his own honor. It might doubtstumble too hard on the Rock of offense, lessly happen that through their writing Isaiah 8: 14; Rom. 9: 33. The time to give and slandering against us, and through an account will soon arrive. As for me, I their manifestly erring doctrine, in regard care not how they judge me. to Christ the Son of God, it might be made I trust to find my consolation in the Lord manifest to some that they are doubly what who has taken me by the right hand, and they would like to make us. May the great who knows all my desires, intentions and God grant them grace, Amen. THE CONFUTATION. PART THIRD. BEFORE I proceed to the confutation of person was in the first, as a small vessel in the arguments of our opponents, I would a larger. first faithfully admonish the kind reader The Allogians said that John uttered a that he do not mistake the shining clearness falsehood when he said that God was the of the eternal God-head, through his high- Word; because they could not comprehend soaring genius, and not have the audacity the mystery of the Word. to undertake to fathom this ineffable pro- The Monarchians as also the Praxeans fundity-lest he, when he thinks that he has and Victorians said that the Almighty fathomed it, at once dazzle his eyes and Father was Jesus Christ, and that he had suddenly fall down the precipice. For it is placed himself at his right hand. manifest that many smart and acute genii The Sabellians made the person and the have been mistaken and made fools of names of Christ and of the Father, one; themselves by their high-soaring intellect. and are called Patripassians; for they beThe Tritheists held and taught that there lieved that the Father had suffered. Bewere three Gods. hold thus, those save who undertake to Arius divided the second as being the search things incomprehensible, and who least of the first substances. want to soarhigher than the Scriptures teach. Macedonius said that the third being, Again Erasmus Roterod says, The Word namely: The Holy Ghost, was no God; was God. It was Almighty, out of the Albut a servant of God and the Son. mighty, with the Father, not brought forth JEtius and Eunomius taught that the for that time, but for alltime. ThusproceedFather, Son and Holy Ghost were different ing from the paternal heart, and never things or beings. leaving it. He further says, That thq Father The Origenists held that the Son could has begotten unto himself, the Son like unto not see the Father, and the Holy Ghost himself in every respect, from eternity, to could not see the Son. eternity. Again he says in suo ecclesiaste, Maximinus feared that the Father was a Christ is the word of God, Almighty, which, part of God, and each person was one-third without beginning and without end, ever of the trinity. comes forth from the heart of the Father. The Metangismonites said that the second Martin Luther says, The word is that

Page  155 THE CONFUTATION. 155 which God speaks in himself, and which re- Yea, dear reader, if the learned had left mains in him and is never separated from unbroken the testimony of John which he him. We do not controvert the testimony of spoke of his eternal divinity; and if they Erasmus and of Luther; but we cited them had inclined their intellects to the word of for the reason that it might be observed God, there would never have been such dark what diversity of opinion exists. confusion in the world, in regard to Christ, Philip Mel. says, The word is begotten the Son of God. in thought, and is called the image of God, Therefore I advise you in faithful love, for that which is thought is the image of take heed and beware; for the testimony of the thing thought of. Say, beloved read- John is too clear to be obscured by flattery, er, who dare build his conscience upon such and too strong to be broken by philosophy. foundation and reasoning? Whosoever would rather drink the precious, Again, some councils resolved that there clear wine of divine truth, than the impure were three persons in the Trinity,that is,three waters of human adulation, let him hold to real substances, and these same were Horn- the word of the Lord, and let him abandon usii, that is, of the same nature (co-essential); the unscriptural, destructive explanations, both of these, namely, the persons and garblings, opinions and ideas of the learned. their natures have been suspected. This is sufficient of the eternal and ineffaBehold, thus they follow their own opin- ble divinity of Christ. Now, by the grace of ions and inclinations, build upon vapor and God, we will proceed, and maintain by the wind, look at each other, and not at the power of the Scriptures, that those abominaword of the Lord, confuse the simple minds bly err, who say, The word is not become who are not versed in the Scriptures, pro- flesh, but it has taken unto itself our flesh claim their opinions and not the word; and or a man of our flesh, as will be briefly and whoever cannot agree with and follow them, clearly shown in the following: is called a deceiver and heretic, by them; In the first place John A'Lasco writes, and says, therefore I pray you, for Jesus' sake, not "Divine justice requires that that which we broke, to climb higher in this ineffable Majesty through our flesh, included in Adam's loins, should be punished in the same flesh. Or, as some say, that the than you have steps, and not to search far- nature which inflicted sin, should be punished for such ther than the word of the Lord has taught, sin, and that that which incurred death should also dewhile many a piercing eye has been, and is stroy it." yet daily dazzled by this adulation. For Answer. Since he and his followers would you can understand as little of the unspeak- uphold their cause with the justice of God, able beauty and conception, how, and in and pretend to say that the inflicter and inwhat manner it was brought about from stitutor should suffer punishment, then they eternity, as you can form an idea of the in- should, by right, not use the words "our describable 2Father himself. flesh and nature," but "Adam and Eve," in Therefore let not the opinion and flattery their writings (for they were the first inflictof the learned be the foundation upon which ers and institutors), and not the flesh and you build your faith; but let tie undeceiv- nature of their descendants, as may be ing, plain word of God and the testimony openly seen, Gen. 3: 6. of holy John be a sure foundation wLereon The nature of man was first created pure to build your faith. and good; but was corrupted through He says, "In the beginning was the Adam's disobedience. And as he was thus Word, and the Word was with God, and corrupted in his nature, so all his children the Word was God," "All things were made were born corrupted; nevertheless, the chilby him; and without him was not any thing dren were not the inflicters and institutors, made that was made," John 1: 1, 3. but AdanX and Eve were. If the justice of This same Word, which was from the be- God, then, requires the punishment of the ginning and which, in the course of time inflicter and institutor, it would b e but became flesh, is called by Paul the Son, right, according to justice that not any of Christ Jesus, and the first begotten of all the children should be punished; for they creatures, Col. 1: 15. were not tlh first that disobeyed; but Adam

Page  156 156 TIHE CONFUTATION. and Eve should receive the punishment, for confess that Mary was blessed, and that they were the first that transgressed. the fruit was without sin; but we deny that 0, no, Adam and all his seed could not Mary was without sin in consequence of the be justified, through the weakness of his blessing; for Paul says, "The Scripture flesh. They were guilty above measure, hath concluded all under sin, that the promand had not a penny wherewith to pay, but ise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given it was liquidated for Christ's sake, who, to them that believe," Gal. 3: 22. through his eternal love and mercy (as Again, if the man Christ were a flesh of Adam and his could not be justified in Mary's flesh, then Mary would have been themselves), appearing in the shape and blessed through her own flesh; and Adam form of sinful man, fulfilled the justice of would have been reconciled through his the Father, and tore to pieces the hand- own flesh; the justice of God would have writing of the law, and has effaced and paid been broken, and our condemnation, curse for all that which Adam had inflicted and and death be dissolved and requited through broken by his transgression, by the sacri- flesh, condemned, cursed and guilty of fice of his precious blood, Rom. 8: 3; Eph. death. 2: 15. 0, no, the Scripture teaches plainly that Since they point to the justice of God, I we have all become sinners in Adam, and deem it necessary to treat on this a little that we have all, through sin, fallen under further, that the intelligent reader may learn the judgment, wrath, and condemnation of that this assertion of theirs is quite power- God, and become subject unto death, less, nay, in every respect without founda- Rom. 5: 6; 1 Cor. 15: 22. And of Christ tion in the Scripture. it testifies that he is the Lamb withIt is manifest, kind reader, that Adam and out spot; that he has not known sin, and Eve, together with their descendants tempt- in his mouth no guile is found. Inasmuch ed by the serpent, fell into condemnation then as it is manifest that the Scripture enand death, by the justice of God, Gen. 3: 6; tirely concludes Adam and his descendants and that nothing can be born of them but in sin, and entirely absolves Christ, therethat which is condemned and guilty of fore the discreet and right minded reader death, Rom. 5: 12; 1 Cor. 15. may conclude therefrom, that the holy man, Since Adam and all his seed, on account Christ Jesus, is not of the unclean flesh of of his disobedience, became condemned and Adam, but that he is the holy and pure guilty of death by tie eternal justice of God; word of God, John 1; and that this saying an if the Lord Christ, ccording to his of the learned, that the justice of God reholy humanity, were a natural fruit of the quires, &c., is not the sure testimony and flesh of Adam, as they pretend, then the man word of God, but merely human flattery Christ must be again condemned and guilty and fiction. of death, on account of his human birth. Oh, I wish that our opponents would once This is too clear to admit of denial, or else ponder hat the justice of, in this eour opponents must take back their own spect, requires according to the Scripture. argument, and acknowledge that God's I trust they would henceforth not hold so justice is not eternal. strongly to their foundation as they have 0, no, the flesh of Christ is holy, pure, hitherto done; neither would they say that spotless, knows no sin, makes pious and if any one does not accept their doctrine he saves, is a true bread of souls, as is the sins against the Holy Ghost; or at least word, which, in the latter days, according think that they might be mistaken. to the intention and purpose of the Father, In the second place e intates at e s became a true, passive man, for the salva- Ie te ception of lar, ot wicltt h-, _,-,-,.* I} 1 n -i tiderstfancl thle conception of Mnlary, of whlicht -Mattlh4iew tion and eternal 8delive3rance of all; alnd who i nand Luke speak, as far as regards tie mother, as is natdied an innocent death for us. urally due her, according to the ordinance of God, It avails in no manner that they say that Gel 1. Mary was blessed, and that her fruit was Answer. It is surprising to me that a saved from sin by the power of God. We man as learned as he is, reasons so indis

Page  157 THE CONFUTATION. 157 creetly, and dares ascribe the conception of parent from the ordinance of God and of Mary to nature, while it is clearly shown nature, that the material, or origin of the all through the Scriptures that the concep- child is of the Father and not of the mother, tion of-Mary was brought about by super- as has been sufficiently explained above in natural causes, a particular miracle of the the confession, and also in my writing Most High, and a glorious sign of the Lord against Gellius Faber. Therefore these inour God; as Isaiah says, "Therefore the novations are nothing but philosophy and Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, human genius, without Scripture, and not a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and worthy of an answer; but I have briefly shall call his name immanuel," Isaiah 7: 14; criticised them, and pray you not to despise Matt. 1: 23; Luke 1: 31. my references; but let a trial be given beAgain, Matthew writes concerning the fore the accusation, lest you mistake yourconception of Mary, thus, "When as his selves, as Sirach says. mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, be- They further advance that the Scripture speaks of fore they came together, she was found with the Savior being promised of the seed of woman, of child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph, her m TAbraham and the fruits of the loins of David. child of the IIoly G-host. Then Joseph, her Answer. In the first place I say that he husband, being a just man, and not willing Answer. In the first place I say that he to make her a public example, was minded who deduces from these Scriptures that the to put her away privily; but while he man Christ was flesh of a woman, nay, the to put i J ^ ^.-i i^ inatural seed of Abraham and David, who thought on these things, behold, the angel all descended from the unclean flesh of of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, IAdam, must also add the unrighteousness, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not Adam, must also add the unrighteousness, to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that curse and sin of Adam. which is conceived in her is of the Holy If they should assert that he was free Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, from the unrighteousness, curse and sin of and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he Adam, I again answer: That he was not of shall save his people from their sins," Matt. the natural seed of Adam; for the seed of 1: 18-21. Adam was unclean, sinful and accursedAgain the angel said to Mary, "Thou therefore nothing but unclean, sinful and shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth accursed flesh could be begotten therefrom; a son, and shalt call his name Jesus; he or else the unclean must beget the clean, shall be great, and shall be called the Son the sinful the holy, and the accursed the of the Highest; and the Lord God shall blessed; and therefore the hereditary ungive unto him the throne of his father David; cleanness, curse and condemnation be and he shall reign over the house of Jacob changed. This is too plain to be controfor ever; and of his kingdom there shall be verted. no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, Yea, reader, if the incarnation of the Lord How shall this be, seeing I know not a was, as our opponents say it was, then it man? And the angel answered and said would be manifest that Christ Jesus was unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon not so pure in his incarnation as was Adam thee, and the power of the Highest shall in the first creation. For if it is asserted, overshadow thee; therefore also that holy as is true, that Christ was conceived in the thing which shall be born of thee shall be virgin Mary, then Adam had no other facalled the Son of God," Luke 1: 31 —35. ther on earth but God-wherefore he is also From all these it is very evident that the called a Son of God, by Luke. Yet, Adam conception of Mary was supernatural and a would, nevertheless have been created of sign and miracle of the Lord; therefore it purer nature, and of God; but Christ, if he is all to no purpose that the learned philos- was of the unclean seed of Adam, must be ophize it as being caused by nature, for of less clean nature, that is, of an unclean, it is irrelevant to the matter. human and earthly seed. This is too clear And if the conception of Mary were as- to be controverted. cribed, in part, to nature, in the face of In the second place I say, If the man these clear Scriptures, then, still it is ap- | Christ were a natural fruit and seed of the

Page  158 158 THE CONFUTATION. impure, sinful flesh of Adam, then he would person and Son. Dear reader, observe what also be guilty, through the eternal justice abominations they advance. of God, of the judgment and death. And In the sixth place I say, As all men have if he was guilty, how could he redeem both father and mother, and as each has and liquidate ours? Or else we must admit his generation-the father and the mother that God's justice was ended; and that the -so, also, had Christ Jesus both father and sinful had taken away and atoned for the mother. His Father was an incomprehensisinful; the condemned for condemnation, ble Spirit from eternity, and will remain so and he that was guilty of death had taken to eternity; therefore he could have no ~enaway death. ealogy on the side of the Father; but the 0, no. No unclean animal was permit- mother, who was the true daughter of Adam, ted to be offered as an offering of reconcili- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, conceived him ation in Israel; but it must be without in her virgin womb through the Holy Ghost, blemish. And if the symbolic had to be by his Father's word; and she begat a true entirely clean and without blemish, how man in due time. Her genealogy was much more so should be the true one, where- counted in the Scripture; for when he beby the eternal reconciliation is brought came incarnate in a human being, he must about-and whereby all symbolic offerings have a genealogy, of which he was born. are fulfilled and finished, Heb. 9: 10; Ex- And this is the word which Paul speaks, odus 12: 5; Deut. 15: 21; Mal. 1: 8. Born of the seed of David according to the In the third place I would say, He who flesh, Gen. 22: 18; Ps. 182: 11; Rom. 1: 3; 59:; Acts 13: 23. Not that there were two asserts that the man Christ is a natural N t t fruit and seed of Adam, Abraham, avid sons in Christ, the one without father, and fruitand of woman also asseed the other without mother; one the Son of God, and the other the son of man, as our there are two persons in Christ, two sons; B h w the father is no true father, the mother no ons eten t he who was Son also was the son of man; and he wh1lo true mother, and the son no true son, as w t was the son of man, was also the Son of has been said before. God. Not two, but an only and undivided In the fourth place I say, If the man Son, as the ordinance of God, and the whole Christ was of the flesh and blood of Mary, Scriptures teach and imply. then it is manifest that he was not God's If you cannot understand this, then mark Son, but a created creature, since he would this parable: Charles the Fifth is a son of not be begotten of the Father, but of the Austria; he is also a son of Spain; notthat flesh and blood of Mary, according to nat- he is, therefore, one of two sons-but he is ure, as has been sufficiently shown. an only and undivided son. On the side In the fifth place I say, If the man Christ, of the father he is a son of Austria, and on were of the flesh and blood of Mary, as they the side of the mother he is a son of Spain. pretend, then it is very evident that the Thus also, is Christ, Jesus a Son of God birth of man, according to the ordinance of and a son of man; the Son of God on the God, can not be without father and mother; side of his Father, and the son of man on and also that a child does not proceed the side of his mother. Not one of two sons from the mother, but of the father; and if — but an only and undivided Son. The Son the man Christ came without a father, from of God and of Mary, as has been. shown. the body of the mother, against the ordi- Again, if you are yet in doubt about the nance of God, then a new creation must fruit of the loins of David, I would first rehave taken place in Mary, which creation fer you to my "Confession," which I wrote could not have occurred without the Word. to John A'Lasco and his preachers, A. D. If such a creation did occur, then it is nani- 1543, thereby admonishing you, to observe fest that the one half or part of Christ must how the throne and the Kingdom of David, be created by the other; Mary's son by were promised to Christ, by Isaiah and the God's Son; and that the two, namely, the angel Gabriel; which was, however, not Creator and the creature, thus became one literally fulfilled in Christ, but in Solomon,

Page  159 THE CONFUTATION. 159 who was a figure and symbol of Christ, as that I teach that Christ was begotten of the were also Isaac, Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Holy Ghost. Joseph. 0, dear Lord, how lamentably I am slanSince the whole Scriptures teach us that dered! What else do they against me than his kingdom and throne are not literal but the Scribes did unto Jeremiah, when they spiritual, therefore we must, in the same counseled about him, and said: Come, and manner, judge the fruit and the king who let us devise devices against him, and not shall sit upon the throne and reign; or else regard his reasoning, Jer. 18: 18. Yea, I the one word must be understood literally, think that I am born to turn my ear to the and the other spiritually. This is too plain slanderer, and my back to the scourger. to be controverted. Nevertheless, I hope, by the grace of the Secondly, observe what Christ asked of Lord, that the time will come when some of the Pharisees in regard to Christ the Son of them will yet awaken and acknowledge, in David, and how he answered them, Matt. all humility, with penitent hearts that they 22: 42. have not despised me, but the word of God, Thirdly, observe that if the man Christ and that they have scorned his Spirit. were a natural fruit of the loins of David In the fourth place he intimates "That I teach that the Word changes itself into human flesh and blood in the all the insolvable, gross inconsistencies womb of the virgin." would be included in him, which we have Answer. I presume that it will never be partly pointed out above, and upon which proven by virtue of the truth that I have we will enlarge if God permits. ever, at any place, said or written so; nevFourthly, observe that all the properties ertheless they dare say and write so of us. of God are alike perfect in him. And there- I have spoken thereof as the high apostle fore his perfect, eternal love and justice has taught me, that the "Word became require it, as Christ says, "God so loved flesh." That testimony I leave unbroken; and the world, that he gave his only begotten leave it to theIncomprehensible, to him, who, Son, that whosoever believeth in him should through his omnipotent power so arranged not perish, but have everlasting life." Yea, it for the salvation of us all, how much, and says John, therein God's love appeared what was changed. Yet, I would, in my that he sent his only begotten Son into the simplicity, add (if they explain the testiworld, that we, through him might live; mony of John to which I alluded in unfor as he adjudged Adam and all his seed changed letters, and conclude therefrom: unto death, by his eternal justice, on ac- Menno teaches, with John, that the "Word count of his disobedience, so, also, has he, became flesh," therefore his foundation on account of the obedience of Christ, by must be that it was changed into flesh, &c.), his eternal love, promised life to all who that they should know that change does believe in him; for as his righteous punish- not always take away the first nature of ment of the sins of Adam's descendants the substances of which something is who reject Christ, lasts forever, thus also wrought. his paternal love to forgive sin through Adam was a man created of the earth; Christ, lasts forever to all those who believe he was a man of the earth, and rein Christ, and accept and obey the word of mained of earth, as the Lord said,'Dust his grace, John 3: 16. thou art and unto dust shalt thou return," In the third place, I find that it is said that my foun- Gen. 3: 19. dation is, that Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost. Again, in the resurrection of the dead, all Answer. It is very unreasonable that I those who have again returned to earth, am ever blamed of things of which I am not shall, through the power of God, be guilty. In my first "Confession" I have resurrected from the earth. It is manifest plainly and clearly shown in Latin letters that at first we were earth, afterward we bethat I do not believe that Christ was con- came flesh of the earth, again we became ceived in Mary of the Holy Ghost, but earth of the flesh, and lastly we became through the Holy Ghost. Yet I must hear flesh of the earth, out of the first flesh, but

Page  160 160 THE CONFUTATION. in glory and brightness, as the Scriptures through his Almighty, eternal Word, testify; and thus the first substance, al- which is the Son, has, in the power of his though changed, of which the thing changed Almighty, eternal Spirit, created heaven was wrought, remains, as has been heard. and earth with their fullness, and that he, Reader, understand me rightly. I do not thereby, forever preserves and maintains present this parable for the purpose of as- all things created therein and thereby, but serting that the Word was changed into I do not comprehend it. flesh and blood, the same as the earth of I further believe and confess that all huwhich Adam was made was changed into man nature (at the sound of the last trump), human flesh, but I have presented it for the through the power of the Almighty and purpose of showing to the reader that, al- everlasting God, shall again arise from the though if the Word was changed in being earth with a glorified body; and that the incarnated, it yet remained the word, John children of God, who, here on earth, have 1: 14; 8: 23; 1 John 1: 2; Rev. 19: 13. walked before him in a firm faith and in In the fifth place he writes, "The Lord Christ was a meekness, shall receive the glorious, promSpirit from the beginning, unchangeable, holy and eter- ised kingdom of honor, at the hands of the nal. If he, then, was Spirit and unchangeable, how, Lord-that, on the other hand, those who then, has he changed his substance or his being, and have rejected the Lord and his word shall become flesh." be eternally tormented with unquenchable, Answer. If I understand him aright, in everlasting fire, with the devil and his anLetterE, page five, he says, That he has not gels, under the fearful, unbearable judgyet rightly comprehended my meaning of ment of the Almighty and great God; but the phrase "factum est," i. e. become. If, I do not comprehend it. now, he has not rightly comprehended me, Faithful reader, observe, that although then I cannot see why he should blame me I do not comprehend the Almighty, only of such doctrine, unless he cannot under- and eternal God in his eternal, divine being, stand the testimony of John in any other in the dominion of his glory, in the creation way, notwithstanding his flattery and cor- and preservation of his creatures, in the reruption; as I have merely testified to the ward of both the good and the evil, and same thing literally and unchanged. in many of his works, yet I do truly believe Inasmuch as they verbally and inwriting it, and for this reason: Because the Scripblame me of believing in such change, from ture teaches so; in like manner I can not the testimony of John (although they never comprehend how, or in what manner the inheard such doctrine from my lips, nor read comprehensible, eternal Word became flesh it in my writings), therefore I would pray or man in Mary; nevertheless I do truly bethe reader, for Christ's sake, not to blame lieve that he became man, because the Scripme of any thing in regard to the change of ture teaches so. I know that it is a work the eternal Word -than of what I hereby that was done by the Lord, and is a miraconfess and explain in plain words: I be cle before our eyes. Nay, it is such a work lieve and confess that there is an Almighty, that intellect cannot fathom, nor accuteness eternal and incomprehensible God, Father, comprehend. Truly it is said, Who shall Word, and Holy Ghost, who has lived in tell of his birth? eternal glory and shall live so forever. And Inasmuch as I clearly find that it is an that this same Almighty, eternal Father, be- exalted and incomprehensible miracle of fore all creatures, yea, from the beginning the Almighty and great God which the Aland from eternity, begets of himself this his mighty, eternal Father, through the omnipAlmighty, eternal Word, in a divine and otence of the power of the Holy Ghost, has thereforeincomprehensiblemanner; andthat wrought in Mary; and inasmuch as I know this, his Almighty, eternal Spirit proceeds or how very perilous and solicitous it is for flows from him through the Word or Son; one to search into the incomprehensible but I do not comprehend it. profundity and divine mystery with one's I also believe and confess in the same foolish earthly understanding; and to garmanner, that this Almighty, eternal Father, ble the plain testimonies of the Holy Ghost,

Page  161 THE CONFUTATION. 161 by deceitfulness and human smartness: intellect in this respect, but with the word Therefore it is that I dare not believe, nor of the Lord, which is the true light teach more nor less of the holy incarnation to my feet, which shows me in plain words than the holy prophets of the Lord, Christ that the conqueror, the promised seed of Jesus, and also John, Peter and Paul, teach woman from the loins of Abraham, Isaac, me on every hand in the Scriptures, with Jacob, Judah and of David, born according such incontrovertibly clear testimonies; all of to the flesh, who is the Blessing, Messiah, which are surer and wiser witnesses to me Christ, King and Savior of all the world, is than all the learned who have been, are, or not of unclean, sinful flesh, but of the'pure shall ever be on earth; although, I repeat seed of his heavenly Father; the word of it, I cannot comprehend the ineffable mys- God conceived of the Holy Ghost, in the tery, with my dull, earthly understanding. virgin Mary, and in her became flesh, as Sirach says, Inquire not into the things John says. Christ himself also says that which you cannot bear; and that which is he is from above, that he is the bread from too great or too exalted for you do not heaven, and that he went forth from the search. Father, John 16. And Paul says that he is Again, as to the saying of Malachi, "For I am the the Lord of heaven; descended from above; Lord, I change not," Mal. 3: 6, and to the question of that he is the Alpha and Omega; our ImJohn A'Lasco, "If He is eternal how could He die?" manuel, 1 Cor. 15; Eph. 4: 10; Rev. 1: 8; Answer. Malachi does not here speak Isa. 7: 14. And, besides, as I plainly see of God's substance or being, but of his in- that our opponents dare not advance these tention, counsel, resolution and will. From and such plain Scriptures, but garble them which I confess that God's intention, coun- by their intellect with many exceptions and sel, will, purpose, promise and love are flatterings; therefore I repeat it, that I turn eternal and unchangeable and must come away from intellect and nature, bind my to pass as he will and has resolved upon faith and conscience to the word of the in his wisdom. Lord, and truly and firmly believe and Inasmuch as it is manifest that the Al- trust, that this great miracle of God was mighty, eternal and unchangeable Father thus produced in Mary; although I cannot rules, and does all things according to his comprehend it. eternal, unchangeable intention, counsel, Behold, kind reader, whosoever testifies will and purpose, and as he had, through or writes any thing else of me, in regard to his eternal, unchangeable love, provided the change of the eternal Word, but that his eternal holy Word, or Son, that he, ac- which I hereby confess, is a liar and does cording to his firm and unchangeable inten- not testify to the truth. The testimony to tion, should become the Paschal lamb, as which I refer is firm and binding: "The Peter says, Therefore this must happen word is become flesh." But how far it was that the Word, in due time, became flesh, changed he knows who in his eternal love although we cannot comprehend it; for it has so arranged it for the salvation and was the gracious intention, counsel, resolu- everlasting deliverance of us all, through tion, providence and will of his Almighty his Omnipotence. Praise be to God forevand everlasting Word which will forever er, Amen. stand firm, and which, according to the pro- Here I will perhaps be asked, if then, the phetic word, can never be changed, as has Father is not of divine nature? and whence been heard. has Christ derived his humanity? To this I Behold, honorable reader, this is my re- answer: From whence came the abundance ply to the three questions: If he is a Spirit of water which flowed from the hard rock? how could he become flesh? Is he God, how The rock was no water nor watery subcould he change? and if he is Eternal how stance. Was it not produced by the omcould he die? as I, before my God, believe nipotence of God, to whom nothing is imand confess. I trust, by the grace of God, possible, above all human understanding to remain firmly therein unto death. and comprehension? I have not counseled with nature and my Again, how did a virgin conceive other57

Page  162 162 THE CONFUTATION. wise than through the power of God, and manifest that Jesus Christ, a Son of his the operation of the Holy Spirit, above the Father in truth (as John calls him), did not comprehension of all philosophers? Nay, come in the flesh (corporatus as Castalion above the comprehension of Mary herself, says), for were he to suffer himself, and not for she said, "How shall this be, seeing I another in his stead, then he must come in know not a man? and the angel answered the flesh, otherwise he could not have sufand said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall fered. This is too clear to be contradicted. come upon thee, and the power of the High- All those who deny this, are deceivers and est shall overshadow thee; therefore also anti-christs, 2 John 1: 7. that holy thing which shall be born of thee He further writes, "If he is holy why was he conshall be called the Son of God." He does demned for the sake of sin in the judgment of the Fanot say, that holy thing which shall come ther?" At another place he also writes: "Christ partook of no other flesh than that which was subject to sin and from thy flesh and blood, as say our op- death, that he might be tempted." ponents. Answer. If we are to understand his If they should further say, that if the words as they read, then Christ, together Word became flesh, and did not take unto with his holy flesh was subject to sin and itself our flesh, then it did not remain God's'ieath; this is incontrovertible. For he says, Word; as when Lot's wife became a pillar If he is holy why was he then condemned of salt, she did no longer remain man or for sin under the judgment of the Father. woman; and when the water became wine Just as if he, was unholy, and guilty of death it did no longer remain water. I would re- under the judgment, and deserving of the ply: The Scripture says that Lot's wife wrath and punishment of God. But this became a pillar of salt, and that the water must be so too if we are to assert that the became wine. This the Scripture says, and flesh of Christ was of Mary's flesh. Theretherefore it is also true. But the Scripture fore it is manifest from his words that the says not that Lot's housewife took unto sin by which he vex tempted dwelt in his herself a pillar of salt, and that water took flesh; and that thus he did not die, out of unto itself wine. In the same manner the grace for us, but as one guilty, for himself. Scriptures also testify that the Word became For the wages of sin is death. flesh; but does not testify, that the Word 0, dear Lord, If the poor Menno was to took unto himself our'flesh. speak of the Son of God thus blasphemousI would further say, that if some Script- ly, and were to include him in sin, 0, what ures could be produced to prove that "be- an unpleasant, bitter song would be sung coming" is taking unto one's self; or that about him! But whatever the learned two persons and sons of different natures dream and philosophize, must be accepted and minds can be one person and son; or as right and good. that there was a true Son from the begin- This, then, is my short reply to his words ning who had not both father and mother; just cited, namely: Isaiah and Peter testify or that a son can be his father's son, who of him that he did not know sin, and that is not of the father's seed, then we might guile was not found in his mouth. Yea, ponder upon their foundation a little fur- dear reader, he was holy before his incarther. But since they never produce such nation, holy in his incarnation, and will reScriptures, neither are they able to produce main holy forever. For it was needful, them; and since the Scriptures testify that that we should have such a high priest, who Jesus Christ is the Son of God, therefore the is holy, innocent and spotless, and who testimony of John remains firm and immu- became higher than the heavens; for if he table: "The Word is become flesh," how- were not innnocent and holy, he could not ever much philosophers may dispute this. have requited for our sins and guilt, but Lastly I would say, That if the Word must have suffered for his own imperfecdid not become flesh, but only took unto tions and guilt. But now the Scriptures himself a man of Mary's flesh, as our oppo- testify that he was bruised for our iniquinents assert, and if the same was used as ties and was stricken for our transgression, an instrument to suffer for us, then it is Is. 53: 5, 8.

Page  163 THE CONFUTATION. 163 In the sixth place he writes and says, "The compari- says Isaiah, "my servant, whom I uphold; son of the words of Paul, The form of God and the form of mine Elect, in whom my soul delighteth," a servant, teaches us that by which God is known to be Is. 42: 1. atthew is my witness that the God, and nothing else, than the immeasurable power and the brightness of his light and glory to which none prophet speaks this of Christ; and therecan aspire; that we must also understand it as that by fore is he called the servant of his Father, which a servant is known to be a servant, and that it is because he has performed the work and nothing else but our human flesh, and that through the service of his Father here on earth, for us disobedience of our first parents it was forfeited under poor sinners, as he says, "Even as the Son the servitude of sin; nevertheless he writes that we must so understand it that he took upon himself our of man came not to be ministered unto, but flesh, but not the servitude thereof," hlac ille. to minister, and to give his life a ransom Answer. Here I will leave the reader to for many," Matt. 20: 28. choose whether to explain this form of a Therefore, I repeat it. Paul here speaks servant as having reference to a servile* of the servile and not of the sinful condiform, or, as John A'Lasco thinks, to a sin- tion which Christ took upon himself for our ful form. If it has reference to a servile, salvation. For if he here spoke of the sinand not to a sinful form, then it does ful and not of the servile condition, then not support the assertion that the Word Christ must also have assumed the form of has taken unto himself our flesh. But if it is a servant, that is sin; else the phrase The explained, as John A'Lasco explains it, as form of a servant, and The form of God having reference to a sinful, and not to a could not exist together. For as the phrase servile condition, then it must necessarily form of God testifies to his true divinity, so follow that that is also in Christ, on ac- also, the form of a servant must testify to count of which we are called servants, name- his true servile form; or it must follow from ly, on account of sin, or else the adduced the argument of John A'Lasco, that, alantithetical form is not in place and can though Christ was in divine form, yet he not stand, as you will hereafter, by the lacked the divinity, the same as he had the grace of God, clearly hear and see. form of a servant but the servility, i. e. sin I deny that I misinterpreted the Latin he had not. phrase Exinanivit semetipsum, as John 0, no, it is not so. He was in God-form, A'Lasco accuses me of doing; although at and was therein truly God; thus he also one place I wrote, He has humbled himself, took upon himself the form of a true servI trust I have not written it wrongly. At ant, and was therein a true servant; as may another place I wrote, The Son, the Word, be deduced from Isaiah, Matthew and the was humbled, went beneath himself; was words of Christ. And in this sense the anmade lower than the angels. But nowhere tithesis, the form of God and the form of a have I written that he went out from him- servant, exists, and does not require the self, as John A'Lasco wrongfully accuses exception which John A'Lasco here made. me. I will leave it to the judgment of all And this is the proper cause and reason grammarians whether or not I have written why Paul wrote to the Philippians about correctly. this, that they should not be contentious I think Christ has greatly humbled him- one with another, nor seek their own vain, self, since he is the Almighty, eternal Word, carnal honor, or any thing selfish, but that Wisdom and Power of God, and became they should, after the example of Christ, such a poor, weak, despised man. He humble themselves one towards another, and also went much beneath himself, since he walk in love; for although Christ was in was in divine form and became such a de- the form of God, yea "equal with God, but spised servant. Yea, reader, that Paul here made himself of no reputation and took speaks (Phil. 2: 7, 8), of the servile and not upon him the form of a servant," and not of the sinful condition, we may well deduce the exalted form of a mighty emperor or from the following Scriptures. "Behold," king. He came to minister unto us and *The words servile and servility here mean, a condition not to be ministered unto, Matt. 20: 28. of servitude as spoken of by Paul in Phil. 2: 7, 8. —The Yea, "H e was in all points tempted like as Publishers, we are yet without sin," Heb. 4: 15. He

Page  164 164 THE CONFUTATION. sought not his own but that which was according to his divine purpose, counsel, ours; and for our sakes "became obedient will and conclusion, created Adam and unto death, even the death of the cross," Eve, the parents of us all, as righteous, Phil. 2: 8. Thus the assertion of John good and pure creatures, unto eternal life, A'Lasco, that the Word took unto himself nay, after his own image and likeness, as our flesh or a man of our flesh, remains un- the Scriptures testify; that he gave unto proven. them the command of life and death, that But his point that while Christ was here they might fear, love, praise, thank and upon earth he still was also in heaven, that serve him, and live according to his will, his face shone as the sun, that his raiment Gen. 1. was white as the light, that he healed the Behold, this is the Creator that created sick, raised the dead, and by his word re- Adam and Eve; it also shows through what mitted sin, which power alone belongs to he created them, how and for what purpose God, does not prove that he received his he created them; what he permitted and holy flesh from our sinful flesh; but it what he forbid them to do; what he promrather proves that he still remained God ised them if they obeyed him, and what he and his word, notwithstanding he, for a threatened if they should disobey him; and time, so humbled himself and went beneath thus the glory of God began to shine, Ps. his divine splendor, attributes, right and 33: 5; John 1: 10. glory, for our sakes. Whosoever sincerely In this piety, holiness and righteousness, fears God, let him consider and judge, Matt. Adam and Eve remained so long as they 17: 2; Luke 7: 21. did not deviate from the counsel, word, will In the seventh place he asserts it as his foundation and command of God, in which all things that the Word did not become flesh, but that he took have, and must have their being. But man unto himself our flesh of Mary, and confirms this with was left in the hands of his counsel, Sirach the Scripture Heb. 2:14; which reads thus, "Foras- 15: 14. But through the old serpent, the much then as the children are partakers of flesh and reptile and envier of the honor of blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same," nin i n and says, "The word was made flesh;" not that he has God, and all good, caused the glorious, in any manner changed his first estate, or form, but he noble creature of life to be led from the has taken unto himself our flesh and has therewith cov- the favor and grace of his Creator into concred his divinity while here upon earth. demnation and death, and obscured the Answer. All those who desire a script- glory of God. He began with Eve, the ural and correct understanding of the Script- weaker vessel, to tempt her with the desires ures quoted, and also of Christ, the Son of of her appetite; for the woman saw, says God, should well observe that God, the Moses, that the tree was good for food and Almighty, eternal Father, the true Creator, pleasant to the eyes. He falsified the word who wills and works, is the only source of of the Lord, and said, " Ye shall not surely all good; and that he ineffably before all die," and made glorious promises, saying, creatures, begat of himself his Almighty, "In the day ye eat thereof then your eyes eternal and ineffable Word, and has, shall be opened; and ye shall be as Gods, through the same created all things, and knowing good and evil." thereby governs, maintains and preserves Adam and Eve disobeyed the command them; and that he in his eternal justice, of their God and Creator, by which alone love, and in all his attributes, together with they must live; believed the promise of the his ineffable Word and Holy Spirit, is an serpent; ate, and through the justice of eternal and perfect God, and beside him God, fell into the threatened curse, conthere is none other; and that he is eternal demnation and death, and thus the deceivand unchangeable in his counsel, purpose, ing serpent established the kingdom of hell will and conclusion, as was said before, and of death. There, now lay the miseraMal. 3: 6 ble, accursed Adam and his wife, Eve, in And, that this Almighty, eternal Father, the power of the devil, poisoned "from the through his Almighty, eternal 5Word, in the sole of the foot even unto the head," both power of his Almighty, eternal Spirit, has, within and without, with his impure, dead

Page  165 ITHE CONFUTATION. 165 ly venom, and became subject unto sin and rejoiced in his grace, Gen. 3: 15; 22: 18; death. According to the justice of God, Jer. 23: 6; Luke 1: 28. there was now no way of escape, for Adam And this is the Messiah who, I say, was and all his descendants; for the word of promised Adam, of a woman, the salvation life was rejected; the holy command of God of all the world; promised to Abraham, was transgressed, the venom of the serpent Isaac and Jacob; the glorious Branch, was taken. Alas, all was lost to them! Rod, Plant and Fruit of David, symbolized Their eyes were opened, the shame was ac- in Solomon, the natural fruit of his loins; knowledged, the gnawing worm was in the who shall sit on his throne and reign in disobedient, self-accusing conscience; there Israel forever. All who believe on him was nothing but shaking and trembling, shall receive the mercy, grace and peace of sighing and remorse. They fled before the God; but whosoever does not believe on face of the Lord and knew not where to hide him, on him remaineth the wrath of God, from his wrath; for the justice of God John 3: 36. pointed to the word, "For in the day that From all this it follows that as Adam thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." was created, in the beginning and we in Here the counsel, purpose, will and con- him, through the Word, he and also we are elusion of the Almighty, eternal God were again quickened of God through this same unchanged. He would make manifest his Word, and accepted in grace. John says, glory and have a man after his own image "In the beginning was the Word, and the and likeness. Word was with God; and the Word was Inasmuch as this was resolved upon and God; the same was in the beginning with provided for with God, as has been said; God. All things were made by him, and and as with poor Adam, all was lost, as without him'was not any thing made that also with all his descendants, for at heart was made," &c. "And the Word was made he was full of venom and abashed before flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his God, therefore should the unchangeable, his glory, the glory as of the only begotten will, counsel and resolution of the unchange- of the Father, full of grace and truth." Beable God be executed, there must be anoth- hold, in such plain words testifies the Spirit er who was like the corrupted Adam before of God, that both the creation and the reshis fall; for upon such a man, God's will toration of Adam and his seed, was brought had resolved; and with Adam all was lost. about by no other means than through the Therefore the ineffable, eternal Word, by Word, as has been hlerd,Matt. 3S 11; John which Adam and Eve were created, by which 1; C. 1 19. all things are and must forever remain; the And to the better explanation of this, all'and also to learn to understand rightly how Almighty power and wisdom of God, must a lso to ln to understandrightlyhow become man, that he might bruise the headentirely sinful, impure, poisoned, powerless, of the deceiving serpent, for the salvation and as nothing we all have become in of the condemned Adam and all his descend- Adam, I would point you, Pal, to ants; that temptation might be overcome; the law and the Scriptures; they will depict that the holy and unchangeable will of the you the impure, powerless nature and Father might be fulfilled; that the do- sinfulness of our flesh so plainly, that you minion and power of the devil might be de- are forced to acknowledge that the holy, stroyed; and that he might, by his willing glorious d spotless Messiah, through obedience and spotless offering, discharge whom e all are pacified and reconciled and put away the guilt and deserved death with God, could not be of such impure, sinof Adamby his innocent death. ful and accursed seed and flesh as the learned teach us, and pretend with their Behold, this joyous gospel, and these learned teach us, anprtend ith their - A.". "'. [philosophic reasoning, without the Scriptglad tidings of the divine grace, which God ures. declared to the poor, afflicted and fugitive, Thus speaks Moses, Thou shalt not covet, Adam. He accepted them through faith; or thou shalt not desire. Reader, observe: consoled himself therewith, and sincerely In these few words is properly represented

Page  166 166 THE CONFUTATION. the first righteousness in which Adam was curse, condemnation and death, then, I say, created in the beginning; and which is yet search the law diligently; for it points out claimed of God according to his righteous- to you, First, the obedience to God and ness, by his descendants. Ponder diligent- righteousness required of you; and also the ly on these words of Moses and examine weakness of your sinful flesh, your impure yourself closely, before your God, who and evil disposed nature; and that you are tries the hearts and reins, whether or not already condemned to death, according to you sometimes do not, against the law, the rigor of the above mentioned righteousfind such forbidden lusts in your flesh. ness, since you, through your inherent, If you imagine yourself free fiom these, weak nature and evil disposed flesh, do not you convert God into a liar, 1 John 1: 10; walk in the required righteousness as God and thereby you also shame all the right- lhas commanded and required of you in his eous of God, who were from the beginning; law, as you will clearly notice by your own for they have all unanimously complained unction if you but rightly observe. of their evil-disposed, wicked flesh, and Inasmuch as Adam and his seed are so have, alas, too unanimously shown it in entirely corrupted; as by nature he was their fruits. The Scriptures testify that I created pure and clean, and became wholly speak the truth. impure and evil disposed, and thus fell in Yea, reader, if any man, born of the the righteous judgment of God; and since sinful flesh of Adam, had completely every thing is involved in sin; therefore, if fulfilled the law, then for such the com- this venom was to be weakened in its power; manded yearly sin-offering, which was of- if the corrupted nature of Adam was to be fered by the high priest in the Holy of delivered from the curse and judgment of Holies, was useless and fruitless. Neither sin; if the righteousness of God was to be would it have been necessary for the Son of appeased; if the power of the devil was to the Most high, the eternal word of God to be disturbed; if curse, wrath, condemnation become man; for such a person could have and death were to be taken away; if the done all this and fulfilled the required hand writing of the law, which required righteousness. But as it was, there was such righteousness of Adam's children, was neither prophet nor any man of God, born to be broken to pieces; if the eternal proviof Adam, so holy, or so pious, but who had dence, counsel, will and determination of to console himself with the promise of God God were to be fulfilled; if his kingdom in regard to Christ, also symbolized in the and glory were to be acknowledged; and if offering, and with the divine grace, through there was to be such a man as the counsel, faith. will, and determination of God required, as But if you find that you do not as the law has been heard; then the everlasting love requires, but that you are not alone ever of God would require that there should be fought by the lusts which dwelt in your another man, who, conquering the devil, flesh, but that you are also often involunta- should disturb his power, fulfill the rightrily conquered thereby, then you must ac- eousness of God, promulgate his glory, knowledge that you are already condemnned make a clean sacrifice, and who should to death by the law of righteousness. For thus, out of love and compassion, be innothe law says, "Cursed be he that confirm- cently accursed and condemned to death; eth not all the words of this law to do them; not of Adam, but for the everlasting salvaand all the people shall say, Amen," Dent. tion of Adam and his seed; that thus the 27: 26. corrupted and condemned Adam, together Behold, kind reader, if you would rightly with his corrupt and condemned seed, know and acknowledge how miserable, should be again accepted in grace, through naked, powerless, impotent, unclean, sirnfl his name, and be again delivered from their and poisoned all of Adam's seed is become great fall, Gal. 3; Gen. 3: 17; Luke i1: 21; in him, through his transgression, and how John 14: 30; Col. 1: 14. his seed is fallen, through the just right- It could not, I repeat it, be a man of eousness of God, into his wrath, judgment, Adam's flesh; for the corrupted flesh of

Page  167 THE CONFUTATION. 167 Adam could not beget fruit which could Inasmuch as the Scriptures pronounce fulfill this, while it was so thoroughly cor- the first Adam and all his seed to be such rupted and condemned before God; but it an impure, sinful, accursed and condemned must be a man who was free from the de- Adam, and pronounce Christ, the second served curse, condemnation and death of Adam, free from all impurity, sin, curse Adam, and also from all his venom, sin and condemnation, therefore the impartial and unrighteousness, as has been sufficient- reader may well deduce therefrom that such ly heard. a precious, glorious fruit could not be Observe, my faithful reader, and here plucked from an elder or thorn bush; but learn to know your God in his grace and should be begotten from some other source, love. For although the whole Scriptures namely: from him who is the only cause conclude Adam and Eve, together with all and eternal source of all good things, as their descendants, entirely under the sin, has been said. curse, condemnation and death, according That the holy and saving flesh of Christ to justice, yet it does not leave in hell the was not of the sinful and condemned flesh solicitous, afflicted conscience, which has of Adam may be plainly observed from the been so far taught and directed by the law, following passages and figures of the Holy that it feels its wounds and stripes, and ac- Scripture. knowledges that it is deserving of eternal Isaiah says, "All we like sheep, have death and condemnation; but the Script- gone astray; we have turned every one to ures show in consoling words and symbols, his own way; and the Lord hath laid on where and of whom to get the healing med-him the iniquity of us all." "He hath done icine, namely: of Christ Jesus. For it is violence to no one; neither was any deceit he who with all his righteousness, merit, in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to cross, blood and death, was graciously bruise him," Isa. 53: 6, 9, 10. given of God our heavenly Father to the given of God our he y F r to te I must pay, says the Psalmist, in the perfallen and condemned Adam and his pos- son of Christ that which I had not taken. terity, for their eternal salvation and rec- He "bare our sins inhis own body on the onciliation. ~onc~ll^ati~on~. - - ~ tree," and by his stripes we were healed, 1 I think this may well be called ajoyous Pet. 24. gospel, and glad tidings to all afflicted and e. lamenting souls, who having become sub- or he hath made him to be sin for us, ject to sin and death under the law, so fear- who knew no sin; that we might be made fully tremble at the righteous judgment and the righteousness of God in him," 2 Cor. wrath of God, that the A ighty, eternal5: 21. Again, we are all sinners and come wrath of wood, tRhat tle Alllminghty, eternal God and Father has so love us miserable, short of the glory of God; but are made trifling and condemned sinners who are so righteous, without merit, by his grace, far estranged from him and, according to through the deliverance which is in Christ. his righteous judgment, are deserving of Again, "The Scripture hath concluded all eternal death, that he sent into this misera- under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus ble world, his Almighty, eternal and ineffa- Christ might be given to them that believe," ble Word, his only, eternal and beloved Gal. 3: 22. Son, the brightness of his glory; and who Ye know, says John, that the Son of God was like unto Adam before the fall, as a "was manifested to take away our sins;" proof and means of his divine grace; and and in him is no sin, 1 John 3: 5. Read that this One has, through his perfect right- also all these Scriptures, Isa. 7:9 and 40; eousness, willing obedience and innocent Jer. 23; Mic. 5; John 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, I], death, led us from the kingdom and do- 14, 16, 17; 1 Cor. 15; Acts, 20; Eph. 4; 1 minion of the devil into the kingdom of his Tim. 3; 1 John 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Heb. 1, 2, 3, 7; divine grace and eternal peace. Rev. 1: 19.

Page  168 168 THE CONFUTATION. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES UPON TIE FOREGOING SUBJECT. He is the spiritual tree of life in the midst has all power in heaven and upon earth; of the paradise of God, which is not planted he is a powerful King over all; and to his by the hands of man, but of God himself, kingdom there shall be no end, nor pass to Rev. 2: 7; all those that shall eat the fruits other people, Dan. 2: 44. of this tree, with pure hearts, shall live for- Behold, kind reader, judge from the ever; and the leaves of the tree are for the above mentioned Scriptures and figures, if healing of the nations, Rev. 22: 3. you fear God, if such doctrine is based upon He is the spiritual, brazen serpent, sym- the Scriptures, which claims that this rightbolized in the Mosaic serpent, Num. 21: 9, eous, holy, spotless, obedient and saving which was erected for us miserable sinners, Messiah was born of the unrigllteous, sinful, by the Father, in the wilderness of this impure, disobedient and accursed flesh or world, as a healing sign, which had the seed of Adam, and that it took its hunanivenomous form of the venomous serpent, ty therefrom. 0, no. This pure, clear yet had not its venomous nature. Allthose water, with which all our blemishes were to who believe on him are delivered from the be washed away, could never be drawn curse, condemnation and death caused by from such an impure, stagnated pool. Let the serpent; but whosoever does not believe every body reflect what the word of the on him, on him the wrath of God remains, Lord teaches him. and he must eternally bear and suffer, ac- Now we will, by the grace of the Lord, cording to God's eternal justice, the threat- enlarge upon the Scriptures of H-eb. 2, that ened curse, death and condemnation, John we may rightly comprehend the foundation 3: 36. and truth thereof; and that, too, that our He is the spiritual mercy seat, which is opponents may not boast that we do not not, like the ark made of Shittim wood, but satisfy them; I would first refer you to the of fine, pure gold, from which God gracious- first chapter of Hebrews, and have you ly hears us and speaks unto us through his observe what is said there of Christ. Spirit and word, Ex. 25: 10; Rom. 3: 24; In the first place itreads, that "God hath Heb. 4: 13. He is the spiritual Paschal in these last days spoken unto us by his Lamb, which is without spot, and in the Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all sprinkling and sanctification of whose things, by whom also he made the worlds." blood the chosen Israel of God was ever In the second place it reads, that this graciously saved from the destroying angel, same Son is "the brightness of his glory, and from the wrath of God, in the midst of and the express image of his person." the cruel, dark Egypt of this world, Ex. Thirdly, that he has purged our sins by 12: 23; Num. 9: 16. himself. He is the true bread from heaven, which Fourthly, that he is the first begotten Son is not made of natural corn or wheat, I of God, and that all the angels shall wormean, of our sinful flesh, but is begotten of ship him. the dew of the eternal Word, which is the Fifthly, that he is God, and that his only and true food for our souls, by which kingdom and throne shall endure forever. we shall live forever, if we only eat of him Sixthly, that he laid the foundation of through true faith, Ex. 16: 5; Num. 11: 18. the earth; and the heavens are the work of He is the Rock which was torn from the his hands. mountain, without hands, that is, without I think that if you earnestly ponder on human assistance, which Nebuchadnezzar these Scriptures and rightly observe them, saw in a dream; and to which Daniel was you will soon perceive from whence Christ referred as being the one who should waste came, who and what he is. For these plain and destroy the iron, clay, silver and gold; evidences clearly teach that the world was yea, all the kingdoms of this world; for lhe made by him; that he is the brightness of

Page  169 THE CONFUTATION. 169 the glory of God; that he hath purged our 1 agrees with the words of Christ, "'Now, O sins by himself; that he is the first begotten Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, Son of God, that he is God, and that he has with the glory which I had with thee, before laid the foundations of the earth. This the world was," Jn. 17: 5. I think these could not be of Mary's flesh, Gen. 1: 1; Ps. plain Scriptures and clear testimonies prove 33: 6; Eph. 3: 9; 1:9; Col. 1: 16; IHeb. 1: 2; fully that the teachings of our opponents Ps. 102: 26; 1 John 1: 7; Col. 1: 15. are unscriptural and erroneous, when they If they should say that these Scriptures say that the Son of God remained in his are not spoken in regard to the Son of Mary, first form and estate, and was not bruised but in regard to the Son of God, then they for our iniquities. confess thereby a divided Son, two persons, This same man, who, for our sake, was two sons; besides, we are convinced by thus humbled and made less than God and these very Scriptures that they are spoken the angels, we see is Christ, who for sufferof the whole Christ; for he has spoken with ing death was crowned with praise and us as a man, and we are also cleansed of honor; for as he, for the purpose of obediour sins through his human suffering and ence, humbled himself to the lowest, for our death, as the Scripture teaches, 1 John 1:7; service, therefore he was again exalted to 1 Pet. 1: 19. the highest, by the Father. And thus he But if they should call to their support was innocently put to death for the sake of the sinecdoche, or commonness of the Adam and all his posterity, by the grace of names, then I would answer in brief, plain, God; for Adam and his posterity could not words, that the plain, faithful souls, Peter be otherwise delivered from the power of and John the fishermen, Martha the servant, death. For it became him, for whom and and the plain Nathaniel, knew nothing by whom are all things, who has brought at all of such satanic testimony and human many children unto glory, to make the cunning; but they have given praise to the Prince and Captain of their salvation pervisible and tangible Christ, and confessed fect through suffering, as both the Sanctifier, that he was the Son of God, Matt. 16: 15; Christ, and thosewho are sanctifiedthrough Jn. 6: 69; 11: 27. him, the regenerated, are all of one, that is, This is still further declared in the second of God, Phil. 2: 9; Heb. 2: 10. chapter in these words: "What is man, Thus the sanctified together have one that thou art mindful of him? or the son of Father with their Sanctifier, as John says, man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest "As many as received him, to them gave him a little lower than the angels; thou he power to become the sons of God, even crownedst him with glory and honor," Heb. to them that believe on his name; which 2: 6, 7. were born not of blood, nor of the will of Here I would faithfully admonish the the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of faithful reader, to observe that both Eras- God;" and therefore our Savior "is not mus and Hieronymus, in their Latin trans- ashamed to call them (the sanctified), brethlations, have translated this thus: "Thou ren, saying, I will declare thy name unto madest him a little lower than tie angels;" my brethren, in the midst of the church will and the Hebrew Psalm also has it: "Thou I sing praise unto thee," John 1 1: 12; Heb. madest him inferior to God; with praise 2: 11, 12. Yea, dear reader, if the flesh of and honor thou crownedst him," Heb. 2: 7; Christ was of Adam's flesh, and if we were Ps. 8: 5. called his brethren on that account, as is This agrees with the word of Paul, where the doctrine of the learned, then one brother he says, "Who being in the form of God, must beget the other; besides, then all the thought it not robbery to be equal with ungodly e, ye, whores and knaves, must God, but made himself of no reputation, also be Christ's brethren and sisters. This and took.pon him the form of a servant," is too plain to be controverted. Phil. 2:7. At another place he says,: 0, no. Who his brethren are, he has "Though he was rich, yet for your sakes himself plainly declared, Miatt. 12: 59; he became poor," 2 Cor. 8: 9. This also i Mark 3: 35; Luke 8: 21. And he not only 58

Page  170 170 THE CONFUTATION. calls them his brethren, but also, his chil- on the other, that the reader might thereby dren, and says, "Behold, I and the children rightly understand and comprehend that the which God hath given me." They are Lord Jesus Christ could not be of such uncalled his children for the reason that he clean flesh and seed of the children, nor parhas begotten them unto God his Father, by take of such a man; for the flesh of the chilthe word of his grace, through the power of dren is unclean and sinful, but the flesh of his Holy Spirit, in the besprinkling of his Christ is pure and holy. precious blood. At another place he also Since his pure flesh could not be of the calls them his mother, bride, flesh and unclean flesh of the children, as has been bones; which, according to the flesh, they said, and since our opponents so strenuouscould not be. ly insist upon it, on account of this ScriptYea, dear reader, if he had received his ure, therefore I will diligently examine it flesh from the flesh of his children, as John word for word, and, by the grace of God, I A'Lasco and his followers claim that he has, will attach to each word its wholesome and then the children must have begotten the right meaning. father. Christ, the new Adam, would say First, observe that the word children has to his new Eve: I am flesh of thyflesh-and reference to none other than those who, not: " Thou art flesh of my flesh." If you above, are called Christ's brethren, namely, fear God, then reflect and judge, Heb. 2: 13; those who believe in him, and who are born Gen. 2: 23. of God by the living power of his Spirit and As the children partake of flesh and word, as said. blood, so he, in the same manner partook Secondly, observe what the Scriptural of the same, that he might, through death, meaning of having communion with flesh take the power from him who had the power and blood is; that it is not simply having of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those flesh and blood, as some have interpreted who, of necessity, were in servitude all their it; but that it also means, to intermix with lives; for he does not accept the seed of flesh and blood, and to do the things which angels, but of Abraham; therefore he must are forbidden of God, through the lusts of become like unto his brethren in all things. our flesh, Rom. 7: 7; 3: 20. Behold, this is the strongest and most Thirdly, observe that since the children important saying wherewith John A'Lasco of God are partakers of sinful flesh and (in regard to this subject), disputes the blood and are subject to such human weakwhole Scriptures, divides Christ and makes ness by which they involuntarily ever strughim into two persons and sons, and, as he gle and fail —therefore they must have such thinks, joins together his whole work, ar- a High Priest who could have compassion guments, sayings and flatterings. And with their human failures; as he was temptthis is his proper foundation and meaning:' ed in the same manner, although without "As the children are partakers of flesh and sin, as said. blood, so, also, has the WVord, or Son of Fourthly, observe that the adverb sir'iGod received or par:aken of this flesh and liter (that is, in the same -moanner), here exblood from the flesh and blood of the chil- presses a true human nature in Christ, it is dren; and has thus vanquished hell, sin, true, but not a natural conception as John death and devil in our flesh, Heb. 2; Phil. A'Lasco claims and argues; for it is mani2: 7; Hosea 13: 14; 1 Cor. 15: 54; Col. 2: 15; fest all through the Scriptures that the con2 Tim. 1: 10. ception of Mary was supernatural; that it Inasmuch as he so strenuously insists on was brought about by the Holy Ghost, the above: saying, therefore have I by ad- through faith, as has been shown above. ducing so many Scripttures, so enlarged Fiftlhy, observe that the expression upon the inherent, unclean, sinful flesh and "partaking of flesh and blood" means nature of the children, and their deserved nothing else than havaig flesh and blood; death and condemnation on the one hand, since his children and brethren, also have and the pure, holy flesh and nature of flesh and blood, as Sebastian Castalion, Christ, his undeserved death and judgment j also, has rendered it, but with such differ

Page  171 THE CONFUTATION. 171 ence that his flesh was holy and knew no cause of the justice of God that he became sin, and therefore experienced no decay; of a corrupted nature. I asked, how? He but the flesh of his brethren and children is answered: "Because God had said, That sinful, and therefore also subject to decay, in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt 1 Cor. 15: 53; 5: 4. surely die." I then replied: then God was Sixthly, observe that Paul does not at all the cause of the sin of Adam; and the times use the words partaking of.fesh and threatened death must not only be punishblood, in the same sense. In one place, 1 ment of sin, but sin itself. I said, Martin, Cor. 9: 12, he writes, "If others be partakers do observe what reasoning you bring forof this power over you," that is, If others ward. have this power over you; again, "He that In the second place it follows that there thresheth in hope should be partaker of his must be a divided Christ, of whom one half hope," that is should receive that which he must be of heaven and the other half of hopes to get. Again in the 10th, 17th and earth. 21st of the same epistle, it is used for en- In the third place that there must be two.joying. persons in Christ; one divine and one huInasmuch as the word parta/aig has not, man. To which Martin in our second conevery where in Scripture, one meaning- versation, thus replied: "There were not therefore, wherever it is found, it should not two persons in Christ, but one person; for, be explained otherwise than according to although the word was one person from the true nature and meaning of the Script- eternity, yet it was no person which was ures, or else the whole Scriptures must be conceived in Mary." He further said, "Albroken and garbled for the sake of such a though each human being is one person, word. and although the man, Christ, was one Seventhly, observe that the word eorun- man as any other man, yet the man, Christ dem (that is, of the same), has reference to alone was no person." I am ashamed to the words flesh and blood, but not to the touch upon such inconsistent things. Paul flesh and blood of the children, for that is justly said, Ubi disputator seculi h.ujus? unclean, sinful, guilty and condemned; if "Where is the disputer of this world?" it had reference to the flesh and blood of'In the fourth place that there are two the children, as John A'Lasco and M. MI. Sons in Christ-the Son of God without claim, and that the Son of God took unto mother, and he impassive; and the son of himself a perfect man, body and soul, of man without father, and he passive; somethe flesh of the children, then it is incontro- thing which M. M., both in our first and vertible that all the following and indisso- also in our second conversation, several luble inconsistencies must exist: times openly admitted before us all, in In the first place an impure, sinful, ac- plain language. O God, what strange cursed, and death-guilty Christ, as is the things we hear! flesh of the children of whom he should In the fifth place, that not the first begothave partaken his flesh; for wherever the ten and only Son of God, but the fatherless flesh of the children is, there, also, is the Son of Mary, of the accursed, sinful flesh of sin and curse of the children; this cannot Adam, died for us-something which is di be controverted, or else justice must have rectlv contrary to Christ, John, Paul and been changed and the curse taken away the wliole Scriptures. and ended by our own flesh. To which M., In the sixth place, that the eternal offerin the first conversation I had with him, ing of reconciliation, once offered for the thus replied: "Christ was pure and without sins of the whole world, was not the spotsin, and that because Mary did not conceive less Lamb, but an unclean, blemished offerhim of the seed of man." I answered: I ing which was subject to sin and death, as must understand, then, that sin is because may also be unmistakably deduced from of the mixture, which is the ordinance of the writings of A'Lasco, John 3: 16; Rom. God, and not because of the transgression 8: 31. of Adam. He answered: No, it was be- In the seventh place, the angel Gabriel

Page  172 172 THE CONFUTATION. Peter, and the Lord himself, acknowledge for he uses the word take in the present that the man, Christ Jesus, is the Son of tense and angels in the plural number, and God. Thomas acknowledges him as his says, "He takes not on him the nature of Lord and God; besides the whole Script- angels, but he takes on him the seed of ures teach that he is our Advocate, Recon- Abraham," the children of the promise, ciler, Mediator, High Priest, Deliverer and; Rom. 9: 8; the believers, Gal. 3: 29; his Messiah —and if he is yet to be of the un- brethren and children. He accepts them, clean sinful flesh and seed of Adam, then it in grace, to the praise of his Father, is manifest that a created creature and man Rom. 15: 7; prays for their failings and of the sinful flesh of Adam, is our Messiah, weaknesses, Rom. 8: 7; Heb. 5: 10. For Deliverer, Reconciliator, Advocate, High they can never be freed from the inherent, Priest, Yea, Lord and God; something which impure, wicked nature of their sinful flesh, is not alone an abomination and idola- in this life. try, but also open blasphemy against God. Tenthly, observe that a thing which is ",,>, v-'" like unto another, is not necessarily the In the tenth place, if the eternal Word, by same thing which it resembles; and, therewhich every thing was created, had par- fore it cannot be maintained by this pastaken of such a carnal son of the flesh of sage, "Wherefore in all things it behooved of the children, or of Mary, and had thus him to be made like unto his brethren," that united himself into one person and son, the holy, pure flesh of Christ is of the unthen the Creator and the creature, the Son clean, sinful flesh of Adam. of God without mother, and the son of Behold, dear reader, if you consider well Mary without father, must have become the explanation of the Scripture, Heb. 2, one, undivided person and son. This is in- and weigh it in the balance of the Scriptures, controvertible. you will very plainly find that this is the In the eleventh place, if the Word has meaning of the above mentioned Scripture; partaken of such flesh as that of Mary, and that although Christ, the Prince of our salif it did not become man, then God is not vation, has led us to his glory, and has the true Father of Christ, Mary no true I thus accepted us as brethren and children mother, and Christ no true son of both his \ in faith, yet we are, in our first Adamic father and mother; besides, the whole birth, so poisoned by the serpent, and so Scriptures are denied which testify that corrupted by nature, that we cannevermore Christ is the Son of God. become free of our unclean sinful flesh, so I think that all these indissoluble incon- long as we dwell in this tabernacle; but sistencies, sufficiently show you that John oftentimes (although involuntarily) mix and A'Lasco has not given the Scriptural mean- soil ourselves therewith; and become, thereing to the word eorutdemn. fore, convinced by the hand writing, that Eighthly, observe why Christ, the Prince we are guilty of death, according to the eterof our salvation, became man, namely, that nal justice, Rom. 7: 7; 3: 20; Col. 2: 13. he might destroy the prince of death, the Since we are ensnared by such wicked, devil, by his innocent death, and that he sinful, disobedient and death guilty flesh, might thus deliver and free his poor, en- as all the pious children of God have, from slaved, timorous brethren and children from the beginning, dolefully complained of, and the accusing law, from the judgment of sin could not be entirely freed from the inserted and the terror of death. sting of the serpent; therefore it is that our Ninthly, observe that the passage, "He Prince, Savior, Brother and Father, Christ, takes* not on him the nature of angels, but in his extremely great love, has given himhe takes' on him the seed of Abraham," self according to the counsel, purpose, will should not be understood as having any and determination of his everlasting Father, reference to the taking on of human flesh,!and in accordance partook of flesh and as the learned explain it, but to the par- blood; not of the flesh of the children, for taking of grace, by which we are accepted; they are sinful and unclean, but as John *German and Holland translations. says, "The Word was made flesh," John

Page  173 THE CONFUTATION. 173 1: 14; Deut. 32: 15; Isa. 64: 4; Job 15: 14; of David, Rom. 1, of the virgin Mary, Matt. Ps. 143: 2; Gal. 2: 17; 3: 11; 1 John 1: 3; 1, flesh, man, Christ, Immanuel," &c. Again, Heb. 2: 14; Phil. 2: 7. Yea, a despised, "The Word has accepted our flesh." Again, afflicted, tempted and mortal man; and is "The Word, which from the beginning alone thus voluntarily come forward to battle for was God, is become (that is, it commenced his associates, sanctified brethren and chil- being together) flesh (that is, man), and has dren; has placed himself heroically in their dwelt (that is, it has taken its abode) in us defense, and has abashed the tempter in (that is, in our flesh) through its participahis temptation; vanquished him in his tion," as Paul says. These are his words in power; taken his stronghold; bruised his regard to the Scripture John 1. head; fulfilled and blotted out the hand O dear reader, what is so clear that writing; blotted it out with his precious it cannot be obscured by human intellect, blood; requited our guilty and deserved and what so straight that it can not be death by his innocent and unmerited death, bent? If he does it through a misconcepto the fulfilling of the prophetic word, "O tion he may yet be corrected; but if he does death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I it for other reasons, then it will not be well will be thy destruction!" and he has thus with his poor soul. delivered and freed his chosen, his saints, I am surprised that he dares publish such his brethren and children from servitude I inconsistent explanations, in print, when he and the penalty of the law; from the judg- well knows that there are to be found so ment of sin, and from the fearful terrors of many learned theological men. 0, dear the threatened death in such a manner that Lord! How frightful it is to mix God's clear their human weaknesses and involuntary wine, and the high testimony of the Holy mistakes, for his sake, will no more be Spirit with such impure water, and thus to counted against them as sin, if they will corrupt it by earthly wisdom. He has so but walk before him with penitent believing treated with this plain Scripture, that it hearts, and will steadily cling to his word would have removed all doubt and given with positive, assured consciences, Gen. me new courage, if I had had any doubt of 49: 10; Isa. 2: 5; Luke 11:21; Col. 2: 14; my faith andfoundation, which, thank God, Hosea 13: 14; Rom. 8: 2, 3. I have none. Behold, thus Christ, the Son of God, has Inasmuch as he so fearfully belittles the accepted the seed of Abraham and liberated wonderful, glorious work of divine grace it, to the praise of his Father; and has and love, which the Almighty, eternal Fatherefore appeared in person, and become, ther has so graciously shown us poor, misin all things, like unto his poor, weak, af- erable sinners, through his eternal Word flicted brethren in all manner of poverty, and Son; and as he would rather break the misery, affliction, need, fear of death and holy word and testimony of the Lord, than mortality; that he might thus be a compas- doubt his own intelligence, therefore I pray sionate, merciful and faithful High Priest every body, for God's sake, not to think to reconcile the sins, defects and errors hard of me, that I, unlearned man, oppose of his saints before God his Father; for, as this and confute his unscriptural explanahe has walked with them in the same temp- tions with the clear, plain Scriptures and tation, battle, misery, anxiety and fear of reasoning, and thus lay the foundation of death, therefore he can also come to the truth. rescue of all those who are tempted of the I trust that no reasonable and impartial world, hell, sin, devil and death. This is person can, in any way, think hard of me, my reply to the construction which John for publicly replying to him, and defending A'Lasco and his class put upon the Script- the praise of the Lord, since he has publicly ure, Heb. 2. If you fear God then read and written against me and fearfully violated judge. the word of God, as I understand it. In the eighth place he explains the testi- I would undoubtedly have excused him mony of John and says, " The Word, the i and not have mentioned his name, if only Son of God, commenced being of the seed I he and his followers would leave the Script

Page  174 174 THE CONFUTATION. ures unbroken, and would not so indiscreet- I consistent in every particular. For he says, ly war against the clear, pure truth, both The word commenced being manI., and also, verbally and in writing. But my conscience that it dwelt in our flesh. If it became man, and the word of God constrain me to pro- as it truly did, as the testimony of John, tect the praise of my Lord and my faith. when not adulterated, clearly shows-how I say First, that he, by his explanation, [ could it then, yet dwell in the flesh of man? has broken the testimony of the Holy For to commence being a house and to Ghost, and adulterated the Scriptures; for dwell in a house, are widely different. This he writes, "The Word, the Son of God has, all reasonable people must admit. of the seed of David, Rom. 1: 3, of a woman, Fourthly, I say that this explanation of Gal. 4: 4, of the virgin Mary, commenced his is inconsistent in itself. For if the word being flesh, man. In Rom. 1: 3, it reads, cozmlenced being/ m2an. then it did not re"Made of the seed of David according to main unchangaed in its first state. But if it the flesh;" Gal. 4, born of a woman; and remained unchanged, then it did not comz"That which is conceived in her, is of the Ilenzce being man, but it commenced taking Holy Ghost," Matt. 1: 20. Inasmuch as he on a man of our flesh and thus it cornhas not left the Scriptures in their natural menced to dwell in one of our flesh, let him sense, but has garbled and turned them to turn the matter as he pleases. Therefore I his own advantage; and, instead of born of will not let John A'Lasco be the expounder, and conceived of he writes commnenced being, but will let the faithful and plain John himtherefore he shows thereby clearly that he self explain his own words. Hle writes, cannot prove his explanation by the Script- "That which was from the beginning, which ures, but merely decorates it, in semblance, we have heard, which we have seen with by adducing mutilated Scriptures and our eyes, which we have looked upon, and palms them off as true. our hands have handled, of the Word of Secondly, I say that there is not a letter Life, for the life was manifested, and we to be found in all the Scriptures that the have seen it," 1 John 1: 1, 2. Word accepted our flesh, which he so often- Inasmuch as his explanation is incontimes writes; or that the divine nature mi- sistent in itself, and is both contrary to raculously united itself with our human nature and the Scriptures; and inasmuch as nature; or that the Son of God should have John shows me such a plain foundationremained unchanged and took on him the therefore I will not establish my foundation son of Mary; or that the Son of God should and faith on such uncertain, dark and colhave bestowed all his Attributes on the son ored flatterings, but I will establish them on of man, and that one person was made of the certain, clear and undeceivable testimotwo, as John Brent says; or that the son of ny of John; for I know that his testimony man should be the chosen Son of God, as is true, yea, that it is the unbroken truth Pomeranus says; or that the Word, the and pure word of God. Son, should have taken on him a perfect Fifthly, I say that his explanation of the man of the flesh of Mary; or that the blood verb habitavit, that is, has dwelt, is false, of Mary was concreted in her womb, as the for he says and claims that the Word and servants of the barbarous churches of Lon- our flesh, or the son of Mary, taken on by don say; or that he put on our flesh; or the Word, are one person and one Christ; that he should have dwelt therein; or that and here he claims that the Word, which is he was flesh of our flesh; or that our flesh the Son of God, has taken its abode in our should sit at the right hand of the Father- flesh, and refers to Xenophon. From which therefore I say that they are wrong in all one or the other must follow, either that Xenparticulars, yea more, that they are anath- ophon and his domicil are one being and ematized. For they are a strange gospel thing, the same as the Son of God and the and new doctrine which is not derived from son of Mary (understand, according to his the Spirit and word of God, but is invented explanation) are one person and Christof flesh and blood, Gal. 1: 8. or, if Xenophon and his domicil are two Thirdly, I say that his explanation is in- separate things, as they really are, that

Page  175 THE CONFUTATION. 175 then, also, the Son of God and the son of of the flesh of Mary, as, alas) John A'Lasco, Mary, in whom God's Son should have by his human wisdom obscures his simple, dwelt, according to his explanation, are two plain word and clear testimony, mutilates separate persons and Christs; for, the one and controverts it. who dwells in a house and the house are Inasmuch as he, in his defense and extwo different things, is too self-evident to planation, has so frightfully broken the be denied. Fb rther I say, that his eplantion of theScripture, and has so indiscreetly varied Further I say, that his explanation of the from the truth, as you may plainly see from verb haabitavit is not at all founded in fact. the cited extractstherefore I felt conFor the evangelist uses the verb to dwell in strained by t he pure to God and your the perfect tense, and says, Has dwoelt; by the pure love to od and your the perfect tense, and says, souls, to discover unto you his great misfrom which it is evident that John does not nderstanding and gross errors; that the here speak of dwelling in our flesh, but of glory of the Lord may be maintained and his dwelling among men, as all intelligent that you may be led to the right, true contranslators have rendered it. For if he fession of your God and of his beloved Son should have spoken it with such a meaning Jesus Christ. as John A'Lasco explains it, then he would have said dwell, in the present tense, or we ut I am grieved to mention his name in must acknowledge that the word did not such a connection, and that I must publish dwell in the man Christ longer than while his errors, although he has given me an ill he walked here on earth, which to my un- reputation and hateful name with many by derstanding, would be a gross abomination his writing. I commend him to the Lord. and a great error. I Perhaps he thinks that he has thereby done Sixthly, I say that the explanation can rightly. Whatever I do, I do for connot be maintained in any manner; for the science' sake, to the glory of my Lord and whole Scriptures in regard to Christ would Savior, Christ; for his glory I love far more contradict themselves. There would be two than the honor of all creatures-and him I persons and sons in Christ-a sinful and must seek with all my strength, even at the death-guilty Messiah-the father no true cost of my life. father, the mother no true mother, and the I am sure that if John A'Lasco seeks the son no true son. The prophets, Gabriel, praise of God more than his own; if he the angel of the Lord, Christ Jesus, John loves his neighbor as the Scriptures require, and Paul, would all be false witnesses, as and sincerely seeks after truth, he will not be has been previously heard. angry with me, but will love and thank me, Lastly, I say as before, that John wrote for not excusing him in this regard, but faithhis gospel and testimony of Christ, the Son fully showing him his errors, for maintainof God, in a very contentious time. If he ing my faith and doctrine according to the had not meant just as he wrote, but if he i truth, for warning my fellow-men against had written it in such a confused and strang'e corruption, and most of all for protecting sense as John A'Lasco explains it-then and defending by the word of my Lord, my he would not hav-e abated the dispute there- Lord's glory and great name, as much as by, but would rather have given new energy is in my power, according to the testimony thereto. of the Scripture and my conscience. But if 0 no. John has simply, clearly and ] it be considered offensive in me, as I fear it plainly given his testimony, foundation will be, then I must commend it to the Lord and faith concerning Christ Jesus, the Son who, in his great love, has, to this hour, of God, and our only and eternal Messiah, stood by me in all my needs, with his paand has testified, without duplicity, that tetrnal faLithfulness, and who has so grathe Word of God, whicLh was from the be- cionsly succored me in all my telmpl-L i.ons. ginning, became liesli, and that this same Blehold, dear readhe, here you may see incarnated Word has dwelt amongst us. lhow far we differ with our opponents in But he did not write a syllable that he ac- the confession, doctrine and faith of Christ, cepted our flesh, or that he dwelt in a man j the Son of God. Wow judge, if you fear

Page  176 176 THE CONFUTATION. God, which of the two parties has the strong- providence of God, 1 Pet. 1: 20, according to est Scriptures and foundation. the will of God, Eph. 1: 4, according to the If you would have the Scriptures, which promise of God, Gen. 3: 15, through the they call contradicting in this respect, right- Holy Ghost, was conceived in the virgin ly explained, then you must let go of the Mary, who knew no man, Luke 1: 27, 28; foundation of our opponents and cling to Matt. 1; Jn. 1:14. According to which ours. For it can never, never be explained flesh conceived in Mary, through the Holy by divine truth in the meaning which they Ghost, of the eternal Word of the eternal attach to them. For every intelligent per- Father, he, in due time, was born of the son who will not wilfully combat the plain seed or generation of David, Acts 2: 13; truth and reject the Holy Spirit, must ac- Rom. 1: 4, of a woman, Gen. 3: 15; Gal. knowledge that from their doctrine it fol- 4: 4, of the virgin Mary, Matt. 1: 21; Luke lows that the Lord, Christ, must be an un- 2: 21, in Bethlehem, an only begotten Son clean, sinful, accursed, condemned and of God, Jn. 3: 16; 4: 9; 5: 13; Rom. 8: 32; death guilty Christ; that there are two per- according to the promise and the generasons in Christ, the one divine, the other hu- tion of the mother, also, of Abraham, of man; two sons-the one the Son of God David and of the seed of the woman, fruit, without mother, the other the son of Mary, and son, Gen. 3: 15; Matt. 1: 21; Luke 1: 31; or the son of man without father; not Gol's a Savior of the world, Luke 2: 11; the Lord first begotten and only, own Son, but the himself from heaven, 1 Cor. 15: 47; the son of the unclean flesh of Adam, died for bread which came down from heaven, Jn. us. Besides, all the prophets, Christ, and 6: 58; Immanuel, Isa. 7: 14; Matt. 1: 23; the apostles must be false witnesses; this is the mighty Prince, Isa. 9: 6; our God, Isa. too plain to injure by any writing, or dissi- 40: 9. The Lord Our Righteousness, Jer. pate by flattery. 23: 6; 33: 15. But whosoever rightly understands our Behold, faithful reader, here you have foundation, and confines his reasoning our proper foundation, doctrine and confeswithin the limits of the word of Godl-who sion of Christ, the Son of God; how he is believes the testimony of John, to which he become flesh in Mary, and how he came testifies in his first chapter, concerning the into the world, as we, before our God, beincarnation, as just and true, and does not lieve and teach our brethren. And we injure it; who attributes nothing more to would hereby pray and faithfully admonMary, the mother of our Lord, than what is ish every one, gratefully to accept this noattributed to a true mother in Gen. 1, and ble and precious Son of God, with a who leaves God, the Father, a true father sincere, desire to hear, love, and serve of his Son, Christ; Mary a true mother, and him in gladness of heart, and faithfully Christ a true Son, both of his Father and follow in his footsteps; walk unblamably mother; to him all the Scriptures in this re- in his word and ways; freely promulgate spect are plain. IHe does not require the his honor and praise, glorify his holy name, flattery of any one; for there is not a sen- and humbly and obediently bend their tence in all the Scriptures which contradict hearts before his majesty, since the mercihim; he has an undivided, clean and inno- ful Father has shown us such great love as cent Christ; the Son of God, and the son of to give us, poor, miserable sinners, his Mary; an only person, of all of which I only, eternal and beloved Son; for he it is trust, you have been fully convinced in the who has victoriously led us poor children, foregoing synopsis founded on the power through the merits of his precious blood and of the Scriptures; and which, by the grace bitter death, according to the gracious resof God, you will see by the following brief olution, counsel, will and purpose of God, collection of references. his heavenly Father, from the kingdom of The eternal Word of God, by which all hell and from eternal death into the glorious things were created, John 1; which is the First kingdom of his divine honor and eternal and the Last, Rev. 1: 8; which, in due time, l peace. Eternal praise be to his illustrious, in the city of Nazareth, according to the v wonderful, high and glorious name, Amen.

Page  177 CONCLUSION. 177 CONCLUSION. CHRIST says, "This is eternal life, that Kind reader, ponder well what I write. they might know thee, the only true God, I warn you in faithful love, watch, look and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent," and observe well what you believe and what John 17: 3. At another place he says, "If you uphold; for your preachers deceive ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in you. Watch and pray; the day is at hand, your sins," John 8: 24. John also says, yea, at hand, that we must all stand before " WThosoever shall confess that Jesus is the the impartial judgment seat of our God, Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he who judges without respect of person, and in God," 1 John 4: 15. Again, "Who is a will reward every one according to his liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the works, be he emperor or king, doctor or Christ? He is anti-christ, that denieth the licentiate, rich or poor, man or woman. the Father and the Son. Whosoever de- In short, this is my reply to the defence nieth the Son, the same hath not the Fa- of John A'Lasco. With this I will not only ther," 1 John 2: 22, 23. appear on earth, before man, but also, in 0, that our opponents would rightly take the day of my Lord Christ. According to to heart these and the like Scriptures, and the word of his promise, will I, by his grace, would learn to know who and what the Son appear before the eyes of his majesty. of God is, and from whence he came, then If you are of reasonable disposition and they might yet be delivered from the chains not blinded by the spirit of the envious of the deceiver and be led into the light of partisans, or led away by bitter zeal, then the true doctrine. But so long as they do judge between us and our opponents; who not confess Christ it will always be wran- of us most glorifies Christ Jesus, the Son of gling and disputation, changing falsehood I the true and living God; who has most into truth and truth into falsehood. Yea wholesomely adduced the Scriptures; and they will be so estranged and blinded that who has broken and turned them to suit all those who, with the angel Gabriel, with his own professions. But beware of judgthe eternal Father, with John the baptist, ing according to the flesh; but judge in with Peter, Paul, Martha, Christ, and with purity of heart, even as if before your God, the whole Scriptures, confess Christ Jesus according to truth. as the true Son of the true and living God, From my innermost soul I wish you a must, alas, be called by them, deceivers and true and unfeigned faith, a true confession heretics. 0, dear Lord, how long will this of God and Christ, the unction and love of great abomination continue! God, a pious, penitent, cheerful heart, an 0, that they might yet awaken in time unblamable, christian life, and a true unwhile it is yet to-day, and that they could derstanding and a good judgment, Amen. give just praise unto Christ! Could they OBSERVE: "For God so loved the world, see their accursed hypocrisy, idolatry; the that he gave his only begotten Son, that lamentable deceit of the poor and misera- whosoever believeth in him should not perble people, and the ignorant, reckless life ish, but have everlasting life. For God of the wicked world, that they could re- sent not his Son into the world to condemn nounce and quit it, what a blessing it would the world; but that the world through him be to their poor souls! But I fear that so might be saved; he that believeth on him is long as the spiritual Antioch complacently not condemned; but he that believeth not stretches the idle life, and Jezebel sets the is condemned already; because he hath not delicious tables, the accursed Moaz will re- believed in the name of the only begotten tain his sway; and that the world will not Son of God," Jn. 3: 16, 17. be in want of false teachers and deceivers. MENNO SIMON. 59

Page  178

Page  179 A CONFESSION OF THE Triune, Eternal and True GOD, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST. BY MENNO SIMON. —... —.-........ -. Originally published in the Dutch Langucage, A. D. 1597. R]eptuNished in 1600, and 1681. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JesTu Christ," 1 Cor. 3:11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871.

Page  180

Page  181 PREFACE. Mlenno Simon wishes all his beloved b)rethren and sisters in the Lord, grace and peace, an unbroken, pure and firm faith, tnfeigned brotherly love, a sure and livinqg hope, and a God-pleasing, unblamable walk, confession and life, fromv God otur h7eavenly Father, through is beloved Son, Christ Jesus, in the power of his Holy Ghost, Amewn. WE know, dear brethren and sisters in that which has been corrupted, to cure and Christ Jesus, that we are condemned, make healthy that which is diseased, with by the whole world, to water, fire and the oil of the divine word; for during the sword, for the testimony of Christ and our last four years, alas, christian love and consciences; and that we are the spectacle peace have materially decreased with some, of, and regarded as the offscouring of all on account of much pernicious upbraiding mankind. Besides, we know also that the and;disputing about the ineffable depths true Prince of Peace, the blessed Christ of the divinity of Christ and of the Holy Jesus, has summoned and taken us into the Ghost; also, about angels and devils, and mansion of peace through the word of peace; about the ban; and this has always been and that he has given and left his followers the case where such disputes were in sway. such a glorious sign by which we shall May the Lord not count it as sin against know them to be his disciples, namely, those who have used the ban. I see this Love. Therefore it is reasonable and chris- plainly, and as I have been troubled not a tian-like that we, poor, outcast bearers of little by some about this matter-and since the cross, should be united in the perfect I naturally hate such upbraiding and disbonds of true love, and that we should puting, for I have these fifteen years never cling together as the members of one body, found any use in it, because I love peace "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into and unity, which are in conformity with the one body and made to drink into one word of God, more than my own life. I Spirit," 1 Cor. 12:13. But now we see plain- trust that I speak no lie, for, because of ly how the prince of darkness, who from that, my heart is very much troubled, the beginning was a murderer, seeks, with mournful and afflicted, yea, more so than I all diligence, to disturb this same peace in can write. the house of God, to rend this bond in twain, Would to God that I could, at the cost and thus to make odious to many the dear of my life-blood, help all afflicted congospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, our cross sciences and could lead them to God; for I and confession, and all the Christian socie- love nothing more on earth, nor do I seek ties; and thus thoroughly to destroy it, any thing, before God, than the glory of John 8: 44. Since his acute attacks are so my Lord Jesus Christ, and the everlasting well known to us, therefore it is necessary salvation of my beloved brethren. And ever to be aware, to repent, to seek each therefore I have, at the risk of my poor, other in true christian love, to resulscitate E diseased body, placed at; your disposal and

Page  182 182 PREFACE. service my firm faith and confession of the I bitterness or spitefulness towards God-feareternal, Triune God, Father, Son and Holy ing, pure hearts, as I have written it in Ghost, as taken from the sure word of God; purity of heart, as before God, in Christ wherewith I will, unwaveringly, live and Jesus, without hatred or malice. I doubt die before my God, and will appear there- I not but that, if you do this, brethren, I with in his grace, at the day of judgment, I mean the unpeaceable and troubled ones, trusting hereby to make pleasant and wor- disquiet, dispute and disunion will far rethy to many, the noble and desirable peace cede from the peace-mountain of the Lord; and unity in Christ, and to restore love. and peace, love and unity will again install Brethren, there has been enough of dis- themselves. puting, upbraiding, and complaint of one I sincerely desire that it may be so read another. I think it is time to discounte- and taken to heart, that the Almighty, eternance the disturbers of the peace, and nal Father, with his blessed Son, Christ to cordially seek scriptural peace and Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit may reunity. But I desire no peace outside of main unchanged in their true, divine being; Christ. I ardently desire and pray all my and that the afflicted, mournful, wavering beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, to consciences may find succor, consolation read, hear and understand this my admon- and strength. The beloved Father grant ishing confession, without any partisan his grace, Amnen. _M

Page  183 A CONFESSION OF THE TRIUNE, ETERNAL, AND TRUE GOD, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST. WE believe and confess with the Holy invisible, inexpressible and indescribable Scriptures, that there is an only, eternal God, we believe and confess with the Scriptand true God, who is a Spirit. One God, ures, to be the eternal, incomprehensible who created heaven and earth, the sea, and Father, with his eternal, incomprehensible all that is therein. Such a God, whom Son, and with his eternal, incomprehensible heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot Holy Spirit. The Father, we believe and comprehend. Whose throne is heaven and confess to be a true Father, the Son, a true earth his footstool; who measures "the Son, and the HolySpirit, a true Holy Spirit; waters in the hollow of his hand;" who not carnal and comprehensible, but spirituspanneth the heavens; who comprehendeth al and incomprehensible, for Christ says, the dust of the earth in a measure, and "God is a Spirit." Inasmuch as God is weigheth the mountains in scales and the such a Spirit, as it is written, therefore we hills in a balance; who is as high as heav- also believe and confess of the divine geneen, deeper than hell, lower than earth and ration of the heavenly Father, and of his broader than the sea; "Who only hath im- begotten Son, Christ Jesus (brethren, unmortality, dwelling in the light which no derstand my writing well), that they are man can approach unto; whom no man spiritual and incomprehensible, as is also hath seen, nor can see;" who is an Almighty, the Father who begat them; for like begets powerful and an over-ruling King, in the like. This is incontrovertible, Matt. 3: 17; heavens above and in the earth beneath;'28: 1, 19; Mark 1: 7, 11; Luke 3: 16; Jn. whose strength, hand and power none can 14: 9; 15:26; 1 Cor. 1: 11. And this same withstand. A "God of Gods, and a Lord of incomprehensible, inexpressible, spiritual, Lords;" there is none like unto him, but he eternal, divine Being, which is begotten of is a mighty, holy, terrible, praiseworthy, the Father, before every creature, divine wonderful, and consuming fire; whose king- and incomprehensible, we believe and condom, power, dominion, majesty and glory fess to be Christ Jesus, the first and only is eternal, and shall endure forever, and begotten Son of God. "the first-born of evebesides this only, eternal, living, Almighty ry creature," the eternal Wisdom, the power over-ruling God and Lord woe know no of God, the everlasting Light, the eternal other; and since he is a Spirit so great, ter- Truth, the everlasting Life, Jn. 14: 6, the rible, and invisible, he is also inexpressi- eternal WVord, Jn. 1: 1. Do not understand ble, incomprehensible and indescribable, this as a literal word; for it is divine and as may be deduced and understood from spiritual, and not carnal and literal; for a the following Scriptures, Dent, 4: 35; 6:4; literal word is but a passing breeze, com7: 6; 10: 17; 32: 39; Jn. 4: 24; 1: 18; Gen. prehended in the letter, beginning and ceas1: 1; Ps. 33: 6; Col. 1: 16; Isa. 43: 11; ing; and then, Christ Jesus, before his in 44: 6; 48:13; 40:12; Job 11: 8; 1 Tim. carnation, must have been a literal word. 6: 16; Eccl. 1: 7; Matt. 11: 27; Rev. 17: 14; 0, no! But he is the eternal, wise, Al19: 16; Heb. 12: 29; 1: 8, 10. mighty, holy, true, living and incomprehenThis only, eternal, Omnipotent, ineffable, I sible Word, which in the beginning was

Page  184 184 A CONFESSION OF THE TRIUNE, with God, and was God (mark), by whom I us in all things except sin; that he grew up as all things were made, and without whom othermen; and at the appointed time was not any thing was made that was made, baptized and entered upon his ministerial and which will endure forever. And there- office, the office of grace and love, which fore he says, "Before Abraham was I am." was enjoined upon him from the Father, Again John the baptist says, "After me and which he obediently fulfilled; that he cometh one who was before me," John 1: 1, effaced the hand writing, that is, the law, 15; 3: 80; 8: 12; Luke 7: 29, 35; 1 Cor. 1: 9; against us; and has at last, through the Ileb. 1: 2. Yea he had this glory of the eternal Spirit of his heavenly Father, offered divine being with the Father, before the himself in this his human flesh, nature and foundation of the world was laid. Hle jweakness, inwhich, also, hehassighed,wept, thought it not robbery to be equal with andprayedunto the Father, has sweated waGod, his Father; therefore, we confess with ter andblood, and thus purified our hearts of John the Baptist, Nathaniel, Martha, and the deadly works, that we should serve the Peter that he is the Son of the living God, true and living God; and all who believe on Jn. 1; 17; Phil. 2; Matt. 16: 16; Jn. him, have received, through him grace, 1: 27; 9:'37; 6: 69. mercy, remission of sins, and eternal life; Dearly beloved brethren understand me and that, by means of his precious blood rightly. IIe is the eternal Wisdom, the which he has, in his great love, offered and eternal Power. For, as we believe and shed for us poor sinners on the cross, acconfess that the Father was from eternity cording to the good pleasure of the Father, and will eternally remain; yea, that he is he is thus become our only and eternal the First and the Last, so we may also free- High Priest, Reconciler, Mercy-seat, Medily believe and confess that his wisdom, his ator, and Advocate, with God his Father. power, his light, his truth, his life, his Word, For, as God, the Almighty Father, through Christ Jesus, has been eternally with him, his Almighty WTord, Christ Jesus, had crein him and by him; yea, that he is the ated Adam and Eve, so he, also, would Alpha and Omega; or else, we must admit again thereby restore them and make them that this begotten, incomprehensible, true, pious, when seducted by the serpent, todivine being, Christ Jesus (whom the fathers gether with all their descendants-that we have called a person), through whom the should give no one the praise of our salvaeternal Father has made all things, has had tion, neither in heaven nor on earth, but to a beginning like a creature; which all true the only and eternal Father, through Christ christians admit and look upon as a terri- Jesus, and that through the enlightenment ble blasphemy, curse and abomination. of the Holy Spirit. This is sufficient of the The gracious, beloved Father will ever pro- incarnation, Matt. 1: 16, 25; 5: 4; Mark tect and uphold all his beloved children in 15: 37; Luke 2: 7, 40; 22: 67; 23: 46; the right and true confession of his beloved Jn. 15: 9, 10; 12: 13; 11: 26; Phil. 2: 5, 7; Son Jesus Christ. Col. 2: 14, 12; 1: 13, 16; Heb. 3: 2; Eph. Beloved brethren in the Lord, we believe 12: 12; 1: 7; Rom. 8: 32; 3: 24, 25; 5: 11, 12; and confess that this same eternal, wise, Isa. 53: 12; 1 Pet. 1: 19; Rev. 1: 8; 2 Cor. Almighty, holy, true, living and incompre- 5: 14. hensible Word, Christ Jesus, which in the Further, beloved brethren, we believe and beginning was with God, and which was confess Christ Jesus to be the true God with God, incomprehensible-born of theinconm- the Father; and this because of the divine prehensible Father, before every creature, glory, operation and attributes, which are is in the fullness of time, become, according found in such abundance with him, as may to the unchangeable purpose and true prom- be clearly deduced and understood from the ise of the Father, a true, visible, passive, following Scriptures. Say, beloved! Is it hungry, thirsty and mortal man, in Mary, not the only and true God who has made the pure virgin, through the operation and heaven and earth, and whose kingdom shall overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, aiud is endure forever? Doubtlessly, yes. Paul thus born of her. Yea, that he was like unto i says, "Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne,

Page  185 ETERNAL AND TRUE GOD. 185 O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of worship lim," also thle nurderer on the rihteousness is the scepter of thy king- cross, "Lord, remember me when thou corndom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and est into thy kingdom," Acts 7: 58; Heb. hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy 1: C; Luke 28: 42; 24: 52. Is it not the God hath anointed thee with the oil of glad- only God which is true; and every man ness, above thy fellows. And, thou, Lord, a liar? Oh, yes. The prophet says "There in the beginning last laid the foundation was not any deceit in his mlonth. Christ of the earth; and the heavens are the works himself says, "I am the truth," "To this of thine hands," HEIb. 1: 8, 9, 10. end was I born, and for this cause came I Is it not the only God, who alone is into the world, that I should bear witness "King of kings, and Lord of lords?" and unto the truth," Ps. 11i: 11; otIm. 8:4; Isa. who reigns in heaven and on earth.? Most 53: 9; Jn. 14: 6; 18: 37. assuredly. And the Spirit speaks in Rev., Can any one forlgive sins and bestow evthat Christ is "King of kings and Lord of erlasting life ex-cept the only and eternal lords." Christ himself says, "All power is God? 0, no! Christ says, "Know that the given unto me in heaven and in earth." son of man hath power on earth to forgive Paul says, " That at the name of Jesus eve- sins;" and to the sinful woman, " Thy sins ry knee should bow, of things in heaven, are forgiven." "I give unto them eternal and things in earth, and things under the life," Ps. 103: 3; Matt. 9: 6; Luke 7: 48; earth, and that every tongue should confess Jn. 10: 28. that Jesus Christ is Lord," Phil. 2: 10. Should we believe in any one but alone Is it not the only God who saith, "I the on the only God? iNot at all. For Christ Lord, the first and with the last; I am le?" says, "I-e that believeth on me hath everIsa. 41: 4. And Christ says, "I am Alpha lasting life." "Ye believe in God, believe and Omega; the beginning and the ending, also in me," Jn. 6C: 47; 14: 1. saith the Lord, which is, and which was, Is it not the only God who is the judge and which is to come; the Almighty." And of all the world? who will raise the dead "Fear not; I am the first and the last; I and at the last day sit in judgment? Asam he that liveth and was dead; and be- suredly, yes. And Christ says, "For as hold, I am alive for evermore," Rev. 1: 8, the Father raiseth up the dead, and quick17, 18. eneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom Is not this the only God who "trieth the he will." "lie was ordained of God to be the hearts and reins?" Without doubt it is. Judge of quick and dead;" and at his comnChrist saith, "All the churches shall know ing he will judge and sentence, Jn. 5: 21; that I am he which searcheth the reins and Acts 10: 42; iMatt. 25: 31-46. hearts; and I will give unto every one of Behold, beloved brethren, as the throne you according to your works," Rev. 2: 23. of Christ is an eternal throne, and as the Is it not the only God, whom alone we Scriptures are not ashamed to confess him should serve and worship? Yes. Christ to be God, and also testify that he founded says, "That all men should honor the Son, heaven and earth, that he has all power in even as they honor the Father." Of divine heaven and on earth; that he is the first service Paul says, "He that in these things and last; that he searcheth tlhe hearts and serveth Christ, is acceptable to God," and reins; whom Te should serve and worship; "Let a man so account of us as of the mini- who is truthl; who forgives sin, and bestows isters of Christ," Rom. 14: 18; 1 Cor. 4: 1. eternal life; in whom we must believe, and Paul was a servant of Christ, as may be j who at the last day will raise us from the generally seen at the conmmiencemuent of all dead and judge us, as has been said; so it his epistles. Of his worship Luke says, is incontrovertible that CLhist Jesus also that when Christ had ascended to heaven with his Father, -ust be the true God; for they worshipped him, and returned to.Je- G od gives his glory to none other; and rusalem. Also Stephlen, in his last p)rayer, thlese are all glories, towers and attriblutes says, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." w hi:h b3elog to n0o on in hleaven nor upon Paul also saith, "Let all the angels of God earth, except alone, the only, eternal, and 60

Page  186 186 A CONFESSION OF TIIE TRITNE, true God; this all tauhlt of God, must fully Paul says, "Take heed therefore unto admit and confess. yourselves, and to all the flock, over which Besides, beloved brethren, we believe and the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, confess Christ Jesus, with his heavenly Fa- to feed the church of God, which he hath ther, to be truly God; and that because of purchased with his own blood;" "Whose the plain testimony of the holy prophets, are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning evangelists and apostles, as we may learn the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God from the following Scriptures, and also from blessed for ever." Again, "God was in some other texts. Isaiah says, " Unto us a Christ, reconciling the world unto himself," child is born, unto us a Son is given; and Acts 20: 28; tom. 9: 5; 2 Cor. 5:19. Read the government shall be upon his shoulder; also John 14; Col. 22; 1 Tim. 3. Again, and his name shall be called Wonderful, "WVho being in the form of God, thought it Counsellor, The Mighty God, the everlasting not robbery to be equal with God. But F'ather, the Prince of peace," Isa. 9: 0. lmade himself of no reputation, and took Again, " Say unto the cities of Judah, Behold upon him the form of a servant," Phil. 2: 6. your God! Behold, the Lord God will John says, "WLe know that the Son of come with strong hand, and his arm shall God is come, and hath given us an underrule for him! Behold, his reward is with standing, that we may know hi that is him and his work before him; he shaltfeed true; and we are in him that is true, even his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true the lambs with his arm, and carry them in God and eternal life," 1 Jn. 5: 20. Besides, his bosom, and shall gently lead those that read the whole gospel of John and 1 Cor. are with young," Isa. 40: 9-11. Read also 10: 15; Eph. 4; Ieb. 1: 3; 7; 11; 12; 18; Ezek. 34: 11. and you will, by the grace of God, find a Jeremiah says, "Behold, the days come, sure and firm foundation. saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David Behold, faithful brethren, here. you lhave a righteous Branch, and a king shall reign the incomprehensible birth of Christ, his and prosper, and shall execute, judgment divine glory, operation and power; and a and justice in the earth. In his days Judah number of precious and plain testimonies shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safe- of the holy prophets, evangelists and aposly; and this is his name whereby he shall ties, all of whom with an invincible powbe called, TJuE Loti) 01'! RI llTEToisness," er, testify and point out, with such clearJer. 23: 5, 6; 33: 15. ness, the true, ineffable divinity of our Micah says, "But thou Bethlehem Ephra- Lord, Jesus Christ. I am convinced and tall, though thou be little among the thou- doubt not the least, that a pious, hunble, sands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he God-fearing conscience will herewith be satcome forth unto me that is to be ruler in isfied, and not search into this incompreIsrael; whose goings forth have been from hensible depth any further; and if any one of old, from everlastin:g," Micah 5: 2. Read desires to search and dispute further, to also Heb. 7: 3, 4; Isa. 44: 6; Rev. 1: 8; him I prophesy that he will surely search 22: 13. John says, "In the beginning was and dispute all his lifetime, and yet never the, athe hre Word was with God, h ave a settled mind nor a firm foundation. and the WTord was God," Jn. 1: 1. The Therefore, beloved brethren, be warned. Lord said unto Thomas, "Reach hither thy Watch and beware. linger, and behold my hands; and reach As we have now pointed out and made hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; known our faith and confession of the true and be not faithless, but believing. And divinity of Jesus Christ; so we will also, Thomas answered and said unto him, My now, by the grace of God, set forth in few Lord, and my God! Jesus saith unto him, words, our faith and confession of the Holy Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou Ghost. Let the God fearing judge. We hast believed; blessed are they that have believe and confess the Holy Ghost to be a not seen, and yet have believed," Jn. 20: 27 true, real, or personal Holy Ghost; and — 29. that in a divine way —even as the Father is

Page  187 ETERNAL AND TRUE GOD. 187 a true Father, and the Son a true Son; tions, according to the good pleasure of the which Holy Ghost is a mystery to all man- Father, frees us from sin, makes us cheerful, kind, incomprehensible, inexpressible and peaceful, pious, satisfies our hearts and indescribable (as we have shown above of minds, and makes them holy in Christ the Father and the Son); divine with his Jesus. And thus we believe and confess divine attributes, going forth from the Fa- before God, before his angels, before all our ther through the Son, although he ever re- brethren, and before all the world, that mains with God and in God, and is never sep- these three names, operations and powers, arated from the being of the Father and the namely, the Father, Son and HIoly Ghost Son. Andthereasonthlatwe confesshimtobe (which the fathers called three persons, by such a true and real Holy Spirit, is because which they meant the three, true, divine we are impelled to this by the Scriptures, beings) are one incomprehensible, indefor he descended upon Christ at his bap- scribable, Almighty, holy, only, eternal tism in the bodily shape of a dove, and ap- and sovereign God, as John says, "There peared unto the apostles as cloven tongues are three that bear record in heaven, the like as of fire; because we are baptized in his Father, the WAord, and the Holy (Ghlost; name as well as in the name of the Father \ and these three are one." Read also Matt. and ofthe Son; because the prophets through [ 28: 18; Mfark 1: S; Luke 3: 8; John 14: 16; him, prophesied, performed miracles and 15: 26; 1 Cor. 12: 11. And although they works, had dreams and saw visions; for are three, yet in Godliness, will, power and he is a distributer of the gifts of God, and operation they are one, and can no more that according to his will. M[ark well. lie be separated from each other than the sun, moved Zachariah, the Son of Barachliah, he brightness and warmth; for the one cannotmoved John the Baptist while yet in his exist without the oter; yetincolprehensimother's womb, and he said to Simeon, ble from the incomprehensible Father, even "That he should not see death before he as the brightness and heat of the sun. The had seen the Lord's Christ." "The Holy one must exist with the other, or else the Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and whole divinity is denied; for all the Father Saul." And to Peter, "Behold, three men does and has wrought from the beginning, seek thee." He guides us into all truth; he he works through his Son, in the power of justifies us; he cleanses, sanctifies, pacifies, his holy and eternal Spirit. This Son does consoles, reproves, cheers and assures us; not work without the Father and the Holy he testifies to our spirit that we are the chil- Spirit. Neither doeth the Holy Spirit any dren of God. This Spirit all receive who be- thing without the Father, and the Son. lieve on Christ; Paul admonishes us, not to Therefore the one must remain with the grievehim. WhosoeversinsagainstthisSpir- other, or else there must be an imperfect it (says Christ), unto him it shall not be for- God; for if we deny the divinity of Christ, given. David desired that God might not or the true existence of the Holy Ghost, take from him this Spirit, for all that have then we counterfeit and depict unto ournot this spirit are not of Christ, Acts 2: 26; selves a God who is without wisdom, power, Luke 3: 22; John 1: 33; Acts 2: 3; Zach. light, life, truth, word, and without the Holy 7:12; Jude 14; Joel 2: 29; 2 Cor. 12: 4; Spirit. Luke 2: 25; Acts 13: 2; 10: 19 Jn. 14: 26; Brethren, understand all this in a divine 15: 26; Eph. 4: 30; Rom. 8:16; Matt. 8:13; and spiritual sense, and not in a lhuman or Ps. 51: 11; Rom. 8: 9. Yea, my brethren, carnal manner! Then you will be satisfied from these plain Scriptures, testimonies and with the plain, clear and simple testimony references, and a great many other texts of the prophets, evangelists and apostles, which are too lengthy to mention, and concerning this deep mystery. Let every which may be found in abundance in the one see to it with fear and trembling, lest Scriptures and read, we believe (the.Holy he put his hand in the consuming fire. Spirit to be the true, essential Holy Spirit Cordially beloved brethren and sisters of God, who adorns us uwith his heavenly in Christ Jesus! mark well the following; and divine gifts, and through his inspira- Since the eternal God is such a great and

Page  188 188 A CONFESSION OF TIlE TRIUNE, &c. terrible G-od, as you have read; since Christ i the right course and will act no more intelwas thus born of the Father as said, and ligently than he who would try to pour or as the attributes of God so richly abound confine the river Rhine or Meuse in a quart in Christ; and, also, as the prophets, evan- bottle. But those who abide simply and gelists and apostles so strongly declare, humbly by the word of God, the testified, preach and teach him as God; and as the prophetical, evangelical and apostolical Scriptures so abundantly teach and testify word, and firmly believe it, although they of the Holy Spirit and confess that the eter- neither do nor can fully comprehend it, and nal Father, with his eternal Son and Holy take heed to all human investigation, disSpirit, in their divine state, power, glory putations, flatterings, explanations, turnand sovereignty are ineffable, inexpressible ing and conjecture in these incomprehensiand incomprehensible, as may be plainly ble abysses, will, in all temptations, understood from the cited Scriptures (for it stand firmly, by the grace of God, and walk is all Spirit and God, and therefore beyond all their lives before their God with penihuman understandings); therefore it is that I tent and cheerful minds. I sincerely wish pray, admonish and desire all my beloved that all the brethren were of like mind with brethren and fellows in Christ Jesus, with me in this respect; for I have been at enmiall that men can pray, not to allow and ty with human sophistry and flattery for consent to flatterings, innovations nor hu- fifteen years, and I am still; I expect to reman explanations, be it by whom it may, main so, and, by the help of God, to take concerning this incomprehensible majesty; heed not to offer the blood of the Lord with ever fearing, ye who seek God, with all leaven; but I desire, solely, to enter into your powers, that ye do not, by such high- the sanctuary of God, that is, into his holy soaring thoughts and human conjecture, church, with the unleavened bread of the mistake the ineffable God who makes all unalloyed word of God, overspread with human wisdom, which is contrary to him, the oil of the Holy Spirit. foolishness; lest ye, through your vain 0, brethren! were theyall, who are called searching and musing of such unfathoma- brethren, thus minded with me, how soon ble matters, fall into his hands, and be con- then would the sad, afflicted hearts find sumed by the fire of his wrath. consolation and cheerfulness, and the diBrethren, I, for myself confess that I vided, restless minds unity and peace. 0, would rather die than to believe, and teach Lord Jesus! Have mercy upon thy poor, unto my brethren, a single word or letter afflicted sheep, and let every hungry and concerning the Father, Son and Holy Ghost thirsty soul find thy verdant pastures and (behold, before God I lie not), differing from limpid waters, Amen. the express, testifying word of God which Beloved brethren and sisters in Christ so clearly points out and teaches tlrough Jesus Receive this with the same mind the prophets, evangelists and apostles. with which I have written it to you; read it O, my pious, God fearing, faithful bretll- plainly to all the brethren, and understand ren! let us all, one with another, be thus it in a christian manner; and beware, beminded; then the desolated cities may be wva're, yea, BEWALRE of all disputation, disagain rebuilt; the strong imay remain firm; cord and division. This I desire from my the wavering be again strengthened; and inmost soul, for the Lord's sake. The thus peace, love, and unity be again re- sincere, evangelical peace be with all my stored. I know certainly and truly that if beloved brethren and sisters in Christ Jesus, any one wants to go further than we here Amen. testify and admonish from the word of God, MENNO SIMON. he will fall into error; or mount too high, or deviate from side to side; le will miss l te 59th, A. 1). 1550.

Page  189 EXPLANATION OF Christian Baptism IN THE WATER, FROM THE WORD OF GOD. IN WNAT MANNER IT WAS COMMANDED BY CHRIST JESUS, AND HOW IT WAS TAUGHT AND PRACTICED BY IIIS IIOLY APOSTLES. BY MENNO SIMON. "For other foundaltion can no man lay tlhan that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,i' 1 Cor. 3:11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHIED BY TOHN F. FUNK AND BROTIHER. 1 8 7 1

Page  190 IMENNO SIMON'S SALUTATION. READ and consider carefully the words! "they may be ashamed that falsely accuse which I speak, ye learned, who appear to your good conversation in Christ," 1 Pet. be distinguished in mind and doctrine 2: 12; 3: 16. For in the midst of these above others. I have added this my things it behooves one to repress such iglittle German work for the celebration of norance and stupidities, lest that saying of the rite of Baptism. For I am not well able to promote this cause in Latin, and if e vio t urned aainst us which able, am unwilling that this, my labor, "Cast out first the beam out of thine own should perish in the hands of the few, but eye," Luke 6: 42. For how can I induce desire that it may become known to others to become christians when I myself every christian and yield the greater ad- am not a christian. vantage. That there are, in this work, no Read therefore, and if any thing be found interpolations of Scripture, nor satires, nor in this work that has not the flavor of evanfalsehoods, judge for yourselves. More- gelical purity and spirit, I am confounded, over I know it is not the spirit of a chris- not you. For I have written from a sense tian to lead in any way deceitfully, especial- of pious affection, not that I may injure ly in an affair so serious. Indeed the any one, but for the benefit of all men. christian does not know deceit. It becomes Nevertheless, such are my thanks from you the evangelical teacher to set before himself for this my kindness toward you, that I nothing except these most illustrious pre- know it is not enough except I, with my cepts of the evangelist-such as faith, char- sanctified Leader, having indeed received ity, patience, life, gentleness, peace, mild- Christ as my reward, endure all evil, igness, truth, moderation, and finally to so nominy and tortures. No wonder. They live that no one is able with justice to thrust indeed do not spare me while I seek the against him any taint of baseness, that he truth and declare openly the offered sacrimay teach not only by word, but also by fice, when almost all teachers of righteousexample, following the teachings of Paul ness,who werefromthe beginning,haveyieldwho says, "I keep under my body, and ed to death in the same way. This is indeed bring it into subjection; lest that by any gratitude, when the world displays its submeans, when I have preached to others, I jection to God. Would that in very truth myself should be a castaway," 1 Cor. 9: 27. they were christians who persuade themAnd elsewhere, "Having your conversation selves that they are christians. May grace honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas abound with all the diligent through our they speak against you as evil doers," Lord Jesus Christ, with sincerity,

Page  191 PREFACE. BELOVED readers, in our first publication will suit his own opinion. If these, then, of the writings concerning Baptism, we are truly heretics, who, according to their have, with christian truth, satisfied the de- own meaning, without Scripture, form themsire of every pious christian. Yet, there selves a faith, then I truly do not know are some light minded, rebellious, conten- where to find more miserable and more detious and carnal persons who, without plorable heretics than those who ever comcause and Scripture, and in every respect bat, upbraid, betray and persecute us, poor, without the fear of God, teach, write, ad- scattered and rejected christians, as damnamonish and cry out against us, with partial ble heretics. For there is no worse, or more hearts, saying, "It is heresy and deceit; for abominable heresy under heaven than is it is written and taught adverse to the found among our gainsayers and contendlearned, and against the doctrine of the ers; while they so shamefully change and holy, christian church." Although I had garble the word and the perfect ordinance not intended to reply to such perverse, re- and institution of our beloved Lord Jesus bellious, disobedient and contentious per- Christ, as to baptize such things which God sons, according to the word of the Lord, has neither commanded nor ordained to Matt. 7, but solely to write to the humble, be baptized, namely: The little, unconscious meek, God-fearing and penitent. For the children and bells; and do not baptize those wise will hear wisdom; will love it and be- whom God has commanded to be baptized, come wiser; but the fool will hear folly, namely: Those who believe, while they praise it, persist and die in it-yet to such worship and honor a mouthful of bread contenders and gainsayers, who speak so and a drink of wine as the Son of God; hard against the word of God, I would ask while they ascribe to themselves, without two questions; and request them to exam- the word of God, the power over the living ine and ponder them well, and return a and the dead; and while they place in discreet and becoming reply to me. In the Christ's stead a sinful man, a child of perfirst place: What are properly heretics and dition, whose natural pride, pomp, greed, deceivers? Secondly, Who are they that cruelty, uncleanliness and idolatry are beadmonish and teach against the doctrine of yond description, 2 Thess. 2: 4. the holy church? If they answer these Truly, I do not know how a worse heresy questions fairly they must themselves pro- could be invented. Notwithstanding these nounce the sentence, that with us the utp- miserable men cruelly cry against us, cIrriqht truth of Jesus Christ is found and not etics, heretics, drolon themz, slay and burn with them; on the contrary, that all man- the n. And this for no other reason than ner of heresy, deceit and false doctrine are that we teach, according to the holy gospel abundantly taught and practiced by them, of Jesus Christ, the new life, Baptism on and not by us. Which of the two parties, the confession of faith, the Supper as repthen, are heretics and imposters, I will resenting both a holy and unblamable leave to the judgment of the reader. For church; because we rebuke all false dochereticus means: one who sorts out, one trine, idolatry and the accursed carnal life; who chooses, one who gleans. Qu.ia heresis and point alone to the blessed Christ Jesus, Grece ab electione vocatur, inquit Beda super and to no other means of salvation, neither acta Apostolorum, one who selects such as in heaven nor on earth.

Page  192 192 PREF ACE. If this is heresy, beloved reader, then, in- But now their minds are so obscured, deed, the true Being is not in Christ; then their eyes are so bediimned, their ears are he is not the true way, the truth, and the so closed up that they cannot understand; life, John 14: 6. Be not frightened by their for their evil-doing and wickedness have obupbraiding and slandering; for from the scured and blinded them. The table of the beginning it has been the case that the un- divine word is to them " a snare, and a trap, believing, hate, slander and persecute the and a stumbling block, and a recompense," believing; the wicked, the good; the un- Rom. 11: 9. The righteous judgment and righteous, the righteous; the carnal, the awful wrath is come upon them, because spiritual; the heretics, the christians. It they so industriously seek falsehood, and was the case with Cain and Abel, Ishmael so obstinately combat and reject the lovely and Isaac, Esau and Jacob and with the truth of Jesus Christ. false prophets and the true prophets; Christ Jesus says, "Blessed are they as Christ Jesus has told us before, which do hunger and thirst after righteousnamely: "Ye will be hated of all nations, ness; for they shall be filled," Matt. f: 6. for my name's sake," Matt. 24: 9. If they But these hunger and thirst after unrightwere the true disciples of Christ Jesus as eousness, with which they, according to they boast themselves to be, they would Paul, are abundantly filled, 2 Thess. 2: 12. persecute, betray or murder no body for the Christ Jesus says, "Every one that asketh sake of their faith; but with Christ Jesus, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and they would diligently seek to reclaim that to him that knocketh it shall be opened," which was lost, Matt. 18: 11, if we were Luke 11: 9. But these seek diligently, lost, as they claim. If they were the bride night and day, not after the right way, but of Christ, they would not be spiteful, cruel after the wrong; hoping yet to find someand blood thirsty, but meek, mild and mer- thing, either in the word or in our lives, ciful, yea be thus minded as is the good which may be so twisted, bent or applied and faithful bridegroom, Christ Jesus. But as to trample upon and nullify, the right, they plainly manifest themselves, by their evangelical truth, even as if the eternal works, not to be the bride of Jesus Christ, Truth, the blessed Jesus had spoken and but rather to be the bride of him, who, from taught with two tongues; and if they can the beginning was a murderer, that is, the find any errors in our walk, as there often devil, Jn. 8: 44. are (for we are all of the sinful, failing flesh If they were the body of Christ, they of Adam); then the evangelical truth is all would not crucify and persecute any one deceit, as if we had no help from God but for the sake of the truth of the Lord, but only human aid. Inasmuch as they so aswould themselves, with Christ Jesus, and siduously seek after unrighteousness and his church, be crucified and persecuted for delight in falsehood, therefore God smites the sake thereof, Mnatt. 5: 11; Jn. 16: 1, 2; them with such great blindness that they 2 Tim. 3: 12. For the innocent lamb does can neither comprehend nor judge of the not kill, but from the beginning it was teachings of God; yet they desire to clothe killed. Behold, kind readers, what miser- their cause, however shameful it is, in the able, bloody, tyrannical and murderous garment of the Scriptures, that they may, heretics our gainsayers, opponents and per- under this scriptural, holy appearance, the secutors are found to be before God, in all better deceive the foolish, ignorant populace their teachings, admonitions, instructions, that desire to be deceived and seduced. life and tyranny. But this they do not ac- And thus they remain, both teacher and knowledge. For it would not do to ac- disciple, in the service of their perishable knowledge this. If they did, how could flesh which they have chosen as their God, they then crucify and persecute the chosen Phil. 3: 18; Rom. 16: 17. children of God, the children of the king- Again, kind reader, they cry and foam dom and promise, the brethren and sisters with rage against us, saying that we write of Jesus Christ, the angels of peace, and the against all the doctors, and also against children of the eternal, imperishable life? the teachings of the holy christian church.

Page  193 PREFACE. 193 I affectionately and freely admit and ac- I Abraham's seed who are born of Abraham, knowledge that we write against the greater "But the children of the promise are countpart of the doctors or the learned men. ed for the seed," Rom. 9: 8. Thus, also, For whenever or wherever they write, ad- the holy, christian church must be a spiritmonish and teach contrary to the word, or- ual seed, an assembly of the righteous, and dinances, statutes and institutions of Jesus a community of the saints; which church is Christ, we do not consider their famous begotten of God, of the living seed of the names and have nothing to do with their divine word, and not of the teachings, instihuman philosophy. But if they teach tutions, and fictions of man. Yea, they are rightly we do not contradict nor write against those who are regenerated, renewed and them. converted; who hear, believe, and fulfill all I trust, by the most merciful grace of our the commandments and will of God; who Lord Jesus Christ, that the oldest, most "have crucified the flesh with the affections pious, most upright, truest and most able and lusts;" who "are all one in Christ doctors of the church of Jesus Christ, who Jesus." "Joint heirs with Christ," and were long before all other doctors, are re- heavenly and spiritually minded with him, ceived and believed by me and my beloved Gal. 5: 24; 3: 28; Rom. 8: 17. brethren, in every word and doctrine. These are the holy, christian church, the These are, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David, community of God, the body and the bride Christ Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, of Christ, whom he hath trusted, cleansed Paul, Peter, James and Jude. If anybody and sanctified; but "they that are in the can show me a word in all my writing that flesh cannot please God." This holy, chrisI have taught or written contrary to the tian church has a spiritual Prince over her doctrine of these doctors, then I am willing who rules her with the unbroken rod of his to be abashed, instructed and taught bet- divine word; a Master, or Teacher who ter; but I trust that it can never be truth- teaches the commandments of eternal life; fully done. If I should write and teach and a Bridegroom whose voice she is ever against these pious, unblamable doctors, ready to hear, that is, Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. then my writing and teaching would be 6: 11; Rom. 8: 8; Ps. 2: 9; Jn. 6: 68; 3: 29. against the teachings and admonitions of If, now, I contend against his scepter, the christian body, community or holy trample upon his commandments and teach church. or write aught against his heavenly doctrine, I acknowledge and know well that I ad- then I teach and write against the doctrine monish, teach, instruct and write contrary of the holy, christian church. For this holy, to the instructions and teachings of some Christian church has but one doctrine which communities and churches, in regard to is fruitful and godly, which is the limpid, some articles, such as the Papists, Luther- pure and unmixed word of God, the lovely ans, and the corrupted sects; but not con- gospel of the grace of our beloved Lord Jesus trary to the teachings of the holy, christian Christ, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; 1 Pet. church. May the merciful Father, whose 1: 25. All teachings and decrees which do divine will I industriously seek to obey, not accord with the doctrine of Christ, are save me from teaching, instructing and but teachings and commandments of men, writing contrary to the doctrine of the holy be they teachings and opinions of doctors, church; for else woe would be unto my soul decrees of popes, councils or any thing else; forever. they are doctrines of the devil, and are acLest you be ensnared by the word hloly cursed, Matte 15: 9; 1 Tim. 4: 1; Gal. 1: 8, church, you shall learn and know from the 9. Since we write and teach nothing but word of God that the holy, christian church the pure, heavenly word, and the perfect is no collection of unbelievers, carnal or ordinances of the holy gospel of Jesus Christ willful sinners; notwithstanding they false- and of his apostles; therefore we do not ly claim to be of Christ Jesus, and think teach and write against the teachings of the themselves to be the true, christian church. holy church, but we sustain them. No, kind readers, no. They are not all Beloved readers, let the light minded ru. 61

Page  194 194 PREFACE. their course to the end, which is certain the meaning of Jesus Christ. And because death. They will nevermore concede the the whole, wide world so shamefully blastruth, however powerfully they are van- pheme and oppose the word of God, and quished, but they will ever delight in hatred, despise his commandments and ceremonies upbraiding, discord and disputation and as useless, saying, What good can water never be satisfied, because they will not go do us? never considering that the kingdom into the strait way of the Spirit; taught of of God and the will of God do not consist Jesus Christ and his holy apostles; not- in external ceremonies, but in the willing withstanding they want to be considered i obedience to the word of God-therefore we the children and the church of God, without have, in the following writings, so extenobedience. Not so kind readers. Ever re- sively shown from the holy Scriptures, who member that there is no holy church of should be baptized, according to the word Christ other than the assembly of the right- of God, namely, the believing, or the regeneous, and the church of the saints, which erated, Mark 16: 16; Jn. 3: 5; Tit. 3: 5. ever acts in harmony with the word and or- Besides we have also shown how very dinances of the Lord, and to no other doc-eak useless and groundless allthe arutrine. She neither will nor can accept any merts of the world are, by which they deother doctrine or ordinances in divine mat- fend infant baptism, that the beforementers, forever. tioned despisers of God may know and unBecause, beloved brethren, the divine or- derstand that they are not baptized accorddinance of baptism in the water has thus ing to the evangelical commandment of our been destroyed for many centuries, and as beloved Lord Jesus Christ. From which a strange baptism has been practiced, con- it follows that they are not in obedience to trary to the true doctrine of the holy, chris- the divine word, and if they are not in the tian church, namely, contrary to the word obedience which has the promise (I speak of God, from which evil custom so much of those of understanding minds), then they false doctrine, disbelief and fruitless, carnal cannot inherit nor obtain the promise, so life have resulted-therefore I have again long as they do not believe the word of clearly pointed out from the holy gospel, God, and obediently fulfill it in all respects. how we should practice the true, script- Let every one beware, and save his own ural, christian baptism; that the hearts and soul; for our God is a consuming fire. faith of the wise may be affirmed and assured, and the mouths of the fools may be May the merciful Father, through his stopped, and that God may have the glory blessed Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant in his holy word. Rtead and see if we have you all a true knowledge, and his affection not rightly taught and written according to ate grace for your edification, Amen.

Page  195 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. HEAR ye, 0, illustrious, noble, wise lords obey that which our Lord has connmanded, and princes! Hear ye all judges of the we can never receive nor inherit the heavenly land, where the sword of God is given to blessing and divine promise. For through the destruction of the evil doers, to the obedience every thing is received, as has protection of the good, and to the punish- been mentioned in the preface, Matt. 3: 6; ment of the wicked! Hear, ye wise and in- Acts 19: 18; 2: 38; 9: 6; 10: 48; 16: 30. telligent, you, who think that you bear the How could Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, vessels of the Lord! Hear ye, all people, together with all the beloved fathers and of whatever state, condition, trade or class, patriarchs, have obtained the consoling who call yourselves christians, and who promise of God, if they had not done, be it boast of his bitter death and precious blood! ever so little, that which God had commandRom. 13: 1; Tit. 3: 4; 1 Peter 2: 13, 14. ed them thr6ugh his holy word But they Since we, for the sake of baptism, are so heard the word of God; firmly believed and miserably profaned, slandered and perse- obeyed it; and therefore they became joint cuted by all mankind, and as we are ever heirs of righteousness, Heb. 11: 8. suspicioned by the ungodly sects (who are On the contrary, however, all those who to you very shameful, perilous and abom- did not obey God, undoubtedly, must have inable, as may be plainly seen); therefore borne the punishment of the Lord, as did we say and testify in Christ Jesus, before Adam and Eve; Nadab and Abihu; Korah, God, before his holy angels, before you, Dathan and Abiram; as Saul; as the man and before the whole world, that we are of God who reproved Jeroboam the king, solely urged by a God fearing faith which for his idolatry, and was deceived by the we have in the word of God, to baptize and old prophet in Bethel, and other instances, to be baptized, as the only means; nor will which may be read of in Moses and other it be found otherwise neither in this life, scriptural writings, Gen. 3: 17; Lev. 10: 2; nor in death, nor in the last judgment of Num. 16: 32; 1 Sam. 15: 23. God. Since we are so pitiably opposed by Beloved, we verily seek nothing in this all mankind in our doctrine and practice of baptism other than to obey our beloved the christian baptism, and since they do Lord Jesus Christ, who has taught and not realize that their opposition tends to commanded us this with his own blessed eternal death, for they oppose Christ and mouth, Matt. 28: 19; Mark16: 16. Consider, his word; therefore I will again briefly once, we pray you, that we cannot possibly show them and all persons, fiom the word seek carnal profit in this our actions; neither of God who shall read, see or hear these gold, nor silver, nor honor, nor ease, nor long my writings, how wonderfully, powerfully, life on earth. For you may plainly see nay, how incontrovertibly this our doctrine that we are made a prey to the world on I and practice are contained and founded lo account of it. But we are urged solely by the holy gospel of Jesus Christ, although the love of God, by an upright, fruitful we have fully shown and proven th!is before, faith, which faith industriously examines in our writings on baptism. all the words of Christ, giving ourselves in I ost beloved, there are necessarily three willing obedience to God; knowing to a i reasons why our faith accepts this baptism certainty that if we oppose, and do not! under such a heavy cross and anxiety.

Page  196 196 CHRTISTIAN BAPTISSM. First, because of the divine command- will he have the few ceremonies of the New ment of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, Testament kept strictly and unchanged, which can never be broken. Secondly, be- which are but two in number, being bapcause of the teaching of the holy apostles. tism and the Supper, which he has cornThirdly, because of the practice of these manded, not through his servant but through same apostles. And first of the command- his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and ment: After Christ Jesus had risen from r which are neither attended with trouble nor the power of death and was going to ascend expense. to his heavenly Father, he thus commnanded Consider how troublesome and expensive his disciples, saying, " Go ye therefore, and it was to the Israelites to travel a long disteach all nations,baptizing them in the name tance over hill and dale, to appear two or of the Father, and of the Son, and of the H-oly three times a year before the Lord, at JeruGhost," Matt. 2: 19. Again, at another salem, with their offerings of bullocks, place, "Go ye into all the world and preach rams, goats and tenths, which they were the gospel to every creature, he that believ- bound to offer of all their goods, to the eth and is baptized, shall be saved," Mtark Lord. But the christian ceremnonies of the 16: 15, 16. While, now, Jesus Christ, the New Testament, baptism and Supper, which eternal wisdom who cannot err, the eternal \ are commanded us of God, are not at all truth who cannot lie, has commanded this, attended with trouble or expense; although namely, that we shall first preach the gos- the meaning or representation of these cerpel, from the hearing of which comes faith, emonies to true believers, is attended with Rom. 10, and that we shall baptize those great vexation to the flesh. This however who believe, who will or who can, now, is not caused by the ceremonies themselves, explain this divine commandment other- but alone through the faith which leads us wise, or make it of more value than the to these ceremonies, out of love and obedieternal, wise, perfect, blessed Christ Jesus, ence to the divine word. Most beloved, has made and commanded it? since the ordinance of Jesus Christ is unBrethren, it was not allowed to apply changeable and the only one that is acceptone single word of the Mosaic ceremonies able to the Father; and since he has comdifferent from what they were contained in manded that we shall first preach the gospel the law. For the Almighty God will not and then baptize those who believe; it folthat we should follow our own inclinations lows that all those who baptize and are with regard to the ceremonies which he has baptized, without the teaching of the gospel commanded us, but alone desires us to ob- and without faith, baptize and are bapserve his good will and pleasure; for that tized on their own opinion, without the purpose he has commanded them. In the doctrine and the ordinance of Jesus Christ, outward ceremonies alone God finds no and therefore it is idolatry, useless and pleasure; but he has commanded them be- vain. For had Israel circumcised their fecause he requires of us faithful obedience. males because it was not expressly forbidHis wrath has often come on those who den, they would yet have circumcised withpracticed his ceremonies differently from the out the ordinance of God, for he had commandment, as in the case of Nadab and commanded that the males were to be cirAbihu and many others. For he will, yea, cumcised, Gen. 17: 10. The same it is in he will that we should not follow our own this instance. If we baptize the unconscious opinion, but that we should hear, believe children, although Scripture has not exand obey his holy voice, Jer. 7: 5-7. pressly forbidden it, just as it was not forIf God would have his ceremonies under bidden to circumcise the females, we yet the law (which were numerous, and in one baptize wit.lout the ordinance of Jesus respect attended wTith trouble and expense, Christ; for he commanded to baptize those and which he commanded not througl', who should hear and believe his holy gosChrist, his Son, but through his servant 1 pel, Gen. 17: 10; Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 16; Mloses), kept thus strictly and unchanged Acts 2: 38; 9: 18S; 10: 48; 16: 33. until the time of Christ; how much more so i It avails nothing that some say that these

Page  197 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 197 words of Matthew and Mark extend the neither were they baptized of the Lord nor holy church to the Gentiles, and that there- of his disciples so far as we can learn from by the baptism of infants is not excluded. the Scriptures; yet they are, for good Beloved reader, it is true by this command- reasons, admitted to baptism, the same as ment the holy church is also extended to I the believing women are admitted to the the Gentiles, to the fulfillment of the pro- Supper." phetic Scriptures which long before had seen Kind reader, this is a very crafty arguthis through the Spirit, as Paul proves, ment to deceive the simple and ignorant, Rom. 15. Yet the word stands firmly with for it savors highly of subtlety, but is not regard to both Jews and Gentiles, namely, at all according to the example of Jesus whosoever believeth and is baptized, shall Christ. Because the Holy Supper reprebe saved. Faith is before baptism. For sents the death of the Lord Jesus Christ faith is the beginning of all righteousness and the love of our neighbors; both of which avails before God, from which faith, which are known and practiced by the bebaptism is the result as a sign and token lieving women as well as the believing men. of obedience. If the children, then, have If, then, the unconscious children have that faith, their baptism is not forbidden by the which is represented by baptism, namely, alleged words of Matthew and Mark. death unto sin, the new life, Rom. 6: 4; the Again, neither does it avail any thing new birth, Jn. 3, the putting on of Christ, that some allege and say, that the resurrec- Gal. 3: 27, the moving, quickening Spirit by tion of the dead was not expressly written which we arebaptizedinto the body of Christ, in the books of Moses, yet it was implied 1 Cor. 12: 13, and a good conscience, 1 Pet. as Christ Jesus proved to the Sadducees 3: 16, as have the believing women of what from Exod. 3: 6, namely: I am the God of is represented in the Holy Supper, then they Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob. As in should be baptized for the samereasonthat these words of Moses the resurrection is not believing women are admitted to the Supexpressed, yet it is implied, as God is no per; but it neither will nor can ever be God of the dead but of the living, as Christ found in unconscious children. teaches, Matt. 22: 32; thus they say, infant Fourthly, it avails nothing that some albaptism is not expressed in the gospel, yet lege from Ecclesiasticus 1: 14, that "To fear it is implied. To this we reply: That the the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and resurrection of the dead is no outward cere- it was created with the faithful in the mony which God has commanded us to do; womb," and will be with the chosen women. but it is something which God himself will If then, they say, "The fear of the Lord is accomplish in us'by his Almighty power, created with the believing in the mother's therefore it is an invisible consolation in womb, which fear is a fruit of faith, and as the hearts of all believers, which is compre- the fruit can not be before the tree, therehended by faith alone. But the baptism fore the children from their mother's womb of unconscious children is an outward cere- have a fruitful faith; if they have faith, mony. If, then, it is an ordinance and then their baptism cannot be hindered acword of God which has the promise, it must cording to the Scriptures." Not so, beloved be plainly expressed in the Scriptures. If reader, but judge every thing according to not, it cannot be called a ceremony of the word of God and his Spirit. For I do Christ. not doubt but that you will confess that the Thirdly, neither does it avail that some faith which avails with God, is a gift of allege and say, "Although the believing God, from whence all righteousness prowomen have no express word of invitation ceeds, comes by the hearing of the divine to the Lord's Supper, neither were they at word. If, now, it comes by hearing the the celebration of the last Supper of the divine word, as Paul teaches, how will it Lord, yet they are, for good reasons, ad- be found in unconscious children; for it is mitted to the Supper, and it is the same plain that they can not be taught, admonwith unconscious children. Although there i ished or instructed, nay, they are more is no express command for their baptism, j senseless and helpless at their birth than

Page  198 198 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. the irrational creatures; so unconscious faith it is impossible to please God," Heb. that they cannot be taught any thing about 11: 6. Inasmuch as the children, then, have carnal things, until their hearing, compre- no faith by which they can realize what hension and understanding have commenced God is and that he is a rewarder of both to develop themselves. If they cannot be good and evil, as they plainly show by made to understand any thing visible, how their fruits-therefore they have not the fear can they, then, prematurely, that is, before of God, and consequently they have nothing they can comprehend things, be taught and upon which they should be baptized, yet instructed in invisible, celestial matters of they have the promise of everlasting life, the Spirit? out of pure grace. This is all that the Secondly, you know and acknowledge Scriptures accord to them, and all that the that where there is a true faith there is the word of God says of them, as will be shown true knowledge of the ditferenc- between below. good and evil; the fear of God, the love of Inasmuch, then, as faith must be lirst God and also of our neighbor, and the obe- I and afterwards the righteous fruits which dience to God and the desire after right- come by faith-such as the fear of God, the eousness. It can not be otherwise than love of God, &c., which fruits do not appear that a good tree bringeth forth good fruit. in unconscious children, as has been often Faith works all manner of righteousness, said; therefore we must presume that Ecas it is written, "The just shall live by clesiasticus does not teach that the fear of faith," and''Faithis the substance of things God is not in little children immediately hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," after conception; but we are taught here Matt. 7: 18; Rom. 1: 17; Heb. 11: 1. that the fear of God is to the believing in Say, dear reader, If faith ever begets 1 the womb, that it will be given them in due good fruits, all manner of righteousness is time; because his eyes of fire, those eyes the substance of things hoped for, the evi- which from the beginning to the end foredence of things not seen-what fruits and I saw all things; foresaw when they were yet righteousness do our little children beget, in their mother's womb, that they in tine which are evidence of faith, and what do would hear his holy voice, truly believe, they hope for, and seek after but eating, and through faith fear God; and become drinking, laughter, crying, warmth, play, righteous before him; for true faith cannot &c., as has been the nature of children from be without its fruits, as has been often the beginning. Besides, they often show proven. the growth of the evil, Adamic seed; and as If then, faith were in the little, unconthey advance in youth they manifest it still scions children fromn conception, as our opmore; but the fruits of faith, or of the new ponents say, it would be a fruitless faith, birth they do not show, as may be plainly for they do not bring forth fruits; and observed, and if you do not observe it by I therefore their preaching in this regard is daily experience, then believe the word of in vain. For, if that were the case, faith God, which will never deceive you. Thus i would come by the creation, or conception, Moses says, "Your children, which in that of the believing, and not by the preaching day had no knowledge between good and of the divine word. -Not so, beloved reader. evil," &c., Dent. 1: 39. They had no knowl- I This is a sure, eternal, imperishable and an edge between good and evil, as it appears- enduring rule of the divine truth, to fulill where, then, is their faith which has the all righteousness, namely: First, the true knowledge between good and evil? preaching of the holy gospel of Jesus Christ. Thirdly, you will acknowledge that all Secondly, a desire to hear and understand. righteousness comes by faith as our coiitro- Thirdly, to cordially believe this gospel and verters themselves allege and adduce in to fulfill it in fruit. This being the case, it their opposition, Rom. 4:. WVithout faith follows that the little, unconscious children there is no godly righteousness; therefore + have no faith, for they can not understand Paul says to the Hebrews (speaking of those and learn. If they have no faith, they of understanding years), that "Without cannot have the fear of God. Therefore

Page  199 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 199 our opponents cannot prove the justice of that however learned the beforementioned baptizing little, unconscious children, from philosophers are, and however ignorant I this passage of Ecclesiasticus; but they am, yet our opinions avail the same with must wait according to God's word until God and before him, for, without the comthey can understand the holy gospel of mand of the holy Scripture, nothing rightgrace, and sincerely confess it; then it is eous can be done and nothing pleasing to time, no matter how young or old they are, God can be practiced, let him be whosoever to receive christian baptism, as the infalli- he may. The holy Scriptures do not refer ble word of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ us to them nor to any other learned person, has taught and commanded all true believ- but to Christ Jesus, alone. Whenever such ers, in his holy gospel, Matt. 28: 19; Mark highly renowned men, by their subtle 16: 16. If they die before maturity, that is acuteness and artful philosophy try to take in childhood, before they have come to from us and garble the plain ordinances of years of understanding and before they Jesus Christ and of his apostles, we must, have faith, then they die under the promise surely, consider their doctrine, in that reof God, and that by no other means than spect, as doctrine of men and false; for the precious promise of grace, given through Christ Jesus is not under them, but above Christ Jesus, Luke 18: 16; and if they be- them. Neither has he received his holy come of understanding minds and have doctrine from them, but from his wise Fafaith, they should then be baptized. But ther, Jn. 7: 24; 8: 26; 12: 46; 16: 13. if they do not accept or believe the word Since they, by their philosophy, assert when they shall have arrived at the years that there is a dormant, unfruitful faith in of understanding, no matter whether they unconscious children, evidently against all are baptized or not, they will be damned, Scripture and truth, and that the children as Christ himself teaches, Mark 16: 16. should be baptized upon such human phanI know that there are a great many who tasy; now, judge for yourselves, you who will ask, "Why I, unlearned man, am not oppose me, which of the two I would better satisfied in regard to this matter with the do-hear the holy word and ordinance of doctrine of Martin Luther and other re- Christ Jesus, to whom the Father, together nowned doctors, who are versed in the with all the prophets, have pointed me, or Scriptures and many tongues and sciences hear the learned, who, against his holy -who teach, and particularly Luther, that word and ordinance, would have me follow faith lies dormant in little children the same their opinion, which they have formed by as in a sleeping believer " garbling the Scriptures. Eradicate from To this I answer: In the first place, if your carnal hearts all partisanship and there were such a dormant faith in little contention so that you can fairly judge of children (which, however, is nothing but spiritual matters. God grant that all the invention), then it would not be proper to learned and those that are taught of them, baptize such children so long as they would may acknowledge and teach truth, and fullnot verbally confess it and show it by their fill it in their works, Amen. fruits. For the holy apostles did not baptize any believers while they were asleep, Inasmuch as Christ Jesus has commandas we have shown in our former writings. ed his holy apostles that they should first Secondly, I acknowledge and confess teach the holy gospel of grace and then from my inmost heart, before you, and the baptize those who should believe; we are, whole world, that they and many others are for the same reasons, urged by the love of well gifted with learning, eloquence, subtle- God, to teach this christian baptism a cty, languages and science, and that I, poor, cording to the word of God, and afterwards ignorant man, am in comparison to them, I as a fly is to an elephant; therefore I am obediently receive it, and, by the grace of heartily ashamed to write and speak against the Lord, to save it, to tie honor of God, them, with my dull pen and awkward both in life and death; notwithstanding all speech. Yet every reader should know the world opposes us.

Page  200 200 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES CONCERNING BAPTISMI IN THE WATER. Again, we are urged by the pure, chaste birth from above, saying, "Verily, verily, teaching of the holy apostles thus diligent- I say unto thee, Except a man be born ly to teach and receive this christian bap- of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter tism: First, because it is written, "Now into the kingdom of God." when they heard this, they were pricked in Behold, my chosen brethren! how hartheir heart, and said unto Peter," "Men monious are both master and disciples in and brethren what shall we do? Then Peter their teachings, namely: First, the birth said unto them, Repent and be baptized, from above by which we become children every one of you, in the name of Jesus of God. Secondly, the water by which the Christ for the remission of sins, and ye obedience of the children of God is shown. shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Thirdly, the communion of the Holy Ghost Acts 2: 37, 38. by which we are assured in our hearts of Most beloved, bear in mind, now and all the grace of God, of the remission of sins, the days of your lives, not only concerning and of everlasting life through Christ Jesus baptism, but concerning all doctrine you our Lord, Jn. 1: 14; 3: 2. may hear, lest you be deceived by false Inasmuch as the holy Peter, who is the teaching, namely, as all the true prophets apostle of God, a true witness, sent by Jesus of God, who were between Moses and Christ, Christ with the word of everlasting life, enconformed their teaching to the doctrine of lightened and taught by the Holy Ghost, Moses, so the holy apostles, also, con- has thus taught and commanded us, nameformed their teaching to the doctrine of ly, that we shall suffer ourselves to be bapChrist Jesus, as he had commanded them, tizedupontheconfession offaith according to saying, "Teaching them to observe all the command of the Lord, Mark 16: 16; in things whatsoever I have commanded you," the name of Christ for the remission of sin, Matt. 28: 20. therefore we must receive this baptism the Therefore consider and ponder well that same as is commanded us in the Holy which shall be taught you, by the grace of Scriptures, or else we cannot obtain remisthe Lord, from the word of God, and you sion of sins nor the Holy Ghost. For who will clearly perceive from these words of has ever received remission of sins, contraPeter, how the words of Jesus to Nicode- ry to the word of God? Surely, it is imposmus, concerning the new birth, should be sible that we can rob God of the remission understood thus, "Verily, verily, I say of sins and of his Holy Ghost. If we, then, unto thee, Except a man be born of water desire the remission of our sins and the and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the Holy Ghost, we must do and fulfill all that kingdom of God," Jn. 3: 5. Beloved breth- which God, the Almighty Father has taught ren, the new birth came to pass through the and commanded us through Christ Jesus word of God. When this word was taught his beloved Son, and through his holy on the day of Pentecost, by Peter at Jeru-' apostles, in all spiritual matters. salem, the multitudes heard it from his Here it avails nothing that some teach mouth and from the mouth of the other and say, contrary to the holy Scripture, apostles; their hearts were pierced, for, by "That the little children are born of Adam, faith, they accepted these words, and there- with a sinful or wicked nature, and that fore they said, "Men and brethren, what therefore they should be washed of their shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, inherent guilt and sin, by baptism." To Repent, and be baptized every one of you, teach and believe thus, my brethren, is in the name of Jesus Christ for the remis- first, a fearful idolatry, and abominable sion of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of blasphemy against the blood of Christ. the Holy Ghost." The same as Christ said There is no remedy, in heaven nor on earth, to Nicodemus, when he first taught of the for our sins, whether they are inherent or

Page  201 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 201 worldly, but the blood of Christ alone, as elites. For the Lord of lords so often comwe have often shown in our first writings, plained through his holy prophets, that 1 Pet. 1: 19; 1 Jn. 1: 7; Eph. 1: 7. If we their offering was not pleasing to him, that ascribe the remission of sins to baptism it was nothing but a corrupt abomination and not to the blood of Christ, then we and stench, before his holy eyes; inasmuch mould a golden calf and place it in the that they despised the law, love and the stead of Christ. For if we could be washed I commandments of God, and lived according or cleansed by baptism, then Christ Jesus to the lusts of their flesh, Isa. 66: 4, 5; and and his merits would be of none effect; oth- other passages. erwise we must admit that there are two Secondly, we are not cleansed, in bapmeans for the remission of sin which is not, tism, of our inherited sinful nature which is nor ever can be; first, baptism; second, the in our flesh, so that it is entirely destroyed blood of Christ. For the most holy and in us, for it remains with us after baptism; most precious blood of our beloved Lord. but since the merciful Father, from whom Jesus Christ must and shall have the praise, are all good and perfect gifts, has graciousas has been so clearly prophesied and tes- ly given us the most holy faith, so we mantified of all the true prophets and apostles, ifest in the baptism we receive, that we throughout the Scriptures. desire to die unto the inherent, sinful nature, The believing receive remission of sins and destroy it, so that it will not any longer not throughy baptism, but in baptism, in be master of our mortal bodies, Rom. 6: 12. this manner: as they now, sincerely believe Although such true believers are often overthe lovely gospel of Jesus Christ which has come by sin, as John observes, "Whosobeen preached and taught to them, which ever is born of God doth not commit sin; is the glad tidings of grace, namely, of the for his seed remaineth in him; and he canremission of sin, of grace, of peace, of favor, not sin, because he is born of God," 1 Jn. of mercy and of eternal life through Jesus 3: 9. Christ our Lord, so they become of a new Brethren, I repeat it, as the Israelites mind, deny themselves, bitterly lament their received remission of their sins, through the old, corrupted life, and look diligently to promise, with which were associated their the word of the Lord, who has shown them offerings, when they offered with contrite such great love; to fulfill all that which he hearts, not through the offering itself, for has taught and commanded them in his then it would be merit, but alone through holy gospel, trusting firmly in the word the word of promise; for it is grace and not of grace, in the remission of their sins merit-so we receive remission of our sins, through the precious blood and through the when we are true believers and are washed merits of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. and cleansed in baptism, through the promThey therefore receive the holy baptism ise; not, I say, through the washing of water, as a token of obedience which proceeds for it is not merit, but through the promise, from faith, as proof, before God and his for it is grace, with which promise the Holy church, that they firmly believe in the re- Spirit of God has associated the baptism mission of their sins through Christ Jesus, of the believing, in the gospel, as Paul as was preached and taught them from the teaches, saying, "Christ also loved the word of God; therefore they receive remis- church, and gave himself for it; that he sion of their sins in baptism, as the lovely might sanctify and cleanse it with the washpromise of grace proclaims and represents; ing of water by the word, that he might the same as the literal Israelites received present it to himself a glorious chulrch," remission of their sins by their offerings. Eph. 5: 25 —27. For in case that we only sought outward Behold, most beloved, from this it is plain baptism and trusted in the literal practice, that we are not cleansed by the washing of and would yet continue in our old, corrupted water, but by the word of the Lord, as the walk, then indeed, all would be in vain, holy Paul clearly teaches us in the beforethe same as it was in such case, a vain offer-! mentioned words. Inasmuch as the little, ing, amongst the ungodly and carnal Isra-. unconscious children, by reason of their in62

Page  202 202 CIHRISTIAN BAPTISM. capability of comprehending and under- which teaches that God the Almighty Fastanding the preaching of the holy gospel, ther, whose enemies we were before, Rom. by which, alone, comes faith, Rom. 10: 17; 5: 10, is now again reconciled through by which faith, alone, God purifies our Christ Jesus, his beloved Son; that hencehearts, Acts 15: 9, and not by the outward forth, through the merits of our beloved baptism, as has been said before, and, in- Lord, neither hell, devil, past sins, eternal asmuch as the express command and word death, nor the wrath of God will hurt or of God, which associates the promise with hinder us. All those who truly believe this, baptism, solely refers to those who are be- shall receive and obtain a joyous mind and gotten of this same word and are thus good conscience by the resurrection of Jesus cleansed in their hearts by faith, it there- Christ as Peter says; because he has so fore follows incontrovertibly therefrom, that gloriously triumphed over all his enemies, these little children, notwithstanding that visible and invisible, to our profit; and has they are baptized under a false pretension again seated himself in heaven, at the right and false explanation of the divine word, hand of his Father. Such, are first inwardare not cleansed thereby, if they ever were ly baptized with the Spirit and fire, accordunclean, which however is not the case. ing to the word of God, and are thus taught Why? Because the promise is not associa- in their hearts by this Spirit, and are led in ted with their baptism. Therefore their all divine truth, righteousness, obedience, baptism is not done according to the word; and evangelical fruits and works. They but in every respect contrary to the word. are inwardly so enkindled with this fire of For the word requires faith, and they have love, having become conscious, by the word no faith. Therefore their baptism is with- of God, that such great grace, I repeat it, out doubt a baptism of their own choice, grace, has been bestowed on them through without God, without promise, yea, idola- Christ Jesus, that they regard neither lords, trous, useless and in vain. princes, philosophers, learned men, counWhosoever now wants to oppose this, cils, long usages, women, children, flesh, and does not want to believe the ordi- blood, decrees, nor any other threats; nance and word of God, let him take heed neither life nor death, but remain glad to what he does. For by infant baptism in Spirit, maintain, at the risk of home, not he nullifies the command of the Lord; tram- only the outward baptism, but also all the ples upon his precious blood (for he seeks works of love and the fruits of righteousrighteousness in this baptism), and he es- ness, which the true mouth of the Lord tablishes, contrary to the immutable ordi- Jesus Christ has taught and commanded us nance of God, and of his own carnal choice, in his holy gospel, either himself or through a false baptism which God never command- his holy apostles. ed. Therefore it neither is his holy will, Behold, beloved brethren, in this manner as has been said above and as will be shown baptism saves us, as Peter teaches; not the more extensively below. outward literal baptism, but the inward, Again the apostle Peter writes, As Noah, spiritual baptism, which as obedient chilin his day, was saved in the ark from the dren of God, has led us through the power waters of the deluge, so "even baptism of faith, to the outward literal baptism; for doth also now save us (not the putting away the outward, literal baptism is nothing of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a more than obedience to the divine word, good conscience toward God), by the res- and thus it is a seal or proof of the righturrection of Jesus Christ," 1 Pet. 3: 21. eousness from whence the true, fruitful faith By this passage of Peter, the baptism of comes; the same as was the literal circumthe believing is again clearly affirmed and cision to the believing and obedient Abrathe baptism of infants nullified. For it is ham, Rom. 4: 10, 11. impossible that any one can have a good Since Christ Jesus has commanded that conscience but those, alone, who believe, we should baptize the believing, Mark and whose hearts are regenerated and con- 16: 16 —therefore holy Peter followed the verted; who acknowledge the divine word commandment in his teachings; and has

Page  203 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 203 taught baptism to be a work of faith, name- spiritual, holy, divine and unblamable in ly, the answer of a good conscience the sight of those who are not versed in toward God, which answer none can spiritual matters of faith; and the more so experience but those alone who have faith. because their unchristian hearts and carnal Inasmuch as there is but one literal baptism minds are prone to trust in outward works, taught in Scripture, which baptism shows yea, through their own choice and opinion, and is proof of the answer of a good con- as I understand it. If I write wrongly, then science toward God, as Peter teaches, and rebuke me according to the word of God; thus by this Scripture of Peter, infant bap- for the greater part of them have always tism is prohibited; for they cannot have sought righteousness in wrought ceremonies, this consciousness likethebelieving. There- and not in Christ, as is evident from the fore take heed, kind reader, whosoever you fact that, as now, the unintelligent teachers are, lest you offend God. For all those and bishops in the days of the apostles, or who thus lamentably oppose this evangeli- soon after, commenced the practice of incal baptism of the believing, which baptism fant baptism, contrary to the command of is so pointedly commanded of Jesus Christ, God and the doctrine of the holy apostles, and is thus taught and practiced by his as may be readily perceived in the book of holy apostles, either by doctrine, word or Tertullian, called "Corona Milites." He sword, must confess and acknowledge that writes that among the ancients almost inthey were hitherto neither right believing, variably the adults were baptized with the regenerated, obedient, nor inwardly bap- washing of regeneration. Understand me tized with the Spirit and fire. Again, let rightly brethren. Tertullian lived one hunevery one of you beware and take heed for dred and eight years after Christ, some say it does not concern anything temporal, but one hundred and forty years. As early as it concerns your poor, naked souls which in the days of these ancient writers, the have been so dearly bought and delivered true, evangelical baptism, which was comby such a precious treasure. manded by Christ and taught and practiced Beloved children in the Lord, however in- by his holy apostles, had become degenercontrovertibly our cause is confirmed and ated with many, which baptism he clearly founded in the word of God, yet some are testifies that the ancients almost invariably not ashamed, persistently and continually practiced upon adults. If now, brethren, it to write, talk, and slander against us; ad- were so that the ancients, who were before vising and exciting persecution, slaughter him, already baptized infants, as it appears, and blood-shed against us; in part I pre- and to which we consent, because he says alsume from ignorance, partly out of par- most in;rariably; and in another place in tiality, and because they are enemies of the the same book, as the Strasburgian phicross of Christ and because they do not de- losophers write of him, he says, "That in sire the lovely, spiritual life which is of the same fount or water-bath, both children God; and say, "Although infants have and adults were baptized." Nevertheless, not the answer of a good conscience, infant baptism was no apostolic institution as the believing have, yet this should be nor practice, nor a divine command; for if no cause of not administering baptism to Christ had commanded it, and the holy them; but they ought to be baptized, that apostles had taught and practiced it, then they may the better receive instruction in the ancestors of Tertullian would not have the word and commandments of God." baptized some infants, but all the infants Most beloved brethren, when an idola- of upright, believing parents, indiscrimitrous, refractory and disobedient person nately. has not the word of God wherewith to de- That it is no divine conmmand nor aposfend his cause, he yet acutely invents tolic institution, was well known and shown something wherewith he can so beautify by the beloved, aged father, Alexander, and adorn his invention and carnal right- bishop of Alexandria, who was a particueousness with a semblance of divinity and lar opponent of Arrius; for he, so long holiness, that it seems quite right, just, after the days of the apostles, did not bap

Page  204 204 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. tize the infants of his church, as may be of God." To this we reply again: That plainlyseen and understoodfromtheChurch this is not because of baptism, but alone History of Eusebius, Vol. 10, Chap. 14, through the mild election of grace, Eph. translated by Rnufinis, on "The play of 1: 6; for it is grace and not merit, Rom. Children," by Anthanasius. Therefore the 11: 6. intelligent and learned Erasmus, of Rotter- In the third place they say, "That childam, as Sebastian Franck writes of him, dren should be baptized that they may the who had perused and understood all the better be trained in the word of God and noteworthy writers of the world say, That his commandments." To this we reply the ancient fathers disputed about infant again: That we desire to know where such baptism, but never settled it. is expressed and written in the holy ScriptBehold, kind reader, inasmuch as the ures. Give a discreet answer, we pray you, ancients, from the beginning, were not who assert infant baptism to be right, just unanimous in this matter; and inasmuch and necessary, and who so lamentably as they did not all practice infant baptism, slander and profane us on account of bapas appears from Tertullian and Alexander; tism, that we may no longer be deceived in and as those who practiced infant baptism our hearts; but that we may assuredly have ever sought righteousness therein, as know by the word of God where to find this may be seen by their writings-therefore infant baptism. For however industriously we will not place our foundation upon that we may search day and night, we yet find which is uncertain, but upon that which is but one baptism in the water, pleasing to certain, which is Christ's word. Neither God, which is expressed and contained in will we seek our righteousness in the out- his word, namely: Baptism on the confesward baptism nor in any other works, as sion of faith, commanded by Christ Jesus, does the world, but in Christ Jesus, as all taught and administered by his holy aposthe Scriptures teach us. Herewith we desire ties, which is administered and received for to present our cause to the consideration the forgiveness and remission of sins in and judgment of all the world and let them such a manner, as we have fully proven tell whether they have ever read in the word above by the words of Peter, Acts. 2: 38. of God, I say in the word of God or in his But of this other baptism, that is, infant gospel, that Christ Jesus and his holy baptism, we find nothing. apostles taught two different baptisms in Because this infant baptism is nowhere the water, namely, that one baptism should I commanded nor implied in the divine word, be administered to the believing, which I therefore we take issue with you and all baptism represents death unto sin, a new the world, that we regard it not only as life, the answer of a good conscience toward vain, but we believe and proclaim it as God, and the washing of regeneration, idolatrous, useless, and unavailable, not Rom. 6:12; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3: 21; Tit. only by words merely, but at the cost 3: 5; and that the other baptism should be of our lives, as has been proven by events administered to infants, which signifies Iin many countries of Germany. The reason nothing only that they should be outward- is this, because it is administered without ly washed with water. the word and commandment of God; beBrethren, judge rightly and do not de. cause righteousness is sought therein; and ceive your souls. We know that they first because the true baptism of the believing say "That infants are cleansed of their in- must be so lamentably rejected and tramherent sins and that therefore their baptism pled upon, by the whole world, as an heretis not in vain." To this we reply with the ical baptism, as far as the name of Christ word of God: That such belief is abomina- is mentioned. Therefore, brethren, it is ble idolatry; for in this case the blood of nothing but opinion and human righteousChrist avails, and not the outward baptism, ness, to teach, without the word of God, as has been shown above. that infants should be baptized, that they In the second place they say, "That I may be the better trained in the word of thereby they are accepted into the covenant j God and his comanldments; as we find to

Page  205 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM, 205 the contrary that, although these parents and teaches to be the true flesh and blood have their infants baptized, they yet, from of our beloved Lord, Jesus Christ, tle Son youth on, are trained by these same parents of the Almighty and living God. Besides in this Adamic nature, in all manner of he must be so pure and chaste in his walk pride, pomp, avarice, vanity, lying, cursing, that he is not allowed to have a legitimate swearing, dancing, singing, foolishness, or wedded consort, although the Holy artfulness, hatred, enmity, revengefulness Scriptures allow it, but the Pope has forand to the accursed life of this world, the bidden it. All these and other abominasame, as from the beginning the heathen tions he calls and teaches to be the holy have done who never confessed God. worship, and the most holy, christian faith. What profits such baptism as they have Such fruits are begotten and produced by received? Is it not merely folly, deceit, this evil tree, by the faith that is within mockery and shame in the sight of God? him; and after he has orderly, sumptuously Certainly. Beware. There can be no greater and well performed his carnal holiness, he hypocrisy, mockery or blasphemy in his proves his inward holiness, by seeking the sight. Inasmuch as, perhaps, the secret best female company, wine and beer; drinks, awfulness which is hidden in infant bap- sings, dances, laughs, shouts, scolds, fights, tism, is not yet rightly understood by you curses, swears, boasts, plays, courts and -therefore I will briefly present the matter, defiles himself with his female servant, his that you may the better distinguish between neighbors daughter, or wife whose husband truth and falsehood. I will present to you perhaps is at sea, or some other place, trythat which for many centuries, as all men ing to earn a livelihood by the labor of his may have seen, has been of daily occurrence hands. Thus he lives in shameful adultery and which, alas, yet occurs daily. until, by the fruits thereof, it can no longer In the first place, we will imagine an ex- be concealed, when the blame is cast upon tremely corrupted, ungodly, carnal knave some one else, and the fruit (understand who is yet called a priest, pastor, vicar or what I write), is disposed of, and by falseprebendary by the world. This same un- hood and deception their shame and adulchaste man, full of all manner of roguery tery are concealed. and deceit, covers his condemnable knavery Behold, brethren, they of whom such illewith such a pleasant semblance that none gitimate children are born, have been bapsuspicion him, as does the ravening wolf in tized in their infancy, claiming thereby to sheeps clothing, Matt. 7:5. His head is be Christians; they boast of Jesus Christ frequently shaven, perhaps, as proof that and of his precious blood. But we may see he wants thus violently to shave off and de- by their fruits what kind of christians they stroy all lusts and desires of his wicked, are, and what kind of faith they have. sinful flesh; he desires to walk in long Therefore I tell you these things, O kind robes, as Christ says, Luke 20: 46, as if he reader, that you may know in the first were pious, holy and venerable; he daily place, what kind of christian parents these reads his prayers with folded hands and un- are, what kind of faith they have, of whom covered head, as if he were very ardently some children are born who are, notwithinspired; he kneels and burns incense be- standing all this, carried to the baptism fore stone and wooden blocks, which he and are baptized on the faith of their hypcalls Peter, Paul, Mary and the worthy ocritical parents, and are therefore called crucifix of the Lord. I tell this verily with- christians. 0, abominable mockery! out facetiousness, of which God is my wit- In the second place, I find at many places, ness. Judge now whether this is not the throughout the world, numbers of vain and case. I abandoned characters, some of them sanctiBesides he buys a hundred wafers for a fled, others not, some claiming nobility, in stiver, takes one at a time, consecrates it a worldly sense, some of large means, some as he savs, and that mentally, without say- I of mediocrity, some poor, in short, of all ing a word, nods to it, worships, implores classes, who, in the same manner, live in and eats it; and this same thing he believes all manner of debauchery, vanity, inebriety

Page  206 206 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. and uncleanliness, according to their shame- and who make and honor things of their ful, inordinate lusts and devilish desires, own choice, as an idol. and in all manner of fornication and adul- Notwithstanding the heathenish life of tery. They seduce all they can, notwith- both father and mother, yet their infants standing they are baptized. And when which are born of them must, without the they, by their recklessness, have succeeded word of God and merely out of their own in accomplishing the ruin of such simple choice, be conjured, blessed, rubbed with and uncircumspect souls who are also born spittle, anointed, crucifixed and baptized, of Adam, and who are, perhaps, deceived and after this has been done at the instance by false promises and gifts, and led there- of their parents, although contrary to the to by their accursed actions, then yet, it commandment of God, they are called bemust be considered by those of their class lieving, christian people, no matter how as a great honor and respectability, as the ungodly, inhuman and devilish a life they prophet says. Yet, notwithstanding all lead; and are admitted and received into this, these same persons alike carry the the church as full and proper members. children who are thus illegitimately born 0, Lord, Father, how very broad, easy of such profaners, rogues and abandoned and pleasing to the flesh is the entrance women, to the baptism, that they may be into this miserable, carnal church; for it is called christians and be trained up in the all as said, no matter who, or what, or how same works and fruits as their adulterous he is, it is all right, if he has but been sworn parents, in whom and by whom they are before a fountain, and washed and bapconceived, and begotten in accursed and tized in it by an idolater. But how wondamnable adultery. 0, unbelief! derfully narrow, O Lord, is thy way, and how very strait is the gate which leadeth In the third place, I find almost univer- ho vry trait is th at hich ea into thy poor and holy church. Yea, so sally, both among men and women of what-.. 3s or c o narrow that on its posts are stripped off ever class or condition they are, noble,. ~m ever class or codition they are, noble, gold and possessions, flesh and blood and rich, poor, citizen or yeoman, who were all the lusts and inclinations of those who baptized in infancy, and on that account baptized in infancy, and on that account desire and sincerely seek to enter in at this are called christians, yet they lead such sinful lives that we can form no idea there- nrr and tre n f r th lygrace, to of. Their pride, unchastity, avarice, fraud t ad a f i t h in buying and selling, quarreling, hatred, kin r I h r Zn, Behold, kind readers, I have referred to unrighteousness, unmercifulness towards t i the tenant and the poor, their cursing, this in this manner, first, that you may the, i. -l..' 3^ -Tbetter conceive and understand what kind swearing, lying, cheating, pomp, debauch- hristians, those are, what kind of faith cry, drinking, vanity, foolery, blood-thirsti- they have, and,at kind of life they lead ness, cruelty, hypocrisy, tyranny, trans- they have, and what kind of life they lead, ness, cruelty, hypocrisy, tyranny, trans- to whom infant baptism has been adminisgressions, idolatry and all manner of wik-tered and who now have it administered to edness know no bounds. their children, that the true, divine knowlIf there are some who are not guilty of edge may multiply in you, that you may all the beforementioned vices, on account of rightly comprehend, by the word of God, their natural indisposition thereto, it must what abominable mockery and hypocrisy be admitted that there is not one in a thou- infant baptism is before the Almighty God; sand who industriously seeks and desires and that there is no other fruitful, pleasing to walk according to the commandments of and available baptism before God, than God, or to live according to his blessed alone the baptism which is administered will. Nor do they ask for the right way to and received according to the command of eternal life that they may be saved; yet Christ, Mark 16: 16; namely, the baptism they must be called the right, christian upon the confession of faith, as has been church. Thus has God, the righteous judge, frequently remarked. Secondly, I must obscured the understanding and natural in- refer you, in the same manner, to how wontellect of those who reject his holy word, derfully far the custom of the godfathers,

Page  207 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 207 who lift the child upon the basin and an- Acts 2: 38; 8: 36; 10: 48; 16: 33; and other swer their confession of faith, is different passages. from the Spirit, commandment and word of Again, if it were even so that the practice Christ, that by all these facts, falsehood, of godfathers was in accordance to the word unbelief, abuse, and satanic imposture may of God or the commandment of Christ. appear to you and be demolished; and which however is not so, 0, how extensivethat, on the other hand, truth, faith, the ly and closely, and with what great care right practice and the divine will may be we would have to search, in city and counmade known and acted upon. try, for a suitable person to discharge the Inasmuch as Christ commanded that the duties of such an office. For, How can one baptized should first believe, Mark 16: 16, blind man lead another? How can one fool before baptism should be administered, make another wise? How can onepoor perActs 8: 38, and as the world well knew that son be surety for another? Understand infants had no faith; and as they, notwith- what I write. In the same manner one unbestanding this, would have unconscious in- lieving person can be no surety for the faith fants baptized, as human righteousness ever of another; "For every man shall bear his has looked upon, profaned, persecuted, de- own burden," Gal. 6: 5. Neither can he teach spised and rejected the righteousness of nor advocate the faith of another so long as God as useless, imperfect and foolish; he himself has no true, christian faith; for therefore the ninth or tenth pope, named whatever I am to teach another I must unHiginius, without any commandment of derstand myself; and prayer must be the God, hit upon a happy idea, with which prayer of faith, Jas. 5: 16, in Spirit and in the world has hitherto been well satisfied, truth, Jn. 4: 24. and by means of which they baptized their As the unbelieving cannot be surety, beinfants, and those who feared God more, fore God, for the faith of another, nor teach and therefore understood the word of God him faith, nor advocate it, even if the pracbetter, were for the greater part thereby ex- tice of godfathers were founded on the orcommunicated as heretics. This means was dinance of God, which however it is not, so this: That some should be chosen from the it must be acknowledged and admitted, church, whom they called godfathers, who that the practice of godfathers in infant should lift the children up to the fountain, baptism is entirely vain, useless and unto be baptized, and who should care for available. I will leave every intelligent and answer to the faith of the child. Most christian to judge what faith tnere is in the beloved reader, it is true this matter has a godfathers. fine appearance and show, but is not in ac- I know that I will be asked if there are cordance with Christ's Spirit and meaning no right, believing godfathers, who with because the practice of godfathers is a hu- good consciences, hold the infants to the man institution, as history plainly shows; basin? To this I briefly answer: No. For, therefore I am at a loss to know why it is in the first place, it is human righteousness, that all the learned of the upper and eastern contrary to the word of God, and without countriesyet havethispractice of godfathers, the ordinance of Christ; and therefore it since they have so bravely and incessantly can not be practiced with a good conscience. written, taught and battled with the word of In the second place I admit that there are God, against all human institutions and godfathers who are honorableand virtuous; teachings; for nowhere in the divine word but, truly, I do not know that they are truare we taught the practice of such godfa- ly believing; for if they were true believers thers, in any manner whatever; but every it would be impossible that they could ever where in the Scriptures where baptism is be led to practice such abominable shame spoken of, it is shown in very plain charac- with infants, without the word of Christ. ters that the baptized must believe for them- For there is no word to be found in all the selves, must confess it verbally and by their apostolic Scriptures which in any manner works, and thus desire and receive baptism teaches and commands us such a thing; as a commandment of God, Mark 16: 16, not to say any thing about the impurity,

Page  208 208 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. avarice, pomp, ignorance concerning divine spiritual enchantment of the bottomless pit matters, idolatry, foolishness, vanity, re- and a cause for shedding innocent blood. fractoriness against God and his blessed Besides, their daily walk is so shameful, unword, and of the accursed, carnal life of clean, sodomic, adulterous, lustful, greedy, most of those who are called to this office avaricious, backbiting, envious, unmerciby the church, that the faith of the parents ful, treacherous, ambitious, blind, ungodly, and of the godfathers alike, upon which fearful and so abominable that all reasonthey baptize these infants and through able men, the angels of God and the heavwhich they are thought to acquire faith ens must be astounded and ashamed themselves, may go over on them; as we thereat. have too often seen that the one adulterous Say, kind reader, is it not so? Have you, knave calls upon the other; one drunkard ever found greater pride, avarice, gluttony, on the other; or one proud person upon the adultery, fornication, spitefulness, hypocother. By their works they show plainly risy, mockery and shame than is found that it is not of God; but that it is deceit, amongst them? I am aware that they are devilish hypocrisy, human righteousness, not all alike unchaste and shameful in their blasphemy, mockery, destruction of the or- daily walk; yet there is not one amongst dinances of Christ, and, in every respect them, however finely he appears before the contrary to the blessed word of God. world, but his worship and life is of the Behold, worthy brethren, in the course of flesh-of the devil; contrary to God and time they have thus subtlely converted and his blessed word. changed the heavenly doctrine, and lovely Worthy, beloved brethren, he who knowordinance of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ eth all things, knows that I do not write into such unclean mocking, abuse and this with hatred or with bad intentions. shameful practice. 0, Lord, Father of Therefore, judge for yourselves all things grace, that this fearful and abominable according to the word of God, and accordsnare and impostureto our miserable souls, ing to your rational, natural understandmight once be destroyed, Amen. ing; as you may daily perceive these things In the third place, as we have first shown amongst them. You will without doubt you the faith and life of the parents; sec- acknowledge that I have discovered and ond, the command, faith and life of the god- presented to you nothing but the truth, out fathers, we will now show you who those of love for your salvation. Say, have I are whose office it is to baptize these infants done wrong to discover and present unto and thus to make christian people out of you the wiles of a thief or murderer? Pluck them, and will point you, faithful reader, from your eyes this accursed and abominato your own pastor, vicar, prebendary or ble blindness, and look to the truth of your chaplain, as you call them. Yea to all the Lord; root all unbelief from your obscured priests round about you; that you may heamts, and believe the word of God. Beclosely scrutinize them according to the hold, the holy apostle Paul says, "Not to word of God, and see if there is one amongst keep company, if any man that is called a all of them, I say one, however many there brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an may be, who is called of an unblamable, idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an christian church, who is moved by the Holy extortioner; with such a one no not to eat." Spirit, and who is unblamable in both doc- A proof that, although they call themselves trine and life. 0, brother, not one, no, not brethren or christians, they are not in the one, however far you may travel, and how- church of Christ on account of their disever industriously you may search. Their reputable life. For the church of Christ is calling is of the dragon and of the beast. holy, pure and unblamable. In another They have nothing which forces thenm to place he teaches that such shall not inherit this office, but, solely, their lazy, greedy, the kingdom of God, Rom. 1: 32; 1 Cor. avaricious, prond and gluttonous flesh. 5: 11; Gal. 5: 22; Eph. 5: O. Their teaching for the greater part, is mere- Now if they are not in the church of ly deceit; their worship is all idolatry, \ Christ, and if they cannot inherit the king

Page  209 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 2~ dom of God, tell me what things divine, or life; but are only nominal christians. These christian can then be served or practiced by deliberately claim to make a christian out them in the house of the Lord, that is, in of a child just taken from the mother's the church of Christ Notwithstanding that womb, which can neither stand, walk, hear, we should not keep the company of such, speak, nor comprehend; which for lack of nor eat with them, and notwithstanding understanding, is as theirrational animals; they have not the promise of salvation ac- which cannot distinguish between good and cording to Paul, on account of their unbe- evil; without the word and without faithlief and their terrible, wicked, beastly life, by no other means than by crucifixes, breathyet the world is so blinded by them and so ing, salt, oil, crisma, candles, clothing, useestranged from God that they look upon, less questions and answers, blessings, conhonor and accept them as true shepherds, juring, baptizing, offering, and such like teachers and pastors who have power from abominations, and when this noisy, idolaGod to do anything they please while they trous hypocrisy has been practiced upon only make their pretensions under the false the infants, then they are christian people, cover of christianity and of the holy, chris- as the nurses tell the mother after these tian church, as they call it. 0, blindness! things have been performed, saying, we These are they, 0 ye men, who yet this have received from you a heathen but a day are allowed to mislead the whole world christian we return and deliver to you by their false doctrine, and to uselessly again. bless, conjure and baptize infants, without The net tg i order, s ttin te tthe word or command of God, notwithstand- ble. Victuals and drink are prepared, the ing that the most holy gospel of Jesus neighbors and friends partake thereof and Christ opposes and rebukes such things. the arents are well satisfid it thei... ~.-i ^ ^ ^ -^the parents are well satisfied with their As these spiritual fathers or teachers are, baptized inant. And from that hour it is so also are their children who are begotten trained in all manner of foolishness, unbeof them, that is, those whom they teach and lief vanity, sin, shame, wickedness idolabaptize as they plainly prove and verify all manner of carnal an devilish by their fruits. try and all manner of carnal and devilish *D^ ^ T.i f. works; in a manner, that no knowledge, Behold, brethren, by no other means than faith, fear, and love of God, evangelical by these beforementioned teachers and in- truth and life can ever take root in it. And fant baptists, the church of Christ is con- should anything occur that something chrisverted into such a work of hypocrisy, shame, tian-like would spring up in it, then it will mockery, deceit, degeneration, knavery and have to suffer mch and ear the cross of prostitution. O, misery of misery! prostitution. a 0, misery of misery! Christ. I repeat it, because of this baptism Now you have presented to you, first, the it is henceforth considered a christian person, parents of whom the children are born, no tte w it ts. Beold, belovei *".^ e. *' @ -, i T^ -,^ no matter how it acts. Behold, beloved with their unbelief and carnal life; second- brethren the ca this the holy h o brethren, they call this the holy church of ly, the papal godfathers, together with their to, a this ner one of t to-day, and in this manner one of these abuse, unbelief and evil fruits, who lift the hristians begets the other, until the world Christians begets the other, until the world children to the basin for baptism, and an- is full of them. swer their confession. Thirdly, the teachers, or baptizers together with their send- Honored reader, understand rightly what ing, calling, doctrine, idolatry, unbelief, I have written unto you, for I have treated and ungodly works, who baptize the in- so extensively of this matter that you may fants, and, as they call it, cleanse and wash be convinced of what a secret, hidden snare them of their inherent sins; all of which and what a terrible, fearful idol, infant happarties, namely, parents, godfathers and tism is against God; and how very useless baptizers, themselves feel in their hearts and idolatrous it is to teach that infants neither knowledge, faith, truth, love, fear should be baptized that they may be the of God, gospel, christian fruits, obedience, better trained in the word and commandremission of sins, peace of mind, prayer, ments of God. Thus human doctrine ever promise, God, Christ, Spirit, nor eternal puts on a fine and holy air, but in fact it is, 63

Page  210 210 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. verily nothing but hypocrisy, falsehood Christ; buried with him in baptism, whereand a deadly venom. in also ye are risen with him through the Those who do not depend on this anti- faith of the operation of God, who hath christian, infant baptism, but practice the raised him from the dead," Col. 2: 11, 12. true, christian baptism which was command- Inasmuch as it clearly appears that the ed of Christ Jesus and taught and practiced believing alone die unto their sins, and by his holy apostles, take care of the sal- bury them, and, with Christ, enter into, and vation of their children. Therefore they are raised up into the new, godly life; and train them in the fear of God by teaching, as little children cannot do this because admonishing and chastising them, and with they have no faith by which God operates an example of an unblamable life, that in his children, therefore it must be acwhen they become of mature years, they knowledged and admitted, whether they may hear, believe and accept the most holy are willing or not, that infant baptism is gospel of Jesus Christ, and receive the holy, not commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ, christian baptism, as Jesus and his holy nor taught or implied in the apostolic docapostles have taught all the believing of trine. God, in divers places of the New Testament. Kind reader, it is sometimes alleged that In the third place, Paul, also, teaches us other apostles also left Scripture behind so, saying, "Know ye not, that so many of them; which Scriptures Pope Gelasius has us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were selected, and that perhaps infant baptism baptized into his death? Therefore we are was expressed and implied in them. buried with him by baptism into death; Beloved reader, if our opponents build that like as Christ was raised up from the their cause upon the selected Scriptures of dead by the glory of the Father, even so we the apostles and have no certainty therealso should walk in newness of life," Rom. from, but only presuming that infant bap6: 3, 4. tism may have been expressed therein, we Here the baptism of the believing is again would discreetly answer, and ask, first, undeniably confirmed, and infant baptism since they refer to the apostolic Scriptures is made void. For as Christ Jesus com- which we do not have, we would like to manded that we should baptize the believ- know of them what these apostles have ing, Mark 16: 16, so, also, it is evident from taught and commanded concerning infant these words of Paul that baptism represents baptism? and signifies something which none can Secondly, as they seek to establish their realize but those, alone, who are believing, doctrine by uncertain Scriptures which they namely, it represents death unto sin or a do not have, and that only on presumption, burying of the old life, and a resurrection they show thereby that they are unable to into newness of life. verify their doctrine at all by the apostolic Since Paul says, This christian baptism is Scriptures which we now have. such a death unto sin, and a raising up into Thirdly, we say that we should not teach a new life, therefore they must confess and and practice the ceremonies of the Lord, admit that none can die unto, and bury his namely: The holy baptism, upon presumpshameful lusts and desires, his inordinate, tion and adventure, but on certainties. carnal, ungodly life; and that none can Fourthly, we say that the apostles hlave raise up into a pious, unblamable, godly all written, taught and preached in one life but those, alone who, as obedient chil- spirit. Inasmuch as Christ Jesus has comdren of God, are taught and regenerated by manded baptism on the confession of faith, the word of the Lord; which spiritual death, Mark 16: 16, and as Peter, Paul and Philip burial and resurrection are represented in taught and practiced, according to the cornholy baptism. At another place Paul calls mandment of Christ, the baptism of the beit the spiritual circumcision, saying, "Ye lieving, and not of infants, therefore you are circumcised with the circumcision made may surely deduce therefrom that it was without hands, in putting off the body of not taught and practiced differently by the the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of other apostles whose Scriptures vwe do not

Page  211 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 211 have; even if they had written and pub- cording to the true meaning of the Holy lished six hundred volumes. For if infant Spirit. For they baptize before that which baptism was an apostolic institution it is represented by it (namely, faith,) is found would appear so in their Scriptures. Nor in us. This is no more sensible than to would Tertullian, who lived not long place the cart before the horse, to sow beafter the days of the apostles, have written, fore we have plowed, to build before we that among his ancestors, almost invariably have the lumber at hand, or to seal the letadults were baptized, as has been said ter before it is written. Would this not be above. Also would Alexander, bishop of ridiculed by all the world as foolishness? Alexandria, have baptized the infants of Yes, certainly. Therefore the Holy Spirit his church; and the ancients would not have of God did not imply infant baptism in this disputed about it, as all those who feared beforementioned Scripture of Paul. Yet God would act according to the Scriptures they are partakers of the death and blood and not deviate therefrom; for what God- of Christ by the precious promise which fearing person would dare to despise, op- was graciously given of God through Christ pose, or in any manner contradict an apos- Jesus our Lord, and not through baptism, tolic institution or practice? Luke 18: 16. But this passage of Paul Those who did not rightly confess Christ, speaks and teaches of those who, in their lut sought their righteousness and placed baptism, through their new birth from above their trust in outward ceremonies, got the and through their fruitful, operating faith, upper hand of the world; and therefore it have died unto and buried their old, sinful was not necessary that this infant baptism life, as Christ Jesus once died in his flesh should be confirmed by any papal decree and was buried. For whosoever thus died or council, as it gradually and of its own with Christ, is already justified of his sins, accord stole its way into all classes, nations and is thus victoriously raised up, with and tongues and took its full sway; for the Christ, from the power of sin, to the praise whole church, after the demise of the apos- of the Lord, in a new, just, godly, and unties, through the ignorant teachings of the blamable life, which is by no other means bishops, gradually degenerated from the than through God's word alone, which is trust in Jesus Christ to the trust in outward accepted and believed by them through ceremonies, as may be plainly seen. faith, as has been alleged above, and is Again, brethren, however plain this pas- written "Ye are circumcised with the sage of Paul, Rom. 6, applies to the believ- circumcision made without hands, in puting, yet the learned of this barren world ting off the body of the sins of the flesh have inverted and explained it as confirm- by the circumcision of Christ; buried with ing and asserting infant baptism, saying, him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen That infants should be baptized that they with him through the faith of the operation may become partakers of the death and holy of God, who hath raised him from the blood of Christ Jesus; and that when they dead," Col. 2: 11, 12. become of mature age, they may die unto sin 0, beloved brethren, open the eyes of and walkc righteously before God. your hearts and understanding and take My beloved children in Christ Jesus, if it heed; for ho who will not willfully battle would do thus to bend, twist and garble, of against his God, or his holy word, certainour own choice, and carnal fancy, the plain ly, can not rmistake these plain words of truth and will of God and the most holy Paul. Yet Henry Bullenger andmanly othand glorious gospel of our beloved Lord ers, on the strength of this epistle to the Jesus Christ, then verily, I do not see why Colossians, have taught baptism to have we could not so adorn and beautify almost taken the literal place of the Israelitic cirany abomination or idolatry as to give it a cumcision, although without a good reason good appearance in the sight of the igno- and without the Scriptures, yet not without rant. No, most beloved, no. The eternal, a good deal of blasphemy and vituperation. omnipotent, and saving word of God, must For what reason they have done so, I do be taught, explained and understood ac- not know; perhaps because Paul has so

Page  212 '212 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. closely placed together and so intimately Josh. 5: 2, 3; Gen. 17: 23. This spiritual connected both the spiritual circumcision Rock is Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 10: 4, the knife and the baptism of the believing or upright with which the believing are circumcised is christians. his holy word. Brethren, understand it 0, Lord, thy divine, blessed word is ever well. If we wish to remain with believing, garbled into a shelter for all manner of circumcised Abraham in the covenant with false doctrine, heresy and wrong doing, so God-into which covenant we are all grathat the Bible is called by some the book ciously accepted, young and old, male and of heresy! Notwithstanding their opposi- female, through Christ Jesus and not tion and subtle lying and philosophizing, through any sign-then our earthly, carnal the eternal truth of God shall obtain and birth which is of the earthly, carnal Adam, triumph in the chosen children of God who must be circumcised with this same, stone sincerely desire ajld seek the same. knife, which is Christ Jesus and his holy I repeat it that I am heartily ashamed to word. Therefore examine the beforemenwrite or speak one single word against such tioned words of Paul to the Colossians, and highly renowned and learned men. But judge whether they are spoken in regard to what will we do? It will never do to be the believing or to unconscious infants. robbed, by these learned men, of God's Say, who is it that is circumcised by the eternal truth which leads to eternal life, circumcision of Christ? Is it not the believand which was so plainly taught us by ing? Who is it that has put off the body of Jesus Christ our Lord, and by his holy sin by the circumcision of Christ? Is it not apostles. For, verily, I find nowhere that the believing? Who is it that is buried in we should follow and obey such learned baptism with Christ? Is it not the believmen rather than Christ and his holy apos- ing? WVho is it that is raised up into a new ties. If it should be said that they are wise life by the faith of the operation of God? and pious, I say that Christ is the most Is it not the believing? Yea, they are those wise and pious; and if it be said that they who hear the word of God and believe it; are versed in many tongues and sciences, I and not the little infants. N ever. rejoin, briefly, that the Spirit of the Lord Kind reader, since the infant baptizers Jesus Christ is not bound by tongues and seek to prove their cause by the circumcision science. Therefore the most holy and in- of Abraham and by his promise, therefore vincible truth of God must be defended d obse and ponder how unreasonably they maintained by us, not only against them, make this assertion; and observe and ponbut against all the gates of hell, by the der also on that which will be briefly taught most holy word of God, in so far as God and presented by us, from Scriptural truth. has bestowed on us grace, mercy and In tie iirst place, as we said before, we knowledge. are all accepted into the covenant with God, For this reason I will refer all my readers not by any signs but by grace, and have to Col. 2: 12, and would humbly beseech obtie the promise by i, if we acthem to judge impartially wetheter we find ebtaine theby fait accobding to in this or any otler divine Scriptures that the will of the giver; as Abraham was actie ccirmcision qt ike Israelites'was tke thie ci~'c?.lzcisioz ot tlze.Ii6rc7ifes.as the cepted of God by grace, fiom amongst thle prototy'pe of iJtcatit bapsi,?. It is incon- nations, and was made glad with the promtrovertible that Paul, in this passage and ise of e; for h accepted it by faith, also in1 Rom. 2: 29, tauht that the liter and al ked according to the will of him circumcision was a figure of the spiritual hoad accepted him as the Sciptur circu mcision and not of infnt aptisn, say, e believed in the Lod, and it was which circumcision cannot be applied to counted to him for righteousness, Gen. any but the believing as may be plainly 1;.: 3; Gal.: 6; Jas 2: 23. inferred from the figurative, literal practice; To allthose who are tlus, by faith, grafor the literal circumcision was to be per- ciously accepted of God into the covenant formed with "stone knives on the foreskin, of peace with Abralam, God has given his ~German translation of the Bible. ceremonies and figurative signs. Not that

Page  213 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 213 they should thereby be justified (for if it are not accepted into the covenant by an were by the signs it would not be grace, outward sign, but alone by grace through Rom. 11: 6), but that they should be justi- Christ Jesus. And because we are in the fied by faith; be children of God, children covenant by grace, therefore he has given of the promise, &c., that they should show and commanded us his signs, that we shall their obedience to the commandments of perform them upon those on whom he has God who has graciously called, accepted commanded them to be performed, namely, and consoled them by his promise. For upon the faithful; for if it were possible those that are obedient unto God, are his that we could come into the covenant with friends, Jn. 15. God by any signs or ceremonies, then the Behold, brethren, this is one reason why merits of Christ were vain, and grace was God commanded his ceremonies, asis plain- ended. No, brethren, no. Abraham was ly shown in the case of Abraham; for Abra- already chosen, accepted and justified by ham was already in the covenant with God, God, through faith, before he was circumbefore he was circumcised; as Paul shows, cised; and because he was faithful, and that his faith was already counted for right justified through faith, therefore the circumeousness when he was yet uncircumcised; cision was commanded him of God that he and because he was in the covenant with should thereby seal his faith. Again, as God, justified by faith therefore God cor- Abraham and all his seed born of Isaac, manded him the circumcision, in itself a together with others, were already included useless and dishonorable ceremony. First, in the covenant with God, women as well it was in itself quite useless, because it did as men, and as the promise was given to not benefit any neighbor. Secondly, dishon- both sexes, yet it was not commanded that orable, for it is performed upon the most the females should be circumcised, but the dishonorable member of the body. And males. it was commanded him that the believing Observe well, beloved reader, had they father, Abraham, should deny himself and obtained the covenant with God by the sign not live according to his own desires, but and not by grace, then the females must according to the will of him, alone, who, have been excluded and without the promby grace, had accepted him and chosen him ise. Not so, it was by grace, it is by grace, from among the nations; and thus he sealed, and it ever will be by grace. If they had by this performance, which was dishonora- been disobedient to the word of God, and ble in itself, that his faith was true and not circumncised their males on the appointfruitful before God. Why these ceremonies ed day; or if they had done differently from were again commanded, will be shown the commandment of God, and circumcised hereafter, if God please. their females, then they would have had to Behold, kind reader, in this manner bear the punishment of their disobedience Abraham was circumcised, and thus we are in their children, Gen. 17:14, excluded them baptized; because it is thus commanded by from the covenant with the Lord, and not God. Whosoever disobeys and opposes have obtained the gift of his grace. For the voice of the Lord commanding these God, the Almighty Father, whose voice, ceremonies, and despises the performance will and commandment all creatures, both of them because of their uselessness and I in heaven and earth, should obey, will have trifiingness, not observing that it was corn- the commanded ceremonies performed as it manded by God, excludes himself from the pleases him and as he has commanded precious covenant of grace, by his disobe- them to be performed, for therefore he has dience; neither does he prove his. faith to commanded them. If we do not perform be fruitful and living, but on the contrary themM or perform them differently, we have, he proves that it is unfruitful and dead be- by our disobedience, neither covenant nor fore God. For he hears not the voice of promise. This is the right, scriptural meanhis Lord nor lives in accordance therewith, ing of Abraham's covenant, circumcision but despises it as powerless, vain and use- and promise. Whosoever teaches you difless. Therefore observe and know that we ferently deceives your soul; for he points

Page  214 214 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. you to merits and works, and not to Christ forbidden to baptize bells, is therefore bellJesus through whom alone are received the baptism just and right? Not at all. eternal covenant of peace and promise of Thirdly, Israel was not forbidden to cirgrace, given of God. cumcise the females. Now, would it have O b1rethren, brethren, how long will you been right if they had circumcised their feoppose the Holy Gnost! Give the word of males? Far from it. For the Scriptures God its due praise, and observe that little commanded that the males should be cirinfants are not buried with Christ in bap- cumcised therefore they considered that it tism; nor are raised into newness of life; was forbidden to circumcise their females. for if they did die, and were buried in bap- In the same manner Christ Jesus comtism, then sin would be so destroyed in mands us to baptize the believing, and that them that it would never more vanquish which is represented by baptism is only their spirit. Inasmuch as sin, after their found in the believing, as may be plainly baptism, so powerfully, and so abundant- seen from Peter and Paul, therefore we inly flourishes in them as they begin to come fer that infant baptism is sufficiently forto understanding, as may be plainly seen, bidden; for they have no faith and do not therefore the infant baptizers must acknowl- understand the representation of baptism edge and confess that they bury the chil- which comes by faith. dren alive, which should not be; or else I repeat it, If the infant baptists assert that they baptize them all without faith, that by this Scripture of Paul, infant bapand contrary to the ordinance of Christ, tism is not forbidden, and that therefore it therefore useless and vain. is right, that it is not expressly forbidden For this reason, learn once, beloved read- in the holy Scriptures to bless (as they call er, that infant baptism is not of God nor it), holy water, candles, palms, goblets and through him. But whosoever rightly ac- robes; to hold mass, and other ceremonies; knowledges the love of God for himself yet we pointedly say that it is wrong. First, through Christ Jesus and is baptized upon because trust is put in it. Secondly, because his own faith through true love of God, ac- it is done without the ordinance of God, for cording to the doctrine of Christ, Peter, he has not commanded us a word thereof; Paul and Philip, is rightly circumcised in and there is no ordinance in which his holy, his heart with the circumcision of Christ, as blessed word is not expressed and implied Paul teaches; he is buried with Christ either in spirit or letter. Jesus; he has died unto sin, and is again Since Christ Jesus has commanded bapraised up by a fruitful faith with Jesus tismupontheconfession of faith,Mark 16:16; Christ in a new life, Rom. 6: 4; Col. 2: 12. since the apostles have thus taught and In opposition to this, the infant baptizers practiced it, and as the meaning of baptism have still another point, saying, Because BRom. 6: 3; Col. 2: 12; Tit. 3: 5; Gal. 3: 27; Paul, in this passage, 7as notforbidden in- I Cor. 12: 13; 1 Pet. 3: 21, cannot be applifant baptismn, therefore it is rigjlt. To this cable but to the believing, therefore it is wereply by asking: Whetherinfantbaptism sufficiently forbidden by this divine ordiis commanded in this or any other Scripture? nance, to baptize infants; for there is no They must own the truth and answer, no. faith in them nor do they understand the If it is not commanded of God, then it is meaning thereof; notwithstanding that innot his ordinance, and therefore it has no fant baptism commenced soon after the promise. Again, if it is not commanded of time of the apostles, or perhaps yet in their God, then it is not his ordinance; if it is time, and thus it has been practiced many not his ordinance, then it has no promise; centuries; for length of time can not prevail and if it has no promise, it is doubtlessly against the word of God, as we have suffiuseless and vain. ciently shown the pious, god-fearing readAgain, we ask them, Where in the word er, above. of God it is expressly forbidden to baptize Fourthly, Thus says the holy apostle bells? They must own the truth and an- Paul, "The kindness and love of God our swer, nowhere. If it is, then, not expressly Savior toward man appeared, not by works

Page  215 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 215 of righteousness which we have done, but expression, I baptize thee in the name of according to his mercy he saved us, by the the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy washing of regeneration, and renewing of Ghost? No, worthy brother, no. The new the Holy Ghost," Tit. 3: 4, 5. birth consists, verily, not in water nor in Most beloved brethren, if we rightly and words; but it is the heavenly, living and thoroughly examine this passage of Paul, quickening power of God in our hearts, with spiritual eyes, and weigh it with the which comes from God, and which, by the Scriptures, then the infant baptizers, by preaching of the divine word, if we accept force of the Scriptures, must acknowledge it by faith, quickens, renews, pierces and that the christian baptism which is com- converts our hearts, so that we are changed manded by God, pertains alone to the be- and converted from unbelief into faith, lieving, according to the commandment of from unrighteousness into righteousness, Christ, Mark 16: 16, and not to those who from evil into good, from carnality into are naturally unable to hear, speak and spirituality, from the earthly into the heavunderstand, namely, infants; for it is a enly, from the wicked nature of Adam into washing of regeneration as holy Paul has the good nature of Jesus Christ; and of taught and testified to by the above words. such Paul spoke in the alleged Scripture. My worthy, kind brethren, because the Behold, those who are of such a nature holy, christian baptism is a washing of re- are the truly regenerated children of God; generation, according to the doctrine of those are the beloved brethren and sisters Paul, therefore none can be washed there- of Jesus Christ, who are born with him from with, to the pleasure and will of God, but above of one Father, namely, of God, Jn. those alone who are regenerated through 1:13; Heb. 2: 13. And these regenerated are the word of God; for we are not regenerated those to whom, alone, he has taught and because of baptism, as may be perceived in commanded the holy, christian baptism, as a the infants who have been baptized; but seal of faith, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15, by we are baptized because we are regenerated which they receive remission of sin; Acts by faith in God's word, as regeneration is 2: 38, and not the unconscious infants, as not the result of baptism, but baptism the has been frequently shown above, from the result of regeneration. This cannot well be word of God. Therefore the holy apostle controverted by any man, by force of the Paul teaches us by this Scripture that God Scriptures. Therefore all should be shamed sanctifies the regenerated by the baptism of by this passage of Paul, let them be ever so regeneration; because they are regenerated learned; the learned, who so shamefully by the word of God, they deny themselves teach and make the unsuspecting populace by the power of their regeneration and have believe that infants are regenerated by bap- obediently taken upon themselves all that tism. Beloved reader, such teaching and which God, the Almighty Father, in his belief is, verily, nothing but fraud and de- holy word, has taught and commanded his ceit. For if the infants were regenerated, chosen children, through his beloved Son, as the learned say, then their whole course Jesus Christ our Lord, and through all his would be humility, longsuffering, mercy, true servants and messengers. Therefore I pure and chaste love, true faith, certain repeat that the baptism by which God saneknowledge, sure hope, obedience to God, tifies us, belongs to the believing or regenspiritual joy, inward peace, and an un- erated, as Paul teaches. And in this manblamable life; for these are the true ancd ier: First, there must be the preaching of natural fruits of the new, heavenly birth; the gospel of Christ, Matt. 28: 19); Secondly, but what fruits are found in infants every The hearing of the divine word, Ro01. intelligent reader may judge from every 10: 17; thirdly, faith, by hearing the word, day experience. Rom. 10: 17; fourthly, there must be tle new Do you think, most beloved, that the new birth, by faith; fifthly, baptism, by tlle new birth consists in nothing but in that which birth, Tit. 3: 5, in obedience to God's word, the miserable world hitherto has thought and, lastly, the promise follows. thatit consistsin,namely,baptism? orinthe If we do not desire willfully to oppose tle

Page  216 216 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. Holy Ghost and reject the grace of God, it it on the strength of the garbled Scriptures, is impossible to believe that a true faith of learned men, and of long usage-yet it can be without regeneration and obedience, is all vain and useless before God; for the and that this obedience can be without the regeneration of infants cannot be mainpromise. For the eternal truth, the blessed tained by virtue of the word of God. Jesus Christ, will never fail nor deceive us Chosen brethren, let them freely cry out in his holy word; and it is he who taught against us, let them adduce all doctors, this: First, to preach the holy gospel, say- learned and famous men who have lived ing, Go ye into all the wcorld, and preach centuries ago, let them console themselves the gospel to every creature; therefrom fol- with long usage, even from the apostles' lows faith, saying, And whoever shall be- time; yet where there is no new birth there lieve; from faith follows baptism, saying, can be no baptism administered in accordAnd be baptized; and from these follows ance with the commandment of Jesus, for the promise, saying, S7hall be saved, Mlark baptism is the washing of regeneration, Tit. 16. 3; which regeneration none have but the Inasmuch as the ordinance of Jesus Christ believing, alone, as we have shown our thus reads, and as the one follows from the readers before. other, therefore Paul here teaches us thatI Therefore I would admonish all my beGod sanctifies us by the washing of regen- loved readers in the Lord, not to heed the eration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost; philosophy of the learned, nor to look at for in case tTue faith and obedience be sep- the long usage, but to the plain and unarated from each other, as is sometimes the mixed word of God, and you will surely case, such as grieving the Holy Ghost and find by this Scripture of Paul, and others, sinning against him, then such faith does that, according to the commandment of not profit us; for it has no promise, on ac- Christ, the christian baptism should be adcount of disobedience and is, besides, use- ministered to none but those who, by grace less and dead before God, Jas. 2. have become believing and regenerated To all those, who, of their own choice, through the word of God. As long as bapand contrary to the Scriptures, assert the tism is administered to infants, it is no regeneration of infants, because they were washing of regeneration. For the new baptized, notwithstanding there are no birth is of the word of God, as has been fruits in them, as may be plainly seen, I often said, which word infants cannot hear reply: First, that he does not know what and understand; therefore they cannot be the new birth is. Secondly, with the same born again as long as they are minded as propriety and reasonability, bells are bap- a child. All that which the Father has not tized. God in his word has no more corn- planted should be plucked from the heart manded the one than the other, for accord- by the word of God, Matt. 15. God's word ing to their nature, there is as little faith shall stand forever, and according to the and fruits in the one as there are in the divine word, every pious christian shall other. 0, Lord! when will this awful and must build the structure of his faith, if abomination once cease to be practiced. his work shall be pleasing before God; and When will those who now call themselves should not build it according to his own christians be christians? Yea, when will the pleasure. For God, the Almighty Father, blessed Lord Jesus Christ be acknowledged who rules all things by his word, will not as wise, true and perfect in his holy word? be honored by human doctrine and comI fear, never. The false teaching, unbelief mandments, Matt. 15: 9; Mark 7: 7; Col. and opinion is esteemed and loved by these 2: 22; Jer. 29: 8. miserable, carnal men, far above the same In the fifth place holy Paul teaches us doctrine of Jesus Christ and his holy apos- saying, For ye are all children of God by ties. Notwithstanding we say in Christ faith in Christ Jesus. "For as many of Jesus, let them baptize their infants as much you as have been baptized into Christ, have as they will, let them teach it as long and put on Christ," Gal. 3: 27; IRor. 6: 3. as strong as they will, and let them assert My beloved children in Christ Jesus, you

Page  217 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 217 are aware that all the world, by their blind tian fruits, is not known to many, and for and foolish unbelief, have hitherto whored that reason they ever seek their righteouswith outward works and ceremonies. Yet ness in outward ceremonies, yea, also in you should not do likewise. But you the most useless ceremonies of human inshould know that the righteousness which I vention which are neither taught nor cornavails before God, consists not in any cere- manded of God, as they have shown, these monies and outward works, but solely in a many centuries, in baptizing infants. Read true, pious and fruitful faith and in nothing what we told you above about the parents, else, in this manner. For the faith which godfathers and baptizers and you will see comes by the word of God cannot be with- that all the world is led into a false trust out fruit only in those who sin against the by infant baptism; has become estranged Holy Ghost, as said above, but it leads from God, and is blinded in regard to all into all manner of righteousness, it willing- christian matters. And to give their false ly submits itself in all obedience and it pretensions a beautiful, holy and divine cheerfully complies not only with baptism, appearance, they mutilate and twist the but with all the words and ceremonies precious word of God to suit them, as they which God, the gracious Father, through fully show in this case; for, by this Scripthis blessed Son, has so clearly taught and ure of Paul, and other garbled Scriptures, commanded in his holy gospel. they have fooled and deceived the poor, igTherefore true faith is the fullness of norant people these mlany years; teaching righteousness, Rom. 3 and 6; yea, it is the them that infants put on Christ in baptism, true begetter of all christian virtues; and I plainly showing by such doctrine that they by reason of this, the word of God ascribes do not know what regeneration is, nor what to it righteousness, Rom. 3: 23, the blessing, it is to put on Christ Jesus. salvation, and life everlasting, Jn. 3: 36; Most beloved brethren, verily it is the 17: 4, and does not ascribe these to ceremo- nature of all heretics to tear a fragment nies. If ceremonies are commanded by from the holy Scriptures and thereby to him, it is not because of these ceremonies, prove their chosen worship; never observbut it is because of the faith which corn- ing what is written before or after, by which pels us to observe these ceremonies for we may ascertain the right meaning, as in they are commanded of God. Therefore this instance they have so plainly shown. you should know, kind reader, that when For this sentence: "as many of you as are the ceremonies in God's word are coupled baptized have put on Christ," they pick out with the promise, as the Israelitic offerings to give their infant baptism an appearance; in the law, and baptism under the gospel, but the foregoing sentence: "Ye are all the then it is not because of ceremonies, but it children of God because you believed on is by virtue of faith, which obediently and Christ Jesus," from which, as we have shown in love fulfills not alone the commanded above, all the rest must follow, that they ceremonies, but also all that which God seem not to have noticed; and thus they has commanded, as has been said above. seek merit in cere-monies and not through For this reason holy Paul taught the faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians that they were become the chil- Besides, inasmuch as they are not clothed dren of God through faith and not by bap- I with Christ nor have put himl on, either acttisn, saying, "Ye are all the children of ively or passively, and have not tested his God by faith in Christ Jesus." And again, heavenly, spiritual nature and Spirit, bebecause they were the children of God by cause they are carnally minded-therefore faith, they showed obedience to his word, they do not understand, however much they and therefore Paul said unto them, "As write and teach, what it means to put on many of you as have been baptized into Christ Jesus, I repeat, either actively or Christ, have put on Christ." Therefore the passively. principal thing is in faith, and not in cere- That we may convince all gainsayers of monies. But this godly, fruitful faith, in the word of the Lord, and that we may which all consists, together with its chris- a neither stumble nor err in these words, 64

Page  218 218 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. therefore I would refer all my readers to io, verily, no. For Christ Jesus cannot holy Paul. He shows who they are that be without fruits; but whosoever has put put on Christ, and what fruits they man- on the humble, long-suffering, merciful, ifest, by which we may know that they have amiable, peaceable, sober, chaste and obeput on Christ, thus saying, "If Christ be dient Christ, in such an one the beforemenin you, the body is dead because of sin; tioned accursed works are not found; for but the spirit is life because of righteous- whosoever has put on Christ, is dead unto ness," Rom. 8: 10; 6: 5. sin and lives in righteousness, Rom. 8; is Kind reader, however dexterously the led by the Holy Spirit, born with Jesus, scribes and infant baptizers may controvert from above, of the Father; and therefore he under a false semblance of the divine word, lives according to the will of the Father, yet none can deny that Christ dwells in those and cannot sin because he is born of God, who have put on Christ. Since the truly 1 Jn. 3: 9; 5: 18. baptized put on Christ Jesus, he is in them; Inasmuch as all those who are baptized and if he is in them then the body is dead without faith, prove the contrary by their unto sin and the spirit is life because of life and do not manifest the nature and virrighteousness; this being the case, I again tues of Christ whom they have put on, as call on all reasonable persons to judge im- they falsely claim; but they manifest in partially for themselves, whether it is found their whole walk the nature and vices of the in truly believing persons, or in infants? If flesh and of Satan; therefore it proves clearthey say, in the believing, their judgment ly that they have not put on Christ who is is right; for Christ Jesus dwells in the hearts from heaven; but that they have put on of the believing, Eph. 3: 17. But if they the devil, who is from hell; for it is he who say in infants, then I would again ask by actuates and leads them at will, as may be what means we may find this out, inasmuch plainly seen; as all their thoughts and as in these infants the death unto sin and works of the flesh and of Satan are natural, the spiritual life are not shown nor found? inherent fruits which are found all over the For all of them, from infancy, so long as world, in all men; no matter of what state, they do not believe the word of God, not- trade, condition, class or sect they are. withstanding their baptism, are not alone Beloved reader, you will acknowledge prone to evil, but also to disobedience, as that every tree brings forth fruits after its daily experience openly shows in all those own kind, and that by the fruit we may baptized of this world. know the tree, Matt. 7: 20; 12: 33. ThereTherefore I conclude from this Scripture fore it can not fail but that where Christ of Paul, and say, If the infant baptists re- Jesus is, there are the good fruits of life main constant in their opinion and belief, everlasting; but where the devil is, there that by their baptism, infants put on Christ, are the wicked fruits of eternal death. Yea, that they must come to the conclusion by whosoever has put on Christ, in him the virtue of the word of God, that Christ Jesus works of the devil are not found. On the is unbelieving, proud, ambitious, envious, contrary, where the devil is, there Christ is vain, drunk, adulterous, refractory and dis- not; the one must give place to the other; obedient to the word of God; for whosoever for they are two princes so very different has put on Christ Jesus does not live him- that it is impossible for them to dwell in self, but Christ lives in him. If they, then, one heart, or for the two to be conceived have put on Christ by their baptism, as and included in one human heart, Matt. they claim, and as, according to Paul, 6: 24; Eph. 2: 2. Christ lives in them and rules their actions, For this reason I would admonish all so it must follow that Christ is vain and God fearing christians in the Lord to ponuseless in them, or that their accursed der well upon these words of Paul, and toworks are begotten of Christ, for they yet understand them according to the divine live in all manner of carnality and ungodli- truth, and you will plainly see that Paul ness, and it therefore follows that they have taught by this Scripture just what Christ not put on Christ, had commanded, Mark 16: 16. The believ

Page  219 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 219 ing, alone, put on Christ Jesus in their bap- and fulfill his holy will according to the tism, and they alone bring forth true fruits, grace they have received-therefore we must and not the infants, as we have here, and forcibly acknowledge that we cannot be also in our first writings sufficiently proven led to this godly gift of faith and of regento all the pious and true believers. eration, otherwise than by the word of God, Most beloved brethren, let the infant bap- through his Iloly Spirit. All writing, readtizers, to their own condemnation, thus ing, and teaching is in vain, when theHoly scornfully ridicule such plain Scriptures, Spirit of God, the true Teacher of all rightand let them subtlely garble and twist eousness, does not quicken, pierce and turn them as much as they please, yet this Script- the hearts of the disciples or hearers, by ure will ever remain unbroken by them; the only means for this purpose given of it will remain so firm and binding that they God, which is his word. will stumble thereon, be shamed thereby Since we are baptized by one Spirit into and will have to stand back, notwithstand- one body, according to the teaching of Paul, ing all their flattering. If they would but and since this same Spirit must quicken rightly look into the matter and then judge and turn the hearts by the word of Godaccording to the word of God, what it means therefore it incontrovertibly follows that according to Paul, what it implies, to put none should be baptized but those alone on Christ, whether spoken in the active or whose hearts are quickened and turned by in the passive (for all those who are not this Spirit through the word of God. content with the active may apply the pas- All those, then, who hear the holy gospel sive to Rom. 13, although it is in the active of Jesus Christ and sincerely believe it and by Paul, according to the translation of are thus inwardly quickened and pierced Erasmus), they would soon perceive that it by the Holy Spirit (let them be of whatever makes no difference in this matter whether nation or sex), are baptized by this quickit is used in the active or in the passive. ening Spirit into one holy, spiritual body, But what will it benefit? If the learned of which Christ is the head, that is into the have nothing wherewith to obscure the truth church. And thus Paul has taught by this they garble things before the ignorant, sim- Scripture in conformity to the command of pie populace, by strange tongues, false ex- Christ, Mark 16: 16. planations, lies, and high-sounding philo- Beloved reader, as those should be bapsophical reasons. O how justly Christ tized who are urged by faith and forced by Jesus said unto the Pharisees, "Woe unto the Spirit, as Paul teaches, so I will again you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! leave it to your judgment who they are that for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven are led and impelled bythis Spirit. tVhether against men; for ye neither go in your- they are the believing or whether they are selves, neither suffer ye them that are en- the infants? If you say the believing, your tering to go in," Matt. 23: 13. answer is right. For the believing die unto In the sixth place, Paul teaches, saying, their flesh, lusts and desires, Gal. 5: 24; "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into they put off the old man and all his works, one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Eph. 4: 23; seek Christ Jesus in purity of whether we be bond or free; and have been heart; bring forth the precious fruits of the all made to drink into one Spirit," 1 Cor. Spirit which is in them, and show outward12: 13. ly and inwardly in all their actions that By these words of Paul the baptism of the they are taught, led and impelled by this beleiving is again plainly taught and con- Holy Spirit, Gal. 5: 18; Rom. 8: 14. But firmed, and, on the other hand, theanti-chris- if you answer, the infants, then I would tian, infant baptism is rejected and made of ask you, Where are their spiritual fruits? none effect, because God, the merciful Fa- As nothing appears in a child but their ther, in his holy gospel, points us to faith, childish actions, as we said above. Yet alone, through Jesus Christ, and to the new they are baptized and called christians, birth. Because the believing or regenerated without doctrine, faith and commandment, act rightly before God, and diligently seek from which follows that in all the baptized

Page  220 220 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. of the world nothing is found but abomina- pure wine, Saying: "That infants should ble blindness, idolatry, hypocrisy, evil be baptized that they may be the better thoughts, vain words, madness against the trained in the word and commandments of truth, disobedience, blasphemy, trickery God; cleansed of their inherent sins; buried and a very wicked life contrary to God in the death of Christ; regenerated and put and his blessed word. on Christ Jesus, yea, baptized into the body I am aware, brethren, that children have of Jesus Cnrist and thus become partakers spiritum ritalem, that is, the spirit by 7hich7 of the Holy Spirit." Which teaching is, they lire, which God breathed into Adam verily, nothing but open deceit, lies, garand into all flesh that they might live, Gen. bling of the Scriptures and a deception of 2: 7; Acts 17: 2i. But they have not the satan. For in all the baptized of theworld Spiritum justificantum, autt innovantem, we find the very contrary in their fruits, all that is, the spirit which sanctifies or regen- through their lives, as every intelligent erates. For if the latter spirit was in them christian may plainly observe. it would surely be manifested in the fruits, Most beloved brethren in the Lord, never as it is impossible that the Holy Spirit of let such shameful and abominable lies find God, which of itself is awake, living and place in your hearts, but examine all things fruitful, and by which all true christians rightly and according to the word of God, are justified, taught, led and urged, should that youmay rightly understand all evangelbe idle, dormant, and fruitless in those in icaltruth. For thus to ornament infant bapwhom it dwells. Let the infant baptists tism with the virtues which only belong to the controvert this as much as they please, no baptism of the believing, is just as reasonamatter whether they are old, learned, or of ble as it is to clothe an ape in purple and high renown, yet it will never be proven by silk, as the common saying of the learned the word of God, that the Holy Spirit of implies, which reads, Simia semper manet God is ever idle, useless and without fruits. simia, etiamzsi induatur puTpra; which I am aware that one may stumble, notwith- means: an ape is an ape though he be clothed standing he has the Spirit of God, as is in purple. In the same manner infant bapshown in the case of the pride, adultery, tism will remain a stench and abominaand manslaughter of David; the hypocrisy tion before God, however finely it be ornaof Peter, and the quarrel of Paul and Bar- mented with garbled Scriptures, by the nabus; they will not long continue therein, learned; for ain infant, so long as it is in its but will be immediately admonished to re- infancy, will remain ignorant, simple and pentance, either by the kind admonition of of childish mind, notwithstanding it be the brethren or by the Spirit. For it is im- baptized a hundred times and its baptism possible that those, in whom is the spirit of be still more subtlely asserted by six times love and the fear of God, can long continue a hundred garbled Scriptures; as it is plain in a shameful sin and transgression. If to all intelligent persons that with infants the baptized infants, now, have the Holy are found neither doctrine, faith, spirit, Spirit, as the infant baptists affirm, then fruits nor idea of God's commandment; they must admit that it is a dead, unfruit- and that therefore they should not be bapful and powerless spirit which can beget tized; that is, if we believe that the word of neither faith, love, fear of God, obedience, God is true and will ever remain true, as nor any evangelical, divine righteousness, we have abundantly proven in our first in these children. writings concerning baptism, as also in Because they have, of their own choice, this. contrary to all scripturaltruth, and by their 0, kind reader! Verily, if it were not own righteousness, taught infant baptism — that this bitter, cancerous, lime spittle of therefore they subtlely seek to clothe and false doctrine and long usage had so deeply adorn it with a garbled form of the divine eaten into the eyes of your hearts, you word, that the adulterous, enchanting wine would acknowledge at once that this large which isth gle of the nin in the goblet of the Babylonian rch, in its young days, was not embodwhore, may be swallowed as a good and n ied into the pure, chaste, god-serving, and

Page  221 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 221 unblamable body of Jesus Christ, by the ungodly lifo and eternal death. 0, Lord, office of a clean and christin spirit, but save all thy beloved children from such an rather into the adulterous, idolatrous and abominable, bloody body. blamable body of anti-christ, by an unclean But in the most holy body of Jesus Christ and anti-christian spirit. is a true and orderly state of things accordFor if it were the case that they were in- ing to the word of God, as the true doctrine, corporated into the most holy body of Jesus faith, baptism, supper, love, life, worship Christ, as they persistently boast, they and true excommunication; and therefore should prove by their works that they are also grace, favor, mercy, remission of sins, serviceable, and fruitful members of that prayer, God's promise and eternal life. body into which they are incorporated. Behold, brethren, where these are, there For we plainly see that there is no member also, is the true body of Jesus Christ, of of the human body created but for some use which Christ Jesus is the head. They are and purpose, be it ever so small and trifling; the true brethren of Jesus Christ who with but it is in its way profitable and useful to him are born of God the Father; the spiritthe body to which it belongs. But how ual AMount Zion which will never be moved; useful the beforementioned infants are to the spiritual house of Israel which is wisely the body of Christ Jesus will be perceived ruled by Christ Jesus our only King, acby all those taught of the spirit, cording to the Spirit, with the unbroken From this it incontrovertibly follows, scepter of his divine word; the spiritual Jethat if they are the body of Christ, as they rusalem in which the great King, the blessed claim, and that Christ is the head of his Christ Jesus has placed the glorious, kingchurch, that Christ is the head of the unbe- ly throne of his honor; the spiritual temple lieving, the avaricious, perjurious, gam- of the Lord. in which his holy name is sinblers, drunkards, adulterers, fornicators, cerely glorified; the spiritual ark of the Sodomites, thieves, murderers, liars, idola- covenant with his heavenly bread; bloomters, disobedient, blood-thirsty, traitors, ing, red and stone tables upon which the tyrants, proud, and of all rogues and throne of mercy, the blessed Christ Jesus is knaves. For where is there one in the whole found under the two cherubims of his testachurch of those who were baptized in in- ments according to his promise. Yea, the fancy, that walks unblamably in all the lovely bride of Jesus Christ; flesh of his commandments of our beloved Lord Jesus flesh, and bone of his bone, Eph. 5: 30; Christ, and who, either inwardly or openly, which he placed in his chamber, Cant. 1:4, is not guilty before God, in some or many and kissed with the mouth of his eternal of the beforementioned crimes. O no, peace, Col. 1; Eph. 1. Therefore no one kind reader, no. The most holy and glori- can be a profitable member in this most ous body of Jesus Christ is wonderfully holy, glorious and pure body of Christ, far different from such a cruel, ungodly, re- who is not believing, regenerated, converted, fractory, disobedient, carnal, bloody and changed and renewed; who is not amiable, idolatrous body. Imild, meek, obedient, merciful, chaste, Most beloved brethren, since they plainly sober, humble, forbearing, peaceable, just, are such transgressors, blasphemers, and constant, and who are heavenly and spiritwillful sinners, judge for yourselves from ually minded with Christ; for it is imposthese and other scriptural reasons, what sible, according to Scripture, that Christ kind of a body they are; by whose doctrine, Jesus will or can be a Prince or head of commandment and practice; by what Spirit those who do not conform themselves to they were and are yet daily incorporated him, that is, of those who do not sincerely into this very horrible body; yea, such a seek, hear, believe and serve him; but rathbody that has neither gospel, faith, chris- er trample upon, blaspheme and resistllhim. tian baptism, supper, nor christian life; But those who hear and believe the word and therefore neither God, prayer, promise of God, are, by the Holy Spirit which has'nor eternal life; but only false doctrine, i taught, begotten and enlightened them, false faith, false sacraments, false promise, \ baptized into the body of Christ, on their

Page  222 222 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. own faith, according to the commandment tized; for without the quickening Spirit of of Christ; for these are regenerated of the God, none should be baptized, as we have word of God; bury their sins and are raised abundantly proven to all the pious children up with Christ into new life; have a good of God, from his word. conscience; receive remission of sins; put Therefore I conclude in regard to this on Christ Jesus; become true members of matter of baptism, with these plain words: the most holy body of Jesus Christ, which Inasmuch as Christ Jesus, the true Teacher, are fruitful, useful and serviceable accord- sent of the Father, has commanded us to ing to their strength, 1 Cor. 12: 13; Rom. baptize the believing, Mark 16: 16, and as 6: 5; 1 Pet. 3: 21; Acts 2: 38; Gal. 3: 27. the holy apostles have, in the above adOn all such are the affectionate eyes of the duced Scriptures, so explained that which Lord, the heavenly blessing, and the mer- is represented by baptism as pertaining to ciful mind, protection and solicitude of the none but the believing, and as infant bapeternal Father; because they have sincerely tism is no such baptism because it is eviand fully denied themselves, and have obe- dent that they have no faith nor its fruits, diently followed the will of God to live ac- which faith and fruits are the true reprecording to the will of him who has gracious- sentation of baptism-therefore we are ly called them, Christ Jesus. Beloved read- again necessarily forced by the word of the er, since infants have not this mind, and as Lord, by faith and by the love of God, dilthe Holy Spirit does not operate, nor show igently to teach and receive the baptism of itself to be in them, and since they cannot the believing, and to assert it to the praise serve in the body of Christ as is required of the Lord before lords, princes, and the by the word of God, since it is plain to all whole world, at the risk of life and goods intelligent persons, they should not be bap- as true witnesses of Jesus Christ. HOW THE IIOLY APOSTLES PIACTICED BAPTISM IN THE WATEI{. IN the third and last place we are forced I When Philip was led by the angel of the to assert the christian baptism of the be- I Lord, to the chariot of the eunuch, who was lieving, even at the risk of life and blood come from the land of Ethiopia, and read for the reason, that the holy apostles of the gospel of Jesus Christ from Esaias the God baptized none but those alone who de- prophet, "Philip preached unto him Jesus sired to be baptized, as Christ expressly and as they went on their way, they came and plainly commanded them, saying, "Go unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, ye into all the world and preach the gospel; See here is water; what doth hinder me to to every creature; he that believeth and is be baptized? And Philip said, If thou bebaptized shall be saved," Mark 16: 15. lievest with all thine heart thou mayest. This commandment the apostles received And he answered and said, I believe that from the mouth of the Lord and have pro- Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8: 35 claimed the holy gospel, the glad tidings -37. of grace, throughout the world, Rom. 10, My chosen, beloved brethren, If all the and preached it to every creature which earth were full of learned orators or highly was under the heavens, Col. 1. They bap- renowned doctors, and these were, by sharp tized all who accepted this gospel by faith, subtlety and human philosophy, exalted as and no others as is shown and perceived in high as the stars; yet, by the grace of God, many Scriptures treating of the acts of the the word will never be wrung from us, apostles; some of which Scriptures I shall namely this: That where there is no faith, place before the reader, by which all the no baptism should be administered, accordrest of the Scriptures will be easily ex- ing to the word of God; or else we must plained. admit, first, that the command of Christ

Page  223 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 223 Jesus is wrong. Secondly, that the holy nothing but open hypocrisy, human rightapostles have taught wrongfully; thirdly, eousness, idolatry, useless fantasy and that the holy Philip here asked wrongfully; opinion. fourthly, that the eunuch was concerned Inasmuch as Christ Jesus has commandabout this matter more than all the rest of ed but one baptism on the confession of humanity. faith, and as the apostles have taught and No, kind reader, no. But as Peter and practiced it-therefore the infant baptists Paul, together with all the pious witnesses must consent and admit, by virtue of the of Christ always had their eyes fixed upon word of God, that infant baptism is not by the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ the commandment of Christ, not by the and did not act in opposition thereto, so teaching and practice of the holy apostles, also, the holy Philip, the true servant of but by the doctrine of anti-christ and by God who preached and taught with the the practice of his preachers. same spirit, would not baptize until the il- I repeat that the holy apostles baptized lustrious and famous man had sincerely none but those that desired it, or those who confessed his faith; for it was thus com- confessed the most holy faith either verbaltnanded him of Christ Jesus, his true Master, ly or proved it by their walk, as did holy our Redeemer and Savior, Matt. 28: 19; Peter; for although he was previously inMark 16: 15. formed by a heavenly vision that he might As the holy apostles required of those go amongst the Gentiles to teach them the that were to be baptized, first, to make a gospel, yet he refused to baptize the pious, confession of their faith before baptism, so noble and godly centurion and his consorts, I ask you, beloved reader, How can we re- so long as he did not see that the Holy quire a confession of faith of infants before Spirit was descended upon them, that they they are baptized, and who shall confess spoke with tongues, and glorified God. for them? If you should say the godfathers, But when Peter plainly saw that they were then I would reply, that the godfathers truly believing and that the Spirit was dewere first gotten up by pope Higinius, as scended on them, he said, "Can any man we have shown above. Inasmuch as Hi- forbid water, that these should not be bapginius is the getter up of them, and as in- tized which have received the Holy Ghost fant baptism has been practiced ever since as well as we? And he commanded them to the time of the apostles as Origen and be baptized in the name of the Lord," Acts Augustine write, and as I believe, because 10: 47, 48. those who do not rightly confess Christ, Behold, kind reader, here you are plain-,ever seek their righteousness in wrought ly taught that Peter commanded that those ceremonies, notwithstanding it is no divine only should be baptized who had received,command nor apostolic usage, as may be the Holy Ghost; who spoke with tongues particularly proven by the holy Scriptures, and glorified God, which only pertains to and also by Tertullian and Ruffinus and the believing and not the unconscious in-others-therefore I verily do not see who, fants. Thus the practice of Peter was in by the faith of infants, has answered for accordance with the commandment of them in their baptism which were baptized Christ, Mark 16: 16. Therefore Peter did during the period between the apostles and not command infant baptism; for the Holy pope Higinius, inasmuch as the godfathers Ghost does not operate in them, as may be were first gotten up by Higinius who was plainly seen. This may also be understood either the ninth or tenth pope, and as the from a passage of Paul; for he says, infants which were before him had as little "When they believed Philip preaching the doctrine, hearing, voice or understanding things concerning the kingdom of God, and as the children of the present day, as they the name of Jesus Christ, they were bapplainly prove by their fruits. tized both men and women," Acts S: 12. Observe, kind reader, that all their doings Observe, nothing is said of infants. with children, such as catechism, godfathers, Paul, a preacher and apostle, also bapbaptism, crisma, and such like things, is tized upon the confession of faith and truth.

Page  224 224 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. He required faith before baptism to such Scripture and practice of Paul as subtlely perfection that he regarded the baptism of as they please, yet it will never be asserted the holy John the baptist, as useless and by virtue of the word of God but that these vain among the disciples at Ephesus, be- disciples, notwithstanding that they were cause they knew not the Holy Ghost, say- baptized with the baptism of John, were ing, "Unto what then were ye baptized? again baptized, after they were taught by And they said Unto John's baptism. Then Paul, with the baptism of Jesus Christ; besaid Paul, John verily baptized with the cause they knew not that there was a Holy baptism of repentance, saying unto the Ghost; that is, if baptism is to be baptism people, that they should believe on him according to the word of God. But, brethwhich should come after him, that is, on ren, the preaching of the cross is ever opChrist Jesus. When they heard this, they posed because it is to them that perish, foolwere baptized in the name of the Lord ishness, 1 Cor. 1: 18. Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands Again, judge for yourselves kind readers, upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, since Christ Jesus himself and also the and they spake with tongues and prophe- holy apostles, Peter, Paul and Philip, have sied; and all the men were about twelve," commanded and taught no other baptism Acts 19: 3-7. in all the Scriptures of the New Testament, Hear, most beloved readers; for I would but upon the confession or proof of faith, here present to you and to all the world and as the whole world in opposition therethree points, which you should impartially to, teaches and practices a different bapconsider and judge according to the word tism, which is founded neither in the conof God. First, Was the baptism of John mand of Jesus nor in the teaching and not of God? I know you will give an affirm- practice of the holy apostles, namely, inative reply. If now the baptism of John is fant baptism, and asserts it not by the of God, as it is indeed, and if Paul yet con- word of God, but solely by the opinion sidered this baptism which was from above, and long usage of the learned; and forces as insufficient and imperfect in these disci- it upon the world by the cruel, bloody ples because they did not acknowledge the sword; therefore judge, I say, which of the Holy Ghost, and as he, after preaching to two we should follow. The divine truth of them Christ, again baptized them with the Christ Jesus, or the lies of the ungodly baptism of Jesus Christ, as is mentioned in world? If you answer, Christ, your judgLuke, for what purpose must we consider the ment is right; but the consequence accordbaptism of children that are naturally un. ing to the flesh, is anxiety, being robbed, able to understand the divine word, and apprehension, banishment, poverty, water, therefore they acknowledge neither Father, fire, sword, the wheel, shame, cross, sufflerSon, nor Holy Ghost; neither can they dis- ing and temporal death; yet in the end tinguish between truth and lies,righteousness eternal life. But if you answer, the Cor'ld, and sinfulness, good and evil, right and then you verily judge wrongfully; notwithwrong? Does not this prove infant baptism standing, on the contrary according to the to be useless, vain and unfruitful? and as ad- flesh, the consecuence is honor, peace, ease, ministered and received without the ordi- liberty, temporal life and such perishable nance of God? and if we acknowledge this by advantages; yet the end is eternal death. the word of God through faith, is it therefore Thirdly and lastly, judge rightly whether not necessary to be baptized with the bap- the ordinance of Jesus Christ which he conitism of Jesus Christ? as Christ has command- manded into his church, and which the holed and as Paul has administered to these dis- apostles learned and administered from his ciples? I say, verily, if we do not, there is, blessed mouth, can ever be changed and according to the word of God, neither faith, broken by human wisdom or excellenc y. regeneration, obedience, nor Spirit in us, If you answer in the affirmative, you must and therefore no eternal life, as we have prove it by the divine and evangelical frequently shown above. Scriptures or else we should not believe it. Let all the learned garble this invincible But if you answer in the negative, as it

Page  225 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 225 should be, you must acknowledge that they have so often stumbled and erred, and those, no matter who they are, whether they been mistaken in regard to the truth of lived at the time of the apostles, and were Almighty God! even their disciples, who say that the apos- Therefore I beseech you all, beloved ties baptized infants, shamefully misrepre- brethren in the Lord, by the grace of God sent the apostles and load falsehood upon to open your understanding, that you may them, yea, that they speak their own opin- be no longer deceived, and that you may ion and not the word of God, for the most perceive, you who are made uneasy by the holy apostles, the true witnesses of chris- writings of the learned, that all the writers, tian truth, never taught two different bap- both ancient and modern, have ever sought tisms in the water; neither did they act righteousness in wrought ceremonies, which contrary to the command and ordinance of we should only seek in Christ Jesus. And Christ, nor administer it contrary to their again, that, because they have not the word own doctrine. of God on their side they do not follow the 0, had the educated and learned men, same path in regard to this matter, do not Origen, Augustine, Jeronimus, Lactantius speak of one accord nor write unanimously. and others, not soared so high in their For as their writings show, some seek the smartness and philosophy; and had they washing away of inherent sin. Others teach been satisfied with the clear, chaste, and that they should be baptized on account of plain doctrine of Jesus Christ and his apos- their faith. Again, to train them in the ties, and had they conformed their intelli- word and commandments of God. Still othgence and subtle reasoning to the word of ers, to have them included into the covenant God, then the heavenly doctrine and un- with God; and, again, to baptize them into changeable ordinance of our beloved Lord the church of Christ. Behold, kind readers, Jesus Christ would not have been subjected thus each of the beforementioned writers to such shame and change! And in par- follows his own course, and does not follow ticular has the great Origen, by his philos- the same way. If they were supported by ophy and self-conceit, so shamefully treat- the word of God, in regard to this matter, ed with the Holy Scripture that Martin they would all beunanimous. Butbecause Luther in his book called Seruum Arbitri- they have not the word of God-each one uwm, calls him Spercissimus scripturarum in- follows his own inclination, thinking that terpres, that is: The falsest explainer of the he can, under a scriptural appearance, palm Scriptures. And besides, it is annotated off pernicious falsehood as being the truth. in the Lutheran New Testament, that this Yea, he tickles his vision so long with garOrigen is the great star which fell from bled Scriptures, that his mind becomes so heaven, burning like a lamp, and that his obscured that he can no more conceive that name is Wormwood, Rev. 8: 11. Therefore he teaches, follows and administers accursed we will leave it to God who and what he is. falsehood for the blessed truth of God. Notwithstanding he has treated the word Thus, most beloved children, because the of God so shamefully and has erred so ter- learned have ever sought and yet seek ribly, yet, because he pleases the world in righteousness in infant baptism, you can regard to infant baptism-the holy doctrine easily surmise that these infant baptists of Christ Jesus and the apostles must stand have, by that means, made this innovation. back; and Origen is heeded, accepted and For with the ancients it was not the comfollowed as a sure testimony to this idola- mon practice, I say common, as may be trous ceremony. 0, abominable blindness! deduced from Tertullian, Ruffin and others; 0, shameful foolishness! That we do not but as appears, just after the demise of the believe the sure word of our Lord Jesus apostles or perhaps yet in their times, they Christ, the word of truth, and the true wit- commenced to abuse the true, christian bapnesses who were sent by him! but that we tism, which solely belongs to the believing. would rather follow, to the loss of our souls, As some of the Corinthians already in the those who teach to please us, notwithstand- time of Paul suffered themselves to be baping it is plain from their writings that tized for the dead, 1 Cor. 15: 29, so, also, 65

Page  226 226 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. through the false doctrine and opinions of ed them any thing more; therefore they foolish bishops, the abominable serpent of have in their hearts a sure and firm faith infant baptism crept in, and was so con- in the grace of God, concerning their befirmed by long usage that, at last, it was loved children, that they are children of the thought and accepted by all the world as kingdom, of grace, of the promise and of an apostolic institution for the sake of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord, righteousness which they all seek therein. to whom alone be the glory; and not by Therefore you must acknowledge, beloved any ceremony. Yea, by this same promise brethren, notwithstanding infant baptism they are assured that their beloved chilis of old date, that it is still not by the con- dren, so long as they are not of understandmand of Jesus Christ, and by the teaching ing years, are clean, holy, saved and pleasand practice of the holy apostles; and is ing unto God, be they alive or dead. Theretherefore idolatrous, useless and vain. fore they give thanks to the eternal Father And because the true, Christian baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord, for his inhas such a great promise, namely, the re- expressibly great love to their children, mission of sins, and other promises, Acts and train them in the love of God and in 2: 38; Mark 16: 16; 1 Cor. 12: 13; 1 Pet. wisdom, by correcting, chastising, teach3: 21; Eph. 4: 5, the pedo-baptists apply ing and admonishing them, and by walkthe same baptism to infants; never once ing before them with an unblamable life observing that the beforementioned prom- until they may hear the word of God, beises are solely to those who show obedience lieve it and fulfill it in their works. Then to the word of God; for Christ Jesus has so is the time, of whatever age they may be, commanded it. Inasmuch as pedo-baptism that they should receive the christian bapis not commanded, therefore it is not re- tism which Christ Jesus has commanded, quired of children as obedience. For where in obedience to his word, to all christians; there are no commandments there are no and which his apostles have thus practiced transgressions. Again, baptism is not and taught. commanded to infants, by God; and there- Behold, brethren, if it should be said fore they have no promise in their baptism, that we thus rob the children of the promfrom which it follows that infant baptism ise and of the grace of God, you will obis idolatrous, vain, useless and void, before serve that they contradict us out of hatred God, as was said above; for God, the Lord, and envy, and do not tell the truth. Say, has no pleasure in the ceremonies, unless who has the strongest ground and hope of they are administered according to his di- the salvation of their children? Is it he who vine and blessed word. places his hopes upon an outward sign? or But the little children, and particularly is it he who bases his hopes upon the promthose of christian seed, havea peculiar prom- ise of grace, given and promised of Christ ise which was given them of God without Jesus? Still the evangelical truth must, in any ceremony, but out of pure grace, through all respects, be blasphemed and belied by ChristJesus ourLord, who says," Sufferlittle the ignorant and light minded. But, notchildren, and forbid them not, to comeunto withstanding this, the just and impartial me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven," Judge, Christ Jesus, will some time pass Matt. 19: 14; MIark 10: 14; Luke 18: 16. the true sentence between them and us, alThis promise makes glad and assures all though they do not fear it now. I am forced the chosen saints of God, in regard to their to think that then it will be acknowledged children or infants; being assured that the by many, too late, that they did not believe true word of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ and follow the truth of Christ Jesus but the can never fail. Inasmuch as he has shown falsehood of anti-christ. Take heed and such great mercy towards the children that watch. were brought to him, that he took them Again, it is sometimes, and very foolishup in his arms, blessed them, laid his hands ly too, asserted by the pedo-baptists, " That upon them, promised them the kingdom of the apostles baptized whole households, as heaven and has neither done nor command- the household of Cornelius, Acts 10: 48;

Page  227 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 227 the household of Stephanus, 1 Cor. 1: 13; the Acts 16: 31-34; or as Erasmus says, "He household of Lydia, and of the jailer, Acts has rejoiced because he believed in God 16: 15, 33; from which, they say, it may be with all his house." Beloved reader, obpresumed that there were also small chil- serve first, that they spake unto him the dren among them." From this allegation, word of the Lord, and to all that were in beloved brethren, they show, although not his house. Secondly, he rejoiced with all intentionally, that they' can not produce his house. To hear the word is something Scriptures to prove infant baptism. For which pertains to those of understanding whenever we must follow (build on) pre- minds, and spiritual rejoicing is a fruit of sumption, there is evidently no proof of the the believing or of the spiritual, Gal. 5: 18. assertion. Inasmuch as they all heard the word and To such opponents I would reply, in plain rejoiced in God, therefore it incontrovertilanguage, thus: Three households, namely, bly follows that the holy apostles did not of Cornelius, Stephanus and of the jailer, baptize them without faith. were all believing. Of the first household In the fourth place, in regard to the house it is written, "There was a certain man in of Lydia, I reply: Because the world tries Cesarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of to establish their cause on presumption, the band called the italian band; a devout therefore we would say first, that presumpman and one that feared God with all his tion ought not to establish faith; and if it house, which gave much alms to the people, were so that it could avail before God, then and prayed to God always," Acts 10: 1, 2. still the presumption in the case of the If they all served and feared God, as Luke house of Lydia would not be in favor of the writes, then they were not baptized without world but against it; because it is the cusfaith, as is plainly shown in the same chap- tom in the Holy Scriptures and also with ter; for Peter commanded that those should the world, that a house is named after the be baptized who had received the Holy man and not after the woman, so long as Ghost, as they had who spoke with tongues the husband lives, because the husband is and glorified God; which are all fruits of the lord of his wife and household. As in faith, as every intelligent person will admit. this case the house is named after the woAgain, of the household of Stephanus it man, and as there is no mention made of is written, "I beseech you, brethren (ye the man, therefore it follows that she, at the know the house of Stephanus, that it is the time, was not married. If she was a young first fruits of Achaia, and that they have woman or widow, as appears, then the preaddicted themselves to the ministry of the sumption of the world is contradictory; saints); that ye submit yourselves unto and it is probable that she had no children such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and still more probable, that she had no and laboreth," 1 Cor. 16: 15, 16. I repeat infants, since she at that time had no husit to serve the saints is a work of faith. band. Since the house of Stephanus served the Again, we would further say in reference saints, as Paul writes, therefore they showed to this Scripture, that if it were that Lydia by their fruits that they had faith. had infants, they would not be counted Again, of the house of the jailer it is among the baptized of the house. For written that Paul and Silas spake unto him Christ commanded that the believing should and said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus be baptized and the holy apostles taught Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy and practiced such baptism; from which it house; and they spake unto him the word may be safely deduced that when the holy of the Lord, and to all that were in his Scriptures speak of houses being baptized, house. And he (the jailer) took them the or houses being subvertied that it has refersame hour of the night, and washed their ence to those of understanding years, who stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, may be taught or sabverted, as Paul shows straightway. Andwhenhehadbronghltthem in another Scripture, that some "subvert into his house, he set meat before them and whole houses, teaching things which they rejoiced believing in God withkall his house," ought not, for filthy lucre's sake," Tit. 1; 11.

Page  228 228 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. If you take the term whole houses as apply- 16: 33. And as the holy apostles have ing also to infants; and as whole houses taught and used no other baptism than were subverted, as Paul says, then it would baptism on faith, according to the command follow that infants were subverted by false of Christ, as shown and proven by many doctrine. No, beloved reader, no. An in- reasons from Acts 2; 8; 10; 16; 19; Rom. fant without understanding can be neither 6: 4; Col. 2; 1 Cor. 12: 13; Tit. 3: 5; 1 Pet. taught nor subverted; therefore they are 3: 21; therefore we again declare before not counted in the number of baptized, or you, before all the world and before God, those who were subverted, of which the that we are prompted by nothing but by Scriptures speak. But the Holy Scripture the fear of God, being so taught by his teaches and admonishes, both by words word, thus to teach this christian baptism, and sacraments, as they are called, those and thus to receive it upon the confession of alone who have ears to hear and minds to faith, for the remission of sins, Acts 2: 38, understand, as we have frequently shown as said before, and are thus baptized with above. the washing of water, by the word, Eph. If any one would like to have moreinfor- 5: 26; and by a Holy Spirit which quickens mation about the ceremony of baptism and our hearts, into one body, 1 Cor. 12: 13; of about the objections made to it, let him read which body Christ Jesus is the head, Col. our first treatise on baptism which we pub- 1: 18; Eph 1: 22. Nor do we know of any lished; and by the grace of the Lord, he other baptism, of which God is a witness, will be enlightened upon the subject from than this alone; of which, by the grace of the word of God. God, we have so much taught and written. Brethren, I conclude this treatise on bap- I herewith beseech you, kind reader, not tism in the water in thesewords: Inasmuch to do like the angry, blind and bloody as God, the merciful Father, has graciously world, who condemn everything from an sent into this miserable, blind and erring envious, rebellious, refractory and raving world his chosen, beloved Son, Christ Jesus, heart before they have thoroughly perused who has taught us the holy will of his Fa- and understood it; who reject all good, ther, in great clearness; and as he has, in christian doctrine and usage; sometimes his great love, offered up his precious and because of fashion, again, because of the most holy flesh and blood for us, and as to cross, and sometimes because of the plainhim the eternal Father has not only pointed ness of the person. Do not thus; but judge us through his holy prophets, but also from this and all our writings according to the high heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Spirit and holy word of the Lord, and you Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye will plainly see whether we have written him," Matt. 17: 5; therefore we say and tes- and taught you truth or falsehood; whether tify that we should hear this Christ Jesus; we teach two baptisms or one; whether we that we should believe in him and follow seek to save your souls or destroy them; him in all things which he has taught and whether we seek the praise and honor of commanded us; and that we should also the Lord, or his dishonor. For I trust, by hear and follow his holy apostles who by the grace of God, if you are desirous of his own divine command were sent out with your own salvation, and if you peruse what the most precious word of grace, namely, we have written and judge it with a spirituwith the holy gospel —or else we have al judgment, that you will find nothing in neither God, promise, nor eternal life, as is it but the teaching which is of God; the plain and intelligible to all mankind, from eternal, heavenly, true and saving will of the New Testament. God, and the very strait way of truth which As this Christ Jesus has given us this ex- the ever blessed Jesus Christ and his apospress and incontrovertible command in this ties have, in the most holy gospel taught wise: First to teach the gospel and then to and shown all mankind. baptize those who believe, and those that Take heed, ye illustrious, noble and are thus baptized shall be saved, Mark pious lords! Take heed ye judges and 16: 16; Matt. 28: 19; Acts 19: 5; 2: 38; 10: 48; keepers of the law, against whom your cruel,

Page  229 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 229 bloody sword is sometimes sharpened and of us; as we would be culpable if this were drawn. I tell you in Christ Jesus that we the case. I repeat, if we are disobedient to seek nothing but what we have here told God in religious matters, we are willing to you, as you may clearly see by many, be instructed and corrected by the word of namely, that there is not a false syllable God; forwemean diligently to do and fulfill nor deceitful word heard from their mouths his most holy will. Or if we are not obedior found in them. and these are forced ent unto the emperor in matters belongand led by you to the sword, fire and water, ingtohim asheis called and ordained of God, as poor, innocent sheep to the slaughter. I say in matters belonging to him, then we And if you should point me to the abomin- will willingly submit to such punishment as able actions of the corrupted sects, and say you may inflictupon us. But if we sincerely that you must therefore oppose baptism, fear and seek our Lord and God, as I trust by the sword, that such ungodly doings we do. and if we are obedient rnto the (mmay be averted and hindered; then I would peror in temporal matters. as we slincud be again reply, first: Christian baptism be- according to the word of God. Matt. 22: 21; longs not to corrupted sects; but it is the Rom. 13: 7: 1 Pet. 2: 13: Tit. 3: 1, nd are word of God. Secondly, tle holy, chris- yet to suffir and be pI(rsecuFt 1 d ar cn, ifi d tian baptism does not cause mutiny nor for the sake of tlhe tiuth of tl: 1( ]-(-thl n shameful actions; but it is caused by the we should conside. tflat "th-e dij( i:is not false teachers and fa.se prophets who boast above his nmaster nor the servant al ove his themselves to be baptized christians, and lord. * * If they have called the master yet, before God, are not such. Thirdly, of the house Beelzebub, how much more there is nothing under heaven at which I shall they call them of his household?" am more alarmed than I am at the ungod- Matt. 10: 24, 25. Yet you should know and ly actions of the false, corrupted sects. acknowledge, 0 ye beloved, noble, illustriThey frighten me more than death; for I ous, pious lords, ye-judges and keepers of know that all men must once die, Heb. 9: 27. the law, that as often as you take, condemn More than the tyrannical sword; for if they and put to the sword such people, that you take my body, it is all they can do, Matt. put your tyrannical sword into the blessed 10: 28. More than Satan; for I have van- flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that you quished him through Christ. But in case break the bones of his holy body; for they the terrible doctrine of the corrupted sects are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, adhered to me, then I would verily, be lost; Eph. 5: 80; they are his chosen, beloved eternal woe would be to my poor soul. brethren and sisters, who are with him, Therefore I would rather die the temporal born from above, of one Father, Jn. 1: 13; death (that he knows who knows all things) they are his sincerely beloved children who than to eat, drink, commune, greet or con- are born of the seed of his holy word; they verse with such, if I knew that they would are his holy, spotless and pure bride whom not be helped by my conversation or ad- he, in his great love has wedded as his conmonition; for it is forbidden in the word of sort. Why? Because they have, by the Christ to keep the company of such, Matt. operation of their faith, and led by the 7: 15; 1 Cor. 5: 11; 2 Thess. 3: 14; Phil. 3. Holy Spirit, cordially committed themselves And, by the grace of God, I know to a cer- to the service of our beloved Lord Jesus tainty, that they are not in the house of the Christ, and do not live any more according Lord, in the church of the living God and to their lusts, but agreeably to the will of in the body of Jesus Christ. Therefore I God, alone, according to the direction of say, if you find in me or in my teach- his holy, blessed word. Yea, they would ings, which is the word of God, or among rather surrender every thing which they those who are taught by me or by my possess, and suffer envy, slander, scourging, brethren, any thieving, murdering, perjury, persecution, anxiety, famine, thirst, nakedmutiny, rebellion or any other criminal ness, cold, heat, poverty, imprisonment, acts, as were formerly, and are yet found banishment, water, fire, sword or any other among the corrupted sects-then punish all A punishlmeut than to foisake the gospel of

Page  230 230 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. grace and the confession of God and be blood of the martyrs of Jesus, Rev. 17: 6. separated from the love of Christ Jesus, O, beloved lords and judges of the land, Rom. 8: 35. But they will never accept the observe once, how all the righteous, the vain doctrine and commandments of men. prophets, Christ Jesus himself, together Therefore we pray you, as our beloved with his holy apostles and servants, have and gracious rulers according to the flesh, been treated from the beginning; and to day by the grace of God, to consider and real- you still treat those thus, who in purity of ize, if there is any reasonableness about heart seek the truth and life eternal. you, in what great anxiety and suspense Therefore we must run the risk; for in we poor, miserable people are placed. For case you do not fear God, and do not if we abandon Christ Jesus and his holy sheathe your murderous sword against word, we fall into the wrath of God; and if Christ Jesus and against his holy church, we remain firm in his holy word, we are then we esteem it of less consequence to put to your cruel sword. 0, Lord! if it fall in the hands of worldly princes and were true that this large church were thy judges, than to fall into the hands of God. holy church, bride and body, as they boast I repeat it, take heed, awake, and be conit to be, then we might truthfully assert verted, that the innocent blood of the pious, that thou art the prince, bridegroom and children of God, which calls for vengeance head of an abominable, detestable band of in heaven, may never more be found on murderers, who thirst after the innocent your hands. blood of those who sincerely seek, fear, love Take heed, also, ye wise and learned and and serve God. For the ignorant, blind ye common people! For such a people are people go about like a backsliding heifer, as they and such is their doctrine and faith the prophet says, seeking nothing but the whom you daily ridicule and mock as fools; persecution, imprisonment and destruction whom you slander as heretics and deceivers; of God's saints and children. and whom you take and deliver, and murAll the priests and monks, who seek and der in your hearts, as thieves, murderers fear nothing but their gluttonous, greedy and criminals. Yet, God'sword shall never belly, and their avaricious, pompous flesh, be broken, 1 Pet. 1: 24; Jas. 1: 10; Ps. do nothing but upbraid, slander, lie and 90: 6. 0 ye miserable people, what will persecute; the judges and magistrates, who become of you! that you are not ashamed seek to live of the bloody labor of the mis- daily to mock and ridicule the blessed Christ erable; take them and deliver them into the Jesus; to trample upon him and thus ravhands of the tyrants, that they may become ingly tear to pieces his most holy and glofavorites of the rulers, as the prophet says, rious body, notwithstanding you boast of MIic. 7; "The prince asketh and the judge his divinity, word, death, grace, mercy and asketh for a reward." The lords and keep- blood. ers of the law, as a body, are after Say, beloved, if you are the church of nothing but the favor and friendship of Christ, why are you not obedient unto him?' their prince to whom they are sworn; after If you are the body of Christ why destroy authority, good wages and aggrandize- its holy members If you are the children ment. They are those who torture, banish, of God why trample upon your brethren? confiscate and murder, as the prophet says, If you are the servants of Christ, why not "Her princes within her are roaring lions; do the things he has commanded? If you her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw are the bride of Christ why not hear his not the bones till the morrow," Zeph. 3: 3. holy voice? If you are the truly regenerated At another place, "Her princes in the midst where are, then, the fruits? If you are the thereof are like wolves, ravening the prey to true disciples of Christ, where is your love? shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dis- If you are the true christians vwhere are honest gain," Ezek. 22: 27. 0, howjust was your christian ordinances of baptism, Supthe revelation of holy John, when he saw per, deacons, ban and life as conmmanded that the Babylonian woman was drunk in his word? If you are the truly baptized with the blood of the saints and with the ones of Christ where is your faith, your

Page  231 CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. 231 new birth, your death unto sin, your un- edge to comprehend all divine truth; and a blamable life, your good conscience, your heart, mind and will to fulfill that which you christian body into which you were bap- now confess by faith from the word of God, tized, and your Christ whom you have put through Christ Jesus our beloved Lord. on? To him be the honor, praise, kingdom, O beloved brethren, error has been ram- power and glory forever and ever, Amen. pant long enough! Christ Jesus will be no Let the bride of Christ rejoice. longer mocked as a fool. I tell you as tru- HEREIN, reader, you have most devoutly ly as the Lord lives, that so long as you what the mode of God's baptism, which are thus earthly, carnally and devilishly- perished through the long degeneracy of minded; so long as you oppose God and the ages, in the church oughtto be, being rehis holy word; so long as you live without stored whole by the unspeakable gift of the fear of God, according to the lusts of God. Therefore let the writers oppose as your flesh, so long you are not the true they please; let thelearned opposeby their church of Christ, even if it were that you shrewdness as they know how; let all the were using the true sacraments, which, world under the heavens oppose in every however is far froiw being so. Beloved way in which they are able, this is the only brethren, First our hearts must be cleansed mode of baptism which Christ Jesus himand afterward our outward actions will self instituted and the apostles taught and show; or else it is hypocrisy before the eyes practiced. of God. I repeat it, so long as you live The invincible truth will ever abide, althus ungodly, as you have done hitherto, though powerfully opposed by many. He Christ Jesus was, verily, born in vain, died oreads the teachings of hristianity and in vain, arose and ascended in vain. considers well, will welcome this divine He is no Lord, Deliverer or Savior of the truth, of Christ, though for many ages lost, willful, obdurate, unrepenting and disobe-and now thus made to appear, because it dient sinners, but he is a Lord, Deliverer is not witout merit by its favor toward s. and Savior of those who willingly hear his divine word; who sincerely renounce evil, y te rea tans to te and walk diligently according to his holy nitely great and good God. commandments, all the days of their lives. Mayest thou be well, be humble, read, May God, the gracious Father, who lives I obtain, believe and live, and may the Lord in mercy forever, grant you all true knowl- I be with thee. A LETTER OF CAUTION ON DISCORD. To the brethren in Groeningen, and the country thereabout, copied and sent by the faithfal brother John Aertsen. Receive it in love. Grace and Peace: Since, beloved breth- has constrained me to write the following ren, it is known to all churches, that in the to the churches, and for these reasons: southern countries, great trouble exists in First, that the unaffected and sound regard to the divinity of Christ, and the hearts may beware of such frightful dispuHoly Spirit, whereby much unbelief, discord tations and incomprehensible murmurings, and division have been caused in some lest their hearts, to their eternal loss, drown bodies, to the great affliction of all the in such bottomless profoundness, and besaints; and, since it sometimes happens come forever ashamed before their God. that this one or that one, who comes from Secondly, that all those who ignorantly those countries, is affected thereby -and and unwittingly err and are bound in their causes trouble with some-therefore love consciences, and yet fear God, and walk

Page  232 232 LETTERS BY MENNO SIMON. under the cross, may be saved and freed, would institute something novel and pethrough this our service and christian warn- culiar whereby they might weaken and deing, to the eternal praise and glory of God, stroy the christian, evangelical love, peace and to the joy of all the saints. I have and unity. 0, my sincerely beloved brethwritten it to all my beloved brethren and ren and sisters in the Lord! Consider dilfellows out of sincere love and compassion. igently that which I write to you, that God If but one afflicted, wavering, doubting soul the heavenly Father with his blessed Son could be helped thereby, I would esteem it Christ Jesus, and with his Holy Spirit, may the dearest thing under heaven. My chil- retain their divine honor. Peace be with dren, beware of all discord and division, you. that ye may thrive and multiply in Christ Note. To write with my own hand such long writJesus. Avoid all those who disturb you ings and send them to each particular church, I can not and excite you to disunion; all those who do. MENNO SIMON. ANOTHER LETTER. My very faithful brother in Christ, grace every respect show yourselves to be children and peace with thee. of God. 0, chosen brethren! Come and Chosen brethren in the Lord, I have unite your ardent prayers for me in my great nothing particular to write to you, but that affliction. I pray you for Jesus' sake, let my I wish you would write to me how far the affliction be buried with you; but if you c:-)o.-;n of thI brethren in Waterhorne and should speak about it to any one, then,)!L,- Pi.e:-rs hlas progressed. Not that know with whom you speak. If all hearts TI Vl ir to impede the choosing of Lebe; were pure, all tongues seasoned with salt,.tiv I woliou,.I have been glad to have had a and all the mistakes of last year were honco),ovT-,:!lsatioil with him, before his entering estly and truly acknowledged, how soon ul,,onl tlet ()ffi:., of bishop; for my soul is would I be found a cheerful man. Now, tlou iled about that which passed between now the Lord will be my Comforter. May us last year. the poor church be saved! 0 brethren, let 0, brother Rein, that I could speak with us pray! I trust that you will not be ofyou half a day, and make known to you fended at the writing in my last, to a pria little of my affliction, sorrow and sadness, vate brother, concerning the sixty dollars and also of my great solicitude which I yet annually. I took the liberty of so writing, bear for the future of the church; what an for I do need it annually. The merciful amneliorating, pleasing application that Lord will send them to me. He knows would be to my sorrowful soul! As it is I where. Greet the pious with the peace of must bear it all myself. If the om- the Lord. My daughters greet you. The nipotent God had not preserved me last God of all grace be with you most beloved year, as well as now, I would already have brother, and with all the pious, forever, been deprived of my mind, for there is Amen. nothing upon earth which my heart loves If something should be sent to my assistmore than it does the church; and yet I ace, send the first opportunity; for must live to see this sad affliction upon her. slaughtering time will soon be at hand and I think much, yet I write and say but little. ile wherewith to buy. 0, brethHelp me pray that I may find refreshment, ren, do not think hard of it; it is necessity and may yet see a gracious result, with all which compels me to do so. afflicted souls. Your unworthy and affectionate brother, Broetltiren, beware of discord; foster lo-v;:: i and unity with sincerity; accompany the MENNO SIMON. peaceful; make use of few words, and in September 1st.

Page  233 THE REASON MN{ENNO SIMON DOES ITOT CEASE TEACHING AND WRITING. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine," 2 Tim. 4: 2. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871. ^~~~~~~~~~ Ci

Page  234

Page  235 THE REASON WHY MENNO SIMON DOES NOT CEASE TEACHING AND WRITING. Fon Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, i thereat. Yet, however incontrovertible our and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, i cause appears, so much so that it can not until the righteousness thereof go forth as be controverted or refuted by the Scriptures, brightness, and the salvation thereof as a still it must be persecuted by this ignorant, lamp that burneth; and the Gentiles shall blind world as an abominable crime and see thy righteousness, and all kings thy treated as heresy. The prophet says, "I glory," Isa. 62: 1, 2. have written to him the great things of my I am well aware, most beloved readers, law, but they were counted as a strange that we are, on account of our teaching and thing," Hosea 8: 12. writing, cursed, envied, hated, slandered, 0, worthy, beloved reader, if you would persecuted and condemned to death, by in- consider and realize how earnestly the numerable persons of both high and low righteous God ever enforces his holy word, stations in life. As roaring lions they and how terribly his wrath has ever been gnash their teeth at us. Lords, princes, enkindled against those who did not abide learned and ignorant people, no matter of firm in his divine word, you would, without what station in life, exercise their tyranny doubt, in case you are not within the word over us, as may at all times be seen; not of God, tremble, and be frightened in your solely upon us, but also upon all those who inmost soul before God, on account of your accept and fulfill, by their works, this our disobedience! Did you never read that the doctrine, with believing, faithful, obedient parents of all mankind, Adam and Eve, and resigned hearts. Not that we claim it who were, by the power of the divine Word to be our doctrine, understand, but it is the created by Godhimself and punished by him eternal, heavenly and unchangeable doc- on account of their disobedience; banished trine of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, from paradise; subjected to manual labor; which he himself has carried from high that the earth was accursed in them, and that heaven, from the bosom of his Father, to all their daughters must suffer and give earth with his own blessed mouth which birth to their children in perilous travail cannot lie; which he has taught, and pro- and excrutiating pain; not to mention that claimed to the world by his faithful wit- I they would be subject to eternal death, if nesses, the holy apostles, which he had the new Man of grace, the blessed Christ chosen for that purpose. Whosoever does Jesus, had not, by grace, prevented this? not believe that our doctrine is the pure, Why was it? For no other reason than undefiled and saving doctrine of Jesus that they did not abide in the true word of Christ, may piously examine the rest of the living God, but lived according to their the plain Scriptures of the New Testament lusts, contrary to the word of God, trusting and he will come to the conclusion and ac- in the deceit of the lying serpent rather knowledge that it is the pure doctrine, testi- than in the warning of the true God, who, mony and Spirit of Christ Jesus, however by grace, had created them, wise, righteous much his reluctant, lazy, rebellious, refrac- and incorrupt, and placed them as lords of tory, selfish and disobedient flesh may op- j all creatures, Gen. 2: 26. pose, frighten, tremble and be awe-stricken j Again, do you not know that all the creat

Page  236 256 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHIING AND WRITING. ures under the heaven, both rational and tars, in many countries and cities, Jer. 2; irrational, were destroyedby water, through Hosea 10; in many mountains and under the righteous judgment of God, exceptthose large trees, Hosea 4: 13; notwithstanding, that were in the ark with Noah, because as may be seen by the writings of many they became corrupt and lived according prophets, that Moses so strenuously comto their lusts, and in my opinion, because manded them as also was commanded their they did not acknowledge the Spirit of the fathers,thus, "What thingsoeverI command Lord, as their judge? Gen. 6; 7; 8. 0 do you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add consider these things, and doubtlessly, you thereto nor diminish from it," Deut. 12: 32. will hereafter sincerely fear your God, and At another place, that on all those who do ever abide in his holy word! not abide by the works of the covenant, Besides, you must have often heard, and which are written in the Book, all the perchance read for yourselves about Sodom plagues will come, and on the contrary, all and Gomorrah, Gen. 18; 20; 19: 4; Er and the blessings will be to all those who abide Onan, Gen. 38: 7-9; the idolaters, Ex. thereby, Deut. 28: 58, 59. The children 32: 5; the man who gathered sticks upon of Israel did not always abide by the exthe Sabbath day, Num. 15: 32-36; Korah, press, commanding word of him who had, Dathan, and Abiram, Num. 16; about the by his powerful hand, brought them out of murmurers, Num. 21: 5; Zimri and the oth- the land of Egypt; but suffered themselves er adulterers, Num. 25: 14, 15; Nadab and to be misled by ungodly princes and false Abihu, Lev. 10: 2; those who hid the for- prophets, and chose for themselves, withbidden things, Joshua7; King Saul, 1 Sam. out the divine commandment, places for 15:17-22; Jeroboam, Manasseh and the divine worship; carved for themselves imaother kings, priests and prophets who did ges and built themselves temples. All this not abide in the true worship and in obedi- by their own choice, and not by divine comence to the divine word, which was given mand; besides, they committed all manner through Moses, but taught and practiced of idolatry. This the Holy Spirit, in divers either more or less or something quite dif- Scriptures, has called shameful whoredom, ferent from the law of the Lord; how terri- perjury, accursed idolatry and despising bly and in how many different ways they the Lord. The prophet says, "Woe unto and their followers were punished and them, for they have fled from me; destrucsmitten by God, who desires to have his tion unto them! because they have transwillobeyed. Some suddenly died; somewere gressed against me; though I have redeemed pierced with the sword, Ex. 32: 27; Num. them, yet they have spoken lies against 25: 5; some were stoned to death, Num. me," Hosea 7: 13. 15: 36; Josh. 7: 25; some were swallowed As Israel deviated from the law of their up by the earth, Num. 16: 32; some were God, and committed themselves to the servbitten by serpents; Num. 21: 6; some were ice of Baal, not being content with the law, hanged, Num. 25: 4; some were consumed doctrine and service which God had comby the fire, Lev. 10: 2; Saul's kingdom was manded them through Moses, which Baal taken from him, 1 Kings 15: 28; and put to with his altars they however erected to the death with the sword; the house of Jerobo- service of the living God, as it appears; am and Achab were taken from the earth; so God in his grace and paternal love which the eyes of Zedechias were put out; Manas-! he bore to Israel for the sake of their faseh was captured; and all Israel was in exile thers, again sent his faithful servants, the in foreign countries, as in Assyria, Baby- prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elias, Ezekiel, lonia, and Egypt as recorded in Chronicles, and others, who sharply reproved, in beKings, and the prophets. I repeat, why half of God, the degenerated princes, false was it? Solely because they did not abide in prophets and the miserable, confused peothe law of their God, but either by their own pie; and again returned them to the true choice or else out of disrespect for the law, worship and ceremonies of the law which transgressed it, establishing without the God had commanded, and which they had command of God, images, temples and al- forsaken.

Page  237 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 237 Besides, they prophesied famine, pesti- they would not hear, but hardened their lence, failures, drought, war, conflagration, necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that robbery, imprisonment and destruction, as did not believe in the Lord their God," 2 plagues on account of their sins and diso- Kings 17: 13, 14. Again, "Thus speaketh bedience. And also concerning the divine the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true grace, salvation, deliverance, peace, mercy, judgment, and show mercy and compassions and the eternal glory, which in the latter every man to his brother; and oppress not days will so gloriously appear unto all the the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, world through Christ Jesus our Lord, who nor the poor, and let none of you imagine is the only promised prophet, Deut. 18: 15. evil against his brother, in your heart; but The truly anointed of the Lord; the spirit- they refused to hearken, and pulled away ual King David, Ezek. 37: 24; who estab- the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that lishes his kingdom by right and righteous- they should not hear. Yea, they made ness, Isa. 9:7; the true Shepherd who leads their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they us into the pastures of eternal life, Ezek. should hear the law, and the words which 34: 14; whose name is Emmanuel, that is, the Lord of hosts hath sent in his Spirit by God with us, Isa. 7: 14; Matt. 1:23: and the the former prophets; therefore came a great Lord who makes us righteous, who shall wrath from the Lord of hosts," Zech. 7:9-12. reign over the house of Jacob forever, Luke Yea, most beloved reader, they have so 1; 33; and this was the peculiar work of the stopped their ears and so hardened their holy prophets who were graciously sent of hearts that they would not only not hear, God the Lord, to the carnal Israel. But but all of them, as a general rule, and parwhat did it avail, dear reader? They ticularly most of the kings, princes, prophpreached both mildly and harshly, punish- ets and priests, wittingly thirsted after the ment and grace, judgment and mercy; yet innocent blood of the true witnesses of God, it was all in vain, as God plainly pro- who, by an inextinguishable fire of love claimed by these same prophets, saying, fraternally reproved them of their sins, "I have spread out my hands all the day called them to repent and turn to God, and unto a rebellious people, which walketh in they proclaimed and taught the way of the a way that was not good, after their own Lord in righteousness. thoughts," Isa. C5: 2. Thus the mad, blind world has thanked Again, "Proclaim all tihese words in the and rewarded the faithful servants of God, cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusa- the true prophets and true teachers of the lem, saying," "Obey my voice. Yet they divine truth, who sincerely seek their salobeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but vation, by upbraiding, imprisoning, beatwalked every one in thi imagination of ing, banishing and slaying them. For the their evil hearts; therefore I will bring uplon obdurate, ignorant, whoring, refiactory them all the words of this covenant which I p eople will not be reproved as may be read commanded tlhem to do; but they did them i in the fourth chapter of Hosea, and of the not," Jer. 1: 6, 7, S. A ain, "0 Eph1raim, men of Anathoth to Jeremiah, saying, thou commnlittest whoredom and Israel is "Prophesy not in the name of the Lord defiled; they will not frame their doings to that thou die not by our hand," Jer. 11: 21; turn unto their God; for the spiritof whore- and "As for the word which thou hast doms is in the midst of them, and they i spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, have not known the Lord," Hosea 5. Again, we will not hearken unto thee," Jer. 44: 13. at another place, "The Lord has testified Thie selfish and lustful teachers will not against Israel and against Judah, by all suffer themselves to be reproved or admonthe prophets, and by all the seers, saying, ished; they boast of their wisdom, and say, Turn ye from your evil wa.ys, and keep my " We are supported by the Holy Scriptures: commandments, and my statutes, according although all that the scribes say and teach to all the law, which I commanded your is falsehood." fathers, and which I sent to you by nly Above all, the proud, carnal, worldy, servants, the prophets. Notwithdtanding I idolatrous and tyrannical princes, who do

Page  238 238 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. not acknowledge God, I speak of the evil cattle, upon athousand hills. "What then can princes, who do not want to be right in all I offer? He will take no other sacrifices their mandates, projects and undertakings, than those alone which are commanded in however much they may be at variance with his holy word, as Samuel spake unto Saul, God and his blessed word; as if the Almighty "Behold to obey is better than sacrifice." Father, the Creator of all things, who holds The Lord God of Israel spake through Jerheaven and earth in his hands, who rules emiah, saying, "Obey my voice, and do all things by the word of his power, had them, according to all which I commanded given them the privilege not only to com- you, so shall ye be my people, and I will mand, rule and administer according to be your God," Jer. 11: 4; 2 Cor. d: 17. their will in temporal government, but also All those, beloved reader, who sought a in the celestial kingdom of Jesus Christ. different way of salvation than the one O no, beloved, no. This is not the inten- which God had commanded, either did not tion of God; but it is an abomination in esteem God as wise enough to teach the his blessed sight when mortal man substi- right way; or else that he would deceive tutes himself in his stead. And when he them by his word. They despised the comraised up and sent his beloved servants, manding voice of their God; they honored the prophets who, fraternally reproved and and exalted their own opinions and deadmonished all the princes, prophets, ceiving wisdom far above the wisdom of priests and common people from the mouth I God; and they transgressed the precious of God; the princes destroyed them as se-1 covenant which God, by mere grace and ditious persons, and the learned and com- mercy, had entered into with them and their mon people as deceivers and heretics; as fathers; for the most shameful obduracy, was the case with Zechariah, the son of; and the worst disesteem of God, is not to Berechiah; with Isaiah, Jeremiah, Uriah, abide by his divine word, as the Scriptures Kiriathaim and others, as may be read in say, They transgress the covenant, as did history. A dam, and thereby they despise and abhor However ravenously the princes and the me. learned tyranized and opposed the law and 0, had Israel acknowledged the most its followers, yet the law and word of God glorious promise of grace which was given remained immutable until Christ Jesus; so them and their fathers in regard to the that every one who desired to be saved had plromise of the seed, land, kingdom and to regulate and conform himself according glory? And had they considered thebenelito the law and his conscience, if he would cences of God, so abunldantly shown to see the dawn of day. For God is an eter- them and their fathers, in miraculously nal God and his will can never be changed leading them from the land of Egypt, and and diverted by man. In this case neither letting them pass through the Red Sea, Ex. prince nor learned man can avail. God 1 14: 22; that "He went before them by day alone, has dominion over man; he will in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way; keep them in all eternity. and by night in a pillar of fire," Ex. 13: 21; Therefore all things which they instituted that he gave thenm bread from heaven, Ex. and practiced as holy worship without the 16: 4; that lhe gave them to drink fiom the command of God, or against it (notwith- rock, Ex. 17: 6; that their clothes nor their standing it was in honor of the living God shoes did not wax old, Deut. 29: 5; that he who had so gloriously led their fathers and scattered the giants from before them; that them from the land of Egypt), was nothing he led them into the promised land overless than open idolatry, spiritual whore- flowing with milk and honey; that he gave dom, perfidy, degeneracy, blasphemy and to them the strongly fortified cities and well an awful abomination, as we have above I built houses full of gold and silver, which briefly shown the reader from the prophetic they had not built; that he gave them the Scriptures. God is a God who does not vineyards they had not planted, Deut. 6: 11; need our aid and offerings, because he has that he gave them these not for their rightmade all things. Mine, he says, are the eousness' sake, but by grace, and because

Page  239 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 239 he would fulfill his promise which he had Scriptures how severely God has, from the sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yea beginning of the creation, ever punished all he gave it as a permanent possession, if transgression of his divine word and disothey should abide by his holy word and bedience thereto, as every intelligent reader should walk in his divine commands, stat- may clearly understand from the history of utes and righteousness, as Moses the faith- Israel; and as I clearly see that the whole ful servant had, in divers instances, taught world, from east to west, from south to and commanded. Besides, that he gave north, in the course of time, has been misthem corn, oil, wine, peace, freedom, reli- led by ignorant teachers and preachers, gion, and fame above all the people round who seek nothing but carnality, aided by about; for there was no people under all unfaithful lords and princes, and that they the heavens which was like unto them, have lost their faith in and knowledge of Deut. 4. He led them by the hand, as a our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, the ever young child; carried them in his blessed blessed Savior, his holy gospel and sacraarms; and girded himself round about them ments, true religion and the pious, unblamas a lancer, as Jeremiah says; raising up able life which is of God; and as they are among them his righteous men and proph- falsely led, under the name of Christ, to ets who spake unto them the words of the put faith in a man of proud, unclean, idolLord, fraternally reproving all disobedient atrous and ungodly flesh, in useless fables, transgressors, and mildly consoling the doctrines and human commandments; in pious hearts with the gracious promise of an idolatrous baptism and supper; in imboth temporal and eternal life. ages, wood, stone, gold, silver, water, bread 0, had the children of Israel sincerely and wine; in a shameful idolatry; in mere realized all these favors and many others, vain, false and useless promises, so that it they would never have deviated so shame- has gone so far among those who boast of fully from the word, law, will and com- the name of Christ, that there is nothing mandments of God their Savior and Deliv- left them, neither in regard to faith, love, erer, who in every respect treated them with sacraments, nor in their life of which it can such a paternal spirit. But because they be truthfully said that it comports to the did not acknowledge the gracious benefi- life and doctrine of Christ, judge for yourcences which the Lord showed unto them, selves whether or not I speak the truth; and because they did not fear the righteous and although some of them, to-day, boast judgments against them, therefore the wick- of the holy gospel of Christ, yet there is ed, blind flesh and the adulterous spirit of nothing preached but that is useless and idolatry has so misled them, so estranged vain, and this no stronger than the tempothem from God, and made them so drunk ral lords and princes allow them to do; and mad that they acted worse than the and, as the princes are, so are the preachGentiles which were before them, whom ers; and, as the preachers are, so are the God had, on account of their sinfulness, re- people; and as by this we are asked to jected and scattered, as the holy prophets abandon Christ and his holy apostles and in divers Scriptures show and proclaim. humble them in their doctrine and believe 0, fearful wrath of God! We can never and adhere to the princes and the learned, escape it. If we do not desire grace, light, if we do not want to be tortured or burned, truth, righteousness, salvation, true religion, at their hands, or be murdered by some life, the kingdom, blessing and God him- other tyrannical means; as if the preachers self, we must, by his righteous judgment, were sent by the princes, and not of Christ doubtlessly, inherit disgrace, darkness, -therefore, for the sake of the chosen of falsehood, unrighteousness and idolatry, Zion and of Jerusalem, I can no longer hold and hereafter eternal damnation, death, my tongue, but must tell the truth; that hell, malediction, and the devil himself. their righteousness may go forth as a light, Sincerely beloved readers, God knows and their salvation bun as a torch; and that I love you with pure love in Christ that thus all mankind may acknowledge Jesus. Inasmuch as I find in proof of many the righteousness of the Lord, and all

Page  240 240 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. tongues, generations and people confess his I find myself altogether mistaken. But inglory; although I have sometimes, with stead, I find all over the world and among Jeremiah, thought not to teach any more most of the sects, nothing but robbers of in the name of the Lord, because so many the glory of God, and murderers of souls; thirst after my blood. Yet, I can no longer deceivers, blind watchmen, mute dogs, mashold my tongue; for I am, with the prophet, ters of sects who are carnally, earthly and very much troubled at heart; my heart devilishly minded; enemies of the cross; trembles in my bosom; all my joints shake serving their bellies instead of serving God; and quake, with the idea that the whole false prophets, idolaters, vain talkers, liars, world, lords, princes, learned and ignorant and wizards. If any person does not bepeople, males and females, bond and free, lieve my words, let him prove their walk by are so widely estranged from Christ Jesus, the word of the Lord; let him compare their from evangelical truth and from life eternal. doctrine, sacraments, spirit, object, walk When I think to find a magistrate who and life with the doctrine, sacraments, spirfears God, rightly performs his office and it, object, walk and life of Christ, and comuses his sword, I verily find, as a general 1 mon sense will teach you, without, even the thing,nothing butawinebibbing Lucifer,An- j word of God, of whom they are sent; how, tioch, or Nero; for they place themselves in I what and why they teach and what fruits Christ's stead so that their decrees must bere- their teachings bear. spected above the word of God. Whosoever In the third piace,' when I think of finddoes not regulate himself according to their ing an unblamable church without spot and contents; does not serve Baal; maintains the blemish, which serves the Lord with all its ceremonies of Christ and fulfills the word of power and which conforms itself to his word God in fruits, must be taken and suffer as a - I verily find such an ungodly, abominarogue, his property be confiscated, and the ble, corrupted and confused people; so carpoor, innocent orphans who have now lost nal, idolatrous, whoring, cruel, ungodly, their faithful parents because of the testimo- iunbelieving, ignorant, blood-thirsty, unny of the Lord, must be cast out and find merciful, drunken, pompous, luxurious, their way begging through the land. But the proud, avaricious, greedy, envious, adulteridolaters, deceivers of souls, whoremongers, ous, false, deceiving, sodomitic, refractory, knaves, adulterers, fornicators, blasphem- disobedient, rebellious, vain, and so devilers, perjurers, drunkards and like trans- ish, that a godfearing soul must stand gressors, are not persecuted, but can dumbfounded and be ashamed thereat. Yet live at liberty and peace, under their pro- they claim to be the true bride, the believtection, I do not here speak of the good ing church of Christ. O no, dear reader, magistrates, who are few; but of the evil no. Christ Jesus does not own such a bride ones,which arenumerous. Besides, wehave or church. But his bride is flesh of his their unseasonable pomp, pride, greed, un- flesh and bone of his bone, Eph. 5: 30; she cleanness, lying, robbing, stealing, burning, conforms to him, rnom. 8: 29; is created hatred, envy, avarice and idolatry. Yet after his image, Col. 3: 10; partakes of his they want to be called christian princes and nature, 2 Pet. 1: 4; is minded as he is, Phil. gracious lords. 0, Lord! Of what little 2: 5; seeks nothing but heavenly things benefit will these hypocritical, lying titles where Christ Jesus is, sitting at the right and false boasting be to them before Christ, hand of his Father, Col. 3: 1; yea in God's when he shall appear! church nothing is heard, seen or found but Again, when I think of finding true teach- the true doctrine of our beloved Lord Jesus ers, such as are sent of God, quickened by Christ and his holy apostles, according to the Holy Spirit; who sincerely seek the the Holy Scripture. But in the beforemensalvation of their brethren; who are not tioned churches it is mostly doctrines, flatearthly minded, but preach the saving, terings, comments, councils and commandwholesome word of our beloved Lord Jesus ments of men. Here is faith, truth, obediChrist, in purity of heart, and who are ence, baptism of the believing, according to quite unblamable in their doctrine and life, I the word of God, true fraternal love, and

Page  241 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 241 the service of our neighbors; yonder is un- ful, notwithstanding he did her such great belief, falsehood, disobedience, infant bap- service, showing and declaring to all sects, tism without God's word, hatred, envy, tyr- nations and individuals who desire to read anny, cruelty, shedding blood, quarreling, or hear our doctrine, writings and admonilawsuits, backbiting, cheating, stealing, tions,not by flatterings and my own opinion, robbing and murdering; here is teaching, but by the express word of God, which admonition, consolation, reproof in right- alone avails, that there is no salvation on eousness-there, mere corruption, heresy, earth or in heaven otherwise than in Christ upbraiding and slandering; here, blessing, Jesus, that is, in his doctrine, faith, sacrapraise and thanksgiving-there, cursing ments, obedience and walk. All doctrine and swearing by the suffering of the Lord, which is contrary to his word or without by his wounds, sacraments, flesh, blood his command, is vain, such as, in the papal and judgment; here, longsuffering-there, church, purgatory, false promises, differinflammable temper; here, humility-there, ences in places, in victuals and in days, pride; here, mercy-there, mercilessness; pilgrimages, false sacrifices, &c. Again, here, true religion-there, idolatry; here, in the German churches, the availibility of spirit and spiritual wisdom-there, flesh infant baptism. Aga'Ln, with the corrupted and foolishness; here is prayer in spirit sects, the third David; the carnal kingdom; And in truth-there, mockery with many that every thing is clean to the clean, such powerless words; here is prayer for the as to show to idols outward honor and reverLord's truth-there the righteousness of the ence,to baptize infants, polygamy, shameful Lord is persecuted; here is faith in Christ confession, to make indecent show of person, -there, idolatrous ceremonies; in short, not to believe in angels or the devil; that a here is Christ and God-there, anti-christ more perfect doctrinewilibeproclaimedthan and the devil. Yea, most beloved brethren, was taught by Christ Jesus, Paul and the the pure, chaste and spotless bride of our other apostles, and more like abominations. Lord Jesus Christ (judge for yourselves) is Again, all the sacraments not comprised quite different from this carnal, unclean, in the word of God, as the idolatrous bapadulterous and shameful cause. tism of infants, the false supper in a church Verily, they are not the true church of which neither seeks, knows, fears nor loves Christ who merely boast of his name. But its God; which believes that the bread is those are the true church of Christ, who actual flesh and the wine actual blood; were converted, who are born from above also, the confirmation, the holy oil, as they of God, who are of a regenerated mind and call it; again, all the services which are by the operation of the Holy Spirit from neither taught nor commanded by Christ the hearing of the divine word have become nor his apostles, such as holy water, children of God; who obey him, and live, altars, images, masses, vigils, absolution, unblamably in his holy commandments the invocation of the departed, monkhood, and according to his holy will, all their pilgrimages and the like abominations. days, or after their calling. Again, the private and public life which Inasmuch as the worldly church is no does not comport with the Spirit and life of such amiable, obedient bride, but has left I Jesus Christ; such as unclean, vulgar her lawful husband, Christ, and follows thoughts, evil desires, unbecoming, shameafter strange adulteries, as may be plainly ful words; uncleanness, adultery, fornicaseen, and all this through blindness, igno- tion, drinking to excess, hatred, envy, the rance and the deceit of their teachings- shedding of blood contrary to the ordinance therefore I seek to accomplish nothing by of God, avarice, pride, lying, cheating, backmy writing and teaching, according to the biting, jesting, theft, usury, murd, sweartalent God was pleased to give me, but to ing and fighting. All these matters and reclaim this adulterous bride, the erring articles, such as doctrines, sacraments, church, from her adulterous actions and worship and life, which are here noted, and again to return her to her first husband, j others which are not, every reader can easiChrist Jesus, to whom she was so unfaith- ly understand by the inward unction of God, 67

Page  242 '242 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. that they, not being comprised, expressed, -not by works or merit of our own; but by nor commanded in his word and in the means of Christ Jesus alone. wholesome doctrine of our beloved Lord Again, these are the sacraments which Jesus Christ, but most of them being dia- Christ Jesus has instituted and taught: metrically contrary to the Word, therefore First, the holy baptism of the believing, in we deem them, according to the sentence of which we bury our sinful flesh and take the Holy Scriptures, as nothing else than unto ourselves a new life, seal and confess false doctrine, deceit and fantasy; as our faith, testify to the new birth and good false and garbled, idolatrous sacraments, conscience; and thus we enter into the obeas abominable idolatry, spiritual whore- dience of Jesus Christ, who has taught and dom, degeneracy, and as carnal, earthly commanded us thus himself and also in his and deadly life, of which the Holy Spirit of Holy Spirit through his disciples. Secondly, God has so abundantly testified through the Holy Supper, inwhich is represented the Paul and John that those who commit these death of the Lord, who died for us in his things shall not inherit the kingdom of God, great love; and in which is represented Rom. 1: 22; 1 Cor. 6: 8; Gal. 5: 21; Eph. true, brotherly love; and also the righteous, 3: 5; Rev. 22: 5. unblamable, christian life which must be For if the literal Israel was so severely lived inwardly and outwardly in full measpunished and crushed by God, because they ure of death unto sin and unfeigned love, did not abide by the law, commandments, conformable to the word of God. statutes and righteousnesses of their God, Behold, worthy reader, since the whole and because they did not hear and receive world, yea, all tongues, tribes and people the reproving, admonition and teachings of have become degenerated, according to the their faithful prophets who spoke to them righteous sentence of God, in the doctrines, through the inspiration of God, but stoned sacraments and life whichispleasingto God, them, put them to the sword, killed, up- for they prefer falsehood to truth, unrightbraided and blasphemed them; following a eousness to righteousness; as they have worship to suit their own taste, as has been committed themselves to all manner of false shown above-O, what must we, then, ex- teachings, false ceremonies and carnal life, pect from God, if we do not abide by the so that we may consider them rather as wholesome doctrine of grace, by the right brutes than human beings, rather as devils holy sacraments, by the works of love than christians, as every reasonable being which are pleasing to God and by the pious, can easily, even without the word of God, unblamable life which no Moses, prophet, comprehend and understand; and as the angel, nor creature has taught us, butwhich learned and preachers, who, we should the eternal Son of God, the eternal wisdom reasonably expect to reprove such things, and truth, the eternal love and mercy, the themselves are committed to such false docblessed Christ Jesus has taught us by his trine, unbelief and abominable idolatry own blessed mouth, by the command of his and lead, even, a more beastly and infernal Almighty Father, which command is eternal life-yea, as these learned people diligentand immutable, whose love for us is ineffa- ly lead and force all mankind to such idolble, who has confirmed it by virtue of mira- atry, unbelief, transgression and accursed cles and at last sealed it with his precious life, both by their teaching and example, blood; and has proclaimed the same to all as most of the learned have done from the the world by his faithful testimony, his beginning, as they are ever earthly, carnalholy apostles, in incomprehensible power of ly and devilishly minded, and as they ever the Spirit; which doctrine is nothing else, reject the spiritual and heavenly wisdom nor will it ever be any thing else, than the and will of Jesus Christ which tempers the precious gospel of peace, the glad tidings carnal lusts, as a displeasure and inconof grace, the remission of sin, the victory venience, Col. 3: 5; 1 Pet. 2: 11; Rom. over death, hell and the devil; besides, 13: 14; therefore, since I clearly see this grace, peace, freedom and admission to the awful disesteem of the holy word of God, Father; and all this out of love and grace and the condemnation of innumerable thou

Page  243 MEiNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AN) WRITING. 243 sands of souls whom Christ Jesus has so and life of our Lord Jesus Christ-unblamdearly bought and ransomed by his precious able in all things, 1 Tim. 3: 2; Tit. 1: 6; blood, for outside of the obedience to the Lev. 21: 7; Ezek. 44: 21; for the word of divine word there is no salvation, therefore the Lord is truth, Jn. 17: 17; it is Spirit and I cannot be silent; for the honor and praise life, Jn. 6: 63; therefore they can not be adof my Lord and God are at stake, and it ministered by the carnal minded; by no avails the salvation of a poor, erring broth- children of death, nor by liars; but by the er-although, perchance, it may be at the truthful, by the spiritual minded, and by risk of my life. those who rightly confess Christ Jesus; Who knows but that God, through me who surely feel the life eternal in their and through my beloved brethren who are hearts, and who live unblamably before and who shall be, has chosen and provided God and walk in Christ Jesus, so that they in his grace, that some of those who now may truthfully say with Paul, "Be ye folunwittingly err, may yet acknowledge and lowers of me, even as I also am of Christ," confess the right way, doctrine, truth and 1 Cor. 11: 1. life, and walk unblamably in Christ, before In the second place we desire with ardent God and before all the world all the days hearts, even at the cost of life and blood, of their lives. 0, Lord, that it might be so, that the holy gospel of Jesus Christ and his Amen. apostles, which alone is the true doctrine, Behold, most beloved reader, inasmuch and will remain so until Jesus Christ will as the Babylonian king, namely, the anti- reappear in the clouds, may be taught and christ, has, through his servants, that is, preached through all the world, as the Lord through the false prophets and teachers, Jesus Christ commanded his disciples at demolished the disobedient Jerusalem, the the last moments while he was on earth, temple of the Lord, and has thus impris- Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15. oned Israel these many years-therefore I In the third place we seek, teach and deand my brethren in the Lord desire nothing sire a true faith and christian life conformbut that we may, to the honor of God, so able to the doctrine of Jesus Christ and his labor at his fallen city, temple and impris- apostles; for the doctrine of the preachers oned people, according to the talent re- is all vain and useless if the word which is ceived of him, that we may rebuild that preached is not accepted by faith, Heb. which is demolished, repair that which is 4: 2; and faith is vain, and dead before damaged and free those who areimprisoned, God when it does not work by love, Jas. with the word of God, by the power of the 2: 20. Holy Spirit, the same as it was before the In the fourth place, we teach, seek and fall, that is, in freedom of the Spirit, on the desire a right, christian baptism; first, with doctrines, sacraments, ceremonies, love and Spirit and fire, Luke 3: 16; afterward in the life of Jesus Christ and of his holy apostles. water, in obedience to faith; for thus has For this reason I am not ashamed to Christ Jesus commanded all the believing; write down, publish and loudly proclaim and thus the holy apostles have taught and my faith, doctrine, seeking and desire, be- administered it, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; fore all mankind who will hear, no matter Acts 2: 38; 9: 5; 16: 31; 10: 47. who they are. Yea, I doubt not but if In the fifth place, we teach, seek and dethose could see my inmost heart who now sire such a Supper as Christ Jesus himself assiduously seekmylife, theywouldchange has instituted and administered, Matt. their hatred against me and my brethren, 26: 19; Mark 14: 22; Luke 22: 19; first, into love for us. to a church which is outwardly without spot In the first place we desire, according to jand blemish, that is, without any considerthe word of God, that no bishop, pastor or able transgression and wickedness; for the teacher shall be admitted into the church of church can only judge as to the visible; the Lord, to teach and administer the sac- but what is inwardly wicked and not outraments of the Lord, other than those who i wardly apparent to the church, as the beare comprised in the doctrine, ordinance t fraying of Judas, of that God is to judge,

Page  244 244 MIENNOS REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. for he alone tries the hearts and reins, and and actions. Now consider whether these not the church. Secondly, in both forms, things are not the will of God, the true docnamnely, bread and wine; thirdly, to the re- trine of Jesus Christ, the true ministering membrance of the Lord's death. Fourthly, of the sacraments and the true life which is as a renewal and proof of brotherly love, of God; although all the gates of hell may as this supper was also called amongst the willfully oppose them. ancients, a brotherly supper, as Tertullian Behold, dear brethren, against these docwrites. trines, sacraments and life no imperial deIn the sixth place we seek and desire crees, no papal bulls, no councils of the that all strange ceremonies and manners of learned, no long usage, no human philosoworship which are without the word of God, phy, no Origen, Augustine, Luther, Bucer, or instituted contrary thereto and tend to prison, banishment or murder can prevail; ~abominableidolatry,such asholywater,oral for it is the eternal, imperishable word of confession, infant baptism, masses, matins, God; it is, I repeat, the eternal word of vespers, images, altars, false promises and God, and will remain immutable forever. the like ceremonies, may be abolished, not Etiamsi rumpantur illa codro. Whosoever by force of arms, but peaceably by the word yet opposes and wars against these things, of God, that the poor, ignorant populace either at heart, verbally or by the sword, may no longer be deceived by such vain does not war against flesh and blood, that works which are nothing short of idolatry; is, against man, but he wars against the but that they may put their faith in the liv- Lamb, against him who has all power, and ing God and in the merits of our ever who by a word created heaven and earth blessed Lord Jesus Christ and that they and the fullness thereof. Nay, against may cordially walk in his divine command- him who lifts up his hand and says, "I live ments, not varying to the right or the left; forever," Deut. 32: 40. for in him is life everlasting, Jn. 12: 50, and As this is the true doctrine of Jesus Christ in none other. which alone leads to life eternal, and as In the seventh place we seek, desire, there is no other true doctrine beside; thereteach and preach, that all magistrates, fore I might be asked by the reader why it emperors, kings, dukes, counts, barons, is that so very few men sincerely believe mayors, knights and other officers may and fulfill it in works? In my opinion be so taught and trained by the Spirit there are four reasons for this. First, beand word of God, that they may sincerely cause all lords, preachers and common peoseek, honor, fear and serve Christ Jesus, the pie are carnal and earthly minded; theretrue head of all lords and potentates; that fore they cannot admit the lovely doctrine they may rightly administer their office, of the Holy Ghost, the doctrine of eternal and use the sword given them of God, in peace. Secondly, because they are drunk his fear and in brotherly love, to the praise and full of the enchanting wine of the of God, to the protection of the good andto Babylonian whore, exceedingly rich and the punishment of the evil, according to the not in want of any thing, Rev. 17: 2; 3: 17. intent of the word of God, Rom. 13: 3; 1 Thirdly, because they do not fear the awful Pet. 2: 13; as did the men of God, as Moses, judgment and fearful wrath of God against Joshua, David, Ezekiel, Josiah and others. all disobedience and transgression, yea, so Read also Dent. 17: 2, 3, and you will clear- utterly disregard the word of God, as if the ly understand what God has commanded Holy Ghost was merely jesting, when threatall magistrates to do. ening temporal or eternal punishment. Besides, we teach the true love and fear Fourthly, because thley do not acknowledge of God, the true love of our neighbor, to the great benefiencel of God toward them aid and assist all mankind and to injure in Christ Jesus; for in case they did acnone; to crucify the flesh and its lusts; to knowledge the works of divine love toward circumcise the leat;l, mlonth and the whole them, namlely, that God has created heaven body with the knife of the divine word, of \ and earth and the fullness thereof for their all unclean thoughts, unbecoming words \ benefit; that he formed them after his own

Page  245 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 245 image from the dust of earth; placed them mighty God in Christ Jesus, they would at the head of all creation; gave them doubtlessly accept and cordially fulfill his gold, silver, land, house and home and all blessed word and admonition; but as they the necessaries of life; gave them his do not rightly acknowledge Christ Jesus divine word; first, the law of nature, then and his Father-the Savior said, "God so Moses and the prophets, and afterward his loved the world, that he gave his only beonly begotten Son, his wisdom, his power, gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him Christ Jesus, who has taught them the will should not perish, but have everlasting life. of his Father in great clearness; opened For God sent not his Son into the world to heaven and closed hell; vanquished death, condemn the world; but that the world sin and the devil for them; fulfilled the through him might be saved. He that becumbersome, threatening law on the cross, lieveth on him is not condemned; but he and acquired for them grace, favor, mercy, that believeth not, is condemned already, peace, freedom, deliverance, remission of because he hath not believed in the name sins and eternal life with the Father, if they of the only begotten Son of God. And this in truth believe, seek and desire it, besides is the condemnation, that light is come into calling them daily to repentance, regenera- the world and men loved darkness rather tion and the glory of the chosen children than light because their deeds were evil," of God; desiring to draw them forth from Jn. 3: 16-19. the darkness of the world and deliver them Take heed, O ye miserable, erring men! into the kingdom of his beloved Son; not For here the eternal wisdom of the blessed letting his righteous judgment come on Christ Jesus has expressed, why you do not them as it did on Sodom and Gomorrah; believe his precious word, and do not fulfill giving them day and night, sun and moon, his divine will, because you prefer the damrain and drought; again, blessing them nable darkness to the saving light. Yea, Irewith wisdom and understanding, wife, chil- peat, that if you sincerely accepted and bedren, cattle and fruits; if they did cordially lieved the divine goodness, mercy, and the inacknowledge these rich gifts of his abun- effable love of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ dant grace, then all the tyrants under heav- toward you, namely, that by his ardent love en would not separate them fiom the doc- he became an humble mortal man for you; trine, love, sacraments, life and confession came down from high heaven into these lower of Jesus Christ even if it were possible that parts of the earth, taught and preached unto they could testify to and assert it by a you the eternal kingdom of God, performed thousand deaths. Yea, they would say miracles, prayed, suffered tribulation, anx with the apostle Paul, "Who shall sepa- iety, apprehension and prison; thathe was rate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribu- beaten, mocked.derided,spit upon,scourged, lation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, crowned with thorns, drenched with gall or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Rom. and vinegar, blasphemed, crucified and that 8: 35. he died and was buried for you; was again But because they do not acknowledge the raised up, ascended to heaven, seated at God of all grace in his divine word, judg- the right hand of the Father; and that by ments and beneficences; and do neither ac- his precious blood he became your faithful knowledge the Spirit, power, will and life Servant, Reconciler, Deliverer, Mediator which was in Christ Jesus whom we should and Advocate; that by love he sent to you follow, according to the word of God; and the whole world, his faithful servants, therefore they so wrongfully oppose and I the holy apostles, with the word of gracepersecute the heavenly doctrine of Jesus if you believe all this, you would, doubtChrist, and diligently follow, teach and pro- lessly, love him who has shown you such tect all manner of falsehood, deceit, fraud great love and grace without any merit on and idolatry. Again I repeat, If they your part; and if you would return the rightly acknowledged and believed the pa- love with which he has loved you and yet ternal heart, mind and love, protection, fa- loves you, you would, verily, not tire of vor, will, solicitude and affection of the Al- \ seeking ajtd following him, so that you

Page  246 246 MENNS9S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. might live unblamably according to his any revelation or heavenly inspiration, but blessed will, and walk all your life in his by the express, definite word of the Lord, divine commandments, as he himself says, and from my inmost heart I am convinced " IHe that hath my commandments, andkeep- that this doctrine is not our doctrine, but eth them, heitisthatlovetht lt me, Jn. 14:21. the doctrine of him who sent us, that is Behold, most beloved reader, thus true Christ Jesus. All those who are desirous faith or true knowledge begets love, and of doing his will, will acknowledge that love begets obedience to the commandments this doctrine is of God; and that we do not of God. Therefore Christ Jesus says, "He preach our own opinion, dreamings, that believeth on him is not condemned." and visions. But those who do not fear Again at another place, "Verily, verily, I God; do not believe on Christ Jesus; who say unto you, he that heareth my word, trample upon his word, and do not do his and believeth on him that sent me, hath will; who love darkness rather than light; everlasting life, and shall not come into by those, all evangelical truth must be called condemnation; but is passed from death damnable heresy and considered and treatinto life," Jn. 5: 24. For true evangelical ed as deadly treason. Notwithstanding all faith is of such a nature that it cannot lay this, the word of God shall remain undormant; but manifests itself in all right- broken until the judgment day. eousness and works of love; it dies unto Woe unto such! For in them are lost the flesh and blood; destroys all forbidden abundant gifts of grace, the heavenly word lusts and desires; cordially seeks, serves of peace, the mild admonitions, the hard and fears God; clothes the naked; feeds and bitter labor, the precious treasure, the hungry; consoles the afflicted; shelters which is the precious blood and bitter death the miserable; aids and consoles all the of our Lord Jesus Christ. Again, woe, woe oppressed; returns good for evil; serves unto them! For it can never be that we can those that injure it; prays for those that be saved without faith, love and obedience persecute it; teaches, admonishes and re- to our Lord Jesus Christ. I speak of those proves with the Word of the Lord; seeks of understanding age. Paul says, "Withthat which is lost; binds up that which is out faith it is impossible to please him wounded; heals that which is diseased and (God)," Heb. 11: 6. "He that believeth not saves that which is sound. The persecu- is condemned," Jn. 3: 18. tion, suffering and anxiety which befalls it As the literal law of Moses could not, at for the sake of the truth of the Lord, is to it any time, be changed by the tyranny of a glorious joy and consolation. princes, the accuteness of the learned, or All those who have a faith as is here men- by the madness of the common people; tioned, namely, a faith that makes desirous and as there could be nothing added to, nor to walk in the commandments of the Lord, taken from it, it had to remain unchanged to do the will of the Lord, and which shows until the coming of Christ. Yea, as all who itself in all righteousness, love and obedi- did not abide by this law were the children ence, also acknowledge that the word of the wrath and of death; so, also, it is toand will of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ day. If all the deceased apostles should is true wisdom, truth and life, yea, un- be raised up and should teach us differentchangeable and immutable until Christ ly from what they did at the time of their Jesus shall reappear in the clouds of heaven ministration; and besides these, Moses and at the judgment day; they do not scoff at the prophets, all the angels of heaven and God's word as if it were a vapor, as do the as many eloquent and miraculous prophets ignorant world, saying, "What can water as we have hairs on our heads; and if beavail me?" but they will diligently try to sides these, all the princes should roar like obey the word of Jesus Christ in every par- devouring lions and ravening wolves, and ticular, even at the risk of death according if every learned tongue should cut as a to the flesh. razor, it would yet be impossible that those Behold, beloved brethren, I speak frankly could be saved who do not abide by the with a certain and sure conviction not by j wholesome doctrine, sacraments, obedience

Page  247 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 247 and life of Jesus Christ. Yea they are the dreams, prophesies, visions, signs and children of wrath, the curse and of death jugglery. For there can never be a wiser, eternal, as Christ himself says, "Not every truer, more diligent, more righteous, godone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall pleasing, unblamable, powerful, perfect, enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he higher or holier Prophet than the ever that doeth the will of my Father which is blessed Christ Jesus. Every thing, too, has in heaven," Matt. 7: 21. At another place testified this of him, both in heaven and he says, "If ye continue in my word then upon earth. In the first place God testified are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall this to Adam; afterward to Moses, David, know the truth, and the truth shall make Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Zechariyou free," Jn. 8: 31, 32. From this follows ah, and to most of the prophets; to the the opposite, beloved brethren, namely, angel Gabriel; to the angels at his birth; that if we do not abide in Christ's word, we by the star of heaven; by the wise from the cannot be his disciples; that we do not ac- east; the learned at Jerusalem; John the knowledge the truth; and if we do not ac- Baptist. Again at his baptism by the Faknowledge the truth how can we then be ther and the Holy Ghost; afterward by the made free thereby? And if we are not freed multitudes, the devils; by the healing, the by truth, woe unto us that we were ever raising up of the-dead; by changing water born; for then we are yet in sin, under the into wine; commanding the storm to cease; curse, wrath, children of hell, of the devil by the loaves, fishes, fig-tree, and the chiland of eternal death. 0, misery, misery! dren on palms-day; at his death; by the Fear with all your heart, faithful reader! murderer; the firmament of heaven; the For this will never be found otherwise. whole earth; the curtains of the temple; the If the bloodthirsty, tyrannical lords and stones; the deceased dead, and the centurion princes had, from the beginning, acknowl- under the cross, Ps. 22: 7; Isa. 53: 5; Dan. edged this, and would now acknowledge it, 9: 25. Say, what is there that has not testinamely, that the word is eternal and will fled to Christ Jesus? Yea he is the one, as remain unchangeable and that it cannot be he himself says, who after his resurrection changed by the most exalted of men, never again ascended to heaven, to whom all would they thus have opposed and mur- power is given of the Father both in heaven dered the professors of the divine word. and in earth, Matt. 28. Therefore it is just If the Roman bishop and his learned fel- and right, yea it is absolutely required, if lows had taken this matter to heart, he they do not want to be lost, that all magiswould never have taken from Italy her em- trates bow themselves under his scepter; peror, and from Christ Jesus the spiritual all reason and sagaciousness place themreign. But he would, doubtlessly, have selves under his heavenly wisdom; all flesh bidden adieu to his worldly glory, pomp, lay at his blessed feet; and that every luxury, idolatry, false doctrine, easy life, tongue confess that he is the Lord, to the garbled sacraments, sodomitic unclean- honor and praise of his Father. Therefore ness, councils, statutes and decrees and I pray all godfearing readers in the Lord, would have contented himself with the im- by the merits of our blessed Lord Jesus mutable, heavenly doctrine of the only, Christ, to whom be the kingdom, the praise true Shepherd, Teacher and Bishop of our and honor; not to consider me any higher souls, Christ Jesus. than a mere, humble servant of Jesus Christ As the whole burden of our salvation is and as a dispenser of his mysteries, accordincluded and comprised in Christ Jesus and ing to the faith given me of him. I, miserhis holy word, and in no one else, nor in able sinner that I am, on account of my unany other doctrine-therefore I warn every clean, greedy, proud, vain, idolatrous and godfearing soul, by the word of God, carnal life which I formerly led, and on acthrough nothing but brotherly love, not to count of my yet often sinning and transgressbe shaken and misled, either by the exalted ing before my God, who am not worthyto be position of man, or by old age, learning, the least servant in the house of my Lord! eloquence, finely gotten up ceremonies, Yet, by his grace I am that I am.

Page  248 N48 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND) WRITING. Brethren, I tell you the truth and lie not. which however I sincerely repent. What I am no Enoch, no Elias, I have no visions, am I that I should boast of, seek and teach am no prophet, who can teach and prophe- any thing else than the ever blessed Christ sy differently from what it is written in the Jesus alone, his word, sacraments, obediword of God and whosoever tries to teach ence and his god-pleasing, virtuous and unsomething else will soon miss the right way blamable life. He is the only one of whom and be deceived in his learning. I trust it is written: That he was begotten of the that the merciful Father will keep me in his Holy Ghost; that he knew no sin; that word so that I shall write or speak nothing guile was not found in his mouth, that his but that which I can prove by Moses, the doctrine, word, will, and commandments prophets, the evangelists or by other apos- are life eternal, Matt. 1: 25; Luke 1: 31; tolic Scriptures and doctrines, explained in 1 Pet. 2: 22; Isa. 53: 12. their true sense, Spirit and intent of Christ. Therefore take heed and save your soul. Judge ye that are spiritually minded. For thus every christian mustbe mindedin Again, I have no visions nor angelic inspi- regard to Christ Jesus, his Savior and in rerations, neither do I desire such, lest I be gardto hisholy word; nor musthethinkhimthereby deceived. The word of Christ, self more exalted, no matter what gifts he has alone, is sufficient for me. If I do not fol- received, if he would not rob Christ Jesus low his testimony, then, verily, all that I of his glory; and remain in a humble walk do is useless. And even if I had such before God, in the right measure of his visions and inspirations, which is not the faith as becomes him in Christ. I advise case, even then it would have to be conform- all not to deceive themselves. Let spiritual able to the word and Spirit of Christ, or pride, and vain boasting be far from you, else it would be mere fantasy, deceit and "For God resisteth the proud, and giveth satanic temptation. For Paul says, "Let grace to the humble," I Pet. 5: 5. us prophesy according to the proportion of Inasmuch as I daily see the perils which faith," Rom. 12: 6. Nor am I a third David, have surrounded us from the beginning; as some have falsely passed themselves a'id and as so many souls are deceived by false yet pass themselves for. There are but two prophesies, smooth words, seeming holiDavids comprised in the word of God. The ness, lying, jugglery, boasting and false first, a literal and figurative, namely, the promises of the anti-christians and the false son of Jesse; and the second, the spiritual, prophets who are ever intent upon their the only begotten Son of God, Christ Jesus. own honor, fame and gain, under a semWhosoever, now, passes himself for the blance of God's word, as was the case with third, is a falsifier and blasphemer. Let the popes of Rome, with John of Leyden, every soul take heed, lest he err in his faith. the Munsterites, and others-therefore I According to my first birth I am nothing deem it essential and well, sincerely to warn but unclean slime and dust of earth, con- and admonish all beloved readers in the ceived and born in sin from my mother's Lord, not to accept my doctrine as the goswomb, and educated all my life in all man- pel of Jesus Christ until they have weighed ner of ignorance, sin and blindness, until it in the balance with the Spirit and word the clear light of grace and knowledge ap- of God, that they may not place their faith peared unto me from high heaven and which in me, nor in any teacher or writer, but, has given me such a heart, will and desire, solely in Christ Jesus. For if they should that I willingly seek after that which is accept it for my sake, and should not first good, and strive, with holy Paul to "follow compare it with the word of the Lord, and after, if that I may apprehend that for which should, thus depend upon me or any other also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus," man, and not upon ChristJesus, they would Phil. 3: 12. be like unto the culpable Corinthians, whom 0, most beloved reader, I repeat that I Paul severely reproved because there were have formerly acted shamefully against dissensions among them; some were of God and my neighbors; and yet I do, some- Paul, some of Apollos, and not all of Christ times think, speak and act recklessly, of Jesus, 1 Cor. 1. They would be like unto

Page  249 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 249 those of whom it is written, " Cursed be the pearance, or miraculous. If it be the word man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh of God which I teach, accept it in the name his arm, and whose heart departeth from of the Lord, if ye would not be lost. But the Lord," Jer. 17: 5. if it be human doctrine, then let it be acIf I should, by my teaching, gain disci- cursed of God. "For other foundation can ples for myself and not for Christ Jesus, no man lay than that is laid (by the aposseeking my own gain, praise and honor, ties) which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. then, indeed, woe unto my soul! No breth- No doctrine is profitable or serviceable to ren, no. The Lord be blessed I seek not our salvation but the doctrine of Christ that which Judas, Gallio and Theudas Jesus and his holy apostles, as he himself sought. By the grace of God I am not says, "Teach them to observe all thinigs minded like those who, in their imagination whatsoever I have commanded you," Matt. soar above the clouds and want to be like 28: 19. unto the Most High, Acts 5: 37. But I re- All Scripture, both of the Old and New peat it. I am a poor, miserable sinner, who Testaments, rightly explained according to must daily fight with my flesh, the world the intent of Christ Jesus and his holy aposand the devil, and daily seek the mercy of ties, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, the Lord; and who, with holy Paul boasts for correction, for instruction in righteousof nothing but of Christ Jesus alone; and ness, 2 Tim. 3: 16; but whatever is taught that he was crucified for us. contrary to the Spirit and doctrine of Jesus My writing and preaching is for nothing is accursed of God, Gal. 1. but for the sake of Christ Jesus; for I seek Inasmuch as there is but one corner stone and desire nothing (this the Lord knows) laid of God, the Almighty Father, in the but that the most glorious name, the divine foundation of Zion, which is Christ Jesus, will, and the glory of our beloved Lord Isa. 28: 16; Rom. 9: 33; 1 Pet. 2: 6; upon Jesus Christ may be acknowledged through- whom alone we should build conformable out the world. I desire and seek sincere to his word, and upon none other; and as teachers, true doctrines, true faith, true the whole world, to the contrary, have built sacraments, true worship and an unblama- upon strange corner stones, such as popes, ble life; for which I must pay with much councils, doctors, doctrines and commandtribulation, trouble, uneasiness, labor, ments of men; upon wrong practices of long watching, fear, anxiety, sorrow, envy, standing, and still continue to build upon shame, heat and cold, and perhaps, at last pretending prophets; and as they thus so by torture, yea by my blood and death. shamefully reject the only, noble and finFor my reward, according to the flesh, must ished corner stone, the ever blessed Christ be that of him who, from the beginning, in Jesus-therefore I can not be restrained, his great love, has sought the salvation of but must warn all godfearing souls in the the world. I say with holy John the Bap Lord, by my writings, wherever they shall tist; Christ Jesus must increase, but I must be taken, read and heard, that from this decrease, Jn. 3: 30; he lives forever and moment they may awaken, if they desire to ever, but I shall again return to the dust be saved (whether I live or die by so doing), from whence I came, as all the children of and that they may without delay, enter men. upon the wholesome doctrine, sacraments, Therefore I beseech you again, by the obedience and life of our beloved Lord Jesus grace of God, and for the salvation of your Christ; for in him alone is life eternal, as souls, that you may weigh my doctrine and has been frequently said above. the doctrine of all mankind, who have been Beloved reader, verily, I can not but wonfrom the times of the apostles, are now, and der at the obduracy, deafness and blindshall yet be, with the gospel balance of ness of the world, inasmuch as they are not Jesus Christ and the doctrine of his holy ashamed to bear the name of Christ, and to apostles, lest you be deceived by me or by boast of his merits, blood and death, while any other man, no matter whether he be a nothing is found among them at all by prince, learned or unlearned, holy in ap- which they prove the good will and nature 68

Page  250 250 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. of Christ Jesus. O ye vain boasters, if you monies as the eternal wisdom, the blessed are the true christians in whom God is Christ Jesus, has never commanded. By pleased, as you pretend, where then, is your which ceremonies they plainly show that christian baptism in which you have buried they believe at heart that Christ Jesus is your sins and put on the new life? Where imperfect, foolish, and unclean. For in is your true Supper in which you proclaim case they believed him to be wise and perthe death of the Lord and show your broth- feet how could they thus shamefully adulerly love? Where is your love and fear of terate, break, despise and garble his perfect, God? your love of your neighbors? Your evangelical word and ordinances? And if humility of heart? Your mercifulness to- they acknowledged him to be spotless why wards the needful? Your obedience to the do they seek their salvation in such impure commandments of God? Your new birth and strange means, and not in the only from above, from which results a new life pure sacrifice, which is Christ Jesus? which should be unblamable before God, But because true religion opposes your and before all the world? Jas. 1: 27. Where carnal mindedness, pride, avarice, uncleanis the living, holy and pleasing sacrifice of ness, vanity, ease and the lusts of your your own body, which you should ever be flesh, therefore you have chosen for yourready to present for the sake of the Lord's selves a vain and strange religion by which truth? We find nothing amongst you but you think to be saved, although you do not unbelief and its evil fruits; an anti-chris- live according to the word and will of God. tian baptism, idolatrous supper; unclean 0, no, dear reader, no. I repeat it, if all love of flesh, unmercifulness, pride, avarice, creatures under the heavens were devouring disobedience in all divine matters, carnal swords, fire and water; if all men were birth, earthly mindedness, and the old cruel, horrible and bloody tyrants; and if blamable life, led according to the will of the acuteness of the learned, ruled all the him who, from the beginning, was a proud, people, yet all would be vanity. If you false, deceitful, cruel and bloody murderer. would enter into life, you must be born We find amongst you no worship but again, Jn. 3: 5, you must be regenerated only a self-begotten set of rites which are and in malice you should be children, 1 pleasing to the flesh, such as, bells, organs, Cor. 14: 20; yea, you must keep the comsinging, celebration, ornamented churches, mandments which were taught and combeautiful images, differences in victuals and manded of Jesus Christ, Matt. 18. Nothing in days, false purification and promises, can be devised as a substitute; for there reading many psalms and pater nosters will never be a way to salvation other than with the mouth and not spiritually, adul- Christ Jesus. teration of the sacraments, and a destruc- It is too plain, and indiscreet blindness tion and garbling of all that which Christ to think that we could be saved and at the Jesus has taught and commanded in his same time be avaricious, spiteful, envious, holy gospel. All of which are, verily, no proud, adulterous and idolatrous, as all works of regenerated christians; but rather the Scriptures too plainly show and teach the works of Satan or of the foolish, blind that such shall not inherit the kingdom of and ignorant flesh. For by these works God. Did you ever find falsehood with neither the word nor righteousness of God God? I think not. Holy Paul says that is taught; no flesh is crucified; no neigh- God is one "that can not lie," Tit. 1: 2. bors are served; and above all they are not Christ Jesus says, " Thy word is truth," Jn. pleasing to God. Therefore they can not 17: 17. If he be, then, a God that can not be considered, according to Scripture, ser- lie; and if his holy word be truth; 0, ye vices of God, but rather an abominable, miserable, then all is lost with you. For fearful and terrible service of idols. For his doctrine and truth is, that the unbelievby such means the ignorant, trusting ing, refractory, disobedient, avaricious, populace is led away from the true faith vain, lying, whoring, greedy, obdurate, and trust in Christ Jesus and is led into a idolatrous, adulterous, ambitious, bloodfalse trust in ceremonies, yea, in such cere- thirsty and carnal man shall not enter into

Page  251 MENiO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 251 the kingdom of heaven; but his portion nacle of clay; and you never reflect that shall be "everlasting destruction," 1 Thess. soon the word will be heard by all of us, 1: 9, eternal darkness and eternal death. " Give an account of thy stewardship; for As you are such ungodly, obdurate and thou mayest be no longer steward." willful sinners, therefore you are, according The precious word of grace and of eternal to the word of Christ which can not lie, and peace, which is the most holy gospel of according to the doctrine of the apostles Jesus Christ, you account for nothing more who spoke in like Spirit, deprived of the than a fable, nay, as accursed heresy; for glorious revelation of the children of God, you drown, burn, persecute, and murder and of the future life; and must remain for- those who teach, admonish and reprove ever, by the wrath of God, in the lake which you by this word, and who by a strong burns with fire and brimstone, Rev. 21: 8. power of the Spirit are sent to you of God, And if you, notwithstanding this, trust by grace; just as the mad synagogue of the to be saved while you do not sincerely re- Jews did; so that they did not only persepent of your old life, then, verily, your cute and destroy the chosen children of God, trust is vain. For by such trust you make the holy prophets, but also the only begotGod a liar, because you trust to acquire ten Son of God himself; who by theineffalife contrary to his holy word. ble love of the merciful Father was sent to What! Do ye think, O ye perverse, that them for their own, eternal salvation. What we shall surprise, blind and bribe the Al- did they say? "This is the heir; come, let mighty, wise and just God? Do you think us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritthat the eternal truth shall become false- ance," M[att. 21: 38. hood for your sake? No, beloved reader, How long will you continue in your damno. Beware. The irrepressible sentence of nable blindness, your refractory obduracy God was passed, irrepealably more than and your pernicious madness? Reflectupon fifteen hundred years ago, namely: "Ifye the abundant, ineffable works of grace live after the flesh, ye shall die," Rom. which Christ Jesus has shown you, and if 8: 13. This word is sure and firm. his great love cannot move you to withdraw O world, world, that you thus despise as from your idolatry, disobedience and acvain and useless, the calling and inviting cursed life, then remember his rigid judgvoice of your God who is as faithful to you ments which, from the beginning of the creas a faithful Father tohisbeloved children! ation, came upon all those who did not And that you speak in your hearts, with abide in his blessed word and obedience, beautiful Tyrus, "I am of perfect beauty," that you may by such fear, since you are Ezek. 27: 3; and with proud Babel, "I am, not moved by his love, be drawn away from and none else besides me; I shall not sit as all evil. a widow, neither shall I know the loss of Behold the weeping eyes, 0, miserable children," Isa. 47: 8. Yea, although you world, and hear the tender voice of our benow say, as do the ignorant, It is peace loved Lord Jesus Christ, how he wept for and freedom; yet I tellyou, as Ezekiel said obdurate Jerusalem, and said unto them, unto Tyrus, Thou art nothing; nothing "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least wilt thou be forever; and as Isaiah said in this thy day, the things which belong unto Babel, Thou shalt fall and not rise unto thy peace! But now they are hid from again; and with Paul, "That the day of thine eyes," Luke 19:42. At another place, the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night," "Behold, I send unto you prophets and and, "as travail upon a woman with child; wise men and scribes; and some of them ye and they shall not escape," 1 Thess. 5: 2, 3; shall kill and crucify; and some of them ye and although you may now, with Caper- shall scourge in your synagogues, and pernaum, be exalted unto heaven yet you will secute them from city to city: That upon be brought down to hell, unlooked for, you may come all the righteous blood shed Matt. 11: 23. You eat, drink, dress, grab, upon the earth; fiom the blood of righteous hoard, and you act in all your transactions Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of as if you would ever remain in this taber- Barachias, whom ye slew between the tem

Page  252 252 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. pie and the altar. Verily, I say unto you, prepared vineyard of the Lord is without All these things shall come upon this gener- fruit, and is become useless, as the prophet ation. 0, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that says,'Nowwill I sing to my well beloved a killest the prophets, and stonest them which song of my beloved touching his vineyard. are sent unto thee, how often would I have My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very gathered thy children together, even as a fruitful hill; and he fenced it and gathered hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, out the stones thereof, and planted it with and ye would not! Behold, your house is the choicest vine, and built a tower in the left unto you desolate," Matt. 23: 34-38. midst of it, and also made a wine-press 0, sincerely beloved readers, in case you therein; and he looked that it should bring would rightly take to heart these words of forth grapes, and it brought forth wild Christ, your bones would become dry by grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerufear; they would shake and tremble; for it salem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray is with you, even, as it was with Jerusalem you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What and Judah. You willfully deny that Christ could have been done more to my vineyard, Jesus is your Lord. You do not desire the that I have not done in it? wherefore, when true knowledge of his ways. But you de- I looked that it should bring forth grapes, sire to do as all gentiles have done from brought it forth wild grapes? And now, go the beginning, namely, worship wood, to; I will tell you what I will do to my stone, gold, silver, bread, wine and the vineyard. I will take away the hedge works of your own hands. Besides your thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break earthly, carnal and corrupt life, which, down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodso to speak, does not conform in the least den down; and I will lay it waste; it shall to the word and will of him who, by grace, not be pruned nor digged; but there shall created you, to his honor. come up briers and thorns: I will also comIndeed, you have so entirely rejected mand the clouds that they rain no rain upon Christ Jesus and cast him from you in it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts mockery, that there is no doctrine, sacra- is the house of Israel, and the men of Juments or any thing left you which conforms dah his pleasant plant; and he looked for to his word; but you have instituted self- judgment, butbehold oppression; for rightbegotten doctrines, sacraments, ceremonies eousness, but behold a cry," Isa. 5: 1-7. and commandments, as if Christ Jesus, the Behold, dear brethren, as this judgment only begotten Son and Wisdom of the Al- came first upon Israel, so it also has come mighty Father, were not the true Messen- upon us. For all flesh has corrupted his ger. And all those who, about this damna- way, from the lowest to the highest. The ble, deadly error, fraternally admonish and heavens are iron, and earth is metal. There mildly reprove you and seek to return you are found in the vineyard of the Lord no to Christ Jesus and to his blessed word, dew, no moisture nor ripe fruits; there is must be taken and suffer as rebellious her- no digger, no pruner nor tender. Every etics, in all cities and countries. where it is accursed; the walls and hedges Behold, kind reader, as you have ever are trampled down; it is laid waste to be been and yet are so unthankful for his pa- trampled upon by all men; strangers have ternal grace, God has shut out from you dominion thereof. The Gentiles have enhis mercy, and has brought his just judg- tered into the sanctuary, and have soiled ment upon you so that there is neither the temple of the TLord. Our princes are to right, godfearing truth, nor true teachers, us devouring lions; our fathers are our benor deacons, nor gospel, nor faith, nor trayers; our pastors are our deceivers; our christian baptism, nor christian Supper, i..' i*, 1 ^ shepherds are our wolves; our watchmen nor christian life, n1or knowledge, nor truth, nor spiritual wisdom, nor judgment, nor are the hieves and murderers of our sals. ban, nor love, nor piety left upon earth. We find nothing but thistles and thorns; it Thus the house of which Christ Jesus has is all plundered and robbed; it is all torn spoken, is entirely destroyed and the well up and broken down wherever we turn.

Page  253 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 253 And all this on account of our sinfulness; Therefore is judgment far from us, neither this we must confess before our God. doth justice overtake us. We wait for Yea, dearest reader, compare our trans- light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, gressions with those of Sodom and Gomor- but we walk in darkness. We grope for rah and the other cities which God has de- the wall like the blind, and we grope as if stroyed on account of their sinfulness, and we had no eyes: we stumble at noon-day see how far they stand above us yet. For as in the night; we are in desolate places if we will rightly look into the matter we as dead men. We roar all like bears, and can conceive of no sinfulness greater than mourn sore like doves; we look for judgthat of our time; no matter how great a sin ment but there is none; for salvation, but it is, as pride, avarice, fornication, adul- it is far off from us. For our transgressions tery, idolatry, backbiting, hatred, envy, are multiplied before thee, and our sins greediness, treason, murder, disobedience testify against us; for our transgressions to God, refractoriness, lying, stealing, hy- are with us; and as for our iniquities, we pocrisy or any other ungodliness, as may know them: In transgressing and lying be plainly seen. against the Lord, and departing away from Besides, flesh is accounted Spirit; false- our God, speaking oppression and revolt, hood, truth; sinfulness, righteousness; and conceiving and uttering from the heart Satan is accounted as Christ, by this miser- words of falsehood. And judgment is able, blind, erring world. Anti-christ is turned away backward, and justice standseated in the temple of God. Pharaoh eth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, arms himself against Israel. The powerful and equity can not enter. Yea, truth failmiracles and the beseeching voice of the eth; and he that departeth from evil, maketh Lord are neither seen nor heeded. Thus himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and has this abominable darkness covered the it displeased him that there was no judgwhole land of Egypt. I repeat, thus the ment. And he saw that there was no man, fearful judgment of God is come upon us and wondered that there was no intercesbecause of our sinfulness, as the prophet sor," Isa. 59: 2-16. says, "Your iniquities have separated be- Most beloved, thus has God, the just tween you and your God, and your sins judge, sent his fearful judgment into this have hid his face from you, that he will not wicked world, although you do not feel it. hear. For your hands are defiled with For inasmuch as you trample upon the Son blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your of God, deem the blood of the New Testalips have spoken lies, your tongue hath ment as unclean, grieve the Holy Spirit of muttered perverseness. None calleth for grace-therefore you are under the terrible justice, nor any pleadeth for truth; they judgment and have fallen into the hands of trust in vanity and speak lies; they con- the living God, so that you prefer falsehood ceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. to truth, obscurity to light, death to life; They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the and therefore God has sent you error, and spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs deprived you of his holy word, faith, knowldieth, and that which is crushed breaketh edge and truth, so that you have, in this out into a viper. Their webs shall not be- world, neither light nor way, nor spiritual come garments, neither shall they cover wisdom, nor prayer, nor God, nor Christ, themselves with their works; their works nor promise, nor righteousness, nor peace, are works of iniquity, and the act of vio- nor conscientious freedom, nor inward joy lence is in their hands. Their feet run to nor hope; notwithstanding you so highly evil, and they make haste to shed innocent boast of the name, mercy, merits, death blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniq- and blood of the Lord. For since you say uity; wasting and destruction are in their that you acknowledge God, and yet do not paths. The way of peace they know not; honor and thank him as God, therefore he and there is no judgment in their goings; has suffered you to be deceived by your senthey have made them crooked paths: who- sual thoughts, and your foolish heart is soever goeth therein shall not know peace. become obscured., 1 Jn. 1: 6; Jn. 1; 10; Rev.

Page  254 254 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 22: 15; Jn. 9: 31; Eph. 4: 18; Rom. 1: 18, But the finely attired woman has so en22. Besides, you deem it but mockery to chanted you, and the whoring spirit of the acknowledge God, therefore God has deliv- spiritual whoredom has so kept you under ered you to a perverse mind, to do the things its wings, that I fear, indeed, that your you should not do; "Being filled with all abominable unbelief, obscurity, blindness, unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, falsehood and madness will never more be covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, taken from your hearts, but that the wrath murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisper- of God will remain upon you to the end; ers; backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, so that in this earthly life you will err, proud, boasters, inventers of evil things, without any piety, from one unclean thing disobedient to parents, without understand- to another until the time that we shall be ing, covenant-breakers, without natural af- placed before the just judge, where every fection, implacable, unmerciful," Rom. 1: 29 one shall receive his reward according to -31. his works. Then, when too late, your blind Behold, beloved reader, thus mysterious- eyes will be opened amidst sighs and unaly God punishes by his righteous judgment. vailing remorse, acknowledging that you For God, the Mighty Lord visits this world have not walked in the ways of righteousin many different ways, on account of the ness to life eternal, but in the dark ways to sinfulness thereof. As with bondage, war, death eternal. 0 misery, where will you bloodshed, drought, famine, pestilence and then hide yourselves from the wrath of many other diseases; at whichplaguesand God? Then you will cry in terror: Ye chastisements the world is horror-stricken. mountains fall upon us and ye hills cover But above all, the most terrible wrath of us, Rev. 6: 16. For then there can not be God is his depriving us of his divine word. found a place of prayer, of mercy, nor of For the first mentioned plagues, such as repentance for the sinner. But the awful pestilence, famine, sword, &c., only punish sentence of the just God against all the us according to the flesh, and are chastise- wicked, unbelieving, willful and disobediments for our correction, as the prophet ent sinners will then be pronounced, "Desays, which he inflicts that his children may part from me, ye cursed, into everlasting learn wisdom; but when he deprives us of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels," his word, then all is lost. For if we have Matt. 25: 41. 0, how well it would be for not the word, we verily, have nothing but such if they had never been born. unbelief, blindness, error, disobedience, Therefore I will not cease, while I live, to conceit, acrimony, an unclean, foolish and teach and admonish both verbally and by adulterous spirit, and eternal death. But writing, so far as God, the merciful Father, how few, yea, how very few are horror- by his ineffable kindness, is giving me stricken at these plagues, however abun- knowledge, spirit, grace and wisdom, to all dantly they have come upon them. those that seek the truth; that they may If we should desire to put out a man's awaken while it is yet time and seek the eyes, cut off his ears, take his life or take Lord while he may yet be found, and call from him the inheritance of his natural fa- upon him while he is near, that their rightther, would not such an one use all his rea- eousness may go forth as a light and their son, wit and wisdom to prevent such pain, salvation burn like a torch; which consists shame, danger, and damage? And to-day in nothing but casting off the works of the whole world have eyes and see not, ears darkness and putting on the armor of light, and hear not, life and yet are dead; and, which is to renounce all false doctrine, sacabove all, bereft of the eternal inheritance raments, false religion and the unbecoming, of the merciful Father, but do not mind it. dishonest, carnal life, and again to enter 0, if they acknowledged their own misfor- into the divine doctrine, the evangelical tune how diligently they would seek him sacraments, the services and works of love who gives sight to the blind, hearing to the and the sincere, christian life, as it was deaf, and true wisdom to the enlearned, taught, instituted and practiced by Christ which is Christ Jesus, Ps. 94: 9. Jesus, our only Deliverer and Shepherd

Page  255 MENNO'S REASONS FOR TEACHING AND WRITING. 255 himself, according to the will of his Father, and towns; to keep cavalry and infantry, Isa. 55: 6; 62: 2; Rom. 13: 12. nor to manufacture deadly weapons such Thus I labor and strive, according to the as guns, swords and spears. I do not here small talent given me of God, of which God speak of the sword of justice which is given is my witness, after nothing else than that as a punishment to the wicked and protecthe Day-star, the blessed Christ Jesus, the tion of the good. But it would be as the ever shining Light may arise in your hearts prophet says, "They shall beat their swords and enlighten you in all divine truth, into plowshares and their spears intoprunknowledge, spiritual understanding and ing-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword wisdom, unto life eternal. Amen, 2 Pet. against nation, neither shall they learn war 1: 19. any more." " But they shall sit every man Most beloved reader, herewith I beseech under his vine and under his fig tree," Isa. you all, whether you belord, prince, learned 2: 4; Micah 4: 3, 4. For it is impossible or unlearned, to peruse these and all my that those who have committed themselves writings, with the fear of God in your to the doctrine, life, body and church of hearts, and I have no doubt but you will Jesus Christ and remain therein, should clearly find that our doctrine, which is the seek or desire any thing but divine love, doctrine of Jesus Christ and his holy apos- peace and unity; to suppress all evil, and ties, does not tend to mutiny, discord, trea- protect all good, as becomes us in Christ son and rebellion; but rather, yea surely, Jesus. But we do not abet the false prophto true, christian love, unity and peace. ets of the corrupted sects which in many For Christ Jesus whom we preach, is the actions transgress the doctrine, rule and true Prince of eternal peace, and not of dis- measure of Christ. cord, Isa. 9. Say, whom have we curtailed H w a * *i ~ J aTYxr ~ i i Herewithi we commend you to the Lord, Whom have we injured? W e sincerely seek ith A r 0, faithful readers. And now judge for nothing but that we may save all mankind. aithl reads nd nw de yourselves according to thle word of the Not only at the cost of our chattels, shelter, or eve ordn to te ord of the.^ 1 x.,.,~ 1~ -j fLord, whether or not I have, by his grace gold, silver, and labor, but also (understand' it in an spiritl sens) at te cot of or pointed out to you the truth of our beloved it in an spiritual sense) at the cost of our L rd Jesus Christ. Grace, peace, mer, life-blood. Lord Jesus Christ. Grace, peace, mercy, Verily, verilI say, If all lords and true knowledge and life eternal be to all Verily, verily, s, If al ls ad who, in truth, love Christ Jesus, Amen. Do princes and their subjects who boast of the But let itn hnot ide tile praise of G-od. But let it name of Christ, would acknowledge the be- e ed nd hear a who diliently be read, and heard bv all who diligently forementioned doctrine of Jesus Christ as n seek and desire it. right and true, and were minded as the doctrine, life and Spirit of Christ require, then Beloved brethren, do not deviate from the it would not be necessary to fortify cities doctrine and life of Christ.

Page  256

Page  257 A FUNDAMENTAL AND CLEAR CONFESSION OF TIlE POOR AND DISTRESSED CHRISTIANS CONCERNING JUSTIFICATION, THE PREACHERS, BAPTISM, THE LORD'S SUPPER, AND THE SWEARING OF OATHS; ON ACCOUNT OF WHICH WE ARE SO MUCH HATED, SLANDERED, AND BELIED, FOUNDED UPON THE WORD OF GOD. BY MENNO SIMON. _A. D., 1 S 2. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven," Matt. 10: 32, 33. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 18 71. 69

Page  258 A TRUE knowledge of the divine word, a fruitful faith in Christ Jesus, unfeigned love, and a pious, penitent, unblamable life I sincerely wish to all those who shall see, read or hear this our confession, of God our heavenly Father through Christ Jesus our Lord, who has loved us and cleansed us of our sins with his blood. To him be the honor, praise, kingdom, power and glory, forever and ever, Amen. Christ says, " Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it," Matt. 7: 24-27.

Page  259 PREFACE. HONORED reader, the reason whywewrite struction of the pious, and which is not is this: Because we and our ancestors, for founded on anything reasonable; for if they many centuries, have sought the light in are not banished from city and country, obscurity, the truth in falsehood, life in they are sentenced to the stake or water; death, and the way among the deceivers; and nor is it practiced sparingly upon the pious have wandered about like a flock of sheep in many places. without a shepherd; and, alas, there was In short, they have so led the common none who pointed us to the way of life and world from God, and so estranged them by led us into the pasture of the Lord. The their carnal doctrine and false sacraments, accursed doctrine of anti-christ had so and led them into such unbelief and headrawn the shameful smoke of deceit from thenish life, that all heaven must be afthe bottomless pit; had so obscured the flicted and ashamed thereat. Say reasonaglorious dazzling of the divine word, nay, ble reader, who can enumerate the accursed, the just judgment of God was come upon ungodly pride, pomp, adultery, fornication, this reckless world, on account of its sinful- idolatry, Roman and Spanish abominaness, so that, alas, there was neither true tions, unfaithfulness, fraud, avarice, usury, doctrine nor true knowledge of God and unrighteousness, debauchery, luxury, haChrist, nor faith, baptism, Supper, ban in tred, envy, murder, thefts, robbery, incendiaaccordance with God's word, nor love, nor rism, treason, blood-shed, unmannerly, obrighteousness found among men, and of scene words, the terrible lying, shameful diswhich very little is found as yet; for all eases, lameness, suffering andwounds,which over the world we find false teachers, hypo- are found with this wicked, reckless world. critical deceivers, and enemies of the cross, Yet they claim to be the church of Christ. who diligently serve their own bellies, who Yea, every thing is in such a condition that by their tickling, erring doctrine proclaim we may well say with the prophet Hosea, peace to those who know of no peace, and "There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowlthus strengthen the hands of the wicked so edge of God in the land; but swearing, and that none converts himself from his wicked- lying, and killing, and stealing, and comness, as the prophet says. mitting adultery; they break out, and blood Yea, they have carried on their wran- toucheth blood," Hosea 4: 1, 2; with Jeregling, writing and preaching so far that emiah, that "A wonderful and horrible they adjudge the Lord's express ordinances thing is committed in the land," Jer. 5: 30; of baptism, Supper and ban, as commanded with John, that "The whole world lieth in by him, and as taught, practiced and testi- wickedness," Jn. 5: 19; and with John the fled to by his holy apostles, not only as divine that their "sins have reached unto heretical, but also fiend-like, they upbraid heaven," Rev. 18: 5. 0, faithful reader, it and persecute those who keep them, as may is worse than I can express. Whosoever is be plainly seen; and have instituted a new reasonably disposed may realize the truth. baptism, which the Scripture knows not, Inasmuch as the brightness of the sun which is more pleasing to the flesh than the has not shone for so many years; as heaven baptism of Christ; a new Supper which is and earth have been as copper and iron; a false consolation to the ungodly; also a as the brooks and springs have not run, ban which serves for nothing but the de- nor the dew dropped from heaven; as the

Page  260 260 P RE F A CF. beautiful trees and verdant fields have been silver, and, besides, accuse us of all mandry and barren (I mean spiritually); but, ner of shame, blasphemy, roguery and proinasmuch as, in these latter days, the gra- fanity, as they did from the beginning to cious, great Lord, by the rich treasures of all those who fear the Lord-therefore we his love, has again opened the windows of are forced, and constrained by the truelove heaven, and let drop the dew of his divine of the divine word and the salvation of word, so that the earth once more produces your souls, to explain briefly to you acits green branches and plants of righteous- cording to the word of the Lord, the sure, ness, as before, which bear fruit unto the divine foundation, and the pure, immutable Lord and glorify his adorable name; and truth of Justification, of the Preachers, inasmuch as the holy word and sacraments of Baptism, of the Supper, and of the of the Lord again lift up their heads from swearing of oaths, on account of which we the ashes, by means of which the blasphe- are so much hated and slanderously belied mous deceit and abominations ofthelearned by every person, and -especially of the are made manifest-therefore all the infer- learned, that you may thereby acknowledge nal gates are opened in opposition; foam what the Holy Scriptures clearly teach us and rave, and that with such subtle deceit, in regard to these articles; and to show blasphemous falsehood and tyranny that whether we are such useless, ungodly peoif the strong God did not interpose with his iy gracious power, no man could be saved.essantly cry against But they will never wrest from him his cho-us and tell the people. If you have ears to sen ones. hear, then hear the word of the Lord; and Inasmuch as they so fearfully teach and if you have understanding hearts, take heed, strive against the truth, weigh out dross for and follow the truth.

Page  261 A FUNDAMENTAL AND CLEAR CONFESSION OF THE POOR, AFFLICTED CHRISTIANS. H1-ONoRD reader, it is plain and manifest the eternal death and curse; for they, acthat Adam and Eve, the father and mother Icording to the promise of God, believed and of us all, were, in the beginning, created trusted in him and looked for him in latter after the image of God by Christ, pure, days as the Conquerer, Savior and means good, without sin, righteous and incorrupt, of grace to eternal reconciliation. as the Scripture teaches, Gen. 1: 27; 5: 1; But had they despised this means and 2: 7; Acts 17: 24; Eccl. 17: 9. And that they l not accepted it by faith, they would have remained pure and righteous until they suffered eternal death; this is incontrovertisinned against their Creator's word and ble, as Christ himself says, "He that becommandment. For God had said unto lieveth not, is condemned already;" again, them, "Of the tree of the knowledge of good John the Baptist says, "H e that believeth and evil thou shalt not eat of it; for in the on the Son, hath everlasting life; and he day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt sure- that believeth not the Son, shall not see ly die;" as also it happened. For as soon life; but the wrath of God abideth on him," as Adam and Eve, deceived by the serpent, Jn. 3: 18, 36. ate of the forbidden fruit they became im- As Adam and Eve, then, were bitten and pure, unrighteous, corrupt, of sinful nature, p oisoned by the infernal serpent, and bechildren of death and of the devil; and thus, came of sinful nature, and would have been by their disobedience they lost their being subject to eternal death if God had not children of God, and the purity in which again accepted them in grace through Christ they were created; and must have forever Jesus, so we, their descendants, are also remained, with all their descendants, in sin, I born of sinful nature of them, poisoned under the curse and servitude of death and I by the serpent, inclined to evil, and by indevil, if God, the merciful Father whose love herent sin, children of hell, of the devil and endures forever, had not again comforted everlasting death; and cannot be delivered and raised them up by the promise of Christ therefrom (we speak of those who have whom he promised to send in the future to cometo years of understanding, and hence to bruise the Serpent's head; for whose sake sinful works) unless we accept Christ Jesus he would be gracious unto them, would for- the only and eternal means of grace, by give their transgression, would show them true and unfeigned faith, and thus conscimercy and favor, so far as they should be- entiously look upon the brazen serpent lieve. which is erected by God, our heavenly FaWhen Adam and Eve heard these glad ther, as a sign of salvation; for without tidings of grace, the gospel of peace, from him there is no help for our souls, no recthe mouth of the Lord, they joyfully ac- onciliation nor peace; but disgrace, wrath cepted and believed it as the immutable and eternal death can only be expected, as truth of God, anxiously cleaved to it, and was said before. But those who accept this consoled themselves therewith as a sure Christ by a true faith which, according to foundation of salvation. And thus Adam the doctrine of Paul, was given us of the and Eve were again accepted of God through Father for the purpose of wisdom, rightChrist Jesus, justified and delivered from eousness, sanctification and deliverance, are

Page  262 262 JUSTIFICATION. in grace for Christ's sake, and God is their his beloved sons and daughters, and gives Father; for by faith they are born of him; them life eternal. All such become of peacehe forgives them all their sins; has com- able and joyous spirit, and give thanks to passion on all their human failings and God, with renewed hearts; for the power of weaknesses; turns them from the curse, faith quickens and changes them into newwrath and eternal death; accepts them as ness of life, and they walk thus, by the gift his beloved children, and gives them Christ and grace of the Holy Spirit in the power Jesus, together with all his merits, fastings, of their new birth, according to the measure prayers, tears, sufferings, tribulation, cross, of their faith, in obedience to their God blood and death; besides, also, his Spirit, who has shown them such great love; they inheritance, kingdom, glory, joy and life; diligently watch lest they fall from the grace not, we say, by our own merits and works, and favor of God by licentiousness and unbut by grace through Christ Jesus, as Paul godliness. They acknowledge by the Scriptsays, "God, who is rich in mercy, for his ures that Adam and Eve, the antediluvian great love wherewith he loves us, even when Iworld, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the pawe were dead in sins, hath quickened us to- triarchs in the wilderness were severely gether with Christ (by grace ye are saved); punished of God on account of their sins; and hath raised us up together, and made that the. wages of sin is death; and that, us sit together in heavenly places in Christ also, Christ Jesus, the innocent Lamb of Jesus; that in the ages to come he might God who knew no sin, was so deeply hushow the exceeding riches of his grace, in miliated and tortured on account of our sinhis kindness toward us through Christ fulness, Gen. 3: 7; 19: 9, 10; Lev. 10: 1-4; Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through Rom. 6: 23; 1 Pet. 1: 19. faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the Inasmuch as they believe the word of the gift of God; not of works, lest any man Lord which says, that to be carnally mindshould boast. For we are his workman- ed is death-if thou livest according to the ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good flesh thou shalt die-adulterers, fornicators, works which God hath before ordained that drunkards, the avaricious, proud, liars, &c., we should walk in them," Eph. 2: 4-10. shall not inherit the kingdom of God-and Behold, kind reader, thus we do not seek besides, believe that God is truth; that none our salvation in works, words or sacra- can be saved contrary to his word; that he ments, as do the learned, although they will judge in accordance with his word, beblame us therefor, but we seek them alone cause he is truth and cannot lie, as the in Christ Jesus and in no other means in Scriptures testify, Rom. 8: 6, 13; 1 Cor. heaven or earth. In this only means we 5: 10; 6: 10; Gal. 5: 21; Eph. 5: 5; Rev. rejoice and in no other. We trust, by the 22: 15; therefore it is that they sincerely grace of God, to abide therein unto death. fear the Lord, and by fear die unto their But that we abhor the carnal works and flesh, crucify their lusts and desires, and desire to suit ourselves to his word and shun and abhor the unclean, ungodly commandment, according to our weakness, works which are contrary to the word of the we do because he has so taught and com- Lord. manded us. For, whosoever does not walk Besides this they acknowledge the abunaccording to his doctrine, proves in fact, dant grace, favor and love of God towards that he does not believe on him nor knows us, as shown in Christ Jesus, and therefore, him, and that he is not in the communion in return they love their God, for he first of the saints, 1 Jn. 3: 10; 5: 10; 2 Jn. 1: 6. loved us, and stand prepared by this love All those, now, who accept this means of to obey, in their weakness, his holy word, divine grace, Jesus Christ, with believing will, commandments, advice, doctrine and hearts, and enclose him in their consciences, ordinances, according to the talent received; believe and confess that their sins are for- and thus they show, in fact, that they begiven through his sacrifice, death, andblood; lieve, they are born of God, and are spiritthat his wrath and damnation will not be ually minded; they lead a pious, unblamaupon them forever; that he accepts them as ble life before all mnen; suffer themselves to

Page  263 JUSTIFICATION. 263 be baptized according to the commandment their flesh, as may be seen by the writings oftheLord, as proof that they bury their sins of Moses, David, Job, Isaiah, Paul, James in the death of Christ, and are prepared to and John. walk with him in newness of life; they break But for Christ's sake we are in grace; for thebreadofpeacewiththeirbelovedbrethren his sake we are heard; and for his sake as proof and testimony that they are one our failings and transgressions, which are in Christ and his holy church and that they committed involuntarily, are remitted. For have, or know no other means of grace and it is he who stands between his Father and remission of their sins, neither in heaven his imperfect children, with his perfect rightnor in earth, than the innocent flesh and eousness, and with his innocent blood and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ alone, which death;andintercedes for allthosewhobelieve he once, by his eternal Spirit in obedience on him and who strive by faith in the divine to the Father, sacrificed and shed upon the word, to turn from evil, follow that which cross for us poor sinners; they walk in all is good and who sincerely desire, with love and mercy, and serve their neighbors. Paul, that they may attain the perfection In short, they suit themselves, in their weak- which is in Christ, Phil. 3: 12. ness, to all words, commandments, ordi- Mark, beloved reader, that we do not benances, Spirit, rule, example and measure lieve nor teach that we are to be saved by of Christ, as the Scripture teaches; for they our merits and works, as the envious accuse are in Christ and Christ is in them; and us of without truth; but that we are to be therefore they live no longer in the old life saved solely by grace, through Christ Jesus, of sin after the first earthly Adam (weak- as has been said before. By grace man ness excepted), but in the new life of right- was created, through Christ Jesus, Gen. eousness which comes by faith, after the 1: 27. second and heavenly Adam, Christ; Paul By grace he was again accepted through says, I do not now live, "But Christ liveth Christ when he was lost. By grace Christ in me; and the life which I now live in the was sent to us of the Father, Jn. 3: 34. By flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, grace he has sought the lost sheep, Luke who loved me, and gave himself for me," 15: 4, taught them repentance and remission Gal. 2: 20. Christ says, "If ye love me, of sins. Died for us when we were yet unkeep my commandments," Jn. 14: 15. godly, and enemies, Rom. 5: 6; by grace Think not beloved reader, that we boast we receive faith. By grace the Holy Ghost of being perfect and without sins. Not at was given us, in the name of Jesus, Jn. 14: 16. all. I for myself confess that often my In short, by grace we receive eternal life prayer is mixed with sin and my righteous- through Christ Jesus, Rom. 6: 8. ness with unrighteousness; for by the grace Behold, kind reader, this is, concerning of God I feel, by the unction which is in me, this article of our faith and confession, namewhen I compare my weak nature to Christ ly: That we can not obtain salvation, grace, and his commandments, what kind of a flesh reconciliation nor peace of the Father, othI inherited from Adam. Yea, if God should erwise than through Christ Jesus, as he judge us according to our worthiness, right- himself says, "No man cometh unto the eousness, works and merits, and not ac- Father but by me," Jn. 14: 6. Peter also cording to his great goodness and mercy, says, "There is none other name under then I confess with holy David that no man heaven given among men, whereby we must could stand before his judgment, Ps. 143: 2; be saved" than the name of Jesus; and that 130: 3. Therefore it should be far from us all those who accept this grace in Christ, that we should console ourselves with any preached by the gospel and accepted by a thing but the grace of God through Christ firm faith, and cordially adhered to by the Jesus; for it is he, alone, and none other, power of the Holy Ghost through faith, and who has perfectly fulfilled the righteousness become new men, born of God; changed in required by God. We are also aware, by their hearts, renewed and-of a different mind; the grace of God, that all saints, from the yea, transferredfrom Adam unto Christ; and beginning, have lamented the corruption of thus walk in newness of life, as obedient

Page  264 264 HEARING THE PREACHERS. children, in the grace which is manifested foundation and confession of justificaunto them; for they are renewed; have be- tion, as you have here read. Judge for come humble minded, meek, merciful, yourself whether the preachers act rightly compassionate, peaceable, patient, hungry in so slanderously belying us, saying that and thirsty after righteousness; they strive we expect to be saved by our merits and firmly by good works after eternal life, for works; and that we boast to be without sin. they are believing, born of God, are in May the Lord forgive them that they so Christ and Christ in them; they are par- fiendishly belie us with such shameful lies. takers of his Spirit and nature, and thus 0, that these miserable men would once live according to the word of the Lord by take to heart that the backbiters, slanderthe power of Christ which is in them. And ers and liars are of the devil and worthy of this is, according to Scripture, to be believ- death; that God abhors all liars; that they ing; to be a Christian; and to be in Christ shall have no part in his kingdom; and and Christ in us. that a lying mouth killeth the soul, Jn. 8: 44; Again, that all those who disregard this Rom. 1: 32; Ps. 5: 7; Rev. 21: 27; 22: 15. preached grace and do not accept Christ This, I say, is our foundation, and, by the Jesus by faith; who reject his holy word, grace of God, it will ever remain our founwill, commandments and ordinances, and dation, for we truly know and confess that hate and persecute them; who live accord- it is the invincible word and truth of the ing to their lusts and licentiously, are lost, Lord; therefore we testify before you and and that it will avail them nothing before before all the world that we do not agree the Lord to boast of their faith, new creat- with those who teach and institute a dead ure, Christ's grace, death and blood; for faith, which they gather from profane histhey do not believe; they remain in their tory: First, that without change, there can first birth, namely, unchanged in their earth- be Spirit, power and fruits. Secondly, that ly, corrupted nature, impenitent, carnally we can be saved by our own merits and minded, nay, utterly without Spirit, Word works, for reasons above stated. and Christ; and therefore are children of Miaythemerciful, gracious Father, through death, as Scripture teaches; for they know his beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord, not Christ in whom is life, as John says, grant us all the gift of his Holy Spirit, that "This is the record that God hath given to we may sincerely believe and confess this us eternal life, and that this life is in his beforementioned grace in and through Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and Christ; and that we may walk and abide he that hath not the Son of God hath not therein firmly and faithfully unto the end, life," 1 Jn. 5: 11, 12. to the eternal praise and glory of God, Behold, worthy reader, this now is our Amen. HEARING THE PREACIERS. IT is a well known fact, kind reader, that, I were not required by Scripture), to assign on account of this article, principally, we the reason why we do not hear them, and are so hated and persecuted by the learned, conscientiously dare not listen to them; on and that all the world cries against us and account of which we have to suffer so much complains, That we will not hear God's pain and tribulation. Jesus said to Nicoword. Therefore we are necessarily im- demus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, expelled, inasmuch as it concerns the praise cept a man be born again, he can not see of God and the salvation of our souls, to the kingdom of God." Paul also says, "If assign the reason according to the word of any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is God (which we would gladly omit if we none of his," and John says, "Whosoever

Page  265 HEARING THE PREACHERS. 265 transgresseth, and abideth not in the doc- therefore it must be acknowledged that they trine of Christ, hath not God," Jn. 3: 3; strengthen you inyour evil doing, shut unto Rom. 8: 9; 1 Jn. 1: 9. you the kingdom of heaven, lead you into Honored reader, consider the word of the the ditch, and rob and murder your souls, Lord. That the preachers of the world are Jer. 23; 14; Matt. 15: 14. not born again and have not the Spirit of 0, kind reader, they have so enchanted Christ, and do not abide in his word, their the ignorant people who so gladly walk fruits abundantly prove; for it is manifest upon the broad road, witl their light mindthat they pitiably adulterate the word of ed doctrine that we may well exclaim with the Lord and walk according to the flesh, Jeremiah, that "2No man repented him of as will be clearly shown in the following: his wickedness, saying, What have I done " First, I am convinced that you never Jer. 8: G; or who enquires after a pious, saw that the preachers, who are one with penitent or godly life? What is worse, their church, have ever converted an ava- they have carried it so far, that alas, those ricious person from his avarice; a drunkard must be called wori/-saints and 7/ecavenfrom his inebriety or a proud person from stormers who, with faithful hearts hear, behis pride and luxury, which are plainly lieve, fear, love, and, according to the mieasworks of the flesh, and, according to Script- ure of their faith, obey the word of the ure punishable with eternal death, if not Lord. Behold, thus entirely has the smoke repented of. Inasmuch as they convert of the pit darkened the sun and sky, Rev. none as it appears, therefore it is plain that 9: 2. their doctrine is nothing but vain prattle As to their sacraments, it is manifest that without power and fruit; which, alas, is they do not have the sacraments of Christ; clearly shown and proven by all the world but self-begotten abominations and idols, by their unbecoming life. only a semblance of the Lord's sacraments. Secondly, the reckless people are chained For they baptize infants; of which Christ to and consoled in their unbelief and licen- has not taught nor commanded a single tious, carnal life by their light minded doc- word in the whole New Testament, and are trine, sacraments and easy life; for they therefore called christians, notwithstanding preach and teach you, "There are none that such baptized persons generally, walk that can truly believe; we are all sinners- in perverse ways all their lives, and not therefore none can rightly keep the cor- only not confess Christ Jesus together with mandments of God. In your baptism(they his holy word, but also hate him and opsay) you became a regenerated christian pose the word. and received the Holy Ghost. Although Again, their supper must be called the you could not understand the word; al- Lord's flesh and blood; while the Scripture, though you have no faith in Christ Jesus at many places testifies that he ascended nor knowledge of good or evil, nor any up to heaven, Mark 16: 19; Luke 24: 51; change or renewing of heart, because you Acts 1: 9; Eph. 4: 8; and is seated at the were an unconscious child, and like false right hand of his Father, while conconsolations." You hear their absolutions, mon sense, besides the Scripture, teaches and receive their bread, as if that were suf- us that he cannot be chewed with teeth nor ficient; and never mind that you are yet an consumed by the stomach. Besides, it is impenitent, avaricious, proud, drunken, un- administered by some as for the remission clean, envious and idolatrous man. We of sins. Behold they have so entirely forwill leave you to judge whether these can saken the Lord who has purchased them be called preachers of peace who make I with his blood, that they have changed his arm cushions and pillows for the people praise and honor into such a weak creature. and preach such things as are pleasing to If this cannot be called serving Baal and them, Dent. 1: 39; Ezra 13: 18. moulding calves you mayjudge according to Inasmuch as none are made better by Scripture. their doctrine and sacraments but are more Lastly, How they conform their lives acand more comforted in unrighteousness- cording to the doctrine of Paul you may 70

Page  266 266 HEARING THE PREACHERS. best deduce from their fruits and life. That Christ speaks, how, then, can they rightly they do not walk in humility of heart be- preach it and teach it to others? fore the Lord, their looks and names prove. If they have not the Spirit of the Lord and They suffer themselves to be greeted as are not of him (as appears), how then, can lords and masters; notwithstanding it is they be true ministers and servants of the forbidden by the mouth of the Lord. Say spiritual office? kind reader, did you ever hear or read that And if they have not God, how can they, the holy apostles and prophets were covet- then, rightly teach and point out his precious ous of such high, vain names as are the word unto righteousness? Inasmuch as it learned and the preachers of the world. It is well known to all theologians that they is true the word Rabbi or Master was ap- do not understand the kingdom of God and plied to the ambitious Scribes and Phari- his glory; are not of the Lord, and have no sees, but not to the apostles and prophets. God, as was said, therefore we conclude For we do not read of Doctor Isaiah, of therefrom, and that truly, that their sendMaster Ezekiel and of Lords Paul and Peter. ing, calling, office and service is not of God No, no. All those who have rightly taught and his word; but they are of the bottomthe word of the Lord, were in their time not less pit, and of the dragon and beast, Rev. honored with such high-sounding names. 9: 2. By this we do not mean this one, or This I write that you may know that such that one; but all preachers in general who ambitious, proud spirits can never rightly do not act according to the word of God; teach you the humble word of the cross. no matter of which denomination or sect. Besides, also, consider their avarice, and We do not judge according to their boastsolicitude for their appetite; for they do ing and appearance, but truthfully, accordnot preach nor render services without pay, ing to doctrine, sacraments, fruits and life; as if the office of a preacher and shepherd for we are sure that the high and holy office, were a profession or trade. Jude says, which should be filled in the power of the They honor the persons for the sake of prof- Spirit, can never be filled by the avaricious; its. Where there are no liens and rents neither by the proud and unrighteous, the there we find no preachers; but where liens carnal and earthly minded, nor by drunkand rents are abundant there is no want of ards and the lustful who serve their appepreachers. tites before their God, as Paul says; nor by Again, they are in part usurers, in part slanderers nor by vain prattlers, nor liars, Again, they are in part usurers, in part fornicators or adulterers, greedy, liars, iras- nor soothsayers, nor hirelings, nor by those cible, proud, hateful, lustful, vain, and who adulterate, hate and oppose the Spirit, cible, proud, hatefiul, lustful, vain, and... lazy, envious, cruel, treacherous and rebell- will, word, ordinances an commandments'. ^ ^ n ^i ^ ~ iof the Lord, and. who are ignorant and ious toward all those who sincerely seek of t L a w a i t and fear God. i blind in all spiritual and evangelical matand fear God. In short, if you rightly con- ters; for the Spirit ad word of God do not I ters; for the SpTirit a'n ^d word of God do not, fess the Lord and his word, then you must know such shepherds and teachers, but the acknowledge that the best and most pious Sc u te r Scripture portrays them with many terrible of them are yet far outside of Christ and his rir rr i names and calls them prolane, blind watchword in regard to doctrine, sacraments and names and calls them profae, blind watchalso to their walk. men and greedy dogs, blind leaders, consumers of souls, false daubers, fools who Inasmuch as all of them, in doctrine, sac- seek not the Lord, preachers of peace, of raments and walk are so diametrically op- whom it is written, "The prophets propheposed to the Spirit, word and walk of the sy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither Lord, as appears, and inasmuch as Christ have I commanded them, neither spake unto says, "Every tree is known by his own them; they prophesy unto you false vision fruit," Luke 6: 44; therefore it is plainly and divination, and a thing of nought, and proven that they see not the kingdom and the deceit of their heart," Jer. 23: 11; Matt. glory of God; are not of the Lord, and have 15: 14; Ezek. 13: 10; Jer. 10: 8; 14: 14. In not God, as was said before. short, they are the teachers against whom If they see not the kingdom of God as the word of the Lord has faithfully warned

Page  267 HEARING THE PREACHERS. 267 us. Read here and there in the prophets, wish to be saved, Matt. 28: 19; Acts 2: 38; particularly Jer. 23: 13; Matt. 7: 15; 15: 14; 9: 6. 16: 12; 24:11; Mark 12: 38; Luke 12: 1; They lead their lives in the fear of the 20: 45. Lord; they daily die, with holy Paul, for Say, kind reader, did you ever read in the sake of their brethren; they are pointed the Scriptures of any proud, avaricious, at by all the world; are slandered, perse. unclean, lying, inebriated and idolatrous cuted and deemed the sap and substance of prophets, apostles and shepherds who were all knaves and rogues, notwithstanding pleasing unto the Lord? Or of such who, to they are ever ready to show their love and please the world, have adulterated, changed faithfulness to all, as was formerly the case and abused the word, ordinances and corn- with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah the son mandments of the Lord? Or, of such who of Berechiah, John the Baptist, the apossaid to cities, districts or towns, If you will ties and Christ himself; and how the pious care for our necessaries of life; or, if you are thanked and rewarded at the present will give us so much money or income, we time, for their love and services, the burnwill teach you the word of the Lord? O*no, ing, the sword, the stake and the wheel reader, no. It never was nor never will be show, I Cor. 15: 32. Carefully observe and the way of the holy prophets, apostles or understand me, kind reader. Since the sendservants of Christ. Of this we are sure. ing, calling, doctrine, sacraments and life The teachers and preachers who are sent of the preachers do not conform to this beof God are born of God, are of godly nat- forementioned rule, and are therefore not of ure, and are prompted by the Spirit of the God, as was said; for they, generally, do Lord; they acknowledge the kingdom of not enter but to destroy, steal and murder, heaven; are forced into the vineyard of the as the Lord says; to adulterate and garble Lord by pure, unfeigned love of God and the precious word and the holy sacraments, of their neighbors; seek not the gifts of to gratify their appetites; to exclude the Balak, nor the tables of Jezebel; but they word of God and institute their own; to seek the praise of God and the salvation of kill the souls which would have eternal life; your souls and commend their carnal cares and promise life to those that will die the to him, who, according to the word of his eternal death; and for the sake of a handpromise, furnishes the necessaries of life to ful of barley and a mouthful of bread, as all creatures upon earth, Matt. 13: 25; lNum. the prophet says; rule but do not serve; de22: 28; 2 Pet. 2: 16. ceive but do not lead; corrupt but do not They teach the word of the law in the teach; weaken but do not cure; scatter but power of the Spirit, to the remission of sins do not gather; shut the kingdom of heaven and the denial of all flesh by the gospel of against man and freely lead all poor souls grace to the consolation, peace and joy of to hell. Behold, therefore it is that we do all the godfearing, pious hearts, who before not hear them, neither can we conscientiousdisregarded the law and so greatly feared ly hear them; for the word of the Lord evethe wrath and judgment of the Lord. ry where admonishes and commands us They reprove and shun all false doctrine, that we should be aware of them, flee and deceit, abuse, idolatry and licentious reck- shun them, and not hear them, as was said less life, which is of the flesh and contrary before, Ezek. 13: 14; 34: 1; Jer. 5:26; Phil. to the word of the Lord; they use baptism, 3: 17; 1 Tim. 6: 4; Tit. 3: 8; 2 Jn. 1: 8. Supper, ban and all the ordinances of God Judge now, kind reader, whether these as is commanded them by the word of the reasons are not sufficient to shun the preachLord, be it unto life or death; they admon- ers. Wfe have not here presented to you ish lords and princes, learned, unlearned, philosophical words, garbled flatterings, male and female, so far as they possibly nor falsehood; but we have pointed you to can, if they are favored with a hearing; for such facts as you may daily observe and the word of God excuses neither emperor hear of among your preachers. This is nor king, doctor nor master, rich nor poor; what our much beloved brethren and sisall must follow the word of the Lord who ters in Christ Jesus-fellow-partakers of the

Page  268 268 BAPTIS M. tribulation, kingdom and obedience of ers. 0, no. We testify before you and beChrist, the faithful children of God, have fore the Lord who has created us, that there for many long years, so frankly confessed, is no hatred or bitterness in our hearts; for and so heroically asserted before this idol- we know and confess that they are works atrous, bloody world, in excessive measure of the flesh and will be rewarded by death. of poverty, by preaching and writing, at But we have written in purity of heart, as the peril of life, property, blood, prison, before him, who tries the hearts and reins, banishment, water, fire, chains, gallows, to the service of you and all mankind, no wheels and the stake; but preachers remain matter whether they be our opponents or preachers and the world remains the world. not, learned or unlearned; to the service of They, as appears, will never be converted. all those who seek the truth; that we may They, so firmly adhere to their idolatry, so discover the judgment of the Babylonian that they do not suffer themselves to be con- whore, the covert wiles of the learned, by verted, Jer. 8. such expositions, that you and all godfearonored reader, we pray you for Christinghearts, by such exposition, may tire of the inhuman abominations, and so undersake that you will rightly understand this s t stand the word and truth of the Lord, and our confession; do not think that we have with all your hearts seek and obey the written this out of bitter feelings or hatred, same, that you may be saved, Rom. 1: 32; inasmuch as it so openly reproves, discov- Gal. 5: 21; i Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5: 5; Rev. ers and points out the shame of the preach- 17: 1. OF BA PTISM. CONCE( NINCN baptism we believe and con- Inasmuch as the Wisdom and Truth himfess that it is the institution, word, ordi- self has commanded that we should baptize nance and command of the Lord; and there- the believing; and as his faithful witnesses, fore a holy, divine sacrament or sign by the holy apostles, have not otherwise taught which faith and its powers, fruits and mys- and administered it than according to the teries are gloriously represented and por- commandment of their Lord; and as the trayed when rightly administered according signification is only applicable to the beto the ordinance of God and not after our lieving and not to infants as remarked; and own choice, namely: To tihe believing, and as, by the grace of the Lord, we acknowlnot to infants. edge from the Scriptures that Moses and the We teach and administer baptism upon prophets, yea,, the Father himself, point us.the confession of faith, for these reasons: to Christ, that we shall hear him; and as, First, because Christhimself has command- according to the doctrine of Paul, there can ed so, for lhe says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; he n o n ot ostlat believeth and is baptized, shall bSe pel preched but that preached to us by the saved," Mark 1: 15; Matt. 28: 19. apostles — behold-therefore it is that we Secondly, because the holy apostles have teach, receive, assert and maintain baptism taught and administered it upon the con- upon the confession of faith, at the cost of fession of faith, according to the command- so much misery, even at the peril of propment of God, and not to infants, Acts 2: 38; erty and life; for we truly confess, and that 8: 37; 10: 47; 16:15; 18: S; 19:5. Thirdly, 8: 37; 10: 47; 16:15; 18:8; 1:5. Thirdly, in accordance with the Scripture, which is because the effect, or the signification, that. th te it u, h i h in is, that which is represented by baptism, is e te lt of o, that it is the infound with the believing and not with in- stitution, word, ordinance and command of fants, Rom. 6: 4; Col. 2: 12; 1 Cor. 12: 13; the Lord, Jer. 23: 33; MIatt. 17: 5; Mark Eph. 4: 4; 1 Pet. 3: 21; Gal. 3: 27. 19: 6; Luke 9: 30; 1 Cor. 3: 11; Ps. 119:105.

Page  269 INFANT BAPTISM. 269 INFANT BAPTISM. IN regard to infant baptism we hold and of Genesis he says, "That we should not confess, first, that it is a self-begotten rite accept any doctrines without certain reasons and human righteousness; for in all the from the divine word." New Testament there is not a word said or Daniel writes, "Worship, without the commanded about baptizing infants, by word of God, is idolatry." Christ nor by the apostles. Philip Melancthon, in a book on the JuSecondly, that it is a breaking and tear- risdiction and authority of the church, says, ing to pieces of the ordinance of Christ; for "That all worship which is not instituted he has commanded that the gospel should of God by his express word, is false and be preached and that those should be bap- wrong, let it be glozed over ever so much." tized who believe, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15. Here Luther and Melancthon have rightly But here they baptize without divine com- expressed themselves according to the Scriptmand, without the preaching of the word, ure, although alas, they did not practice without knowledge, faith, repentance, new upon it. For if we read and well consider life, and without all consciousness and the Scriptures then we clearly find how knowledge, yet it is called by the learned a pointedly God has commanded us that we holy, glorious work and a christianbaptism shall not institute a religion of our own and sacrament. choice, but that we should do as he has Thirdly, that it is a vain consolation and commanded. On account of self-righteousboasting of all the unrighteous; for, al- ness and self-chosen religion, Israel was sethough they do not understand the word of verely visited and punished of the Lord. God, do not know the truth and lead a li- Say not, beloved reader, as the ignorant centious, carnal life, yet they boast them- do, that we thereby condemn our children selves to be baptized christians. because we do not suffer them to be bapSince infant baptism is such a pernicious tized. 0, no. For the Scripture does not superstition that it entirely destroys the connect the kingdom to words and water, Lord's baptism, and as the poor, blind but to the election and grace of the Father, world suffer themselves to be misled and in the merits of the death and blood of consoled therewith, and as, besides, there is Christ. connected with it such fearful blasphemy, Christ has promised the kingdom to small hypocrisy, adjuration. witchcraft and abuse children, without baptism, Matt. 19: 14; of the glorious name of Godthat a godfear- Mark 10: 14; Luke 18: 16. On account of ing heart may well be astounded thereat, this promise we are exceedingly rejoiced, therefore it is that we so strenuously op- and give thanks unto the Lord forthe grace pose infant baptism, and openly confess shown our children. Therfore, take heed, that it is not of God or of his word but of and mistake not; for to connect the elecanti-christ and of the bottomless pit. tion, grace, favor and kingdom of God to Luther writes in a book on "HIuman doc- words, works, signs and the elements, is trine" that that which is not commanded of quite contrary to the merits, death, blood God in religious matters of faith, is forbid- and word of the Lord; yea, open deceit, den." Again, concerning tlhe 12th chapter abomination and idolatry.

Page  270 '70 THE LORD'S HOLY SUPPER. THE LORD'S HOLY SUPPER. IN the same manner we believe and con- beginning of our confidence steadfast unto fess concerning the Lord's Holy Supper, the end," Heb. 3:14. that it is a holy sacramental sign, insti- Inasmuch as it is a sign, which is left us tuted of the Lord himself, in the shape of of Christ, in such power that it is to reprebread and wine; and left to his own in re- sent and admonish us of his death, the love, mnembrance of him, Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke peace and unity of the brethren and also 22; 1 Cor. 11; which was also thus taught the conmunion of his flesh and blood, as and administered by the apostles among was said, therefore none can rightly parthe brethren, according to the command- I take of this Supper, according to Scripture, ient of the Lord, by which, first, the Lord's S but he that is a disciple of Christ, flesh of death is proclaimed, 1 Cor. 11; and also to his flesh, and bone of his bone, who seeks remember how he offered his holy flesh and the reconciliation and remission of sins in shed his precious blood for the remission of no other means than, alone, in the merits, our sins, Matt. 26: 27; Mark 14: 24; Luke sacrifice, death and blood of Christ, who 22: 19. walks in unity, love and peace with his Secondly, it is an emblem of Christian brethren, and who leads a pious unblamalove, of unity and of peace in the church ble life in Christ Jesus, according to the of Christ. Paul says, "Forwe, being many, Scriptures. are one bread, and one body; for we are Here you haive the true Supper of our all partakers of that one bread," 1 Cor. Lord Jesus Christ together with what itrep10: 17. For as a loaf being composed of resents, briefly stated, which the mouth of many grains, is but one bread, so we, also, the Lord has left and taught you by his being composed of many members, are but holy word. If you would be a becoming one body in Christ; and as the members of guest at the Lord's table, and would rightly a natural body are not disunited but are in enjoy his bread and wine then you must every respect united and peaceable among also be his true disciple, that is, you must themselves, so it is with all those who in be an upright, pious and godly christian. Spirit and faith are true members of the Therefore, prove yourself according to the body of Christ; and for this reason this doctrine of Paul, 1 Cor. 11: 27, before you same supper was called by Tertullian a eat of this bread and drink of this cup; for brotherly meal, or supper of love. before God no feigning avails. He did not Thirdly it is a communion of the flesh institute this ceremony with the intention and blood of Christ, as Paul says, "The that God would be pleased in the mere eatcup of blessing which we bless, is it not the ing of the bread or drinking of the wine. communion of the blood of Christ? The 0, no. But he instituted it that thereby bread which we break, is it not the com- you should observe and faithfully conform munion of the body of Christ?" 1 Cor. 10: 16; yourself to that which is represented and which communion is, that Christ has accept- admonished by this sacrament. For not ed us in his great love and we are become the ceremony itself, but the meaning reprepartakers of him, as Paul says, "We are sented by it, rightly understood and fulfilled made partakers of Christ, if we hold the in actions, constitutes a sincere christian,

Page  271 THE SUPPER OF THE PREACHERS. 271 THE SUPPER OF THE PREACHERS. IN regard to the supper of the preachers devil sinneth from the beginning" 1 Jn. we hold and confess, first, that it is a false 3: 7, 8. and idolatrous consolation and sign of Thirdly, we say, that it is a horrible biaspeace to all those who delight in walking phemy, abomination and adultery, nay a upon the broad way, such as, greedy, cov- new calf and Moaz; for the blind, reckless etous, avaricious, usurious, adulterous, ly- world sees plainly that it is a perishable ing, deceiving, proud, unrighteous persons. fruit of earth which they have planted, cut, For, as it is represented to them, by their pressed and baked with their own hands, preachers, as being a means of the remis- and which again returns to earth; that it sion of their sins, they console themselves must be taken care of by man lest the wornms and think that if they partake of it they are and age consume it-and yet it is called by the people of the Lord. O no. The cere- many the imperishable precious flesh and mony makes no christian: for, so long as blood of Christ, and worshipped and honthey do not convert themselves, andbecome ored as the true Son of the living God, new men, born of God, of spiritual mind, it which we also with our ancestors have done is a vain baptism and a vain supper, even, these five hundred years, and which is yet if it were administered by either Peter or done in many large kingdoms, principaliPaul. Paul says, "For in Jesus Christ nei- ties, cities and districts, as was in bygone ther circumcision availeth any thing, nor times the case with Israel in the worship of uncircumcision; but faith which worketh the brazen serpent, which was afterwards by love," Gal. 5: 6, the new creature; and broken in pieces by Hezekiah, king of Juthe keeping of the commandments of God, I dal, 2 Kin. 18: 4. 1 Cor. 7: 19; Matt. 18:4; Jn. 3: 3-5; 2 Behold, to such rude idolaters and dePet. 1: 3. ceivers has the apocalyptic Apollyon rene assert that it is openly a dered the scribes of this world, that they Secondly, we assert that it is openly a I I ^ ^ feigned work, although it is acknowledged b t o *11council, erected such a powerless, earthly by few. For Christ instituted it in remem-, owerless, eart, cereal and fruit as being, or filling tile brance of his death, as a sign of christian f a b o f place of the true Son of the Almighty and peace, and as a communion of his flesh andn of te A hty eternal God; behold, thus entirely has the blood; while the common world partake of n o th Inoble Sun of righteousness lost its brigltithe supper in semblance, as if they believed n n rght ness lost i ness and the Egyptian darkness covered thee thus and were thus minded; and, yet, they entire land, Rev. 9: 2' Exod. 10): 22. seek the remission of their sins and their salvation in infant baptism, absolutions, Faithful reader, by this our expositi Iand confession of the preachers and their and in bread and wine, as is manifest.i o t chers an ti baptism, supper and envious hearts toward Besides, their fruits openly show that all the pious, learn the judgment of the they are not the body of peace; for they finely attired woman, seated upon the scarmake use of such tricks and perfidy amongst let colored beast, Rev. 17: 3. Mark: The each other in buying and selling; some, beast upon which the woman was seated, is also, commit adultery, lie and cheat; the full of names of blasphemy; understand the one slanders, defames and robs the other, spiritual sense. The woman was arrayed that it may be truly said of them that they in purple and scarlet color-in celebrations, do not acknowledge christian peace which churches, bells, choirs, organs, baptism and is of God, and that they are not in the corm- supper. The cup in her hand was of gold. rmunion of Christ, but that they are in the They boast of the word of God-but are communion of him, of whom John says, filled with abominations and filthiness of "Littlechildren,letnomandeceiveyou,""He their fornication and have made all the that committeth sin, is of the devil; for the world drunk therewith; and the name was

Page  272 '72 THE SWEARING OF OATHS. written upon her forehead and may be read John, the holy man of God, saw this in by all who have spiritual eyes, and is the Spirit, and was astounded thereat. called, "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, Yea, kind reader, whosoever rightly underTIE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ANODIINA- stands the abominable power, idolatrous TIONS OF THE EARTH." array, spiritual enchantment and fornicaAnd although she is so finely arrayed tion, inhuman abominableness and fearful that all kings commit fornication therewith, bloodthirstiness and tyranny of the woman yet she is called a whore by the angel, may well be astounded thereat. Therefore, and of such an inhuman and wolfish nature fear God and learn wisdom. We have, by that she is "drunken with the blood of the the grace of God, thoroughly shown her, saints, and with the blood of the martyrs exposed her shame and diligently and in of Jesus." faithful love warned you against her. TIE SWEARING OF OATHS. David says, who shall ascend into the the King of all kings, Rev. 1: 5; 19: 16; hill of the Lord or who shall stand in his and that unto him every knee shall bow holy place? he that hath clean hands, and which is in heaven, in earth or under the a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his earth, Phil. 2; and as he has plainly forsoul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. bidden us to swear, and pointed us to yea He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, andnay, alone, therefore it is that we swear and righteousness from the God of his sal- not, by the fear of God, nor dare swear, vation," Ps. 24. though we must hear and suffer so much on These words of David are full of spirit that account from the world. and wisdom, yet not regarded by the world. Since throughout the world they act so For every where we find guilty hands, un- fearlessly contrary to the word of God, in clean hearts, false doctrine, faithlessness regard to this article; and as sometimes and but little truth. Yea, it has come to some of the godfearing are thereby put into this, among the children of men that the difficulty, therefore I will, by the grace of precious yea and nay which was command- God, show the kind hearted reader, from ed of the Lord himself can no longer be the word of God what the Holy Scriptures trusted. But nearly everything which is at different times teach and imply concerntransacted before the magistracy, must be ing the swearing of oaths. affirmed by an oath, although the Lord has First, the reader should observe that so plainly forbidden the swearing of oaths swearing was not always practiced uniformto all christians, Matt. 5: 34. ly among the people of the Lord. Before The Scripture teaches that we should hear the law the holy fathers had a custom to Christ, for he is the king in Jacob, Isa. 9: 7, lay their hands under the thighs, and thus the king of righteousness, the Teacher and swore to others, as may be read in the case Prophet promised of God, who hath taught of Abraham and his servant, Gen. 24: 3; us the word of the Father, and his word is and in the case of Jacob and his son Joseph, truth, his commandment eternal life, Deut. Gen. 47: 29-31. Joseph also swore by the 18: 15; Matt. 17: 5; Mark 9: 7; Isa. 9: 7; life of Pharaoh, Gen. 42; and it seems that Jer. 23: 6; 33: 16; Deut. IS: 15; Acts 3: 26; such swearing was customary among the Jn. 3: 17; 5: 46; 17: 17; 12: 50. Egyptians. Inasmuch as we thus confess and cordial- Secondly, the reader should observe, that ly believe, and besides, confess that no Israel was bound by the law to swear by emperor or king may rule or command con- the name of the Lord and to keep their trary to his word, since he is the Head of oath, as Moses says, "And ye shall not all princes, Eph. 1: 21; Col. 2: 10; and is swear by my name falsely, neither shalt

Page  273 THE SWEARING OF OATHS. 273 thou profane the name of thy God. I am custom in many places); lest ye fall into the Lord, Lev. 19: 12; and this oath settled condemnation," Jas. 5: 12. all dispute among Israel, Ex. 22: 11;" Heb. We are aware that the magistracy claim 6: 16. Thirdly, It should be observed, that and say, lWe are allowed to swear when jusChrist Jesus does not in the New Testament, tice is on our side. This we simply answer point his disciples, in regard to swearing, with the word of the Lord. To swear truly to the law, as in the imperfect, which al- was allowed to the Jews under the law; but lowed swearing but he points us now from the gospel forbids this to christians. As the law to yea and nay, as in the perfect, Christ does not allow us to swear, and as and speaks thus, "Ye have heard that it the magistracy, notwithstanding, proceed hath been said by them of old time (that is, according to their rule, although contrary to the fathers under the law, by Moses), to the Scriptures, and as the Scriptures may Thou shalt not foreswear thyself, but shalt not be set aside by man, what shall now perform unto the Lord thine oaths (that is, the conscientious christian do? If he swear, thou shalt swear truly and fulfill thine he falls into the hands of the Lord; but if oath): but I (Christ) say unto you (my dis- he does not swear he will have to bear the ciples), Swear not at all (that is, neither disfavor and punishment of the magistracy. truly nor falsely); neither by heaven; for it 0, ye beloved lords! if we, now, had is God's throne; nor by the earth; for it is Christian eyes and could see and sincerely his footstool; neither by Jerusalem; for it acknowledge what it is, according to the is the city of the great King. Neither shalt justice of God, licentiously to despise and thou swear by thy head, because thou canst transgress the word of God, we would rathnot make one hair white or black. But let er die than weaken or break the precious,your communication be, yea, yea; nay, gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ordinay: for whatsoever is more than these, nance of the eternal God, by temporal statcometh of evil." Here you have Christ's utes and policies. own doctrine and ordinance concerning Nor would we, even, think of asking more swearing, Matt. 5: 35-37; Jas. 5: 12; Ex. than yea and nay, particularly of the pious, 20: 7. godfearing hearts, who, by the fear of their Behold, beloved reader, before these words God, dare not speak anything but the truth; of Christ all human laws and regulations who esteem every word which comes from concerning swearing must stand back and their mouths as an oath, and keep their yea be abolished; such as Juramentaumr Ca- and nay unto death; while, now, alas, they lumnniae. Jerumentum de veritate dicenda, dare force them to swear to a trifle, as conor ]Fede; no matter how they be performed; cerning some temporal goods or something be it by words, or by raising your hand, or of the kind, even with their fingers raised holding your hands upon your breast, or to heaven or with their hands upon the upon a cross, or upon the New Testament, New Testament, by the God of heaven and &c. And the truthful yea and nay, ordained by his living word. of the Lord himself must be restituted, if 0, ye beloved lords! how pitiably your the magistrates and subjects do not want teachers and leaders lead you upon the licentiously to transgress the word of the way which tends to damnation, who ever Lord and reject it as vain; for, whatsoever console you by saying that we should obey is more than yea and nay (says Christ) the magistracy (as is, also, becoming so cometh of evil. This same the holy James far as is not contrary to God's word); as if also teaches, "Above all things, my breth- the magistracy may act and rule against ren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither the Lord, at pleasure. by the earth, neither by any other oath: 0, no, beloved lords, no! We warn you (understand, such as, By God's word-By in faithful love. Repent, wake up and take the Lord's cross-By the salvation of your heed. Your preachers deceive you. With soul); but let your yea be yea, and your God there is no respect of person. If you nay, nay (and not So help me God, So help do not repent, are not born of God, become me God ad all th7e saints, as is alas, the like unto children in malice, do not in 71

Page  274 274 TIHE SWEARING OF OATHS. love execute your office and service agreea- against God. The good John Huss* conbly to the will of God, do not act justly to fessed when he was asked to swear and the poor and miserable, and do not walk said, I am pressed on all sides. If I swear, obediently to the word of the Lord with I have eternal death; and fI do not swear, godly, humble hearts, you will find your I will fall into youLr hands. But I would judge at the judgment day. Beloved lords, rather fall into your hands, without sweartake to heart this saying, "Mighty men ing than to sin in the face of God. Thus shall be mightily tormented," Wis. 6: 6. considerately this worthy man weighed the Again, ye learned, you who by your flat- oath. terings and errors assert and maintain it, Also read Hieronymus, Theophilact, how dare you so flatly contradict the eter- Chrysostom, Erasmus of Rotterdam in their nal wisdom and truth of God and say, annotations; Philip Melancthon's Treatise Thou sayest: thou shalt not swear; but we on the fifth Chapter of Matthew. Heymon's say; Tho'u mnayest swear when the love, Treatise on the Tenth Chapter of Revelations profit and need of thy neiglhbor require it. and also Origen, and you will find that in We will leave it to your judgment whether this article they agree with our foundation, that is not teaching contrary to Christ; as faith, doctrine and confession. This is our it is so plain that it was allowed to the foundation and understanding in regard to Jews under the law, to swear sincerely; but this article. Inasmuch as the Lord has forto us, Christians, it is forbidden and as it is bidden us to swear at all (understand in very plain that, according to the New Test- temporal matters) neither sincerely nor ament, no love of neighbors nor kinsmen falsely, as was said; and has commanded nor peril of life is any excuse to strain or that our yea shall be yea and our nay, nay, break the word of the Lord, Matt. 10: 37; Matt. 5: 37; as Paul and James, also, testiMark 8: 38. fy to this, 2 Cor. 1: 18; Jas. 5: 12; and as Therefore, worthy reader, if you fear the we know that no man, nor commandLord and if it should happen that you are ment of man may supersede God and his asked to swear, then pray the Most High commandment, therefore it is that we, in for wisdom, courage and strength; do not temporal matters, dare not affirm to truth listen to the flatterings of the learned, for with more than yea or nay, as the case may they deceive you; do not look to numbers be; for thus the word of the Lord teaches lest you follow in their evil ways, as Moses us. says, Respect no flesh in this matter, no Reader, mark. We say, In temporal matdifference who, what or where they be, but ters, and for this reason: Because Christ admonish them in a becoming manner and sometimes in his teachings makes use of in love when they ask of you more than the the word, verily, Matt. 18: 18; Jn. 3: 3, 5; Scriptures command; abide in the Lord's 8: 34; 10: 1; and because Paul called upon word which so plainly has forbidden you the Lord as a witness of his soul. For this to swear; and let your yea and nay, be reason some think that swearing is allowayour oath, as was commanded, whether life ble; not observing that Christ and Paul or death be your lot, that you, by your did not do this in speaking of temporal courage and firm truthfulness, may admon- matters, as in a matter of flesh or blood, or ish and reprove unto righteousness the use- money or property; but as an affirmation less, fruitless, vain world (who, in their of the eternal truth, to the praise of God faithlessness respect nothing less than the and to the salvation and edification of their word of the Lord) by your truthful yea and brethren. nay; that some might yet be converted We hereby pray all lords and magisfrom their unrighteousness and thereby trates, for Jesus' sake, to fear the Lord sinmore deeply study the truth, and be saved, cerely, and to conform their policy, in this Matt. 5: 37; Phil. 2: 12. matter of swearing, to the word of the Lord, It is better to incur the disfavor, scorn and slander of man and remain in the truth, *John tHuss was condemned by the Papists, at their than to be the favorite of man and sin council, at Constance, to be burned, in 1415.

Page  275 CONCLUSION. 275 and to consider why they require the oath, let him be punished as a perjurer. That it namely: That that shall be fulfilled to is yea and amen with all true Christians, is which one swears. Inasmuch as we deem sufficiently proven by those who, in our our yea and nay to be no less than an oath, Netherlands, are so tyrannically visited why require any further affirmation at our with imprisonment, confiscation and torture; hands than the word of the Lord teaches besides, with fire, the stake and the sword; and allows; for, by the grace of God, we while with one word they could escape all trust, inasmuch as we are partakers of the these if they would but break their yea and Lord, and adhere to the word in which yea nay; but as they are born of the truth, is amen-that it will be found wfith us that is amen-that it will be found with us tat na utherefore they walk in the truth and testify it is yea where it should be yea, and nay therefore they alk in the truth and testify where it should be nay; much more so than to the truth unto death, as may be abunwith the world under strong oaths. But in dantly seen in Flanders, Braband, Holland, case that a man's yea and nay is not kept, West Vriesland, and other places. CONCL ISION. IT is manifest, honored reader, that the with falsehood, light with darkness and world is so degenerated that it esteems eve- white with black, as you will perceive. If ry thing wrong which God teaches, con- you do not want to be willfully blind, you nands and desires, and hates it with en- have here a good eye-salve. Yea, we have vious hearts persecutes and destroys it. presented it so plainly and clearly that you On the contrary, all that which God hates, must acknowledge it to be the truth; or else accurses and esteems as an abomina- reject it in perverseness, and say, No, I do tion, it looks upon as good, and diligently not want to believe it thus. What kind of asserts and maintains; and yet they want a christian you are you may consider for to be the holy, christian church and the peo- yourself. pie of God, as if we could be such by the Kind reader, do not associate with those merename; by baptizing children &c.; with- who say unto God, "Depart from us; for out faith, the new birth, and the Spirit and we desire not the knowledge of thy ways," obedience of God. 0, no, reader, no. Take Job 21: 14. Nor with those who are intent heed. Your consolers deceive you and cor- upon blood, for their reward will be death, rupt the way you should go, Isa. 3: 11. Irom. 1: 32; Rev. 21:27. Behold, this is Inasmuch as the world is so entirely de- our foundation, as you here have read. If, generated, as was said, and as our oppo- now, you are of a pious mind and not led nents so shamefully lie and war against by the blind spirit of the spiritual whoreus, that we cannot answer for ourselves, as dom, then judge our cause according to the is manifest, therefore we have written this word and truth of the Lord. If you do not our confession, that every one who may understand it then fear God and pray. All read, hear or see it, may know why and those who are born of God and inclined to whereby we seek to be saved-why we do the word of the Lord, must acknowledge not hear the preachers, and why we so that our doctrine is of God and that truth strictly administer baptism to the believing is on our side; whosoever accepts them and and oppose infant baptism; what is repre- abides in them unto the end, has eternal sented by the Lord's Holy Supper and what life; but whosoever rejects them does not abominations are implied in the baptism reject us, but Christ Jesus himself who has of the learned; and that it is not allowed thus taught from the mouth of his Father to a true christian to swear in temporal and sealed it with his blood, Rev. 1: 5; 1 matters, but only affirm by yea and nay. Pet. 1: 19; Acts 20: 28. The gracious FaAnd by so doing we have compared truth ther, through his beloved Son, Jesus Christ

Page  276 276 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. our Lord, enlighten you and all hungry To the praise of God and the service of hearts by the gift of his Holy Spirit, and all mankind. lead you by his strength into his eternal, MENINO SIMON. saving truth, Amen. A. D. 1552. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. QUESTION 1. Is separation a command or is it a coun- Since the Scriptures admonishes and comlsel of God? mands, That we shall not associate with Answer. Let every one weigh the words such, nor eat with them, nor greet them, nor of Christ and of Paul, referred to above, receive them into our houses, &c.; and yet and he will discover whether it is a divine if some body should say, I will associate commandment or whether it is a counsel. with them, I will eat with them, I will greet Every thing which Paul says in regard to them in the Lord and receive them into my separation he generally speaks in the im- house-he would plainly prove that he did perative mode; that is, in a commanding not fear the commandment and admonition manner. Expwrgo, that is, Purge, 1 Cor. of the Lord. but that he despised it, reject5: 7. Profi.go, that is, drive out. Sejun-ed the Holy Spirit and that he trusted, gere, that is, withdraw from, 1 Tim. 6: 5; honored and followed his own opinion Fuge, that is, flee, Tit. 3: 9. Again, "We rather than the word of God. Now judge command you, brethren, in the name of our for yourself what kind of a sin it is not to Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Thess. 3: 6. I think, be willing to hear and obey God's word. brethren, these Scriptures show that it is a Paul says, "Now we command you, brethcommand;_and if it even were not a corm- en, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, mand but an advice of God, Should we not that ye withdraw yourselves from every diligently follow such advice? If my spirit brother that walketh disorderly, and not despise the counsel of the Holy Spirit, then after the tradition which ye received of us;" I truly acknowledge that my spirit is not again, "And if any man obey not our word of God. And to what end many have come by this epistle, note that man, and have no who did not follow God's Spirit, but their company with him, that he may be ashamed, own, may be read in many passages of sa- 2 Thess. 3: 6, 14. Inasmuch as the ban was cred history and may be seen in many in- so strictly commanded by the Lord, and stances, at the present time. practiced by the apostles, Matt. IS: 17; QUEsTION 2. If any person should not maitain tithis erefore we must also use it and obey it, ban and yet be pious otherwise, should such an one bes t t a nligh banned onl that account? since we are thus taught and enlightbanned on that account? Ansnwerd. Thoeverh wis pious ill shohis ened by God, or else we should be shunned by the church of God. This must be, acpiety in obedience, and not knowingly or te church of God. This ust e a Iknowledged. willfully despise and disregard the word, I hu QuEsTION 3. Should husbandc and wife shun each commandment, will, counsel, admonition other on account of the ban-as also parents and cliland doctrine of God. For if any one will- dren? fully keeps commerciumT (intercourse, cor- Answer. First, that the rule of the ban pany) with such whose company is forbid- is a general rule, and excepts none; neither den in Scripture, to be kept, then we must husband nor wife, nor parent nor child. come to the conclusion that he despises the For God's judgment judges all flesh with word of God, yea, is in open rebellion and the same judgment and knows no respect refractoriness (I speak of those who well of persons. Inasmuch as the rule of the know and acknowledge, and yet do so). ban is general, excepts none, and is no re"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft specter of persons-therefore it is reasonaand stubbornness is as iniquity and idola- ble and necessary to hear and obey the try," 1 Sam. 15: 23. word of the Lord in this respect; no mat

Page  277 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 277 ter whether it be husband or wife, parents only by reason of adultery, Matt. 5: 32; or children, Rom. 2: 11; Gal. 6: 1; Eph. Luke 6: 18; therefore we shall never con6: 9; Col. 3: 25; Jas. 2: 4; 1 Pet. 1: 17. sent to it for other reasons. Secondly we say, That separation must Therefore we understand it that the husbe made by the church; and therefore the band should shun his wife, the wife her husband must consent and vote with the husband, parents their children and the church, in the separation of his wife; and children their parents when they apostatize. the wife in the separation of her husband. For the rule of the ban is general. They If the pious consort must give his consent, must consent, with the church, to their sen. then it is also becoming that he also shun tence, they must seek their scriptural shame her, with the church; for what use is there unto reformation and diligently watch, lest in the ban when the shunning and avoid- they be leavened by them, as said above. ing are not connected with it, 1 Cor. 5: 3. Beloved in the Lord, I would here sinThirdly we say, That the ban was insti- cerely pray you that you would make a tuted to make ashamed unto reformation. difference between commandment and comDo not understand this shame as the world mandment and not consider all commandis ashamed; but understand as in the con- ments as equally hard. For adultery, idolscience, and therefore let it be done in all atry, shedding blood, and the like shamediscretion, reasonableness and love. If, ful and abominable works of the flesh will then the husband or wife, parent or child is be punished more severely than a misunjudged in the church, in the name of Christ derstanding in regard to the ban, and parand by virtue of Christ, to be banned, it ticularly when not committed willfully and becomes us (inasmuch as the evangelical perversely. Therefore beware, that in this ban is unto reformation) according to the matter of matrimony, you press none farcounsel of the Holy Spirit, to seek the ref- ther than he is taught of God, and that he in ormation of our own body, namely, of our his conscience can bear, and thus seethe the consort, and also of our nearest kinsfolk as kid in his mother's milk, Ex. 23: 19; 34: 26; parent or child; for spiritual love must be Dent. 14: 21. On every hand the Scriptpreferred to any thing else; aside from this ures teach that we should bear with the I would care for them and provide the tem- weak. Brethren, it is a delicate matter. I poral necessaries of life, so far as it would know too well what has been the result of be in my power. pressing this matter too far by some in my Fourthly we say, That the ban was given, time, Rom. 15: 1; Gal. 6: 4. Therefore I that we should not be leavened by the leaven advise you to point all to the sure and cerof false doctrine or of unclean flesh, by the tain ground. And those consciences that degenerated. And as it is plain that none are through the Scripture, and the Holy can corrupt and leaven us more than our Spirit, free and unencumbered, will freely, own consorts, parent, &c., therefore the without the interference of any one, by Holy Spirit counsels us to shun them, lest the unction of the Holy Spirit and not by they leaven our faith and thus make us human encouragement, do that which he adashamed before God. If we love husband vises, teaches and commands in the Holy or wife, parent or child more than Christ Scripture, if it should be that either conJesus, we cannot possibly be the disciples sort should be banned. For verily I know of Christ, Matt. 10: 37; Luke 14: 26. that whoever obeys the Holy Spirit, with Some object to this, saying, that there is faithful heart will never be made ashamed. no divorce but by reason of adultery. This QUESTION 4. Should we greet one that is banned, is just what we say; and therefore wre do Iwith the colmmon, every day greeting, or return our renot speak of divorce; but of shunning, and ispccts at his greeting? Since John says, "If there come ot fteak bfdioremntion rs on. any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him that for the beforementioned reasons. To not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he shunning Paul has decidedly consented, I that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil Cor. 7:10; although this is not always deeds,"2 Jn. 10, 11. coupled with adultery; but not to divorce. Answer. Mildness, politeness, respectfulFor divorce is not allowed by the Scripture ness and friendliness to all mankind be

Page  278 278 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. comes all christians. If, then, an apostate the ban was ordained by the Holy Spirit, should greet me with the common greeting in the Scriptures. of Good h~forning, or Good Day and I should Thirdly, how a true, regenerated christian be silent; if he should be respectful to me is minded. and I should turn my face from him, and Fourthly, how the merciful Father himbear myself austerely and unfriendly to- self acts with those who are already worthy ward him, I might well be ashamed of my- of his judgment and wrath. self, as Syrach says. For how can such an All those who can rightly see into these one be convinced, led to repentance, and be will doubtlessly not deny charity, love and moved to do better, by such austerity? The mercy to the banned. For the word cornban is not given to destroy but to buildup. merciumz does not forbid these, but it forIf it should be said, That John has forbidden bids daily company, conversation, society such greeting, I for myself would say, That, and business as was explained above. The before my God, I can not understand that ban is also a work of divine love and not John said this in regard to the every day of perverse, unmerciful, heathenish cruelty. greeting. But that he says, That if some A true christian will serve, aid and comdeceiver should come to us who has left miserate with every body; yea, even with the doctrine of Christ that we should not his most bitter enemies. Austerity, cruelreceive such an one into our houses, lest he ty, and unmercifulness he sincerely hates. deceive us; and that we should not greet He has a nature like his Father of whom him as a brother lest we have communion he is born, "For he maketh his sun to rise with him. But not so with the worldly on the evil and on the good, and sendeth greeting For if the worldly greeting have rain on the just and on the unjust." If I, such power in itself that it causes the con- then, be of a different nature, I show that I munion of the vain works of those whom I am not his child. greet, then it must follow that I would have Therefore I say with our faithful brother communion with the adultery, fornication, Dietrick Philip that we should not practice drunkenness, avarice, idolatry and blood the ban to the destruction of mankind (as shed of the world, whenever I should greet the Pharisees did their Sabbath) but to their a worldly man with the common greeting improvement; and thus we desire to serve or return his compliment. O no. But the the bodies of the fallen, in love, reasonablegreeting or kiss of peace signifies the com- ness and humility, with our temporal goods munion. Yet if one should have conscien- when necessary, and their souls with the tious scruples in this matter, with such an spiritual goods of the Holy Word; and one I do not dispute about it. For it is not should rather show mercy to the wounded, worth contending about. But I would much with the Samaritan, than to pass by him rather see all scruples in regard to this mat- with the priest and Levite. James says, ter, removed, and have christian discretion, "For he shall have judgment without merlove, politeness and respectfulness prac- cy, that hath showed no mercy, and mercy ticed, to the building up, and not unbecom- rejoiceth against judgment." " Be ye thereing stubbornness, unfriendliness, malice and fore merciful as your Father also is merciful." unmercifulness to the destruction of our fel- "Blessed are the merciful; for they shall oblow man. Brethren, beware of discord. tain mercy," Jas. 2: 13; Luke 16: 36; Matt. The Lord grant every godfearing person a 5: 7. In short, if we understand the true wholesome understanding of his holy word, meaning of the word commercium; underAmen. stand for what reason and purpose the ban QUESTION 5. Are we allowed to show the banned was instituted; how a true hristian is and any charity, love and mercy? should be minded; and conform ourselves to the example of Christ and of God, then Answer. Every one should consider, first, the matter is clear. And if we have not this the exact meaning of the word commercium grace we will shamefully err in this ban and (intercourse, communion). be cruel, unmerciful christians; from which Secondly, for what reason and purpose error and abomination may the gracious

Page  279 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 279 Father eternally save all his beloved chil- tian; and as the Jews had dealings with dren. them, although they shunned their daily Brethren, I tell the truth and lie not when intercourse in company, association and I say that I sincerely hate such unmerciful conversation; therefore we say that we can and cruel mindedness. Nor do I wish to not maintain, either by the Jewish example be considered a brother of such unmerciful, to which Christ points or by any explicit cruel brethren, if there should be such, un- Scripture, that we should not in any manless they desist from such abomination, ner deal with the apostate, if no such daily and discreetly follow, in love and mercy, intercourse arises therefrom. For such inthe example of God and Christ. For my tercourse with the apostate is strictly proheart cannot consent to such unmerciful ac- hibited by Scripture; and since it is protion which exceeds the cruelty of the hea- hibited, it is manifest that a pious, godfearthen and Turks; and by the grace of God ing Christian could have no apostate as a I will fight against it with the sword of the regular buyer or seller. For as I have Lord unto death. For it is against the doc- daily to get my cloth, bread, corn, salt, &c., trine of the New Testament, and contrary and exchange for it my grain, butter, &c., to the Spirit, mind and nature of God and it can not fail but that intercourse will arise Christ, according to which all the Scriptures therefrom. But with a trading which is of the New Testament should be judged conducted without such intercourse this is and understood. All those who do not un- not the case. derstand it thus are already in great error. And because such merchandizing, which But in case my necessary service, charity, is carried on without intercourse can not be love and mercy should become a conmmerci- avoided by virtue of the Scripture, as was un, or that my soul should thereby be led said, therefore we would pray all godfearinto corruption, then we confess (the Lord ing brethren and sistersin the Lord, for must be glorified), that our daily intercourse the sake of God and of love, to act in this is forbidden in the Scripture, and that it is matter, as in all others, as reasonable, bettertoleaveoffour charity, loveandmercy, good, discreet, wise and prudent christians, than to ensnare our souls thereby and lead and not as vain, reckless, self-conceited, them into error. The unction of the Holy proud, obdurate and offensive boasters; for Spirit will teach us what we should best do a true christian should always strive after in these premises. that which is the best and the surest, and QUESTION 6. Are we allowed to sell to, and buy of follow the pure, unfeigned love, lest he abuse the apostates, inasmuch as Paul says that we should not the freedom which he seems to have. to the have intercourse with them; and yet the disciples injury and hindrance of his own soul, to bought victuals in Sychar, and the Jews dealt with the the affliction and destruction of his beloved Gentiles? Jn. 4:5. brethren, to the scornful boasting of the Answer. That the apostles bought victuals perverse, and to the shameful blemishing in Sychar proves nothing at all; for many of of the Holy word and the afflicted church of the Samaritans were a remnant of the ten Christ. Besides, I pray and desire in like tribes, as we have sufficiently shown above, manner, that none will thus in the least be from the Holy Scripture. But we do not offended at his brother and mistake and deny that the Jews dealt with the Gentiles, judge him by an unscriptural judgment; as yet they shunned their comnercium, that is, he has in this case no reproving example their daily association, company and con- among the Jews nor forbidding word [in the versation, and did not eat nor drink with Scriptures.] them, as the writings of the evangelist suffi- O my sincerely beloved brethren! let us ciently and plainly show in many scriptur- sincerely pray for understanding and wisal passages. dom, that all misunderstanding, error, jealAnd inasmuch as Christ points us to the ousy, offense, division and undue reports Jewish ban or shunning, namely, That as may once be exterminated, root and branch; they shunned the gentiles and sinners, so that a wholesome understanding, doctrine, we should likewise shun an apostate chris- friendship, love, edification and opinion

Page  280 280 CONCLUSION. may be restituted and prevail. Let every If thy brother trespass against thee, &c., one look with pure eyes and impartial and will not hear thee nor the witnesses, hearts to the example to which Christ nor the church, let him be unto thee as a points, and to the wholesome, natural mean- heathen man'and a publican. And Paul, " If ing of the holy apostles, and let true, chris- any man that is called a brother, be afornitian love ever prevail, and he will know, cator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railby the grace of God, how he should act er, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with in this matter. such an one no not to eat," 1 Cor. 5: 11; QUESTION 7. Are we allowed to be seated with an Jer. 16: 8. To this class also belong perjuapostate in a ship or wagon, or to eat with them at the rers, thieves, violent persons, haters, fighttable of a tavern? table of a tavern? oers and all those who walk in open, well Answer. The first part of this qsti known, damnable works of the flesh, of namely, to be seated with an apostate in a whic Pl enumerates a great many, oin. ship or vehicle, when the captain or drive: 2; al. 5: 19; 1 Cor.6:9; Eph. 5:5. is no apostate, we deem childish and use- i i p i n Again, disorderly persons, working not at less, since this so often happens without a b i intercourse an - eedsaall, bLut which are busy bodies; such as do intercourse, and must needs happen. As not abide in te doctrine of Christ and his not abide in the doctrine of Christ and Iis to the second part, namely, to eat at the aote therein, but are table with an apsapostles and do not walk therein, but are table with an apostate, while traveling, we disobedient, 2 Thess. 3:11, 14. Again can point the questioner to no surer ground masters of sects. Again, those who give and answer than this, namely, WVe advise, m o. Agi ths w and answer than this, namely, e advise, offense, cause dispute and discord concernpray and admonish every pious Christian,. pray and admonh ey p s, ing the doctrine of Christ and of his aposas he loves Christ and his word, to fear ties. God sincerely, and follow the most certain way, that is, not to eat by or with him; for In short, all those who openly lead a thereby none can be deceived; and if per- shameful, carnal life, and those who are corchance s6me godfearing brother might do rupted by a heretical, unclean doctrine, Tit. so, then let every one beware, lest he sin 3: 10, and who will not be overcome by the against his brother by an unscriptural judg- wine and oil of the Holy Spirit, but remain, ment; for none may judge unless he have afterthey havebeen admonished and sought the judging word on his side. to be regained in all love and reasonableWhosoever fears God, whosoever desires neSS, obdurate in their corrupted walk and to follow after his holy word, with all his opinion. They should, at last, in the name strength; loves his brother; seeks to avoid of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of all offense and desires to walk in the house the Holy Spirit, that is, by the binding of God in all peace and unity, will act just- word of God, be reluctantly but unanimously in all things and will not offend or afflict ly separated from the church of Christ, and ly in all things and will not offend or afflict i his brethren. afterward, according to the Scriptures, be QUESTION 8. Who, according to Scripture, should be shunned in all divine obedience, until they banned or excommunicated? repent, Rom. 16: 16; Gal. 5: 16; 1 Tim. Answer. Christ says, Matt. 18: 15-17, 5: 24; 6: 3. CON C LUSION. MOST beloved brethren and sisters in the (while I see that this is carried on without Lord, as we have hinted in the beginning the foundation of the word, without reason of this admonition, and as you are all aware and discretion, and without the nature of that for some years there have been much Christ Jesus and his holy gospel, both as division and discord concerning the ban by to stringency or leniency, to the ensnarewhich christian love has been and is yet ment of many consciences; as every one asmuch retarded; therefore I have endeavored serfts and follows his own view as the best,

Page  281 CONCLUSION. 281 to advise all my beloved brethren and sis- vice, explanation, understanding and adters in the Lord who seek the amiable peace monition, and you will doubtlessly find and unity, not to seek more nor less than great peace and joy (so far as regards septhe Scriptures teach, show and require), to aration) among all the brethren; but whowrite this explanation of the ban or sepa- soever rejects them, let him take heed, for ration) compiled with the greatest care from he will one day meet his Judge. the Holy Scriptures and to the promotion In short, it is my inward and outward of the peace of all the pious children of faith, foundation and confession of the sepGod; and trust, before God, that this will aration which I never before wrote and pubsatisfy all humble, peaceable consciences; lished with such clearness and minuteness. for, behold, I seek nothing, before God But now necessity urges me; and with this through Christ Jesus, but that these un- my faith, foundation and confession, which scriptural proceedings and mournful dis- I thus had from the beginning, I desire to putations concerning the ban, both as to die in Christ Jesus and to appear before stringency and leniency, may be thereby the throne of God; for I am aware that it ended, and that the noble, glorious peace is the most important showing of the sepaand unity in Christ Jesus may remain un- ration which can be explained and taught broken and undamaged. to the godfearing consciences, from the Although I have written this out of pure Holy Scriptures. Therefore I ask of all my love and upheld the peace according to the brethren and sisters in the Lord to leave me true nature and direction of the Holy Word, at peace about this matter and not to trouble as before my God who shall judge me at me further; for, by the grace of God, there the last day; yet I know that by some I will be nothing heard from my lips but will not be thanked; for to some it will be that which my writings teach and imply. too stringent, and too lenient to others; but Let every brother seek the wholesome I must bear with this, as I have done these understanding of the word of Christ and of fifteen years. Still, I would pray you, for his apostles, with a humble spirit, in broththe sake of the merits of the precious blood erly love and in christian peace, and he of my Lord Jesus Christ, that if any one will, doubtlessly, drive back all unscriptshould find fault with this my treatise, be ural dispute and discord and sincerely folit on account of mildness or stringency, not low e true od-leasin unit to do so otherwise than by authority of the Word, Spirit and life of the Lord, and not May the Almighty, merciful Father, recklessly and without thought, lest he mis- through his blessd Son Christ Jesus, grant take. Whatsoever any person can advance all brethren and sisters the heavenly gift of and prove thereby I will gladly hear and the Holy Spirit that there may become an be obedient thereunto; but I dare not go end to this sad dispute and discord, and higher nor loerr, more stringent nor lenient thus become a sound body with the perfect than the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit bond of unfeigned, christian love, bound teach me; and that out of great fear and together in becoming, steady peace in Christ anxiety of my conscience, lest I again bur- Jesus, Amen. den the godfearing hearts who now have Beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, renounced the commandments of men, with I pray you by the bloody wounds of my those commandments. Self-conceit and hu- Lord Jesus Christ to beware of dispute and man opinions I hate, nor do I desire them; discord, and that you may receive this my for I know what tribulation and affliction labor with affectionate hearts, for in true they have caused me for many years. christian love I have written it to your Sincerely beloved brethren and sisters in service, as before God in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus! Understand my writings MENNO SIMON. rightly, and faithfully follow this my ad- A. D. 1550. 72

Page  282

Page  283 A THOROUGH ANSWER TO THE SLANDER, DEFAMATION, BACKBITING, UNSEASONED AND BITTER WORDS OF Zylis and Lemmekes, CONCERNING OUR FOUNDATION AND DOCTRINE, FULL OF INSTRUCTION AND ADMONITION, WHICH DOCTRINE IS (IN OUR OPINION) THE UNADULTERATED FOUNDATION AND DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES, CONCERNING THE BAN, SEPARATION OR SHUNNING. BY MENNO SIMON. "The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words will never be reformed all the days of his life," Eccl. 23: 15. "The dispostion of a liar is dishonorable, and his shame is ever with him," Eccl. 20: 26. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871.

Page  284 IF thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far from thee, from the one end of the earth, even unto the other end of the earth, thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare him, neither shalt thou conceal him; but thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. * * Because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you." "Then his father and his mother that begat him, shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: And his father and his mother that begat him, shall thrust him through when he prophesieth," Deut. 13: 6 —11; Zech. 13: 3.

Page  285 THOROUGH ANSWER, REPLETE WITIH Instruction and Admonition. A true, pure and pious mind, unfeigned love of God and neigtbor, a true and well seasoned tongue which speaks nothing else but the trnth, and a resigned, impartial and pious heart wherein the Holy Spirit dwells, together with the sure knowledge of Jesus Christ and of his holy word, I wish to Zylis and Lemmekces, to all righteousness, now and forever, from my inmost heart, Amen. I HEAR and understand, dear friends, that ble shield and surety against all unreasonyou, alas, mistake yourselves against God able upbraiders and defamers, now and at and against myself, both by writing and all times. By the grace of God I am sure speaking; using untrue, slanderous words of this. and abominable, bitter backbiting, which Inasmuch as you prove yourselves quite are not becoming a christian; which I had unreasonable and devoid of love (as I am not in the least expected from you; for I at such a great distance from you, yea, as thought that you were so taught of the Lord if you never had heard a syllable of the that you would not thus enviously smite word of the Lord), by which you do not your poor brother who cannot now answer only make me an abomination and stench for himself; nor that you would, as is the (which I deem very little in you) in the sight case, defame your faithful friend, who, ac- of many of those who are not versed in this cording to his small talent, has ever sincere- matter, but also make the holy word such, ly served you and all the pious in Christ, which, in my weakness, has been preached and thus thank him for his faithful service by me for some time, not altogether without and love. But my good opinion of you, fr-uit, and thus deter those of little underalas, has been a mistake in this case. For standing from the right way, and strengthen my case in regard to you is the same as them in their blindness, and rob them of the that of the good Jeremiah, when his enviers true light and understanding of the true counseled about him, and said, "Come, ban; therefore I am forced by a sense of and let us smite him with the tongue, and duty to send you and your brethren (whom let us not give heed to any of his words," you deprive of the light, by your cunning), Jer. 18: 18. Yet the innocence of my hands, my humble, but true reply, as briefly and the true intention of my labors, the un- j clearly as possible, in writing, as I can not feigned love of my unction, together with attend personally, hoping that you may the incontrovertible, sure foundation of the thereby take the matter to heart and hencetruth shall be my refuge, yea, my invinci- forth sin no more, but truly repent of your

Page  286 286 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. great mistake, and yet find grace in that to season your words a little better. For day before the Lord and his righteous judg- you do not thereby slander and despise ment. Therefore I pray you earnestly to me, but the Holy Spirit, which, according consider that to which I shall point you. to the word of promise, has led me, his Understand, then, first, that I am blamed poor, weak servant and instrument into! his by Zylis of being a trifler. The reason is truth and discovered unto me the true founthat (as he says) I should have published dation in this matter. two small books which contradict each oth- Yea, dear men, if I, on that account, ami er. To which I thus answer, in my humili- to be called by you, a trifler because I was ty: It is well known to a great many that I not perfectly enlightened from the beginhave been combatted on all sides by many ning, nor claim to be perfectly enlightened sharp spirits, for more than twenty-three at this hour, O Lord! what a trifler you years; and that I have had to withstand would call the beloved Peter and others, if many a hard assault. Yet (glory to him they were alive to-day, and if you loved who has saved me) I did not go, unsteadi- him no more than you love me, as he, ally, from one church to the other as both of though taught by the Lord's mouth and enyou have done (do not think hard of my lightened by the Holy Spirit, was yet so thus writing; for you urge me to it); but I unintelligent that he dared not preach the remained firm and peaceable in the faith gospel to the heathen until he was admonand doctrine with my beloved brethren un- ished and told to do so by a heavenly vistil this day. And as I have borne testimo- ion or revelation from God, and thus first ny in the name of the Lord in such dark took the liberty to teach them. days, I trust, by the grace of God, to re- Oh! oh! Terrible is the word, that slanmain firm and peaceable, so long as I re- derers, defamers and liars shall have no main in this tabernacle. To which of us part in the kingdom of God. Behold, chothis name of trifler (if so it must be called) sen Zylis and Lemmekes, let it be told you. is now applicable, I will leave to the judg- Secondly, I understand besides, that Zylis ment of every intelligent reader. But as to said I published a book from which nothing the two publications of which you seem to but hatred, murder and blasphemy could think hard, this is my plain reply: Eigh- emanate. teen or nineteen years ago, when I wrote To which I reply with Christ's own words, the first book, I was not well enough en- thus. "Think not that I am come to send lightened to understand all things thor- peace on earth; I came not to send peace, oughly; and I freely and frankly admit, but a sword," Matt. 10: 34. At another that until that time I included all sin in place, "I am come to send fire on the earth; three admonitions. This I acknowledge and what will I, if it be already kindled? verbally and in writing and do not deny it. Luke 12: 49. From which words and also But, as all well minded servants of God, from experience it is plain that the pure who seek the crucified Christ and not their doctrine of Christ and of his holy apostles, own honor or flesh, are ever ready to inves- truly taught and practiced upon, is of such tigate the sure foundation of truth still fur- a nature that it engenders, among the obther, thus I, the least of all servants (on ac- durate and unbelieving, hatred, envy, falsecount of many abominations which were, hood, slander, upbraiding, persecution, refrom time to time discovered in the church, bellion, murder, misery and tribulation. and also on account of the miserable dis- But should we not on this account teach putation and discord which crept in with- and practice upon the pure doctrine and out my fault) came to a serious reflection truth? If you answer in the affirmaconcerning this matter and, at last, plainly tive, you judge that we should not supsaw that we men may not retain those press the truth on account of danger, if that whom God himself, by his Spirit and word should be the result, but that notwithstandexcludes, or else the church of Christ must ing it should be taught and practiced upon, be divided. This is as clear as day. And what kind of a spirit it is that teaches Therefore it would be advisable for you you this pretense of hatred, murder, blas

Page  287 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. 287 phemy, &c., by which you frighten the poor devil, by our ambitious, partial, proud and people from the truth, I will leave you to obdurate flesh, as the obdurate Pharisees reflect upon in the fear of God. But if you and Scribes ascribed the glorious miracles answer in the negative you make yourselves and power of Christ to Beelzebub. This merely men of blood, as you still continue the mouth of the Lord (if we persevere, as I in teaching, baptizing and the like, while understand it) calls blasphemy and sinning you daily hear that many a pious child is, against the Holy Spirit. Of which they on that account, robbed, and even mur- will not be forgiven in this world nor in the dered. 0, I pray you, learn to know the world to come. 0, dear, take heed, Luke spirit of upbraiding. Say, beloved, is not 12: 10. the word of Christ called the word of the'Inasmuch as such slander and sin, is the cross a You must answer in the affirmative. true blasphemy and sin in the Holy Spirit, For here, in the kingdom and reign of Christ as was heard, and as God before whom we upon earth, the command to the believ- stand exposed with all our teachings and ing, is nothing but to deny yourselves and t doings, knows that I have written the book take up thecross and followhim, Matt. 16:24. which you slander, with a good, sealed and If we love father, mother, husband, wife, i assured conscience and as all theologians children, property or ourselves better than must acknowledge that it is the truth and Christ, we are not worthy of him. Yea, he word of the Lord; and as you cannot dissays, if we do not hate all these we cannot I prove it by virtue of the Scriptures, and as be his disciples, Matt. 10: 37. Inasmuch as you, notwithstanding all this are so obduthis is the case with the gospel of Christ, as rate and lost as to call this undisproven has been heard; therefore your trifling darts I writing of mine, a book of fables, and heretand powerless thunderbolts of hatred, mur- ical doctrine; therefore I will leave the imder and blasphemy, cannot nor should not partial reader to judge with which of us deter me in the least, so long as you do not this slander is to be found. 0, that you convince me by the binding truth and power would see! of the divine, Holy Scriptures, that I, in Thirdly, I understand that you call our this matter of the ban or separation, have doctrine concerning the ban between husmistaken the word of the Lord, or in any band and wife as heretical. To which I manner not fulfilled the requirements there- would reply: First, Paul says, "Knowing of; but I am the more assured, by your that he that is such (a heretic) is sebverted, slander, inasmuch as it is done altogether and sinneth, being condemned of himself," without truth or the Scripture, that the in- Tit. 3: 11. Inasmuch as such a one is subvincible foundation of truth and of the im- verted and condemned of himself, as was mutable word of the Lord is on our side. shown, therefore I know by the grace of But as for the word slander or blasphemy, God, that I am not worthy of such heretical I would make this my brotherly reply: name; for he that knows and tries all hearts, Learn to know with more fear of God also knows me. He knows that I never what, according to the Scripture, is blas- knew, and much less fostered any obduracy, phemy or sinning against the Holy Spirit. licentiousness, partiality or perverseness in For in my opinion it is this, that when the my heart contrary to his word and will. I truth of God is imprinted and conceived am sure that the merciful Father (who into the heart of man, with such a power of alone is the true Father of my soul), will the divine, Holy Scripture, by the Spirit not thus condemn to hell his despised, and finger of his power, that we, convinced weak servant, nor look at him as such an in spirit, must confess that it is the true foun- heretic, although I must hear the despicadation of truth, and can not be contro- ble slander, not from the world alone, but verted by the Scriptures, yet, by reason of also from you. 0, no, no. His name is, self-conceit or choice we are so audacious Our faithful God, Merciful Father, Deliverand stubborn as to persist in hating, up- er, Emmanuel, &c. Therefore let all unbraiding and slandering this inspired and der heaven judge, upbraid and slander; his truly known truth, or ascribing it to the paternal word, conceived in my open and

Page  288 288 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. willing heart, together with the Holy Spirit Our second foundation and doctrine is of his love which leads all souls, hungering that the true apostolic ban and shunning and thirsting after righteousness, to the has not reference alone to the spiritual bread of life and to the true fountain of his communion, as Supper, hand and kiss and living waters, will doubtlessly refresh me greeting of peace (as you think), but also to in the ardor of such, and of all my tribula- the carnal communion, as eating, dealing, tions, and extend unto me his hand of con- to receive into one's house, &c., and that it solation. For where is he who thus sought is plainly forbidden. But your foundation him that did not find grace? and where is and doctrine is (for your deeds show it, he who trusted in him that was not aided which in my opinion proves more than and protected? 0, that you would once see words and confession would do) that the the abomination of your perverse and un- shunning applies alone to the spiritual seasonable judgment! communion, and that it does not apply to Secondly, I answer: That according to the natural association. For it is a well known Scripture, heretics are self-conceited, dis- fact that you allow the natural association quiet, licentious and, perverse sectarians, between husband and wife; and that you who choose, collect and establish for them- eat with the separated, and deal with them, selves a peculiar. foundation, doctrine and if you have not changed. Mark our second church, contrary to the true foundation of difference. truth in which the true church which avails Our third foundation and doctrine is, before God, should be founded; by means of that the second table, namely, the comwhich they disturb the unity of the pious, mandment concerning our neighbor, must extinguish love, destroy peace, and cause give way to the first, which is, the commuch disturbance, trouble, sorrow and trib- mandment concerning God. But your founulation among those who would gladly dation and doctrine is (for your action in walk in the truth. 0, I pray you, learn to regard to husband and wife testify it), that know the heretic. not the second table must give way to the As such are really heretics, as has been first, but the first to the second. As if the heard, so necessity requires to show the di- Creator must do the will of the creature, and vision between us, and to explain it; that the creature not the will of the Creator.! the intelligent reader and auditor may O!! Mark our third difference. thereby understand and comprehend with Our fourth foundation and doctrine is, which of us such perverseness and heretical that the Holy Spirit ever cares for his, and foundation is to be found. Take heed. has therefore commanded us to shun the secJudge not by words and semblance, but by tarian and offensive sinners, lest they leavGod's Word. en with the leaven of their unrighteousness, So this, our first foundation and doctrine, or by their intercourse or conversation (as is that all obedient children of God, with- is generally the case), the pious and draw out any respect of person, must withdraw them into their wicked works; and also, from all brethren and sisters who walk dis- that the apostates may thereby be made orderly and who are disobedient to the in- ashamed before the Lord and his church, stitution, ordinance and doctrine received repent, and be converted. But your founfrom the apostles; because it is so com- dation and doctrine combats and disputes manded of the Holy Spirit in the name of this so cruelly that you quite bitterly call Christ. But your foundation and doctrine us divorcers and heretics; becausewe, in this is that this does not apply to husband and regard, through the zealous fear of God, folwife in case one or the other deviates from low the command of the holy apostles, and the truth. You have respect of person, of point every one, whose lot it becomes, to the which the Holy Spirit of wisdom does not surest way, according to Scripture. You precommand nor imply a single word in all tend to the poor people that it is an abominthe Holy Writ. Mark our first difference, ation that, on account of the ban, a husband 2 Thess. 3: 14; Jas. 2: 9; Dent. 3': 6; Zech. should shun his wife, or a wife her husband. 13: 3. The same as it is also an abomination to

Page  289 REPLY TO ZYLIS AN-D LEMMEKES. 289 the world that we should baptize the be- easily avoid. This is too clear to be delieving and not hear the false preachers; nied. 0, men, take heed. and thus reprove the Holy Spirit of the love M y second reply is, that none under of Christ; accuse and abuse his holy apos- heaven can abide in his faith, living with ties of a false doctrine, as if the leaven of his degenerate consort. For, first, he would corruption (against which they have faith- transgress all the explicit commandments fully warned us) could not leaven husband of the Holy Spirit concerning the ban and or wife; also, as if we were at liberty, ac- shunning. Secondly, he would not seek cording to the rule of the holy word, not to the repentance of his consort in such a manseek the reformation of our consorts, 2 ner as the Scripture teaches. And, thirdly, Thess. 3: 14; Tit. 3: 10; 1 Cor. 5: 5; Gal. he keeps company with one who should, 5: 9; 1 Cor. 5: 3; 2 Tim. 2: 1S, 21. according to the command of the word, be shunned by all pious persons. I will leave Our fifth foundation and doctrine is that shued by a pos ers on. I will le - it to the consideration of all of you, if this the ban without the shunning is quite use- VIIV^ NI L -T- ^\ -iiV can be called abiding in the faith. Thereless and dead, yea, as a mill without a mill- fnore, I pay yo again, tae heed. stone, and as a knife without a blade; for it ^fe, ^ i yo n ae h that the apostolic ban, prop- Behold, beloved, if you compare this diis very clear that the apostolic ban, prop-... *. is verly clear ithpwranect i the aoutwr ~ vision with the doctrine of the Scripture, erly, has its power and effect in the outward and in the fear of God impartially wegh it shunning. For else the danger of corrupt- in the ce of te ho word you will ing others would not be in the least avoid- e e hat a y bloved clearly see that I and my belovecd brethren ed, which, properly, is the first and main have the immutable, incontrovertible word reason of the ban, as has been heard. Your you only have a to sustain us; and that you only have a actions openly show that you have and tachtions openly show that you have and vain presumption and a self-conceived opinteach a ban without the shunning, and that.'.' ion; that we have a restoring ban, while the same is therefore without effect, sincee ha you have one that is fruitless, vain and you first except husband and wife from the dead; that we have obedience, you, disobeshunning, and second, eat, deal, &c., with dience; that we cordially seek to save all those who are banned, while the Holy Script- aflicted souls from the inherent disease of ures plainly hnd pointedly forbid it, sayuresplaly n pointely forbi, corruption, according to the doctrine and ing, With such ye shall not eat; with sucho and of t he hoy apotes wie command of the holy apostles, while you, do not keep company; but shun them... contrary to all admonition, doctrine and Have no dealings with them; do not greet t l admnt o e holy a ^^v^^^^^^ ^u.^.?,a yu o the explicit commandment of the holy aposthem, nor take them into your hous. tes leave them to corruption, without all Mark our fifth division, 1 Cor. 5: 10; Rom. aid, succor, consolation, assistance and 16: 16; 2 Tim. 3: 5; Tit. 3: 10. earnest trial; not looking at what is pleasBut if you should say, That if the pious ing to the spirit, but only at what is pleascan abide in hisfaith, living with the impi- ing to the flesh. Therefore it shows that ous, that in such case there is no necessity you are, alas, those who are covered with of shunning, I would then answer: First, the abominable shame of heresy of which that by such acceptation of the matter you, you undeservedly blame me. If you are in face annul all the plain commandments intelligent, mark what is the meaning. of the Scriptures concerning the outward, Fourthly, I understand that you call us bodily shunning; as not to eat, deal or divorcers, telling your followers that of such take them into your houses. Yea, if some shunning of husband and wife there can liberty should be taken, it would be more not be found a single example in all the reasonable to give the whole church liberty Scriptures. To which I answer, first, that to eat and deal with apostates than to al- Moses taught the Israelites that theyshould low it between husband arid wife. For not excuse their own wives, sons, daughters there would be less danger accompanied and friends who were as precious to them with it to the church than to husband and as their own hearts, if they should want to wife who are of necessity in continual in- lead them to strange gods; but that they tercourse; something which the church could should, without mercy, slay or stone them, 73

Page  290 290 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. Deut. 13: 6 —10. Say, beloved, who was the what kind of a spirit it is that prompts you cause of this? Moses or God? Not Moses; to make use of such slanderous, cunning but God who had thus commanded him. words as divorcers, book of fables, heresy, Thus it is with us also. WVe teach that the &c. Venom is deadly, and gall is bitter, apostates and sectarians should be shunned, but.much more poisonous and bitter is the without respect of person. Yet not we, but tongue which is charged and laden with God, who has thus commanded us to do, in partiality and hatred. 0, mind this, Jas. his word, as has been sufficiently shown. 3: 5-10. 0, mark this. But as to the beforementioned example Again I reply by asking this question: this is our answer, first: That all those who If one of your number had a dishonest, make such pretensions manifest thereby wicked, thievish, sodomitic, murderous, in- that they do not believe the Scriptures of cendiary wife or one that should try to take the apostles concerning the ban and shunhis life, and were aware of it, would he ning, nor understand the reasons, utility yet continue to live with her? If you answer and effects of the ban, and alas, have but in the affirmative, you must acknowledge little regard for the explicit commandments and own that he is an abominable, fearful, concerning the outward, bodily shunning. murderous rogue, to be one flesh with her; Again we say, concerning the opinion something which would not well become a that a doctrine without example cannot servant of Christ. But if you answer in the stand in the church of Christ, as seems to negative, you judge yourself that you, in be your ground; that in such case we are this matter, without previous adultery or all badly mistaken, both you and we; befornication, are no less divorcers than we cause we allow our women to approach the are. I repeat, mark this also. Lord's Supper, of which there is not a sylAgain, I ask, If one of your number had lable to be found in the Scriptures. But if such a consort that he would have to re- you should say, That our women are benounce his faith or could not abide therein, liering; therefore they should be admitted to would he, or should he continue to live with the Supper, along with the believing men, I such consort? Jer. 17: 5. If you answer in would answer in like manner:' As the pious the affirmative you thereby plainly testify consort is believing, he should shun his that such perverse and ungodly flesh avails apostate wife, according to the common you more than Christ Jesus himself, togeth- rule of Scripture, together with all other beer with his kingdom, truth, word, promise, lieving ones without exception. Whosoever blood, and death, besides your faith, unc- is intelligent will judge and consider the tion, love, and the salvation of your souls. inference. If you answer in the negative, I again say, In the fifth place, I understand that Lemthat you, in this matter, without previous mekes has boasted that he is going to rebut adultery or fornication, are no less divorcers more than half of the books. To which I than we are. Mark this. briefly reply: To promise mountains of Thirdly, I answer, If this our doctrine gold and not to have sandhills to give, is must be called a divorce by you, then it is called boasting by the world; therefore, it evident that holy Paul was no less a di- would be well not to boast of more than we vorcer than we are, for he says "But and have Scripture and talent for. But whosoif she depart, let her remain unmarried ever will rebut it must first establish the fol(observe he openly admits separation), or lowing ten articles, by virtue of the Word. be reconciled to her husband," 1 Cor. 7: 11. First, that the first table of the comPaul also allows such separation when it mandments in Christ's Kingdom and reign is for their betterment if they remain un- must give way to the second. Mark. married, as is also our doctrine, and so you Secondly, that the Scripture teaches two yourselves (if the above is your answer), bans or shunnings. Mark. are no less divorcers than we are, as shown Thirdly, that there can be a scriptural in the above two articles; therefore I would ban without the shunning. Mark. have you to consider in the fear of God Fourthly, that the deadly disease of

Page  291 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. 291 corruption cannot leaven or make unclean your side, and we have not, then, by the the husband and wife when they do not grace of God, I for myself will say, yea shun each other. Mark. with you. But still I would warn you not Fifthly, that it is not required at the hands to call that which is right and pure, wrong of the pious spouse earnestly to seek the and impure; nor that which is wrong and reformation and repentance of the impious impure, right and pure; not to dissolve that spouse, according to the counsel, doctrine which the Scripture binds, nor to bind that and commandments of the Holy Scripture. which it makes free, as some, alas, are in Mark. the habit of doing; so that not our selfSixthly, that the pious spouse is not chosen righteousness nor human proposibound to agree to the separation of his im- tions and holiness, but the word of God pious consort. Mark. alone, be our guide and way. In love, take Seventhly, that the carnal ban and love heed. must be preferred to the spiritual ban and In the seventh place, I understand that love. Mark. Lemmekes also said, that I first came to the Eighthly, that the marriage with Christ, Franekers and their followers and agreed in the Spirit, must give way to the marriage with them; but was afterward instructed by consummated in the human flesh. Mark. the brethren, and remained with them. To Ninthly, that the Holy Spirit has taught which I reply to you and all who believe exceptions or respect of persons concerning your untrue story, with truth, thus: I frathe ban or shunning, in the Scripture. ternally asked the Franekers when I was Mark. in conversation with them, If they had any Tenthly, that the spouse is not subject to further doings with carnal transgressors the explicit commandments concerning the after the third admonition? To this they outward or bodily shunning. Mark. answered, no. Then I said (after passing Behold, dear Lemmekes, whenever you a few words concerning secret sins), If that or any of your followers dissolve or untie is your doctrine we will not remain divided. this knot by virtue of the Scriptures, then Then they thanked the Lord, as if we were we will further consider the matter. quite of one mind in regard to the matter. But as we know that no man, no matter Observing this, I said, Not so, brethren, who he be, can ever do so by virtue of the but I will also talk to the others, and see truth, of which, before the Lord, we are cer- what grace the Lord will give. That this is tain; therefore we let men slander and true I can prove by our beloved brother, boast as much as they please. Firm and Nette Lippes, and is also known to the omimmutable the doctrine remains, namely, niscient Lord whose hand and judgment I that all pious husbands and wives as also cannot escape if I lie and do not speak the the church are bound to shun their impious truth. spouses, according to the common rule, Afterwards I came to them and conversed doctrine and command of the Holy Script- with them and got my full satisfaction ures, as has been frequently shown, by vir- (praise the Lord for his grace) concerning tue of the holy Word. Whosoever seeks secret sinning, at which my heart was reand loves the truth, may ponder upon that joiced more than I am able to write, not, which we say and consider the meaning of now, doubting in the least but that the matthe Scriptures. ter would come to a good result, until the In the sixth place I understand that Lem- time that the Franekers came and showed mekes should have said, that if we were of tlat they did not abide by their underone mind in regard to the article concerning standing concerning carnal works, as they husband and wife, that there would yet be had confessed to me. This caused in me three or four articles about which we could sorrow, as bitter as death. In my affliction not agree. To which I would say this, that I knew not what to do; for there is nothing I would like to have him put in writing upon earth I love more than the Lord's these articles and points of difference, and church. But as it is, I see that the leavensend them to me. If you have truth on ing spirit of the false parties has leavened

Page  292 292 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. many. Yea, had not the gracious breath 3 Jn. 9, which generally clothes itself in a of the Omnipotent saved me I would prob- sheep skin, sighing and complaining —sayably have had my mind wrecked. In short, ing: Oh, oh! The people build upon and the Franekers would not unite before they look too much to Menno, whereby the hearts had first consulted Henry Naeldeman. In are turned from love; therefore I have not the course of time, Henry came to us, and in said once, but perhaps ten times: If the love, we informed him that we were not those unversed should thus build upon and look who thus judge the offensive transgressors; to me, then my desire is that the Lord but that, according to the word, we could would cause me to stumble, but not take his not do the will of God by retaining those grace altogether from me, that they might whom his Spirit and Word exclude. He learn to know not to build their foundation, was so startled that he openly said before hope and consolation upon me, but solely us all, that he had never so taken the mat- upon the living corner stone, Christ Jesus. ter to heart, in his life, hoping to place the Whosoever hath the bride, says John, is Franekers on a better footing. I then left the bridegroom, and that is Christ Jesus, the country. Not long afterward he again who, according to the will of his Father (to sent for me. He had studied the matter his honor), has called us in his eternal love, over; and all we had built before, with the and married us by faith in his death and Lord's word, was again broken, in the poor blood; and not Menno orLemmekes. Oh, man. Yea, it is known to me and to the that they would not garble my words, and Lord how unstable and childish he proved not tell any thing but the truth which himself once or twice, in a short time, con- stands before God. cerning the matter of husband and wife. Secondly I answer, If you thus turn to His own handwriting shall be my testimony shame the word of my piety, whereby I of this assertion. only seek the praise and honor of my ReBehold, dear men, here you have the out- deemer, which I had not thus expected, line of our action in this matter of which then I desire that in love, you point out my you so quite partially dare to upbraid me, error according to the truth; for although I which I assert with a good conscience, be- am a poor sinner who, at times, is mastered fore the eyes of the Lord. If you had acted by his flesh, I yet thank God for his grace the part of wisdom in this matter and had that he has to this day saved his poor, not inclined your ears to the backbiting of weak servant, without any considerable ofthe unpeaceable of the sectarian parties, fense, both in doctrine and in life. But if you would never have offended against me your sight is so weak and dim that you by such gross falsehood and slander. Just- call it stumbling, namely, that I teach acly did Paul say "That a little leaven leav- cording to the Holy Scriptures that we eneth the whole lump," I Cor. 5: 6. should shun the offensive transgressors unIn the eighth place I understand that til they repent; or that the ban should be Lemmekes publishes that I should have said used without respect of person; or that I to him, the people build upon, and look to am ever prepared to accept a better instrucme so much that I am afraid that the Lord tion of God or admonition and doctrine of will yet cause me to stumble, so that they his Holy Spirit, as I have done in regard to shall no more look to me or any other man. the doctrine of carnal abominations-then To which I reply first: If I should now or I may well console myself that the holy at any time say to Lemmekes or any one apostles are, in this matter, no less stumelse-the people build upon and look to blers than I am. For before God, I do not me; then my own mouth would convince know but that I teach the essence of their me that I would be like unto a fool who is word unadulterated and walk in the footquick to praise himself. I trust that not steps of their spirit, so far as I have received only the word of the Lord but also common grace and strength from my God. 0, how sense will teach me better. And as I have quite carnal, unintelligent, blind and perexperienced more than once in my time verse is the judgment of a person who, bethat the spirit of Diotrephes is not yet dead, fore his God, is led away by partiality and

Page  293 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. 293 envy. If you fear God then heed what I strong word; that you seek to assert and tell you, Jas. 3: 2, 17; 1 Cor. 2: 4. maintain as much as you can; not the deIn the ninth place, I understand that you sirable unity and peace, nor the unfaltering, slander and upbraid our brethren in Fries- abiding truth which is of God, but your land, not a little. To which I briefly reply: own ignorant opinion and carnal intentions It is not necessary that I should be the by wrong and violence, dissention, partialbrethren's advocate, since the merciful Lord ity, slander and defamation. You should, has not denied them his grace, Spirit and however, know that not such wrong and gifts. Yet for myself I would say that the violence as you commit, is to be the judgworldly privileges are, or imply that we ment and decision in this matter but that should give both sides a hearing. We also the Holy Spirit and word of Christ Jesus read of Alexander the Great, that when one are to decide it. In love, take heed. party or one side laid in a complaint to In the tenth place, I understand that Lemhim without the presence of the other side mekes said, "Thathewouldratherbebanned or party, that he would shut up one ear to by our elders than to agree with them." give the other side a hearing therewith. To which I answer: That one of two things Since there was found such great decency is made true by his words; that he either among the gentiles; and as it is the com- does not know what the ban is in fact; or mon usage, in all matters and policies, not else that the elders are such abominable to judge until after a hearing has been people that they are not worthy of the granted; therefore you have acted very un- church. For all the world I would not pass scripturally and unreasonably not only to such a sentence. If these elders were such give the one party (and that the party which evil people, even, as his words imply, why are separated from the church on account be so unreasonable (since it is his office) as of their contention) a hearing, but besides, not to show his brotherly love by pointing accept them as your beloved brethren, out to them, in accordance with the Scriptwhile the other party you reject, to the great ures their errors and abominations of which shame of you and your counselors; and he shows such abhorrence, since it becomes because you would not give them a verbal him before God and his church to seek their explanation and hearing, although they so salvation, in love. But I presume that you frequently and brotherly desired it. At feared the sharpness of truth and that you, which unreasonableness, unwillingness and therefore, were afraid to face them. 0, childish ignorance we can not sufficiently that you would hear the voice of the Lord satisfy our astonishment. We are of the and not harden your hearts while it is yet opinion that it was never heard of people to-day. who seemingly feared God. Yet you pro- I must also, lastly, remind you that you ceed on the strength of the sayings of the came to us in A. D. 1556, just before May, partizans with intolerable lying and mis- and that we had a conference of two days, givings, without any certainty about the in the fear of our God. Yea, such a conmatter, and by this violence and wrong do- ference that Lemmekes, the morning of his ing you take from us that which, I fear, departure openly confessed before me, that you can never restore to us. But if you he quite agreed with us although not quite had given both parties a reasonable and satisfied in the matter of husband and wife, christian hearing you might have (if you but as he had not confessed this before the had the gift) passed a just sentence between brethren, he had come hither that he and them, and thus have sought unity and peace they would come to us, and as he had now between them, according to the intent of the opened his heart before all, his word holy word. But now you have manifested would thereafter avail but little. And he yourselves to all mankind, while you see wished to further treat with you, on the that with your unscriptural ban, now used way, Exod. 17: 2; Gal. 6: 2; Jn. 3: 29. Beby you and your followers these many hold, such were his pretenses. Besides he years, you cannot stand before the sharp- said, If the Upperlanders will not agree, ness of the Holy Spirit of Christ and of his and Zylis and Henry will remain with them,

Page  294 294 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. I will (he said) go over to the Netherland- mekes agreed with us, but the same summer ers. yet turned his back upon us and again Again he said, There are some strangers agreed with them. Observe again: Those at Weert who would gladly come under the that were separated on account of their disWord of the Lord; and asked: To whom sension and shamefulness you again acshall I take these? to Zylis or to the Neth- cepted as your brethren. erlanders? Besides this he desired of me Observe, thirdly: Our elders and church that when we would have the consent or you despised, answered their prayer quite dissent of Zylis, to send one or two faithful unfriendly and sneeringly, and said that brethren to his assistance, that the ban and you did not come on their account. shunning might be thus introduced into his Fourthly, observe: The spirit of the dischurch. Dear friends, that he thus agreed quiet partizans you believed behind our with us he did not only confess before me, backs. but also before our beloved brethren Her- Fifthly, observe: You belie, upbraid, man of T. and John S. And what is be- backbite, slander, and accuse me and my come of all these words and promises? beloved brethren without any truth; while I Were they not all vain wind and falsehood? for myself never said an unfriendly word You must answer in the affirmative. And about you, of which God is my witness, but yet you do not want it said at Cologne and have ever shown regard for your well being thereabout that you had thus agreed with until this hour of your unbearable action. us. The most lamentable of all is that that Sixthly, mark: The plain word of the which he then confessed to be good and holy apostles as regards the ban and shunright is now called by him heresy and deceit. ning, you reject. Seventhly, mark: You Whether such an inconsistent person can uphold many lightminded, carnal babblers. not be justly called an apostate I will here- Eighthly, mark: You encourage many diswith leave to the judgment of all reasonable quiet, unpeaceable dissenters and quarreland intelligent readers. Zylis and Henry ers. wanted to consider the matter and propose Ninthly, mark: Many, yea, thousands of it to the Upperlanders; they sent a written faithful hearts who sincerely seek God and message, but whether or not you showed it to his sure truth, you afflict. Tenthly, mark: the elders of your church, I do not know. Many pious children who would gladly But Lemmekes has written, Yes. And the obey the word of the Lord in this regard, brethren write, No; and it is said that and thus save their souls, you hinder. Zylis said, No. Their answers are contra- Eleventhly, observe: You beget many dedictory. famers, liars, profaners and upbraiders. In short, at last we, after long delay and In short, you have brewed such beer that, waiting, received an answer from you and if the Lord does not save you by his mercy, the Upperlanders: That we should not push I fear you will yet stumble over the heaped the ban to its utmost, for it would have to pot. For beware, if you again renounce be broken, and that there were as many the Upperlanders and also those whom you, Scriptures concerning marriage as for the alas, have now given the hand of brotherban and shunning. Behold this was the hood they will not depict you in very pleasinstruction of scriptural argument, by which ing colors. he puts aside all apostolic Scriptures con- And if you, even, remain with them, cerning this matter, and rejects them as all intelligent persons must confess that useless. you build your faith, in this matter, with a If I do not write the truth, I am willing sectarian spirit, upon vain self-conceit, opinto bear my punishment. In my opinion it ion, flesh and man, and not upon the firm is come so far with you that, before God, I rock and foundation of the divine word. If do not know who could ever agree with you change your doctrine which you have you. For first you agreed with us; after- so long wrongly practiced and taught in ward dissented without our knowledge and your church, then you will have to hear that joined the Upperlanders. Observe, Lem- you are miserable teachers, that you have

Page  295 REPLY TO ZYLIS AND LEMMEKES. 295 deceived many souls and that you do not This, now, is the proper content, concluknow the light of truth. sion, intent and meaning of my writing to But if you do not, you make it manifest you, and yours, First, that you may bethat you do not seek and uphold the souls hold the abomination of your actions in or the salvation of the church, nor the word this clear mirror, turn from evil, come beof God, but your own honor and flesh, only. fore the Lord with a contrite heart and sinIf, too, you acknowledge that you have, cerely pray for his grace. Secondly, that through partizanism, wrongfully defamed also, the simple, and those of little underme, a cry from the pious will issue against standing who are, in this respect, imprisyou, that you have defamed the reputation oned by you, may taste and see therefrom of your brethren, without cause, not as that you have fed and satiated them not faithful servants of Christ, but rather as with the bread of their heavenly Father, envious defamers. but with mere swill and chaff, and human If you do not acknowledge it, nor do such self-conceit. penance as can avail before God, then the Thirdly, that you may know that I and just sentence of his immutable word will be the pious who are with me, dare not, by upon you, that is, the defamers, backbiters, the fear of our God, be your brethren, so slanderers and liars have no portion in the long as there are not found with you such kingdom of God and Christ. 0, awful is doctrine, obedience, confession, reconciliathe sentence. Woe unto those on whom it tion and repentance as to pacify the church is inflicted! With fear, trembling and shak- of the Lord and to be pleasing unto him. ing reflect, I pray you, 2 Pet. 2: 18; Jude This is written in sorrow. If you fear 1: 10; Rom. 1: 30. God, then take heed, and reflect. The God Behold, dear, chosen men, how perilously of all grace and the Holy Spirit of peace you are sailing! Like a ship that is cast and of the love of Christ grant you grace about between two rocks. If she avoid the that you may read with impartial hearts, one she will sail upon the other. There- and that it may be to your service, Amen. fore, take heed. Take heed, that you may Amen. Amen. prevent the eternal shipwreck of your poor By Menno Simon, who loves you souls souls, and yet arrive in the haven of eternal according to the truth. peace with the Most High, Amen. Amen. Januar. 2:3rdc, 1559.

Page  296

Page  297 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN JUSTIFICATION AND REPLICATION, CONCERNING TITE BITTER, ENVIOUS LIES AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF OUR ENVIERS, ON WHOSE ACCOUNT WE ARE, WITHOUT ANY COMPASSION AND MERCY, SO LAMENTABLY HATED, BELIED, SLANDERED, UPBRAIDED AND PERSECUTED UNTO DEATH, AS MAY, ALAS, BE WITNESSED DAILY IN MANY CITIES AND COUNTRIES. BY MENNO SIMON. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you," Matt. 5: 11, 12. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871. T4

Page  298 TO THE READER. Aiay the blessing and Salvation be with the Ch7ristian Reader: Inasmuch, Christian reader, as we poor) despised strangers and pilgrims are rejected and despised by all the world; are accounted the off-scourings, and that because we diligently seek our salvation, so that the pious and godfearing heart must tremble and be astounded at the defamation which they unjustly heap upon the righteous, so that some who strive after the truth dare hardly join this ardent people; therefore, Christian reader, this book, the band with which we shall tie the arrant liars and their slander, is translated, out of pure love, and to the profit and use of the reader from the eastern tongue, which is not used in this country, into the Holland language, that every godfearing person may stop the mouth of the slanderer. For it is said, Jacula previsa minus feriunt. Wherefore we pray you to accept in love this our labor, which we performed to your service. For our sincere desire, wish, striving and laboring is, that many may come to the true knowledge of the truth, and be saved. Fare ye well. PREFACE. ALL that we sincerely desire, reasonable and which are, in appearance of true zeal reader (behold, before God we lie not), is, and love of God, made use of without fear, that by our writing, teaching, living, mise- reflection or mercy, by those who boast of ry and confiscation of our goods we may the name, Spirit, word, death and blood of once acquire so much mercy from the chil- Christ, against those who with Asaph dren of men that we shall be allowed a pri- wash their hands in innocence. But we vate discussion with our adversaries, before apprehend that it will not be allowed us. any number of pious, intelligent, and reas- For in both sacred and profane history we onable men who love and fear the Lord read and find that the pure, wholesome and who can distinguish between good and truth, from the beginning of the world has evil, if it cannot be allowed us in public; generally been hated, belied and persecuted and that their lies and accusations shall and that it has, as a general thing, only not be believed, until teacher is confronted found shelter with a few in obscure nooks with teacher, and the accuser before the ac- and corners, as a hateful, ungodly abomicused with equal rights and liberty, as the nation. And that it can not be made manword of God, christian love and natural ifest without tribulation and peril of life. reason teach and imply, that thus the un- Because the good, pious Jeremiah regodly may no longer be protected in their proved the Scribes for their false doctrine ungodliness, the wicked in their evil doing and wickedness; admonished the ignorant, and that the pious and righteous be no confused and evil populace to repent, and longer condemned and suppressed, that threatened them with future plagues, he God's holy word, by which our souls must was called by them a heretic and deceiver. live, may be made manifest, the fearful ly- and by the princes a rebel and mutineer. ing cease and the unmerciful and cruel He had to experience much misery although blood-shedding be stopped, which in itself he was chosen of God, a prophet from his is nothing but the manifest works of the mother's womb, and spake from the mouth infernal serpent, as Christ himself says; of the Lord; he had to hear, that on his ac

Page  299 PRE FA CE. 299 count, they had to bear such sore plagues. Again, enemies of God, accursed melefacAhab, the blood-thirsty and idolatrous tors, and rogues, because they kept aloof king, blamed the pious and spiritual man from the shameful idolatry, and suffered that it was he who seduced all Israel, 1 themselves to be exiled and freely gave Kings 18: 18. their goods and life blood for the sake of Again King Joram thought that Elisha the testimony of the Lord and true religion had entailed the great famine in Samaria, and honor of God. 2 Kings 6. Behold, thus the blind, ungrateful world John, a man sent from God, blessed in has ever rewarded and treated those who his mother's womb, the greatest born of I sought and feared God, with all their hearts, woman, a burning, shining light, the mes- with all their souls, and with all their powsenger of the Lord, a voice crying in the er, as Cyprian, Tertullian and other histowilderness, the second and spiritual Elias, rians testify. Darkness can not bear the was accused that he was possessed of devils, light; nor falsehood, truth. God's word is and was at last beheaded because of his an abomination to the ungodly, for it is a reproving a shameful case of fornication, treasure of wisdom hidden from them. Luke 1: 15; Matt. 11: 11; Jn. 5: 35; Mal. Christ says, "That light is come into the 3: 1; Mk. 1: 3; Matt. 11: 14. world, and men loved darkness rather than Again, Jesus Christ, the eternal Light light, because their deeds were evil," Jn. and Life himself, was called Beelzebub, a 3: 19. The pious and godfearing are ever Samaritan, and possessed of a devil, a an offense and sting in their hearts and are mover of insurrection, a transgressor of the a hurt in their sight. And this is the cause law, a blasphemer, a glutton and wine-bib- that the world, which in all its doings will ber, a friend of publicans and sinners; he I ever live unrebuked and unhindered in idolwas deemed worse than a murderer; and, atry, pride, pomp, licentiousness and lust, at last, he was rewarded for all his glorious from the beginning, has so enviously hated, miracles, kindness and love shown to them, miserably belied and so tyrannically perby putting on him a mock robe, a crown of secuted the pious and godfearing. thorns, scourging, cross and death, after 0 kind reader, thus it is to-day as you they had derided and blasphemed him to can see on every hand. The whole world is their satisfaction. saturated with all manner of wickedness. How they treated Stephen, Peter, Paul, False doctrine, idolatry, unbelief, licentiousJames and others, the Scriptures abundant- I ness, shame and blasphemy are in the asly show, Acts 5, 6, 7, 12, 17, 18, 19, 21. cendency; it will not be reproved nor adAt the time or commencement of the prim- monished. It hates all who would, in pure itive church, the christians were called swine love, at the cost of their goods and life, by some; others called them robbers of gladly deliver them from their wicked and God's glory, murderers, infanticides, abor- inordinate life, point and lead them in the inable, unchaste persons, who committed way of peace and save their souls, if posall manner of abominations with their moth- sible. ers and sisters; and that they in their wor- The wise and learned, who ever have ship, shed human blood and also offered \ plagued and pestered the pious and righttheir children to idols; that they were reb- eous the most, as was said in our Confesels, and that because of their separation sions, heap one abominable lie upon anfrom the priesthood of Balaam, and their other, lest their unreasonable and shameful occasional night-meetings to partake of the gain and false boasting be destroyed. They Lord's Supper. i pretend and cry that we are Munsterites; Again, enemies of the human race; un- that we do not want to be subject to and fruitful, corrupted people, because they I obey the magistracy; that we mean to take would not keep company with the wine- I cities and countries by force; that like the bibbers, liars, &c., but led a sober, godly, irrational creatures, we have our goods and humble and circumcised life, in the love women in common; that we say to each and fear of God. other, Sister, my spirit desires thee. Again,

Page  300 300 PREFACE. that we claim to be without sin, and that contrary to the will of God, no matter we mean to be saved by our own merits and whether he be a magistrate or citizen, works, and the like unfounded lies, that learned or unlearned, may know that by they may thus lead from truth, all mankind the beforementioned abominations we are and particularly the lords, princes and mag- innocently slandered and belied by our opistrates which they have inebriated by ponents; or that God would grant that thus their golden cup. that they may embitter the word and truth of the Lord might beand turn them against all the pious chil- come more known and manifest thereby, dren of God. He is called and considered and that the deceit and feigned holiness of a fine, evangelical preacher and a compe- the learned and priests, must become distent teacher well lettered, who can only covered and manifest to all the world. quarrel, upbraid, slander and lie sufficient- Honorable reader, we humbly beseech ly to move the magistracy, who perhaps, you for the Lord's sake, to consider imparwould be reasonable, kind and favorable tially why we so often refer to the preachenough if they were not spurred on and ers, admonish and reprove them of many vexed by this unreasonable generation of things which, alas, are not to their honor vipers, to persecution, so that the innocent, and reputation. For, as we clearly see that belied sheep that would not injure a hair they are those who, for the sake of shameon any one, are, without a hearing, led ful gain and avarice, so falsely console, recaptive, and mercilessly exiled from coun- tain and bind the whole world in their untry, city and town, into misery and priva- belief, idolatry and impenitent, carnal life; tion, and chased by the ravening wolves so miserably break the truth and trample until they are consumed by over-exertion, it under foot; so miserably murder the poor heat, cold or rain. In this, I think, they souls which are so dearly bought, not with fill the measure of their ancestors of whom perishable gold and silver, but with the Christ said, Oh Lord! oh, beloved Lord! precious blood of Christ; so enviously and how long will these inhuman tyrannies and scornfully hate, slander and belie the pious fearful abominations continue? and godfearing and take their goods and Inasmuch as they have so embittered all even their lives, which is quite different from lords, princes, regents, potentates and the Spirit of the Lord, that they may hold common people against us by their fearful to their shameful gain, lustful, vain and cry of murder, and by their slanderous ly- fruitless life without reproof; and as they ing that we can not acquire sufficient mercy do not suffer themselves to be admonished, by all our prayers, beseechings and sup- taught and warned by the word of God, by plications, by all our innocence, tears, pa- love, longsuffering, piety and the blood of tience, misery, cross, goods and blood that the saints; therefore the glory of God and we might be allowed a public conference the salvation of your souls require us to do and discussion with our enviers; and as ac- so. The Almighty Lord is our testimony, cording to justice and christianity it be- that we aim at nothing but that those who comes the magistracy to allow us a fair are reasonably minded and yet do notknow hearing and trial, and that they do not the mystery of unrighteousness, as Paul usurp to themselves, in the judgment seat of calls it, 2 Thess. 2: 9 (as they are yet carthe Most High God, to shed innocent blood; nally minded, not born of God and kept and as we are ever slandered by their un- back by the preachers), may learn to know founded lies, and as truth is thus smoth- the preachers and teachers by such clear ered; therefore we are impelled by the and plain discoverings; further reflect upon urging of the word of God and the love of it and thus become tired of their shameful our neighbors, to publish in writing our deceit and seduction; and that all lords excuse and answer with pure, christian and magistrates who dare boast of the name truth, that by our defense in writing, since of Christ may know what kind of people they are so enraged that we can not appear and teachers those are who slander us and publicly to defend ourselves, the godfearing to whom they give ear and faithfully protect conscience which would not knowingly act by their arms.

Page  301 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. IN the first place, they complain and accuse us of be- standing and opinion of the Munsterites, as ing Munsterites; and warn all people to beware of us iS also the opinion of all those who are and take an example from those of Munster. known and accepted of brethren and Wlknown and accepted of us as brethren and Ainswer. t Wh e do not like to reprove and sisters, that is, those of us who, on account judge those who are already reproved and of the false doctrine, unclean pedo-baptism judged of God and man; yet, as we are and supper of the preachers, are visited wrongfully attacked and accused by our with superabundance of misery, tribulation opponents, and that without truthfulness and anxiety, and who assert and testify therefore we would say in defense of us all unto death their pure doctrine of baptism that we consider the Munsterian doctrine and Supper, with an humble confession and and life, in regard to king, sword, rebell- a pious, unblamable life. ion, retaliation, revenge, polygamy and But all those who reject the cross of the temporal kingdom of Christ, as a Christ, as did the Munsterites; turn their new Jewism, and a misleading error, doc- backs upon the Word of the Lord; again trine and abomination which is not at all revert to carnality, idolatry and its comin keeping with the Spirit, word and exam- munion; walk in all pomp, pride and ple of Christ. Behold, in Christ, welie not. inebriety; in short, all those who are on Besides, I can fearlessly challenge any the broad road, although they may be bap-body, that none under the broad canopy of tized, we do not know nor accept as brethheaven can show and prove that I ever ren and fellows, inasmuch as they do not agreed with the Munsterites in regard to abide in tlhe word of the Lord. Behold, the beforementioned articles; for from the kind reader, this is the truth and it will ever beginning until the present mtoment I have be found so. The learned may upbraid opposed themn with diligence and earnest- and garble to their satisfaction, yet they ness, both privately and publicly, verbally should know that although they are now and in vriting, for over seventeen years, honored and respected on earth, as the and ever since I confessed the word of the Psalmist testifies, ve shall at last appear Lord and knew and sought his holy name before a Judge who has no respect of peraccording to my weaknIess. son and who will not judge according to I also, according to my:small talent, have the complaint, nor favor and partiality, but faithfully warned every body against their according to the truth. error and abomination, as I would that it But if they should say we are one church should be done unto me. And in the mean with the Munsterites, because they and we time I have pointed and returned several of are baptized with one baptism, then we them to the true way, by the grace, assist- would reply that if outward baptism has ance and power of the Lord. the power to make all those who are thus I have never seen Munster nor have I ever baptized with one baptism, one church, and been'in their communion. And I trust that that it causes all those who are thus bapby the grace of the Lord, I shall never eat tized to share in the unrighteousness, wicknor drink with such if there should yet be ediless and corruption of every individual, any, as the Scripture teaches me not to do; then our adversaries may well consider unless they sincerely acknowledge their what kind of a church or body theirs is, as abomination and truly repent, and follow it is evident and well known to every body the truth and the gospel in a becoming that perjurers, murderers, highway-men, manner. thieves, &c., have received the same bapBehold, kind reader, this is my under- tism which they have. If we, then are

Page  302 302 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. Munsterites because of our baptism, they Answoer. The writings which we have must be perjurers, murderers, highway- published during several years past abunmen, thieves, &c., on account of their bap- dantly prove that this accusation against tism. This is incontrovertible. us is wrong and untrue. We now publicly 0, no. The Scripture does not teach that we Iconfess that the office of a magistrate is orare baptized into one body by any mere dained of God, as we ever have confessed sign, as water, but that we are baptized since we serve, according to our small talinto one body by one Spirit, 1 Cor. 12: 13. ent, the word of the Lord. And, in the The prophet says, "The Son shall not bear meantime, we have ever obeyed them when the iniquity of the father," but "The soul not contrary to the word of God, and we that sinneth, it shall die," Ezek. 18: 20. Paul intend to do so all our lives; for we are not says, "Every one shall bear his own bur- so stupid as not to know what the Lord's den." And if they, now, should say that word commandsin this respect. We render the transgressors are punished by the mag- unto Ceasar the things which are Ceasar's istracy according to the sentence of justice, as Christ teaches, Matt. 17: 22; we pray for we would reply, that we also thus judge the imperial majesty, kings, lords, princes and punish them with the sword of the and all in authority, honor and obey them, Spirit, according to the ordinance and com- 1 Tim. 2: 2; Rom. 13: 1. And yet they cry mandment of God, namely, according to that we will not be subject to and obey the the word of the Lord, that is, we separate powers that be, that they may disturb the from us all those who turn away from the hearts of those that have authority and extruth by any unclean or false doctrine or cite them to all unmercifulness, wrath and by any licentious, carnal walk, aswas said. bitterness against us, and that, thus, by In short, we herewith, testify and confess their continual cries the bloody sword may before God, before you, and before the be unmercifully used against us and never whole world, that we, from our inmost be sheathed, as may be seen, Rom. 13: 7; hearts detest the errors and abominations Tit. 3: 2; 1 Pet. 2: 13. of the Munsterites, as also all evil sectari- Inasmuch as they ever excite the magisanism which are contrary to the Spirit, tracy by such gross falsehood; besides, word and ordinance of the Lord; and that will say yea and amen to every thing the before God, in Christ Jesus, we neither seek magistracy do, whether agreeable to the nor desire anything more than that we may Scripture or not; and as they thus by their turn the whole world from its wickedness, tickling doctrine lead these souls into conto the right way, and that we may, by the demnation, because they seek not their salword, grace and assistance of the Lord, de- vation, but their-own enjoyment and gain; liver many souls from the kingdom of the therefore love compels us respectfully and devil, and gain them to the Kingdom of humbly to show all high in authority who Christ; that we may lead a pious, humble would do right if they knew it, and had one and godly life in Christ Jesus, and that we to point it out to them (since it was conmay glorify his great and adorable name, cealed from the preachers), how, according forever. For we firmly believe and confess to the word of the Lord, they should be that all false doctrine, idolatry, ungodli- minded; also, how' they should rightfully ness and sin are of the devil; and that the execute their office to the praise and glory reward of sin is everlasting death. There- of the Lord. fore we labor so diligently and earnestly; Moses speaks thus, "And it shall be, and would, the Lord knows, be pious and when he (the king) setteth upon the throne fear God, notwithstanding we miserable of his kingdom, that he shall write him a men are so shamefully belied, hated and copy of this law in a book out of that which scandalized and often slain, on that account, is before the priests, the Levites. And it Rom. 1: 26; 1 Cor. 6; Gal. 3; Eph. 5; 1 shall be with him and he shall -read therein Pet. 3. all the days of his life; that he may learn In the second place they say that we will not obey to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the the magistracy. words of this law and these statutes, to do

Page  303 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 3(3 them (dear lords, mark, it reads: to do them). I in matters of faith, which also, Luther and That his heart be not lifted up above his others wrote in the beginning. But after brethren, and that he turn not aside from they became more exalted they seem to the commandments, to the right hand, or have forgotten it all. Dear rulers, observe to the left." "He shall not multiply horses how very much Moses, Joshua, David, to himself;" "Neither shall he multiply Ezekiel, Josiah, Zorobabel and others are wives to himself, nor silver and gold," Deut. praised in the Scriptures, because they 17: 16-20. Concerning rulers Jethro thus feared the Lord and faithfully and diligentspeaks to Moses, "Provide out of all the ly kept his commandments, counsel and people able men, such as fear God, men of word. truth, hating covetousness, and place such If you lift your hearts above all the over them, to be rulers," Ex. 18: 21. mountains, and will not hear what the mouth Moses says, "And I charged your judges of the Lord commands you, but only listen at that time, saying, Hear the causes be- to the whisperings of your flesh; if you tween your brethren, and judge righteously will not confess that you are the officers and between every man and his brother, and servants of the Lord and that you have rethe stranger that is with him. Ye shall not ceived of him country and people to rule, respect persons in judgment; but ye shall you cannot possibly avoid the punishment hear the small as well as the great; ye shall of him who has called you to be such exnot be afraid of the face of man; for the alted potentates, commanders, heads and judgment is God's," Deut. 1: 16, 17. regents. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, said to Beloved, observe, and beware. Before the judges, "Take heed what ye do; for ye him Crcesus and Irus are alike respected. judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is Therefore sincerely fear and love your God; with you in judgment." 0, an important examine the Scriptures and take into conand heroic word. "Wherefore now let the sideration how the great Lord in his wrath fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed has, on account of their tyranny, cruelty, and do it; for there is no iniquity with the pride, blasphemy, disobedience, and idolaLord our God, nor respect of person, nor try, mercilessly upset and destroyed the taking of gifts," 2 Chron. 19: 6, 7. thrones of potentates; as of Pharaoh, NebPaul says, "Rulers are not a terrror to uchadnezzar, Sanherib, Antiochus, Saul, good works, but to evil (mark ye rulers). Jeroboam, Ahab and others, as may be Wilt thou, then, not be afraid of the power? clearly and plainly read in the Scriptures. Do that which is good, and thou shalt have Secondly, you may understand from these praise of the same. For he is the minister Scriptures that you are called and ordained of God to thee for good. But if thou do to your offices to punish the transgressors that which is evil, be afraid: for he beareth and protect the good; to judge rightly benot the sword in vain; for he is the minister tween man and his fellow; to do justice to of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon the widows and orphans; to the poor, dehim that doeth evil," Rom. 18: 3, 4. spised stranger and pilgrim; to protect Behold, beloved rulers and judges, if you them against violence and tyranny, rule take to heart these cited Scriptures and dil- cities and countries justly by a good policy igently reflect upon them, you will observe, and administration not contrary to God's first, that your office is not your own but word, to the peaceable and quiet enjoyment God's office and service, that you may bend of thelife of all,andthatyou should anxiousyour knees before his Majesty; fear his ly seek and love the holy word (by which great and adorable Name and rightly and the soul lives), name and glory of God, and reasonably execute your ordained office; promote, protect and maintain the same as and that you may not thus freely usurp the much as possible, without bloodshed and kingdom, dominion and jurisdiction of uproar. Christ, and judge and punish by your iron Behold, beloved lords and judges, this is swords that which belongs solely to the the proper office to which you are called. eternal Judgment of the Most High God, as Whether you fulfill these requirements pi

Page  304 304 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. ously and faithfully, I will leave to your terrible threats the holy and faithful men own consideration. I think with holy Jer- of God have ever prophesied of such evils emiah that you have all broken the yoke and abuses. And if you do despise these and rent it in pieces; for you reject and our admonitions, they, nevertheless, arethe detest, as a venomous serpent, the dear firm truth; this you must acknowledge. word which you should reasonably protect; For it is manifest and undeniable that in the false teachers and prophets who deceive our Netherlands the lascivious, unchaste, the whole world and whom, according to and vain men whom they call pastors, minthe word of God, we should shun, are by isters, masters and teachers, some of whom you kept in high esteem; and the poor, mis- defile one maiden and woman after another, erable sheep who, in their weakness, sin- who openly live in all manner of licentiouscerely fear and obey the Lord and who ness, ungodliness, idolatry, and drunkenspeak not a harmful word of any one, be- ness, and who do not rightly live in obedicause they dare not do aught against his ence to the word of God in any particular, word; who lead a penitent, pious life; make rob, by their shameful treason, many godthe right use of his sacraments according to fearing people who, before God and his the Scriptures; abhor all false doctrine, angels, seek nothing but to lead a rightsectarianism and ungodliness; are exiled eous, unblamable life, according to the difrom city and country and are often ad- rection of the word of God, of their counjudged to fire, water or the sword; their try, honor, possessions and, even, life; goods are confiscated; their children, who while they (the traitors) live at liberty and according to the words of the prophet, are ease. not responsible for the transgressions of Inasmuch as the scale of justice is so very their fathers, if the fathers were, even, guilty, much out of balance; and as you are chosen are sent to wander about naked; and thus and ordained of God to judge without rethe labor and sweat of their parents they spect of person and to deliver from the must leave in the hands of these avaricious, hands of the oppressor all the afflicted and greedy, unmerciful and bloodthirsty rob- oppressed strangers; therefore weprayyou bers. humbly, most beloved rulers and judges, 0, ye beloved lords and judges, we will for the sake of him who has called and choleave it to your own judgment whether this sen you to your offices, that you do not beis to protect the good and punish the evil, lieve these cruel and envious men, who, acto judge justly between man and man; to cording to Peter are born to corruption and do justice to the widow, orphan and stran- torture; and who, ever publicly and priger, as the Scriptures teach and your office vately, make us so obnoxious, by their implies. 0 no, beloved rulers, no. Take cries, that we are not allowed a hearing heed, the matter is changed. The good are and facing-so long as they, in our prespunished and the evil encouraged and pro- ence, do not prove (which, we are sure, they tected. For the events of every day prove cannot do) against us that which they every that it is as the prophets complained of. day from their throne of pestilencies and Perjurers, usurers, blasphemers, liars, de- mockery, so shamefully proclaim to the ceivers, fornicators and adulterers are in no world, to the shame and injury of great danger of death, but those that fear and numbers of pious and godfearing children. love the Lord are the prey of all the world. Beloved rulers, we beseech you for Christ's The prophet says, "Behold, the princes of sake, to fear and love God sincerely. BeIsrael, every one were in thee to their power lieve his true word and act accordingly, to shed blood. In thee have they set light Isa. 1: 23; Ps. 73: 6. by father and mother; in the midst of thee In the third place, you will also observe have they dealt by oppression with Athe from the Scriptures, that, although you are stranger: in thee have they vexed the fa- chosen authority on earth, yet you dare therless and the widow," Ezek. 22: 6, 7. not act according to your own option and Read and diligently ponder upon the pro- opinion. But you are to love your Lord phetic Scriptures, and you will find what and God sincerely as your Creator, Deliv

Page  305 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 305 erer and Savior, and to fear and obey him examine your teachers well; earnestly and as your Head, King, Prince and Judge; diligently consider whether or not they ever diligently to follow the directions of point you to t his narrow way. I presume his word; not to lift yourselves above your that they preach peace to you; make your subjects and brethren; and, never to devi- pillows soft and agreeable, and that they ate from the ways and commandments of do not severely reprove your court-manners the Lord. Henceforth, beloved rulers, dili- and practices, such as, dancing, drinking, gently observe that you be christians in ac- fornication, gambling and debauchery in tions, works and truth, inasmuch as you general. In short, that you build the wall, boast yourselves such. Water, bread, wine and they daub it with untempered mortar, and name make none a christian; but those Ezek. 13: 10. are christians who are born of God: are of Beloved rulers, we do not do so; but we divine nature, are of the same mind as teach and direct you in the right way which Christ Jesus; led by the Spirit of God, who you should walk if you wish to be saved. daily crucify their evil and corrupt flesh; We do not point you to the pope, or Luther, walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; or Augustine, or Hieronymus, but accordlove nothing above God's word; love their ing to Scripture, to Christ Jesus, to hear neighbors as themselves; lead an unblam- him, to believe and faithfully follow him. able, humble, pious life; who meekly walk For he is the Prophet promised of God; in the footsteps of Christ and who are be- the Teacher sent of God; the Light of the come new, changed and converted men and world; the true Shepherd of our souls. creatures in Christ. These the word of God Whosoever shall hear, believe, and follow calls christians, 2 Pet. 1:4; Phil. 2: 5; Rom. him has eternal life, Deut. 18: 18; Jn. 3: 2; 8: 14; Gal. 5: 24; Rom. 8: 2; Matt. 10: 37; 8: 12; 3: 15. He calls to emperor, king 7: 12; 16: 24. and to every one, "Except ye be converted, Beloved lords, observe that we do not and become as little children, ye shall not read in the biblical Scriptures of proud, enter into the kingdom of heaven;" "If any carnal, perjurious, adulterous, drunken, man will come after me (or whosoever will pompous,unrighteous,idolatrous andblood- be a true christian), let him deny himself, thirsty christians. But that the portion of and take up his cross, and follow me;" such shall be eternal weeping and gnash- whosoever loves any thing more than he ing of teeth, darkness, fire, hell, death and loves me cannot be my disciple; and is not devil. Their portion will be in the lake worthy of me, and many other passages, which burneth with fire and brimstone, Rev. Matt. 18: 3; 16: 24; Luke 14; Matt. 10: 38. 21: 8; Rom. 1. Rulers, awake, and learn to know him. Dear lords, take heed, and be no longer He is the Son of the Most High God, the deceived. For with God there is no respect Lord of lords and the King of kings; the of persons. This all the Scriptures teach. eternal power, word and wisdom of God. It is life everlasting, with the angels around What kind of pomp, ease and comfort he the heavenly throne, or everlasting death enjoyed on earth, the Scriptures abundantwith the devils in the bottomless pit; for it ly teach us. At his birth, there was no must all be judged according to the Spirit, room for him in the inn, Luke 2: 8. In his example and word of God. "Therefore if preaching, he had not where to lay his head, any man be in Christ, he is a new creature," Luke 9: 58. His entrance into Jerusalem 1 Cor. 5: 17. "He that saith he abideth in was not accompanied with cavalry, guards him (Christ), ought himself also so to walk, and knights, but upon an ass. At his death even as he walked," 1 Jn. 2: 6. It matters he had neither water nor wine wherewith to not whether one be emperor or king. quench his thirst. Why was it? Was it Beloved lords, this is God's word. This that we should live a lustful, pleasurable is the price and measure after which you life? 0, no. But, according to Peter, it was and we should strive. Whosoever does not that we should die unto sin and live in strive after and conform himself to this righteousness, Matt. 21: 7; 1 Pet. 4: 3; measure, cannot be a christian. Therefore Rom. 6: 7; 2 Tim. 2: 11; Col. 3: 5. 75

Page  306 306 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. Behold, beloved rulers, behold! This is other the prince of rebellion. Each of the the court-practice which the heavenly Prince, princes has his particular kingdom and as Christ Jesus, has taught all his courtiers the prince is, so is also the kingdom. The on earth, namely, all christians. 0, the Prince of peace is Christ Jesus; his kingnarrow way! The strait gate! How few dom is the kingdom of peace, which is his find, and fewer still who walk therein! church; his messengers are the messengers Matt. 7: 14; Luke 13: 24. of peace; his word is the word of peace; I write this admonition that the princes, and his body is the body of peace; his regents and lords may take heed, and ob- children are the seed of peace; and his inserve that they are miserably deceived by heritance and reward are the inheritance the preachers, since they preach such easy and reward of peace, Heb. 7; Isa. 9; Dan. and sweet things, and point out such a 2:7; Luke 1; Isa. 52; Rom. 10; Jn. 14; broad way, while the word of God shows Col. 3; Zech. 8. In short, with this King us such a strait way. I herewith humbly and in this kingdom and reign it is nothbeseech you, lords, princes, kings and ing but peace; every thing that is seen, judges, one and all, for the sake of the pre- heard and done is peace. cious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Inasmuch as we have heard the word of which we are besprinkled, not to think hard peace, namely, the consoling gospel of of me, poor, miserable, and despised man, peace, from the mouth of his messengers; that I have thus faithfully shown my sin- therefore we, by his grace, have thus becere love to you. For I would joyfully see lieved and accepted it in peace, and have that your poor souls were saved. My ad- committed ourselves to the only, eternal monition is general, and I do not mention and true Prince of peace, Christ Jesus, in any particular name. Whosoever is guilty, his kingdom of peace and under his reign, let him. repent; and whosoever is not guilty, and are thus, by the gift of his Holy Spirit, let him take heed. God ismywitness, that by means of faith, incorporated into his I desire nothing but that you all may be body, and henceforth we look with all the such indeed, that you may be praised and children of his peace for the promised inhonored by all, by noble lords, and a chris- heritance and reward of peace, Rom. 10: 15; tian magistracy, that you will stand impar- Isa. 52: 7; 9: 6; Luke 2: 7. tially between us and our opponents, the learned, as becomes your office, that the en- exceeding race of God has pchanting, deceiving falsehood may once go peared unto us poor, miserable sinners, down and be destroyed, and that the una-that ve, who were formerly no people at dulterated truth which for centuries has all, and who knew of no peace, are now been kept back, may be restituted. Be- called to be such a glorious people of God, loved rulers, the word of God is truth. to be a church, kingdom, inheritance, body Love, embrace and kiss it; for its riches are nd property of peace; therefore we desire immeasurable, its beauty exceeding, its not to break this peace, but, by his great fruits precious and its power is eternal life, power by whic he as called us to this Jn. 17. grace and portion, to walk in this grace In the third place, they say, That we are rebellious; uncangeably and unwaveringly that we would take cities and countries, if we had the unto death, 1 Pet. 2: 9. power. Peter was commanded to sheathe his Answer. This prophecy is false and will sword. All christians are commanded to ever remain so; and by the grace of God, love their enemies; to do good unto those time and experience will prove that those who abuse and persecute them; if any man who thus prophesy, according to the word shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to of Moses, are not of God. Faithful reader, him the other, and if he take away thy understand what I write. coat, let him have thy cloak also. Say, The Scriptures teach that there are two beloved, how can a christian, scripturally, opposing princes and two opposite king- retaliate, rebel, war, murder, slay, torture, doms. The one is the Prince of peace; the steal, rob and burn cities and conquer

Page  307 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 307 countries? Matt. 26: 52; Jn. 18: 10; Matt. et, they have beaten their swords into plow5: 12, 39, 40. shares and their spears into pruning-hooks. The great Lord who has created you and They shall sit every man under his vine, us, who has placed our hearts in the midst and under his fig-tree, Christ; neither shall of our bodies, knows, and he only, knows they learn war any more, Isa. 2: 4; Mic. that our hearts and hands are clear of all 4: 3. rebellion and murderous mutiny; and by! They do not seek your money, goods, inhis grace, they will ever remain clear. For jury nor blood, but they seek the honor we truly confess, that all rebellion is of the and praise of God and the salvation of flesh and of the devil, Rom. 1: 30; 1 Jn. your souls. They are the children of peace; 3: 8; Rev. 21: 8; 22: 15. their hearts overflow with it; their mouths 0, beloved reader, our weapons are not speak it, and they walk in the way of peace; swords and spears, but patience, silence they are full of peace; they seek, desire and and hope, and the word of God. With know nothing but peace; and are ever prethese we must maintain our cause and de- pared to forsake country, goods, life and fend it. Paul says, "The weapons of our all, for its sake; for they are the kingdom, warfare are not carnal; but mighty through people, church, city, property and body of God." With these we intend and desire to peace, as has been heard. resist the kingdom of the devil; and not Beloved reader, I, poor, miserable man with swords, spears, cannons and coats of (do not think hard of it), in my weakness mail. For "he (God) esteemeth iron as have been writing these seventeen years; straw, and brass as rotten wood;" that we have feared the word of the Lord, and served may thus, with our Prince, Teacher and my neighbors, and, I have unwaveringly Example, Christ Jesus, raise the father borne his scorn and cross, with much misagainst the son and the son against the fa- ery, anxiety, tribulation and peril; and, I ther, and that we may cast down imagina- trust by his grace I will to the end continue tions, and every high thing that exalteth to testify with a good conscience, his holy, itself against the knowledge of God, and worthy word, will and ordinance, verbally, bring into captivity every thought to the by writing and at the peril of life, as much obedience of Christ, Isa. 30: 7; Eph. 6: 17; as is in me; and should I then yet at heart be Heb. 4: 12; 2 Cor. 10: 4; Job 41: 27; Matt. a disquiet, rebellious, vengeful and bloody 10: 21; Luke 12: 53; 2 Cor. 10: 5. murderer? May the Most High save his Behold, reader, such a rebellion we seek poor servant from that! and cause; but never, a rebellion of carnal- Again, in Brabant, Flanders, Friesland ity. Not if we were as numerous as the and Gelderland the godfearing, pious hearts spears of grass and the sand upon the sea are, daily led to the slaughter as innocent shore, which, however, will never be the sheep, and are tyrannically and inhumancase, inasmuch as all men have not faith. ly martyrized! Their hearts are full of spirO, that the way is so narrow and the gate it and strength; their mouths flow like the so strait, 2 Thess. 3: 3; Matt. 7: 13; Luke rivulets; their fruits scent like holy spices; 13: 24. their doctrine is powerful and their life is True Christians know not vengeance, no unblamable. Neither emperor nor king, matter how they are maltreated; in patience fire nor sword, life nor death can frighten they possess their souls, Luke 21: 18; and or separate them from the word of the Lord! do not break their peace, even, if they And should their hearts yet be ensnared should be tempted by bondage, torture, by bitterness, rebellion, vengeance, robbery, poverty, and, besides, by the sword and hatred and bloodshed? If so, what vain fire. They do not cry for vengeance as do suffering it would be! the world; but, with Christ, they supplicate 0, no, reader, no. Learn to know what and pray: " Father, forgive them; for they a true christian is, of whom he is born, how know not what they do," Luke 23: 34; Acts he is minded, what is, properly, his inten7: 60. tion and seeking, and you shall find that According to the declaration of the proph- they are not rebels, murderers, and rob

Page  308 308 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. bers, as the learned accuse them of, but the learned pretend, then Christ's holy, glothat they are a godfearing, pious, peacea- rious kingdom, church and body would be ble people, as the Scriptures teach. an inhuman, cruel, rebellious, bloody, robThe other prince' is the prince of dark- bing, crying, unmerciful and unrighteous ness, anti-christ, and Satan. This princeis people; this is incontrovertible. 0, dama prince of all evil, as rebellion, bloodshed, nable error! 0, dark blindness!! uproar and murder, which agree with his' And, yet, it does not suffice that they, by proper nature, arts, and doings, Jn. 8: 44, their light minded, licentious doctrine, lead his commandments and teachings and his the whole world into corruption and misery, kingdom, body and church are of the same and rob their own members of their propnature, 1 Jn. 3. Here we need not much erty, welfare, doctrine, life and soul; but, Scripture. Seeing, hearing and daily oc- besides, in their madness, they must lay currences and experience prove the truth. hands upon the innocent, peaceable and Our opponents charge that we are intent humble kingdom and body of Christ, which upon rebellion; something -of which we will do no harm to the least upon earth. never thought. But we say, and that truth- They continually lie, blaspheme, upbraid, fully, that they and their ancestors for betray and rebel, that we may well say more than a thousand years have been that with holy Peter, that they are born to tortof which they accuse us. If we search his- ure and corruption; for their hearts, mouths tory we will be convinced of this assertion. and hands drip and reek with blood. All those who placed themselves in oppo- 0, how exactly the Holy Spirit has desition to their shamefulness, dishonor and picted them, saying, "I saw the woman evil-doing, had to suffer for it. Even so to- drunken with the blood of the saints, and day. with the martyrs of Jesus;" "And in her For what they have done these last few was found the blood of the prophets, and years by their writings, teachings and cries, of the saints, and of all that were slain upon cities and countries prove. How wily they the earth," Rev. 17: 6; 18: 20. have placed potentate in antagonism to po- Behold, kind reader, thus you will obtentate and said to them, Since the sword serve that they fall by their own sword is placed in your hands you may maintain which they drew against us, as the prophet the word of the Lord thereby, until they says. For we may with clear consciences prevailed on them, and have shed human appear before the world (eternal praise be blood like water, torn the hearts from each to the Lord) and truthfully maintain that other's body and made innumerable forni- we, from the time of our confession until the cators, rogues, widows and orphans; have present moment, have harmed no one, have eaten up and plundered the innocent civil- desired none of the property of others, much ian, and destroyed and ruined cities and less laid hands upon it; that we have not' countries. In short, they have done as if sought the destruction, or blood of any, neither prophet, nor Christ nor apostle nor either by word or deed; and which, by the the word of God had ever been upon earth. grace of God, we never shall do. But what Notwithstanding, they wish to be called the they have done by their rebellious upbraidholy, christian church and body. 0, dear ing, lying, slander, crying, writing and Lord, how lamentably is thy holy, worthy treason we will commend to the judgment word mocked, and thy glorious works de- of the Lord. rided! as if thy divine and powerful doings The merciful and gracious Lord grant and in thy church were nothing but reading, give you and them wisdom, that you may crying, water, bread, wine and name; and learn to know of what spirit and kingdom as if all rebellion, warring, robbing, murder you are the children, what you seek, what and devilish works were allowable. Be- prince you serve, what doctrine you mainloved reader, behold, and observe and tain, what sacraments you have, what fruits learn, once to know this kingdom and body. you produce, what life you lead, and in what For, if they, with such actions and doings, kingdom, body and church you are incorwere the kingdom and body of Christ, as porated. This is our sincere wish.

Page  309 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 309 Kind reader, earnestly reflect upon this Behold such a community we teach. And our brief treatise on the two princes and not, that the one should take and possess their kingdoms, and by the grace of God, the land and property of the other, as many it will give you no mean insight into the falsely charge. Thus Moses says, "If there Scriptures. be among you a poor man, of one of thy In the fourth place, some of them charge that we brethren,within any of thy gates, in thy land have our property in common. which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou Answer. This charge is false and with- shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine out truth. We do not teach and practice hand fromthypoor brother." Tobias says, the doctrine of having goods in common. Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of But we teach and maintain by the word of thy garments to them that are naked." the Lord, that all truly believing christians Christ says, "Be ye therefore merciful, as are members of one body and are baptized your Father also is merciful." " Blessed are by one Spirit into one body, 1 Cor. 12: 13; the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.' that they are partakers of one bread, 1 Cor. Paul says, "Put on therefore, as the elect 10: 18; that they have one Lord and one of God, holy and beloved, bowels of merGod, Eph. 4: 5, 6. cies," &c., "For he shall have judgment Inasmuch as they are thus one, therefore without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; it is christian and reasonable that they and mercy rejoiceth against judgment," divinely love one another, and that the one Deut. 15: 7; Tobit 4: 16; Luke 6: 36; Matt. member be solicitous for the welfare of the 3: 7; Col. 3: 12; Jas. 2: 13; Matt. 18: 33; other, for thus both the Scripture and nat- 25: 38. ure teach. The whole Scriptures speak of Again, this mercy, love and community mercifulness and love; and it is the only we teach and practice and have taught and sign whereby a true christian may be known, practiced them for seventeen years, so that, as the Lord says, "By this shall all men glory be to God, notwithstanding our propknow that ye are my disciples (that is, that erty has to a great extent been taken from ye are christians), if ye have love one to us, and is yet daily taken; many a pious another," Jn. 13: 35. father and mother are put to the sword or Beloved reader, it is not customary that fire and we are not allowed'the free enjoyan intelligent person clothes and cares for ment of our homes, as is manifest, and, beone part of his body and leaves the rest sides,wehavedeartimesandfamine,yetnone destitute and naked. 0, no. The intelli- of the pious nor any of their children who gent person is solicitous for all his mem- commit themselves to us, have been forced bers. Thus it should be with those who are to beg. If this is not christianity, then we the Lord's church and body. All those may well abandon the whole gospel of our who are born of God, who are gifted with Lord Jesus Christ, his holy sacraments and the Spirit of the Lord, and who, according christian name, and say that the love-like, to the Scriptures, are called into one body merciful life of all saints is mere fantasy of love in Christ Jesus, are prepared by and dreams. 0, no. "God is love; and he such love, to serve their neighbors, not only that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and with money and goods, but also after the God in him," 1 Jn. 4: 16. example of their Lord and Head, Jesus This I write to shame our backbiters, beChrist, in an evangelical manner, with life cause of their envy; they are so blinded that and blood. They show mercy and love, as they are not ashamed thus shamefully to much as they can; suffer no beggars amongst slander us, and wickedly to convert good them; take to heart the need of the saints; into evil. For although we, in accordance receive the miserable; take the stranger with all Scripture, teach mercy and love into their houses; console the afflicted; as- and serve the godfearing poor by the sweat sist the needy; clothe the naked; feed the of our brow, and would not let them suffer hungry; do not turn their face from the for want, yet we must hear That we teach poor, and do not despise their own flesh, comrm'nitLy of goods; that every person Isa. 58: 7, 8; Rom. 12: 13. i should bewar7 of Us; for that we would reach

Page  310 310 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. into the chests and pockets of others. While There shall be no beggars among you, 1 Jn. they well know that it is written, "He shall 3: 17; Deut. 15: 8. have judgment without mercy, that has Behold, kind reader, thus his charge is shewed no mercy," Jas. 2; and, "He that false and wrong in fact, as are also their loveth not his brother, abideth in death," other charges. For although we know that 1 Jn. 3: 14; and while they also plainly see the apostolic churches, from the beginning that we daily, and freely sacrifice our goods have practiced it, as may be seen by the for the testimony of Jesus Christ and our acts of the apostles, yet we may observe consciences. from their epistles that it went down, in O reader, it would be well for your souls their times, and (perhaps not without cause) that you would once take notice and learn was not practiced. Since we do not find to know your preachers. For how can they that it was continually practiced by the teach you that which is good, while they apostles as we said, therefore we also can hear no mercy? leave it behind and have never taught nor practiced community of goods. But we Is it not terrible hypocrisy that these practiced community of goods. But we Is itnot ble po cis ythat tee diligently and earnestly teach and admonpoor people boast of having the word of ish assistance, love and mercy, as the aposGod, and of being the true, christian church, t Scriptes andantly teach us this. tolic Scriptures abundantly teach us thisnever remembering that they have entirely Behold, in Christ we tell you the truth and lost their sign of true christianity? For, al-lie not though many of them have plenty of every A een i e thing, go about in silk and velvet, gold and c n d, we are charged, silver, adnacommunity of goods, as we are charged, silver, an in all manner of pomp and we would but do that which the holy apossplendor, ornament their houses with all ties, full of the Holy Spirit, did in the primmanner of costly ornaments, have their cof- itive church at Jerusalem although afterfers filled and live in voluptuousness- yet aolished,s was said. they suffer many of their poor, afflicted members (notwithstanding they are fellow- But the reason why our opponents charge believers, have received one baptism and us with it may be easily immagined. For partaken of the same bread with them), to generally, their hearts are filled with avaask alms; and poor, hungry, suffering, old, rice, as Peter says, and they know that their lame, blind and sore people to beg their disciples are intent upon the lusts of the bread at their doors. flesh, money and goods. They are all covetous, as the prophet says, and therefore 0, teachers, teachers! Yea, beloved they make the charge, that thus the preteachers, where are the fruits of the gospel cious gospel, the limpid truth of our Lord you preach? Where is the signification of Jesus Christ, which now springs up in many the supper you administer? Where are the ^^ "' "'CY J the supper you administer? h re reee the places, may become a stench and abominafruits of the spirit you have received? And tion to all. Behold the arts and wiles of where is the righteousness of your faith the serpent! which you so beautifully adorn before the ederbe l n s Reader, beware; let not such liars deceive poor, ignorant people? Is it not all hypoc-you. dam and Eve believed the deceivrisy that you preach, maintain and assert? e, and thereby so wickedly sinned against Be ashamed at the vain preaching and their God. Israel was miserably deceived bread-breaking of your easy gospel which the false prophets. And what good you have these many years practiced with things teyave done in the gospel times your doctrine and sacraments which you and yet do, their deeds and fruits openly have preached to your needy, miserable show. members of the streets, notwithstanding ember of the streets, notithstad In the fiftl place some of them falsely charge, That the Scripture plainly teaches and says, we believe in poligamy; that we have our women in "W hoso hath this world's good, and seeth common; that we say to each other, Sister, my spirit his brother have need, and shutteth up his desires your flesh. bowels of compassion for him, how dwell-, Answer. As to poligamy we would say, eth the love of G-od in him," Also Moses, j The Scriptures show that before the law,

Page  311 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 311 some of the patriarchs had many wives. his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit," Yet they did not take the same liberty un- Prov. 26: 4, 5. der the law and before the law. For Abra- Kind reader, I am heartily ashamed to ham, who was before the law, had his own touch upon such accursed charges of licensister for wife, as he himself testifies before tiousness and roguishness before the ears Abimeleck, the king, saying, "And yet she of blushing, pious persons. For they is my sister; she is the daughter of my are not only in opposition to the Scriptures father, but not the daughter of my mother," but also to all rationality, intelligence and Gen. 20: 12. Jacob had two sisters for virtue. But as they not only charge us wives, Leah and Rachel, the daughters of hereby with shameful roguery and knavery, Laban, his mother's brother, Gen. 22. These but also with the worst of doggery, and as liberties to marry their own sister and to the pious, virtuous hearts who, if possible, marry two sisters at once, were afterwards would rather die ten deaths than commit strictly forbidden Israel under the law, such abominations, may see how they are Lev. 18. spit upon by some indiscreet slanderers; As each period has had its particular lib- therefore it is no more than reasonable to erty and usage according to the Scriptures; do so for the purpose of defending our repand as we now, under the New Testament, utation in a Christian manner to the praise are not pointed by the Lord to the usage of the Lord, and to ward off such slander of the patriarchs before the law nor under from us, to the extent possible. the law, in the matter of marriage, but to We hereby testify, now and forever, in the beginning of creation, to Adam and this place, before God, that we, with the Eve (which word we sincerely desire to angel of the church of Ephesus, hate the obey); therefore we teach, practice and con- words of the Nicolaitans, which, also, God sent to no other than the one which was in hates, Rev. 2. We teach, as from the mouth of the beginning in Adam and Eve, namely, the Lord, "That whosoever looketh on a woone husband and one wife, as the Lord's mantolustafterher,hathcommittedadultery mouth has ordained, Matt. 19. with her already in his heart," Matt. 5: 28. We say one husband and one wife, and And with Paul, That the adulterers and fornot one husband and two, three, or four nicators cannot inherit the kingdom of tGod, 1 Cor. 6. wives, and these counted as one, as many, alas, charge us without any truth. These As we are thus so plainly taught by the two, one husband and one wife, are one Scriptures, and as by the grace of the Lord, twol on hsa an on -iearoewe not only believe so, but also teach othflesh, and cannot be separated from each wnotonlybe sobut alsoeach others so by virtue of the divine word, and beother, to marry again, otherwise than for ers so by virtue of the divine word, and beoter th rwi tn sides, as we are in constant danger of appreadultery, as the Lord says, Matt. 5: 19; adultery, as te 16Lord. 5 hension, prison and death; are tied to the Mark 10; Luke 16. stake by threes and fours, by sixes and sevBehold, this is our proper foundation, doc- en are tortured, burned or drowned and trine and practice concerning marriage, as we thus unmercifully murdered, thereforejudge here confess by the Holy Scriptures, and whether we would yet practice such terrible by the grace of God, it will ever remain the abominations and shame, at which every foundation of all pious souls, no matter reasonable person should stand astounded, what false charges and slander may be pre- and which, according to many Scriptures, ferred against us. For we know and con- n ferred against us. For we know and con- are rewarded by everlasting death and eterfess truly, that it is the express ordinance, nal, unquenchable, hell fire. 0, whatmisercommand, intent and unchangeable, plain able men we should beI It is shameful slanword of Christ. der! No, no. We trust, that in our weakBut as to the charge of the shameful licen- ness, by the grace of the Lord we have reartiousness of having our wives in common, ed our bodies and members for a temple we reply with Solomon: "Answer not a and dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, accorfool according to his folly, lest thou also be ding to our received gift. We trust, by the like unto him. Answer a fool according to grace and assistance of the Lord, that we

Page  312 312 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. shall never commune with adulterers and try in open prostitution? Your answernmust fornicators, understand, if they do not re- be, yes; for it cannot be denied. And all pent, Rom. 1; 1 Cor. 6; Gal. 5; Eph. 5; these are your fellows in faith, members of Heb. 13; Rev. 21. your body; grains of your bread. 0, vain But how our slanderers and backbiters are doctrine and faith! 0, fruitless baptism and minded; into what body they have incor- supper! 0, unclean body and church!! porated their bodies and members, and by Behold, kind reader, if you are reasonwhat kind of spirit they are urged, their ably minded you must admit that our slanintolerable lies and slander plainly show. derers are guilty of the things with which Christ says, "Out of the abundance of the they charge us. My friend, beware lest you heart the mouth speaketh," Matt. 2: 34. commit violence against the godfearing, Every tree beareth fruit after its own kind. with these slanderers. Syrach says, WhoSeneca says, "As the man, so is his word." soever accustoms himself to evil saying and Yea, if these vain men were christians, and whoring will never reform. For as we hate if they had but a little of the Lord's word all abominations which are contrary to the and a spark of his Holy Spirit, as they word of God, and not only reprove them boast of having, they would never think by our teaching, but also at the risk of life, of such abominable slander against their how much more, then, this abomination? neighbors who, as is plain, sincerely seek For it is not alone contrary to God's word, and fear the Lord, much less would they but also contrary to reasonableness. 0, mock and deride them. dear Lord, thus are those slandered who 0, Ye indiscreet slanderers (I mean all sincerely glorify thy name, who walk in those who are guilty of the shamefulness), thy ways, and sacrifice property and life Do you think that we are irrational creat- for the sake of thy holy word. ures? and that there is no rationality left in In the sixth place they falsely charge, That if one, after us? Be ashamed of your inhuman lies and he has made confession and received baptism, again falls slander. This disreputable report and bad into his sins, we refuse such an one all penance and repute is saddled upon us who are innocent, grace. by many who are guilty of this very thing. Answer. This charge, if true, would be a If my writing is wrong, then I am willing fine excuse for the licentious to persecute to bear the punishment. It is manifest and the truth. But, happily, it is false and undeniable that many of your fellow-be- wrong in fact, as are their other charges, lievers miserably defile their own members. and can never be substantiated. For, by their deception, sleekness of tongue, Inasmuch as the charge is false, and as promises and gifts, they seduce many a there might be some among the pious who young maiden, who is, by one baptism, are not acquainted in the matter, therefore I faith and supper incorporated into one body will present my foundation and confession, with them. In your brotherhood, many an as taken from the word of the Lord, of the honorable man's bed is defiled! many'a nature of different sins; which will be forshameful adulterer is found! many an un- given and which are unpardonable. And suspecting soul is deceived! and many an thus present it to the pious and godly readillegitimate child is born! We will leave it er, to ponder diligently upon it. to the judgment of all pious persons if that In my opinion the Scripture speaks of is not adultery, and a desire to have the different kinds of sin. The first kind is the women in common. corrupt, sinful nature, namely, the lust or Beloved reader, judge aright and know desire of our flesh, contrary to God's law, the truth. Is not your church full of such and contrary to the first righteousness, debauchees, defilers, perjurers, and adulter- which is inherited at birth by all descenders? are there not others that are keepers of ants and children of corrupt, sinful Adam; houses of prostitution? Can we not hear and is not inaptly called inherent sin. Of and see unchaste women sing and drink, this sin, David says, "Behold, I was shapthrong and act indecorous in allies and en in iniquity; and in sin did my mother streets? Do they not live in city and counn- conceive me." Again, the Lord said unto

Page  313 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 313 Noah, "The imagination of man's heart is because of the blindness of their corrupt evil from his youth." Again, Paul says, nature they do not realize the wickedness "We were, by nature, children of wrath, of their sins; and besides, they do not coneven as others," Ps. 51:5; Gen. 8: 21; Eph. sider their actions sinful. For sin is not 2: 3. made manifest unto them by the law, beYea, kind reader, as we are all stained cause of their unbelief. by this evil, we would all have abided in But those who are born from above are death, if the righteousness, intercession, fearful of all sin; they know by the law death and blood of Christ Jesus were not that all which is contrary to the first, rightgivenJ us as a reconciliation to God our eousness, is sin, be it inwardly or outwardheavenly Father, Rom. 5: 8. But now, for ly, important or trifling; and therefore they Christ's sake, it is not accounted as sin, daily fight, in spirit and faith with their Rom. 3: 5, 6, 8. weak flesh; sigh and lament about their The second kind are the fruits of the first errors, which they, with Paul, sincerely sin, and are not inaptly called actual sins, abhor. For, they know them to be contraby the learned. They are these: Adultery, ry to the first righteousness and God's law, fornication, avarice, debauchery, hatred, and are, therefore, sins; they daily apenvy, lying, theft, murder and idolatry. proach the throne of grace, with contrite These are also called works of the flesh, by hearts, and pray: Holy Father, forgive us Paul, Gal. 5; and that, because they have our trespasses as we forgive those that trestheir origin in the flesh which is born of pass against us. And thus, they are not Adam, corrupt and sinful, Rom. 5; Eph. 5. rejected by the Lord on account of such But if inherent sin which is the mother, transgressions, which are not committed and actual sin, which is the fruit, are con- willfully and intentionally, but contrary to nected together, there is no forgiveness nor their will, out of mere thoughtlessness and promise of life; but there wrath and frailty. Yea, even as Peter, although he death abide, unless they are repented of, as thrice denied the Lord; for they are unthe Scriptures teach. der grace, and not under the law, as Paul If this inherent sin is to loose its effect, says. The seed of God, faith in Christ Jeand actual sin be forgiven, then we must sus, the birth which is of God, and the uncbelieve the word of the Lord, be regenerated tion of the Holy Spirit abide in them. They by faith, and thus, by virtue of the new birth, exercise themselves continually in warring by true repentance, resist the inherent sin, against their flesh; die unto theirlusts; watch die unto actual sin, and be pious. and pray incessantly and, although they For, as the carnal birth which is of Adam, are such poor, weak children, the are reis unclean and sinful and begets all evil and joiced in the sure trust of the merits of unrighteousness unto death, at the instance Christ, and praise the Father for his grace, of thh devil-thus, on the other hand the Heb. 4; Matt. 6; Luke 12; Rom. 6; 1 Jn. 3: heavenly birth which is of God, is clean 5; Job 7; Eph. 6; 2 Tim. 2; Gal. 5; 2 Cor. C; and pure, and begets all righteousness and 1 Pet. 5. piety unto life, according to the will of God, Behold this deficient and weak nature all Rom. 5; 1 Jn. 3: 5. the saints have ever lamented; and hence The third kind are human frailties, er- John says, "If we say that we have no sin, rors and stumblings which are yet daily we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in found among the saints and regenerated; us; if we confess our sins he is faithful and such as untempered thoughts, careless words just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse and rashness in our actions. These al- us from all unrighteousness,"1 John 1:8, 9. though they spring from those sins men- The fourth kind is, that after one is entioned, as the sins of the unbelieving and lightened in his heart by the heavenly lusimpenitent, are yet not of the same kind; tre of the everlasting truth; has received and have this difference: the unbelieving the true knowledge of Christ and his holy which are yet unchanged in their first birth, word, has tasted the heavenly gifts, the commit sin unrestrainedly and fearlessly, kindness of the Lord, and the enjoyment 76

Page  314 314 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. of the future world, has partaken of the willfully despise Christ and his word, then Holy Ghost and is born of God; he again, his work shows what sin he has committed, by stubbornness,malice and willfulness, con- and that his end and reward will be death, trary to his heart, mind and spirit which is Rom. 1: 8; 1 Cor. 6; Gal. 5; Eph. 5; 1 Jn. in him, renounces all knowledge and grace; 3: 5; Rev. 21: 22. rejects the Spirit and word of God; ejects Behold, kind reader, thus we believe that the sweet, new wine; hates and blasphemes all sins, both outward and inward, have all truth willfully with the Pharisees and their reconciliation in the merit and power scribes; ascribes it to the devil, notwith- of the blood of the Lord, if truly repented standing his conscience convinces him that of, according to the Scriptures. it is the will, word, power and work of God; Let every one take heed that he walk in returns to the broad way and says at heart the fear of the Lord and accept the grace, with all evil disposed, I will not submit. lest he be given to the wrong spirit, fall inWhat kind of sin this is, I will leave to the to the judgment of the Lord, and the pensentence of the word of the Lord, Num. 15; ance, which avails before God, be refused Matt. 12; Mark3; Luke l2; 1Jn. 5; Heb. him. h For Christ says, "Whosoever comnKind reader, understand me. I do not mitteth sin is the servant of sin." Peter says, speak of such persons as are overtaken in a " Of whom a man is overcome, of the same fault, even though their transgressions were is he brought in bondage." Let therefore as great as the fall of David (from which none be overcome of sin, else he will be the the great Lord save all his), who was so servant of sin. This is incontrovertible. miserably deceived by the lusts of the flesh, Jn. 8: 34; 2 Pet. 2: 19. but I speak of those who, out of mere petu- I think that this our confession and also lance, willfully trample upon the Son of the ban or separation, which the Scripture God, deem the blood of the New Testament teaches and which we practice, by which unclean, and profane the Spirit of grace. we seek the scriptural shame of the degen0 reader, kind reader, take heed, and re- erated to their reformation, fully prove that member that it is written, "It is a fearful we are villified by our opponents in this thing to fall into the hands of the living regard. Yea we testify before the Lord God," Heb. 10: 31. and before you that we desire nothing upon And although such willful blasphemy earth more ardently than that we may reand sin had no offering in Israel, Num. 15, turn a poor, erring sinner to the right way. and the sinning against the Holy Spirit has But this we say, That the promises of no forgiveness, as Christ says, Matt. 12; God of eternal salvation, as preached by Mark'3; Luke 12; yet I would advise all the the gospel, are not made to the unrepentgodfearing, as far as I am able, that if any ant sinners, hypocrites, avaricious, earthlyshould revert to the works of the flesh and minded, mockers, nor perverse; but they of death, after his confession and baptism, are made to those who, with all their heart, wisely to consider the matter and not make hear, truly believe the lovely word of our a mistake in such a case by an unseason- Lord Jesus Christ, and thereby become new able and undue sentence; for the Lord, to men born of God; become dead unto this whom nothing is concealed, knows what sin fearful world of ungodly pride, pomp, vanhe has committed; whether he has sinned ity and lustfulness. For the unrepentant against the Holy Ghost or not; but let them would boast of the Scripture and console admonish such according to the word of the themselves thereby, while their life is conLord. If hebe converted, if he show true fruits trary thereto, and is open blasphemy. Christ of repentance according to the Scriptures; if says, " If ye continue in my word, then are he again receive a broken, contrite and pen- ye my disciples indeed," Jn. 8: 31. "Ye are itent heart, and besides, a peaceable, joy- my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command ful and cheerful mind, then it is manifest you," Jn. 15: 14; for the vine bears after its that he did not sin against the Holy Ghost. own kind. But if he remain unrepentant, continue in In the seventh place they slander us and say, That we his perverseness, and this unto the end, are vagabonds, sneak-thieves, deceivers, new monks and

Page  315 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 315 hypocrites; that we claim to be without sin, heaven- that alas, one cannot publicly say anything stormers and work-saints, who want to be saved by our about the word of the Lord, although it is own merits and works; that we are an ungodly sect and the only bread whereby our souls must live; n.i i^-^ / l. tie only bread whereby our souls must live; conspirators, murderers of the souls of infants, anabap- s tists, profaners of the sacraments and possessed of the lea and understand from the devil. Scriptures that MIoses and all Israel ate the Answer. These and like slanders, Christ passover at night, Ex. 12; that Christ adJesus, together with the holy apostles, nmonished Nicodemus at night, Jn. 3: 2; that prophets and saints of the primitive church, the church assembled at night to pray, Acts had to hear many times, as was said in the 12: 12; that Paul taught the word of the preface. "If they have called the master Lord all night, Acts 20; and that the primof the house Beelzebub, how much more itive church assembled at night to break they of his household?" "The disciple is the bread of the Lord, as the Scriptures not above his master, iror the servant above mention; therefore we confess that it is adhis lord." Yet we trust that it is known to missible to preach the word of the Lord at all honorable, pious and reasonable men night as well as in day time, to the praise that all these slanders are spoken against of the Lord; and thus we ofttimes assemble us by our opponents without any truth, out in the fear of God, without injury to any of mere hatred and envy, that they may body (the Lord knows) at night in a christhus hinder and oppose the course of the tian manner, to teach the word of the Lord word and afflict the innocent, Matt. 10:25,24. and to admonish and reprove in all godliReply to the charge, Vaqabonds. Vaga- ness; also to pray and administer the sacbonds are rogues, evil-disposed and idle raments in a manner as the word of the persons, and evil-doers, who on account of Lord teaches us. their criminality, wander from place to -Reply to the chargee, Deceivers. Deceivers place without a home. But we are poor, are those who call impenitent, carnal permiserable pilgrims, and, according to the sons, christians, and console them in their flesh, strangers, who, not on account of any blindness, avarice, pride, pomp, splendor, crime, but for the testimony of Jesus Christ debauchery and idolatry, with water, absoand our consciences, must flee, with our lutions, bread, wine and ceremonies; who wives and children from before the tyranni- so shamefully adulterate the word and saccal, bloody sword, to save our lives, and raments of God and eadthe poor, miserable thus we have to earn our bread in foreign souls into death for the sake of a meal of lands, in anxiety and tribulation, hearing bread or a handful of barley, all of which, many scornful and abusive words, we who, before the Lord, we are innocent, by his agreeable to Scripture and reason, should grace. For we teach the word of the Lord be received in love, and provided for and pro- unadulterated and with a good conscience, tected, and not be so unmercifully rejected without respect of person. We seek the and slandered as we are, at present, on every salvation of every soul and not their favor hand, 1 Pet. 1; 1 Cor. 4; Ex. 22: 24; Isa. and gifts. We administer the Lord's hap58: 6; Jer. 7: 5; Zech. 7; Matt. 25; Roin. 13; tism and Supper according to the direction 1 Pet. 4; Heb. 13. of his holy word. And although we are Reply to the charge, Sneak-thicves. Sneaks poor, weak, miserable, and of evil, unclean are thieves and murderers, who secretly en- flesh, and diseased sinners, yet we would ter houses for the purpose of taking the gladly, in our weakness, act rightly and be property or lives of others. Also perjurers, pious and live unblamably before the world. adulterers and fornicators who are intent We seek and desire, by the grace and upon defiling the houses of their neighbors. assistance of the Lord, according to our For such wait for the darkness, and say, small talent, to re-establish that which is "No eye shall see me; and distinguish his fallen; make right that which is wrong; face. In the dark they dig through houses," seek that which is lost; humble the highJob 24: 15, 16. But this is not the case minded; direct the hungry into the right with us. Yet it has gone so far by the ly- pasture; lead the thirsty to the true founting, upbraiding and cries of the learned, ain and the blind in the right way, that we

Page  316 316 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. may thereby sow the gospel of our Lord changeably, all our lives. 0, indiscreet Jesus Christ in many hearts, to the praise slanderers and blasphemers! Jn. 4: 23. of our God, and publish his great and ador- Reply to the charge, Hypocrites. Accordable name, Ezek. 34; 2 Cor. 10. ing to the Scriptures, hypocrites are those Reply to the charge, New Monks. We who, for the outward world, put on a holy would consider those to be new monks who appearance by words and gestures, such as formerly established churches, cloisters, hu- the Scribes and Pharisees, Matt. 23, and man statutes, and the easy epicurean life, who are inwardly full of all unrighteousin the semblance of zeal, which they have ness, avarice, hatred and deceit, as our opabandoned and in its place accepted a more ponents are, who pretend to be christians, lustful, pompous and carnal life, without talk much about the word of the Lord, change of heart and remained in their sins, boast much of the gospel and christianity, and these placed the firmness of their faith, claim that they practice the true doctrine hope and salvation, from the beginning of Christ and that they are his holy church; upon human choice, opinion and flattery. while at the same time, they adulterate the It is the manner and custom of monks to word of God, call the wholesome administerfollow human statutes, commands and in- ing of the sacraments, heresy; hate all the stitutions, and not the word of God. They pious, and practice the works of the flesh, have their abbots, priors and pursers or openly, as may be seen. We will leave all procurators, and are called by their found- intelligent persons to judge whether such ers and masters, Augustinians, Franciscans, are not the companions and fellows of the Dominicans, Bernardinians and Jacobins. Scribes and Pharisees. Not so with us. But we trust, by the The reason why we are accused as hypograce and mercy of the Lord, that we are crites, and why we are thus belied that we children of God and disciples of Christ.We claim to be without sins, is because we teach know of no other Abbot than him on whom penitence accordingto the Scripture; because all true christians call in spirit andtruth,and we testify with holy Paul, that perjurers, say, "Abba Father," Rom. 8: 15; Gal. 4: 6. adulterers, idolaters, wine-bibbers, avariOur head or Prior is Christ Jesus, CoJ. 1; cious, liars and unrighteous shall not inEph. 1. herit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6: 10; Gal. Our procurator or purser who distributes 5: 21; Eph. 5: 5; that those who are carnalhis gifts to every one, is the Holy Spirit, 1 ly-minded shall die, Rom. 8: 13. And with Cor. 12: 11. John, that those who sin (understand, willOur profession is, the sincere, frank and fully) are of the devil, 1 John 3: 8, and that fearless confession of faith, Matt. 10; Rom. we, therefore, in our weakness, abhor such 10: 9, 10. works; although with Moses we have often Our statutes and laws are the express confessed, verbally and in writing, as we commandments of the Lord, Matt. 19: 17. ever will confess, that none is clear before Our cap and cloak are the garments of God, on account of the inborn nature, Gen. righteousness, with which we would gladly 6: 5; 8: 21; with Isaiah, that we are all as clothe ourselves, Matt. 22: 1L. the unclean; with David, that there is no Our cloisters are the assemblage of the living man righteous before God, Ps. 14: 3; saints, the city of the living God, the heaven- with Paul, that nothing good dwells in our ly Jerusalem, Heb. 12: 22; Rev. 21: 2. flesh, Rom. 7: 18; with John that if we say, Our easy, monk-life and pleasure are dai- we are without sin, we deceive ourselves ly expectation of prison and fetters, fire and and no truth is in us, 1 John 1: 8, and with water, and to be exiled with our wives and James, that in many things we offend all, children, to suffer hunger, tribulation, anx- Jas. 3: 2. iety and pain, for the testimony of Jesus. Behold, kind reader, this is why the Behold, kind reader, this is the monk- preachers call us hypocrites who claim to hood which we confess and practice, and be without sin. Such abominable lies are none other. By the grace and power of the told by those who pretend to preach the Lord, we also hope to abide therein un- word of God!

Page  317 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 317 Reply to the charge, Heaven-stormers. messengers no matter what kind of life they Henceforth, because we teach from the lead if they but steer clear of falling into mouth of the Lord: That if we would enter the hands of the executioner. No drunkinto life we must keep the commandments, ard, no avaricious or pompous person, no Matt. 19, 17; Mark 10: 19; Jn. 15: 10, that defiler of women, no cheat or liar, no thief, in Christ neither circumcision nor uncircum- robber or shedder of blood (understand, by cision avail; but the keeping of the corn- going to war), no curser or swearer so mandments of God, 1 Cor. 7: 19, and that great and ungodly but he must be called a the love of God is that we keep his corn- christian. If he but say, I am sorry. It is mandments; and his commandments are all ascribed to his weakness and he is admitnot grievous, 1 Jn. 5: 3, therefore we are ted to their supper; for, say they, he is called by the preachers heaven-stormers and saved by grace and not by merits. He rework-saints; and that we want to be saved mains a member of their church notwithby our own merits; although we always standing he remains in all his doings an have confessed, and by the grace of God, unrepentant,obdurateandungodlyheathen; ever will, that we cannot be saved by means to-day as yesterday; also, to-morrow as toof anything in heaven nor in earth other day notwithstanding the Scripture so plainthan by the merits, intercession, death and ly testifies that such shall not inherit the blood of Christ, as has been amply demon- kingdom of God, Rom. 1: 32; 1 Cor. 6: 10; strated above, Jn. 14: 3; Acts 4: 12; Phil. for they are of the devil, Jn. 8: 44; 1 Jn. 2: 10. 2: 11. Behold, thus the best of these perverse 0, preachers, preachers! learn once to people have been changed to the very worst, know your own sect and conspirators, we and do not observe that the whole Script- pray you for Christ's sake. You boast ure, condemns, all licentious, obstinate de- that you are the true, christian church, but spisers and transgressors of the command- we fear you are a new Sodom, Egypt and ments of God, to death, who plainly prove Babylon. Oh! oh!! For many years we by their deeds that they do not confess the have drank from the same goblet with you saving grace of God; do not believe in and walked in the same Spirit; we have reChrist Jesus, and, according to Scripture, ceived one crisma and anointment with you, abide in damnation, wrath and death, Jn. we know very well; but we have received 3: 36. For whoso doeth unrighteously, mercy, and spewed out the inhaled abomishoweth by his works whose disciple he is. nation and willingly entered into the loveReply to the bitter slander, Ungodly Sects ly communion of his saints, into the house, and Conspirators. So far as regards the kingdom and body of Christ; who hate all bitter, envious slander and charge that we ungodliness and sinfulness, and with all are a perverse, ungodly sect and conspira- their strength, strive after and desire righttors we answer: If we were allowed an im- eousness and godliness. Although they are partial hearing with our opponents before called by you and all the world an ungoda tribunal of persons who understand the ly sect and conspirators, yet, they are word of God, we would soon be cleared of peaceable and joyous in spirit, and are asthe infamous charge and they would be sured in their consciences that truth is on found guilty. For what kind of conspira- their side; and that they are not an ungodtors they are, this Scripture testifies, "There ly sect and conspirators, but God's own peis a conspiracy (mark, conspiracy) of her culiar people, church and body, I Cor. prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring 12: 13; Eph. 1: 5; Col. 1: 18; 1 Pet. 2: 10. lion ravening the prey; they have devoured 0 Lord, how lamentably thy small flock is souls; they have taken the treasure and ever slandered! Rom. 12: 4; Eph. 1: 23; precious things; they have made her many 5: 27. widows in the midst thereof," Ezek. 22: 25. i Reply to t7e slander and false charge, All may find a place in their sect who I Murderers of the souls of Infants. In the will but keep their ceremonies and acknowl- same manner we must often hear from these edge them to be the true preachers and poor, blind people who seek the salvation

Page  318 318 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. of their children in the baptism of their bishops; and besides, because we, with the preachers, that we murder the souls of our Nicene Council, cannot accept the heretical infants, because we believe the word of the baptism which is of anti-christ, as christian Lord that the kingdom is promised them baptism; and because we are also informed by grace, by the election of God our heav- by the Scriptures that St. Paul rebaptized enly Father through the merits of Jesus some of those who were baptized with the Christ, as he says, " Suffer little children ibaptism of John which was from heaven, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for because they did not acknowledge the Holy of such is the kingdom of heaven," Matt. Ghost, Acts 19: 3. Inasmuch as we but 19: 14; Mark 10; 14; Luke 18: 16; and that baptize according to the command of Christ we therefore do not suffer to have them bap- and according to the teaching and practice tized with the baptism of anti-christ. For of the holy apostles; nor do any more than not the baptism of anti-christ but the prom- Cyprian did, together with the council of ise of Jesus Christ assures us of the salva- Carthage and Nice, in this matter (although tion of our little children if they die and we acknowledge that we do not believe in depart from here. But if the good Father all their doctrine); and, inasmuch as we suffer them to grow up and grant them his rebaptize those who are not baptized with grace, then we would educate them in the a divine baptism (as were those who were instruction and fear of the Lord as much as baptized of John), but with the baptism of we are able. When they can understand anti-christ, and had at the time of their God's word and believe it, the Scripture baptism no knowledge of divine matters, directs them to be baptized, Matt. 28: 19; as both nature and the Scriptures teach, MIark 16: 16. But those who practice such since they were yet unconscious infants, manifest hypocrisy and anti-christian and as we are for this reason called anaworks, banish the devil from the innocent baptists by the learned; therefore, indeed, vessels which are cleansed with the blood Christ and his apostles, Cyprian and his of the Lord; they conjure, salt, anoint, and bishops, the Nicene Council, the hdly aposconsecrate them, baptize them on the faith tie Paul also must have been an anabapof others, while they find not a single com- tist. This is incontrovertible. mandment to practice such flummery and Reply to the blind charge that we are promockery, in all the Scriptures. faners of the Sacraments. Again, some of The parents console themselves with the the learned, also, call us profaners of the thought that they are now christians; and sacraments, because we do not believe that thus they are, from the cradle on, raised in the bread and wine of their Supper is the all manner of blindness, pomp, splendor actual, real flesh and blood of the Lord; or, and idolatry, without the fear of God, so as some have it, because we do not believe that when they become of understanding that we, through the wine and bread, actuage they have no information of the word ally partake of the flesh and blood of the of God, and walk all their lives, trusting Lord; notwithstanding that we reverentialin infant baptism, upon a crooked and dark ly administer the supper to the penitent way, without confession, faith and new (as far as man can judge), as a figurative birth, without Spirit, word and Christ. or sacramental sign, with fear and tremWhat such do to the souls of their little bling, also with thanksgiving and joy, acchildren I will leave to their own consider- cording to the Scripture and according to ation and to the sentence of the word of the the practice of the fathers, such as Gregory, Lord. Augustin, Chrisostom, Tertullian, Tyrill, Revly to the base charge of beinq Ana- Eusebius, &c., and, in our weakness, dili>aptists. We must also be called anabap- gently strive rightly to commemorate and tists by the learned, because we baptize at fulfill the holy, glorious mystery, the Lord's the confession of faith, as Christ command- death, love, peace and the unity of his ed his disciples to do, and as the holy apos- church and the communion of his holy flesh ties taught and practiced, as did also the and blood which by this sign of bread and worthy martyr Cyprian, all of the African wine are symbolized to all true christians.

Page  319 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 319 The poor slanderers do not observe how such colors (the Lord forgive them) that we fearfully they profane the sacraments of will quite likely be considered a perverse, the Lord, if we call those sacraments, which ungodly people, by the great mass who they administer. Although they believe walk upon the broad way, so long as the that they distribute the actual flesh and world shall stand. O, perverse nature! "0, blood of the Lord, they yet esteem it so generation of vipers (says Christ), how can trifling that they distribute it to known ye, being evil, speak good things," Matt. drunkards, avaricious, liars, impenitent, 12: 34. I fear that they are members of the &c., as if the Lord's Supper were to be par- awful beast which arose from the sea, taken of by the penitent and impenitent which was like unto a leopard, whose feet alike. Whether this is not profaning the were as the feet of a bear and whose mouth sacraments you may judge according to as the mouth of a lion; and which opened the Scriptures. his mouth to blaspheme the name of God Reply to the pharisaic charge that we are and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in possessed of the devil. We consider those heaven, Rev. 13: 2, 6. For what is there of the devil who speak his words, who teach which is holy and right according to the falsehood instead of truth, Gen. 3: 4, steal Scripture which they do not trample with the glory from God and miserably deceive their feet and blaspheme, with their mouth souls. But we trust, by the grace of the as an ungodly, accursed abomination? 0, Lord (eternal glory be to God), that wehate dear Lord, save all thy beloved children the word of the devil from our inmost hearts; from this lying, deceiving generation, forand that we are very desirous for the words ever! of eternal truth, and of the fruits of the Eighthly and lastly, they say, Well, if truith i- on Spirit, according to the talent received, their side, let them come befoire the public. which is a decided proof that we are not of Answer. We would faithfully admonish the spirit of the devil, but of the Lord. For the reader to consider well from what moif we were of the devil, as we are charged, tive and with what intention they say so. we would walk upon a broader road and For most of them say so from motives of be befriended by the world, and not so re- mere envy and blood-thirstiness, we are signedly offer our property and blood for sure, thinking that if we would do so it the cause of the word of the Lord. Yet it would soon be brought to an end. Others, is but just that the disciple be not above perhaps, through simpleness and ignothe master. The Father of the house him- rance; thinking that we cannot defend it self had to hear that he was of the devil, by virtue of the Scripture, since Christ and Jn. 10: 20; 8: 48. The Pharisees and Scribes his apostles, as also the prophets, generalmust manifest their nature and Spirit. For ly preached in public before the people, if they can not stand with their foolish wis- and were also sent for that purpose. To dom before the power and truth of the those that do so from motives of bloodLord (for the spirit of Belial must ever thirstiness, we would say that they, with give way to the Spirit of the Lord), they the Pharisees and Scribes, have burdened break forth in madness, heap falsehood themselves with the blood of the innocent; upon falsehood, upbraid and lie with all and are counted as murderers, Matt. 23: 34; their might, and ascribe it to the devil, al- Jn. 10: 16; Luke 11: 49. though their consciences testify that it is But to those who do so through ignorance the Spirit of the Lord. By what kind of a (if there be such, which we hope there may spirit such are urged their words and works be), we would say in all love, diligently to sufficiently testify. search all the Scriptures to see if they will Behold, kind reader, here you have our find any passages to show that the apostles reply to the principal slanderous charges and prophets went forth publicly to preach with which we are greeted by our back- when they were sure, beforehand, that it biters, opponents and persecutors. With would cost them their lives, as we know to such slander their writings are filled and \ be the case if we would publicly go forth. their mouths overflow. We are pictured in | No, no. If I mind aright, they ever avoided

Page  320 320 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. the places and cities which they were sure he smote the Syrians with blindness, who would seek their lives; or else they kept wanted to take Elisha. He sent Jonas themselves concealed, as did Baruch and through the turbulent waves, in a whale, to Jeremiah, when king Joachim had com- Nineveh. He took from the fire its power, manded that they should be taken, Jer. and shut the lions' mouths. He delivered 36: 19. the apostles by the aid of angels. He is They have all feared death and fled from the Lord who lives unchangeable in his it however much they were gifted with the power and glory, 2 Kin. 6: 18; Jonah 1: 17; Spirit of the Lord. "Moses cried unto the Dan. 3: 27; 6: 22; Acts 12: 11. Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this But as these are particular miracles of people? they be almost ready to stone me," God which are not shown to every one, and Exod. 17: 4. as no Scriptures direct us to go there where Jeremiah says, " O my lord the king, let we surely know that we shall die or be immy supplication, I pray thee, be accepted prisoned for life, but as we are admonished before thee; that thou cause me not to re- in plain words to flee from the tyrants; and turn to the house of Jonathan the scribe, as the faithful men and servants of God, lest I die there," Jer. 37: 20. filled with the Holy Spirit, have done the David fled before Saul from one mount- same, as was said; therefore we simply ain to the other, and from one wilderness say (and that with a good conscience)that we to another. will not now, nor at any future time, publicUrijah of Kirjath-jearim, a prophet of the ly go forth unless it is proven to us in sinLord, fled from before the sword of the king cerity of heart, by Scripture (which we of Judah, into the land of Egypt, Jer. know, is impossible), that we should do so 26: 20, 21. before we are urged as were the apostles Elijah, the spiritual man of God, fled to and prophets by the power of the Lord, be the wilderness, before the threats of Jezebel, it by a revelation from angels or by the 1 Kin. 19: 3. From fear of those of Nine- urging of the Holy Spirit, as was heard. veh, Jonah wanted to flee into Tarshish, But in such a case we are at all times preJonah 1. pared to do the will of the Lord, and pubWhen Paul knew that they were laying licly to teach his holy word and administer in wait for him he was let down by the his sacraments, at the peril of our lives, wall in a basket, by night, Acts 9: 24, 25. Matt. 10: 23; Jer. 1: 7; Matt. 2: 13; 4: 12. Behold, kind reader, thus the exalted It is also well known to the honorable men of God have feared and avoided death, reader, and to all who are acquainted with and did not, generally, go where they feared us, that we are called rebels and mutineers violence, until they were admonished to do every where by the learned, notwithstandso by an oracle or by a revelation from ing that we are ever quiet and act justly angels. with all mankind; and, if we now, should So also Elijah appeared before king publicly teach the word of the Lord in the Ahab, after the long drought and famine, face of the upbraidings of the learned, of 1 Kin. 17. Thus the apostles freely spoke the mandates, of the rulers and of the mad the word of the Lord in the temple, after cries of the populace, some of them would they were led from prison, by an angel, cry, rebels! rebels!! although we are, Acts 5: 19; 12: 7; 26; 20. thank the Lord, clear of all rebellion and Thus Paul preached at Corinth one year bloodshed, as has been heard. and a half after the Lord, in a vision, spake Others would say, and not unjustly, that unto him, "Be not afraid, but speak, and we killed ourselves by unlimited zeal, as hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, we were well aware what was, in places, reand no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: solved against us, and we yet in the face of for I have much people in this city," Acts it publicly taught our doctrine. 18: 9, 10, and other like Scriptures. We We further desire the reasonable reader are aware, beloved reader, that God has the to take into consideration that a true teachpower to save his own, if it be his will. For er who preaches the word of the Lord un

Page  321 A HUMBLE AND CHRISTIAN DEFENSE. 321 blamably cannot, at the present time, safe- them for many years, in print; but it was ly dwell in any kingdom, country or city not accepted. under heaven, so far as our knowledge goes, Behold, kind reader, thus we have from if he be known. If he be not allowed to the beginning of our service, been prepared dwell safely, how can he safely preach and and ready to give an account of our faith teach? to every person who desired it in good Besides, we plainly see that the innocent faith, no matter whether he were ruler or sheep must suffer and be led to the slaugh- citizen, learned or unlearned, rich or poor, ter though they are no teachers, and should man or woman. And we are to-day ready the teachers then, who are blamed for all, to do so as far as possible; we are not and who with Christ are hated above all ashamed of the gospel of the glory of Christ. evil-doers, yet go before the public in these If one desire to hear from us, we are premad, fearful times of all evil and tyranny? pared to teach; if one desires to know our It would be foolishness; for to do so is not foundation, we sincerely desire to explain taught by common sense nor by the Script- it clearly, if our writings do not suffice. If ures. any one desires to discuss with us, no matAnd although we do not teach at public ter who he be (except those who have remeetings where all classes assemble, yet nounced us after scriptural exhortation the truth is not kept silent but is preached was exhausted in their case), in sincerity here and there both by day and by night, of heart, the matter of our faith, without in cities and country, verbally and in writ- philosophy, flattery and garbling, and acing, at the peril of life. This is testified to cording to the unadulterated, evangelical by judges, tormentors, prisons, fetters, wa- doctrine and truth, the commandments, ter, fire, sword and stake. prohibitions, usage, Spirit and example of Also must Flanders, Brabant, Holland, Christ and of his disciples, and that withGelderland, &c., confess at the last judg- out any trickery, deceit or roguery, as did, ment that the word was preached to them, in their time, Hilarius and Augustin and for they, on account of the word being others, with some who were suspected in preached, have shed innocent blood like their doctrine; we will not, by the grace of water; it is so preached in these countries the Lord, refuse to do so, if we possibly can that we may well say with holy Paul, "If before a public meeting or before twenty or our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are more impartial, reasonable witnesses. For lost; in whom the god of this world hath our most ardent desire is that the truth may blinded the minds of them which believe be made manifest. But the bloody murder not," 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4. of anti-christ must be omitted; for it is devilish and unbecoming in a christian, Rev. Besides, I have, about the year 1545 orJ. 8 1546, asked of the preachers of Bon a pub- In h as or as and Inasmuch as our adversaries and oppolic meeting and discussion, under bishop nents make our life and doctrine suspicious Herman of Cologne, on condition of safe conduct. with many, by saying, that if truth be on. our side we should come out in public (alI have also twice asked this in writing though they say so out of mere vindictiveof those of Emden, and once of those of ness for they know very well that we can Wesel, on the same condition. not do so, as there are tyrants and bloodBut, although those of Bon, and also shedders every where, as may be seen); those of Wesel had offered this to some of therefore we give them this discreet answer. the brethren, still, when they found that I Further, I would say, that if the truth be was willing to do so, it was, under a false on the side of our opponents and not with pretense of necessity, refused by those of us, as they claim, and, as they can freely Bon as also by those of Emden. go abroad before the whole world (underThose of Wesel wished that the devil stand each sect in its way) to preach their might treat with me. doctrine, faith and life; and, as we have to Again, I have also offered to discuss with be subjected daily to suffering and tor77

Page  322 322 CONCLUSION. ture they should, therefore, show enough miserable souls which arenowkeptbythem of reason and love toward us, poor creat- in such accursed blindness, would be deliverures, to obtain liberty for us from the mag- edfrom the snares of hell; and the noble, gloistracy whom they have, by their crying lious truth, now so very much hated and and slander against us, caused to be so bitterly opposedto us (something wlich does be made mnnot become reasonable men, not to say ifest in splendorand beauty. But so much christians), that we may thus, in their pres- discretion has not been found up to the ence, before a public assembly or before present time. twenty or more impartial, reasonable wit- As we are not allowed a public discussion, nesses, as was said before, cause our foun- in a Christian manner, as we have anxiousdation, doctrine and faith to be heard and ly, and at different times asked of them, explained according to the sure and true and as the ignorant and unversed yet cry, testimony of the Holy Scriptures. If they, If tdhe/ be riglt why do they not come oWut then, have any thing to advance against ptblicly; therefore we will leave it to the our foundation, doctrine and faith, let them consideration and judgment of the intellido so in the name of the Lord. Truth shall gent reader, from what motives they thus bear the crown. If not, let them lay their cry; what kind of faith, love, gospel and hands upon their mouths and keep silent truth they have, and by what kind of a and never more blaspheme that which is spirit they are urged. For, whosoever has right and just. the truth will never come to shame; for Kind reader, if this couldbe accomplished truth is great, stronger than wine, kings many hard words would be saved; many and women. C N C LU SI N. Here, dear reader, you have our defense herewith place in the hands of the Lord, and discreet reply to the bitter, envious this and all other shameful charges and falsehoods and slanders of our enviers by accusations which are so enviously pubwhich we will live or die, and appear before lished against us, and leave them to his our God at the judgment day, for which, last judgment. perhaps, I shall not be thanked by many. They may prove the nature of their faYet, since they, on every hand, by such in- ther and fill the measure of their bloodhuman falsehoods and slanders, rob us of thirstiness, for they will not do otherwise. our honor and reputation; so lamentably WTe trust, by the grace of the Lord, to posadulterate and suppress the precious, wor- sess our souls in patience, and not turn our thy word of our Lord Jesus Christ; main- faces from the spies until the coming of tain and uphold all the earth in their im- him who shall come. Then shall they see penitent, ungodly being and cause so much him whom they have pierced, Rev. 1. And misery to many a pious child; therefore we I would herewith sincerely pray the readers have written this in this emergency as a and auditors, be their station high or low, reasonable defense and christian reply of learned or unlearned, for Christ's sake to all pious and godfearing persons, that accept this my labor in love and to rightly thereby all intelligent and reasonable read- interpret it; for I have performed it for no ers. who cannot hear our verbal defense, other purpose than to the praise of my God may rightly judge between us and our op- and to the service of all well-disposed perponents, may see the innocence of us all, sons; and with the intention that the rulers and may learn to confess the poor, despised (I mean those who are reasonably minded, truth which is so lamentably stolen from and would not willfully act contrary to the them by their preachers; and we would will of God) may be warned against pro

Page  323 CONCLUSION. 323 tecting this ungodly state of affairs and extended and the accursed falsehood of against heaping upon themselves the inno- anti-christ be destroyed. cent iblood, that the preachers who err un- May the Almighty, eternal Father, the wittingly may no longer serve and protect Creator'of all things, the God of heaven and the kingdom of hell by their falsehood, of earth, grant all my hearers and readers slander, upbraiding, ungodly doctrine, sac- the heavenly gift and power of his Holy raments and lives; that the common people Spirit that they may hear and read this my may place their trust in the word of the humble treatise in the true fear of God, and Lord, seek the right way, fear the Lord, with pure, impartial hearts, may wisely die unto their sins and reform their sinful examine, well understand and accept it life. with true faith, and humbly fulfill it in willCordially beloved reader, be not repulsed ing obedience, to the praise of their God if it should taste bitter to your flesh. Be- and the salvation of their souls, by his behold, in Christ, it is the truth, to which we loved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. To him have here testified; nor will there ever be be the honor, praise, kingdom, power and found any other foundation, doctrine, way, glory for ever and ever, Amen. light and truth. "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: Therefore I desire that it be not kept hid but they that deal truly are his delight," from any reasonable persons; but that it Prov. 12: 22; 6: 17. may be read by or to every one, no matter "Devise not a lie against thy brother: who or where they be, if it might be of use neither do the like to thy friend. Use not to to them, and they be not intent upon the make any manner of lie: for the custom corruption or blood of any one, that there- thereof is not good," Eccl. 7: 12, 13. by the saving truth of Jesus Christ may be MENNO SIMON.

Page  324

Page  325 A BRIEF AND CLEAR CONFESSION AND SGRIPTURAL DE ONSTRATION, FIRST, OF THE INCARNATION OF OUR BELOVED LORD JESUS CHRIST. SECONDLY, HOW BOTH THE TEACHERS AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SIOULD BE MINDED ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. WRITTEN TO John A'Lasco and his Fellow-laborers at Emden, A. ID., 1544. BY MENNO SIMON. "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," Jn. 8: 31, 32. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK ANID BROTHER. 1871.

Page  326 fieno Si'lmot wJisjes tie e-n'i6cd Joi7n A'Lasco ancd his feilows, and to all th/e people af Ic( 1st riesla'nt, of'i7hateter class or condition in life they be, true faith, true light and holdwcl7edge, the ifoly Spirit, the lovely fear and pure love of the Lord, an unblamable life a;nd thte eternal life of God oukr heavenly Father, thlrough Jesus Christ, 7is beloved Son, our Lord, who has loved 7us and washed us in his blood. To him be the glory, honor, praise, kngqdom, power and rzajestyfor ever and ever, Amen. BErLOVED friends and brethren, as I, in prophets, who, under a holy semblance,ever th:e latter part of the first month of the year creep into society to the hindrance of the wise 1543, met you at Emden to discuss with you and intelligent; as before God, who knows for three or four days, the d sp ted articles of our hearts, we are certainly clear of all their our faith and religion, for which purpose I abominable doctrine, uproar, mutiny,bloodwas invited to come, by writing; first, the shed, polygamy and the like abominations. incarnation of our beloved Lord Jesus Yea, we hate, and with sincere affection Christ, to which, you well know, you forced fight against them as acknowledged heresy; me against my will; secondly, infant bap- as snares to the conscience; as deceit, setism. Not agreeing in this, you let me duction and fraud, and as pestilential docdepart in peace at our separation, desiring trine, accursed by all divine Scripture. For however, that I should send to you, by U. how should the true brethren and sisters of L., the foundation of my faith, which I had Jesus Christ, the well-disposed children of compiled in writing, inside of a stipulated God, who, with Christ Jesus, are born of period, which was three months, so that God the Father, and the powerful seed of you might thus show to your god-called the divine word in Christ Jesus; regenerarulers, our faith, diligence, desire, seeking ted by Christ, partake of his Spirit and natand life (which, however, is very weak); ure, conform unto him, are christian and upon what foundation, Scriptures and rea- heavenly minded, teach rebellion of any sons our intended doctrine, faith and life kind? inasmuch as they are ever prepared, was founded. I hope and trust, by the according to the measure of their faith, to grace of the Lord, that you have desired do the will of the eternal Prince of peace, and required this of me without any malice who has taught his disciples nothing but or bad intention. patience and eternal peace, saying, "Peace Therefore I have promised to falfill your I leave with you, my peace I give unto you," kind bidding and desire, rejoiced in spirit; Jn. 14: 27. Again, "Peace be with you." because also through U. L., our faith, doc- For his kingdom is a kingdom of love, of trine and life could be best explained to unity, of peace, and of reformation; and those of high, social standing, to whose care not of hatred, rebellion, blood, disquiet the carnal sword was entrusted, and thus and destruction. Again, In peace we are the suspicion be destroyed which is held called of God; peace should rule in our against us by the pernicious uproar and hearts to him by whom we are called. Again, shameful doctrine and practice of the false Blessed are the peace-makers, Paul says,

Page  327 PREFACE. 327 "The God of hope fill you with all joy and disol)edielce a.. nd the.very erroneous, carpeace in believing," Rom. 15: 13. I am nal, mad life of this world, and enter into aware, kind reader, that the cited Script- all divine wisdon, truth, love, zeal and ures have, for the most part, reference to soberness; the true sacraments and true the inward p eace, which comes through religion, in full obedience to God and Christ Christ; yet, whoever has this inward, chris- and in all the christian fruits which flow tian peace in his heart will nevermore be from a pmure ]eart, good conscience a. nd found guilty, b!efoire God and the world, of unfeigined fait]h, Tit. 2: 7; 1 Pet. 1: 28;3; WEoh. rebellion, treason, mutiny, murder, robbery 6: 7; tieb. 4: 1'2; Rev. 1: 16;: 1 15. or such unbecolming acts. For the Spirit of Thus we do not contend with carinal, but Christ which is in him seeks no evil, but with spiritual weaolpons, patience and with good; no destruction, but healing; no cor- the vword of the Lord, against all flesh, ruption, but assistance; seeks to live every- world and devil, trusting in Christ. N1or where in pea-ce with all mankind, as far as shall there ever )be found_ ol)t l/er weao,-p)Ons possible(. -Ie follows "peace with all men, with ius. Tiherefot'e(-, bo0 t afraid of us and holiness. without which no man can (behold, in Christ Jesus I lie not); folI' we see the Lord,"'' Ieb. 12: 14; Jn. 14: 17; 21: 15; do not desire your destruction, but youi' Rom. 14: 19; 1 Cor. 7: 15; Col. 3: 15); Matt. regeneration; nlot your condemnation, bLut 5: 9; Rorn. 15: 1Y3. your everlasting salvation; not your flesh Behold, beloved friends and brethren, by and blood, but your spirit and soul; on acthese and other Scriptures we are taught count of whlich I have these seven years and warned not to take up the literal sword, suffered and yet siuffer slander and sc, rn, nor ever to give our consent theretonxiety, c, suspension, persecution, and great ordinario potestatis gladio, indebituln usttr peril of being imprisoned. verso; but to take up the two-edged, power- The more the word of the Lord is extended, ful, sharp sword of the Spirit, which goes by the grace of God, to the reformation of forth from the mouth of the Lord, namely, some persons, who, however, are few, the the word of God. By this we intend to morehatredandbitterness increases against destroy the kingdom of satan, constrain me; so that up to this hour I could not all the world to regeneration and salvation find, in all the country, where, alas, the and bruise, crush and pierce all petrified mere boasting of the divine word is a great and obdurate hearts. Desiring, I say, by deal more plenty than the fear of God, a the grace, Spirit and power of the Lord, cabin, or hut (blessed be the Lord) in therewith to circumcise all flesh, high, low, which my wife and little children can saferich, poor,learned or unlearned, of all pride, ly sojourn for a year or two. 0, cruel, unvain show, pomp, avarice, usury, smuggling, merciful christians! 0, that all magistrates lies, deceit, robbery, shedding of innocent and princes, as also all the wise and learned blood, hatred, envy, adultery, fornication, knew the seeking, intention and desire of unchastity, unnatural desires, gluttony, my heart, as also of my beloved brethren -wine - bibbing, drunkenness, debauchery, who, by the grace, Spirit and word of God, cursing and swearing, blindness, vanity, are convertedinto a new spirit or new birth! and of the fearful, unbecoming idolatry; If they rightly understood our teaching how that all of them, no matter who they be, soon their hearts and minds would be by the pure fear of the Lord, of whom comes changed into a different sense! But as all the sure knowledge of the judgment of God, of them, with but few exceptions, are nothbecome first inwardly humble before him, ing but earth and flesh and not giftedl with and then, by the sure knowledge of his the Spirit of Christ; therefore, alas, we hear blessings, so abundantly shown to us, be nothing from them but upbraiding' and refreshed and consoled by Christ Jesus, and slander, can expect nothing from them (I thus willingly renounce, by the power of mean the evil-disposed) but the stake, watheir faith, working by love, their own wis- ter, fire, wheel and sword, as a reward of dom, intelligence, philosophy, sophistry, gratitude, that we have sought and yet seek unwillingness, sloth, evil lusts, unbelief, our conversion, salvation and eternal life,

Page  328 328 PRE F ACE. and that of the whole world, with such dili- carnal welfare, but alone the honor and gence, solicitude, pains and labor from our glory of God, and the eternal salvation of inmost heart. For I strive after nothing, their brethren. For such, alone, can judge of which God is my witness, but that the of spiritual matters; and not the carnal God of heaven and of earth, through his minded, 1 Cor. 14: 29. The Spirit of God blessed Son, Jesus Christ may have the teaches, judges and understands all things. glory and praise of his blessed word; that Paul says, "What man knoweth the things all men may be saved; and that they may of a man, save the spirit of man which is awaken in this convenient time of grace, in him? even so the things of God knoweth from their profound sleep of sinfulness; no man but the Spirit of God," 1 Cor. 2: 11. that they may lay by all adhering sin and Therefore try your intention and the inmost the damnable works of darkness; that they of your hearts, as if before God who seeth may put on the armor of light, that they all things. Search yourselves thoroughly may thus become, with us by true penance, and open your hearts before the Lord. In faith, baptism, Supper, ban or separation, case you yet seek any carnal liberty, lusts, love, obedience andtrue life, one holy, chris- honor and profit, then, doubtlessly, your tian church and body in Christ Jesus. judgment in spiritual matters (especially as Something which the whole world to-day regards the mere confession) will be quite yet opposes with all its strength with both carnal, selfish, partial, unjust and false; shoulders and horns; not being willing that you will also garble and pervert the plain Christ Jesus, forever blessed, shall reign testimony of the Holy Scriptures, by logic over them. Yea, they persecute, banish, and false reasoning, to free yourselves and burn, murder, and destroy all those who to please the world. Beware, lest you do willingly teach and uphold the glory, so, and thus the. terrible wrath of the Lord praise, honor, will and commandments of come upon you. I know why I write this. the Lord. De bis satis, Heb. 12: 15; Rom. I am in doubt about your sincerity. Re13: 11; Heb. 12: 2; Rom. 13: 12; Luke 3: 3; member what I mean. And if your hearts Matt. 3: 1; 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Acts 2; be sincere, clean and pious before God, as Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5: 5; 2 Thess. 3; 1 I hope; and if you actually are desirous of Tim. 1: 20; Luke 19: 47. the truth, then you will confess, by the Inasmuch as I do your kind bidding in grace of God, that our humble, plain docthis matter by briefly compiling in writing trine, faith, sacraments, and the life of my doctrine, faith and seeking, as I did nearly all, particularly the outward, unbefore, verbally, which I am ever prepared blamable, christian, evangelical life, is conto do to all mankind, according to the doc- formable to the Spirit and word of God. trine of Peter, as was said above, therefore And if God, by his loving kindness, I desire of you, so dear as Christ is to you, should grant that you sincerely acknowlthat you do not look upon this my confes- edge it in your inmost soul as being the unsion, which is the word of God, with carnal, changeable word and will of God, even as blind eyes, as the mad, unintelligent world the Spirit and power of God; then I pray do who want to have all things taught ac- you by the precious blood of our Lord cording to their own fancy and will, under Jesus Christ to receive it in gladness and the name of Christianity; that you will not gratitude of heart and let it be examined measure and judge according to the carnal by your ordained rulers and by all men way, as with logical questions and other and let them know what your heart, spirit like human wisdom; but that you will look or conscience testifies concerning our docat and judge it according to the word and trine, faith, sacraments and lives. Fear truth of the Lord, as those would who un- not the exalted position of any man, nor derstand spiritual matters, as unblamable, despise his humbleness. Go upon the kingregenerated christians who are full of the ly highway speaking the truth to all manknowledge, love and fear of God; are kind, with a clear conscience, lest you teach, urged by the Holy Spirit, and do not seek judge or testify contrary to your inward human favor, praise and honor, self and understanding, judgment and conviction,

Page  329 PREFACE. 329 to your everlasting condemnation. For and he will be successful. Jesus says, "If you are certainly taught by the word of the ye continue in my word, then are ye my Lord that whosoever speaketh against the disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiveh him, truth, and the truth shall make you free," neither in this world, neither in the world again, those who trust in him, shall unto come, Matt. 12: 32; Luke 10: 12; Mark derstand the truth, and the believing in 3: 28. Therefore, most beloved, search your love shall be agreeable unto him. Again, spirits. If you be spiritual then your judg- "The secret of the Lord is with them that ment, doubtlessly, will be spiritual, just fear him; and he will show them his coveand right. If you be not, and judge spirit- nant," Jn. 8; 31, 32; Ps. 25: 14. ual matters according to your own will, May the Almighty Father, through his woe unto you! I speak to you as to one blessed son Jesus Christ, give you all, in whose soul I seek and love with all my all things, a true understanding and clear strength. Although you are more learned vision to judge rightly in all things, to disthan I am, yet I teach and admonish you tinguish rightly between that which is holy to judge justly in all things, without car- and that which is unholy; between good nality or partiality. For I am afraid that and evil; right and wrong, and betweenthere were not a few, part of whom were the clean and unclean, accordingo to the also famous men, excelling in learning, evangelical truth; that allthose of you who who, in semblance of fearing God, for the have renounced gain, honor and fame, for sake of shameful gain, worldly honor and the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, may, carnal lusts have shamefully written, judged henceforth, be taught by the sure and true and taught the blessed word of the Lord confession of Scripture, be impelled by the by garbling the Scriptures, against their Holy Ghost, and enter into all divine wisown consciences, to the despising of the dom, truth, righteousness and obedience to cross of Christ, in order to please those who him who has taught us by his powerful word, are in authority. drawn us by his Spirit and bought and deBe this as it may, let every soul seek the livered us by his precious blood, that is, pure, christian truth, in purity of heart; Christ Jesus, Amen. and strive after the same with all diligence, Judge aright, and confess the truth. 78

Page  330 AND SCRIPTURAL DEMON\TSTRATION OF THE MOST HOLY INCARNATION OF OUR BELOVED LORD JESUS CHRIST. WRITTEN TO JOHN A'LASCO AND HIS FELLOW- LABORERS AT EMDEN. BELOVED LORDS, friends and brethren, of the new and spiritual Eve, Gen. 3: 15, when this matter of the incarnation of our namely, the eternal Truth, Jn. 14: 16; the beloved Lord Jesus Christ was first men- powerful Conqueror of the serpent and his tioned by the brethren, on hearing it I was seed, Gen. 3: 15; Luke 11: 21; Jn. 16: 33: terrified at heart, lest I should err in the H eb. 2: 14; which promised seed is the etermatter and be found, before God, in per- nal Truth and word of God, and, in the fullnicious unbelief. On account of this article ness of time, was sent forth from the AlI was often so troubled at heart, after re- mighty and merciful Father, Gal. 4: 4, in a ceiving baptism, that for many days I ab- pure virgin, Mary, Isa. 7: 14, conceived by stained from food and drink, by the over- the Holy Ghost and power of the Most High. anxiety of my soul, beseeching and praying She heard and believed the heavenly nmesGod in extreme necessity that the kind Fa- sage and pleasure of the Father, that was ther by his mercy and grace would disclose brouglt to her by Gabriel, Luke 1: 28; this unto me, poor sinner, who, although in ex- eternal Word of God is become flesh; it was treme weakness, desired to do his blessed! in the beginning with God and was God, Jn. will and pleasure, the mystery of the incar- 1: 2. Conceived and begotten of the Holy nation of his blessed Son, to the extent nec- Ghost, Matt. 1: 18; generated and nourishessary to the glorification of his holy name ed in Mary, as a natural child is -by its and to the consolation of my afflicted con- mother; a true Son of God and a true son science. of man, born of her, truly flesh and blood, Thus wandering about for days, weeks suffering, hungry, thirsty, passive, mortal and months, I have frequently asked the according to the flesh; immortal according opinion or belief of some of you in regard to the Spirit, like unto us in all things, yet to this matter which bore so heavily upon without sin, Heb. 2: 9; 4: 15. Truly God my heart. Yet none could instruct me suffi- and man, man and God. Not divided nor ciently to quiet my conscience. For gross separated as being half heavenly and half misunderstanding of some Scriptures which earthly, half of the seed of man and half of they alleged as proof of their assertion, God, as some express it; but an unmixed, I found with them, not only according whole Christ, namely, spirit, soul and body, to my opinion, but according to the mean- as Paul says, all men are, "Who, being in ing of the Scriptures; so that, at last, the form of God, thought it not robbery to after much fasting, weeping, praying, trib- be equal with God. But made himself of no ulation and anxiety, I became, by the grace reputation, and took upon him the form of of God, quiet and refreshed at heart, firmly. a servant, and was made in the likeness of acknowledging and believing, assured by men.' And being found in fashion as a the infallibly sure testimony of the Script- man, he humbled himself," (mark, humbled ures, understood in the Spirit, that Christ himself), Phil. 2: 6 —8. He who was more exJesus forever blessed, is the Lord from heav- alted than the angels, is made a little lower en, 1 Cor. 15:47; the promised spiritual seed than they are. For as he was subject to

Page  331 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 831 death, he became flesh and blood, Heb. 2: 9. for sin (which he conquered, or for which he I believe and confess without a doubt that was offered), condemned sin in the flesh; he was thus, according to the flesh, conceived that the righteousness of the law might be and come of the Holy Ghost, born of the fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, seed or lineage of David and of Abraham, but after the Spirit," Rom. 8: 3, 4. Again, and made of a woman, under the law, Gal. "'He hath made him to be sin for us, who 4: 4, circumcised the eighth day, obedi- knew no sin; that we might be made the ent unto his parents, growing and wax- righteousness of God in him," 2 Cor. 5: 21. ing strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom; and And thus he is become our only offer and the grace of God was upon him, Luke 2:40. sacrifice, fulfillment and requisition, by This same man, Christ Jesus, preached, -whom God, the Father is reconciled, by was crucified, died, was buried, arose, and whom his righteousness is fulfilled, the malascended to heaven and is there seated at ediction removed, the devil, sin and everthe right hand of his Almighty Father, ac- lasting death conquered and eternal life recording to the testimony of all the Script- stored, yea, grace, favor, mercy, peace and ures, and from thence he will return to eternal life. Paul says, "He that spared judge the sheep and the goats, the good not his own Son, but delivered him up for and the evil, the quick and the dead, 2 Cor. us all, how shall he not with him also freely 5: 10; 2 Tim. 4: 1. give us all things?" Rom. 8: 32. Thus I believe and confess that the pure Thus I believe and confess that " God was word of God, Christ Jesus, the Creator, Com- made manifest in the flesh," 1 Tim. 3: 16; nanderandaccurserofAdam,institutedhim- "That God was in Christ reconciling the self in Adam's stead, that is, in his wrath, world unto himself," 2 Cor. 5: 19; that he death and curse, and has, by his great corn- has blotted out our sins, and has again passion, love and mercy, taken upon him- seated himself at the right hand of the Majself the accursed burden of his erring creat- esty on high; and all the angels of God ures; that he himself became like Adam worship him there, Ieb. 1: 6. And with this in the flesh. And thus he has, by his death, doctrine of the conception and incarnation again given life; and by humbling himself, of Christ, all scriptural testimony and truth by his righteousness and obedience, he has agree. reunited and fulfilled the eternal righteous- First, Paul says, "What is it but that ie ness of the righteous God, as he speaks also descended first into the lower parts of through David, "I restored that which I the earth? HIe that descended is the same took not away," Ps. 69: 4. also that ascended up far above all heavens, God has not reconciled the world unto that he might fill all things," Eph. 4: 9, 10. himself by Adam's flesh, for by his right- Again, Christ himself says, " No man hath eousness it was subject to the wrath and ascended up to heaven, but he that came curse. And what can be reconciled by down from heaven, even the Son of man wrath and curse? But he has done so by which is in heaven." Again, "He that cornhimself, by mere grace, by his eternal Word, eth from above, is above all; he that is of that is, by his blessed Son, who became like the earth, is earthly, and speaketh of the unto the first Adam in all things except in earth: he that cometh from heaven, is above unrighteousness, disobedience and sin, that all, and what he hath seen and heard, that all honor and praise should belong to God he testifieth; and no man receiveth his tesandnottous ortoAdam. Yea," ChristJesus, timony," Jn. 3: 31, 32. Again, "I anr who of God is made unto us wisdom and the living bread which came downi flomin righ]teousness, and sanctification and re- heaven; if any man eat of this bread, lie demption, thtat, according as it is written, shall live forever: and the bread that I will He that glorieth let h1im Tglory in the Lord," give is mOy 11es, wh1ich I will give for tlI 1 Cor 1:. o,. life of te world," "Doth this offend 0yon Behold, beloved lords, fiiends andc breth;- ha at ant if ye shall see the Son of ima]t ren, thus I believe that God has sent "His ascend up where lhe was before?" Jn.: 51, own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and 61, 62. Again, "I came forth from the Fa

Page  332 332 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. ther, and am come unto the world; again, I Beloved, holy father and brother, this is, leave the world and go to the Father," Jn. before God, my doctrine, faith and confes16: 28. Again, " Father, I will that they sion of the consoling incarnation of our bealso, whom thou hast given me, be with me loved Lord Jesus Christ, which is, in my where I am; that they may behold my glory, opinion, very strong and incontrovertible which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst by the Holy Scriptures; nor can I, thereme before the foundation of the world," Jn. fore, be convinced by any view of the mat17: 24. Again, " That which was from the ter, by any of your reasonings and writings beginning, which we have heard, which we hitherto advanced by you against our have seen with our eyes, which we have doctrine, faith and confession; as you turn looked upon and our hands have handled, and explain them according to a natural of the word of Life (for the life was man- and carnal sense, and not to the true exifested)," 1 Jn. 1: 1; and also many other planation and sense of the Holy Spirit; Scriptures, particularly of John. which, doubtlessly, should not be the case All those who, by the grace of God, clear- in this matter, since this glorious work of ly and intelligently see into and confess the incarnation of Christ is wrought and this doctrine of the incarnation of our belov- accomplished by God through his Holy ed Lord Jesus Christ, will rightly confess Spirit, above all natural causes solely in and comprehend the unspeakable grace, fa- faith, as the pleasure of God directs. vor, compassion, mercy, and the inexpress- I repeat, this is my confession to those ibly great love of God the Father expressed who desired to hear my belief and feeling and manifested in Christ Jesus, as he him- in regard to this article. Yet, I never teach self says, " For God so loved the world that it so profoundly in my common admonihe gavehis.only begotten Son,thatwhosoever tions to the brethren and friends; nor have believeth in him should not perish but have I, heretofore, ever taught it thus profoundeverlasting life," Jn. 3: 16. Again, "In this ly, as I have told you verbally. But I simply was manifested the love of God towards us, teach that the blessed Christ Jesus is truly because that God sent his only begotten Son God and man, a Son of God, and a son of into the world, that we might live through man, conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, the virgin Mary, a poor, despised man, like but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be unto us in all things, except sin; that it is the propitiation for our sins," 1 Jn. 4:9, 10. he who was promised in the law by the For how could God show greater paternal prophets, and is our true Messiah, Christ, love to us than so to humble his eternal King, David, Prophet, Bishop and Priest, Wisdom and Truth, his pure, powerful the Deliverer, Savior, Sacrifice, ReconciliaWord, his blessed Son, by whom he created tion, Fulfiller, Shepherd, Teacher, Example, all things; who was like unto him in form, Mediator, Advocate, Ruler, Commander, the image of his blessed being, that he be- Bridegroom, Light of the world, the true came less than the angels, a poor, despised, Door to the fold, the eternal Wisdom, the passive, mortal man or servant, who alone image of God, the Father's Word, the had to bear the trouble, labor, transgres- right Way, Truth and Life, &c. For I sion, curse and death of the whole world. know full well that there are few who can He so humbled him that he became the understand this particular matter, even most miserable of men, 1 Pet. 2: 24; Isa. 53: 6, after it is explained to them. Therefore, I "a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, say, I deem it unnecessary for me and for and despised of the people," Ps. 22: 6; and all teachers to teach this matter of the inthus the innocent, the true, the wise, the carnation of Christ further than, simply, to righteous, the obedient and the pure Christ theteachingoftheregenerationof thechurch, Jesus had to wash off, blot out, and satisfy to love, to consolation, to the sanctification the guilt, falsehood, foolishness, unright- and to live and act according to his holy eousness, disobedience and uncleanness of doctrine and life. Would to God that we all men. Say, beloved, who ever heard of were all of such a mind. But in case one greater love? wants to search further and inquire into

Page  333 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 333 this matter, if meet to know and his under- vor through Christ; obey his holy word, standing reaches far enough, it will not be follow his example, love, doctrine and life, hidden from him; if not it will be said unto and are rejoiced, solely, at the remission of him, A litora te ne quaefieris, Eccl. 3: 21. sins. freedom of the Spirit, grace, favor, Well, as this is our doctrine and under- promise, mercy and eternal life, which they standing, not otherwise than according to have received through him. 0, that all the the testimony of the Scriptures, as we can by wise and learned, even all the men of this the grace of God, best understand and com- world would satisfy themselves with the prehend it, we yet fear that our explana- plain, humble teaching of Jesus Christ and tion from the word of God will not satisfy his apostles, not climbing higher nor reand convince you to unite with us in this maining lower; would seek God, with purimatter, but that you will persevere in your ty of heart-and firmly believe, fear, love adopted reasonings and arguments and try and obey his blessed word. 0, what preto explain it literally, naturally and hu- cious talents and what glorious gain would manlike; not observing that Isaiah, Mat- then, by the grace of God, be gathered into thew, Luke and John clearly testify that it the treasury of the Lord. But, as it is, was brought about by faith in Mary, by the there are many, alas, whose faith and power of the Holy Ghost, as was said knowledge is not in their hearts but solely above. upon their lips and tongues, non loquor ad O,- let us not humble the Almighty Father erzubescentiam proborum, who find pleasure in his mercy! Let us not rob the blessed in foolish and useless questions and in disSon of God of his glory. Beloved brethren putation; who are versed more in the wisthe Scripture remains eternal and unbroken. dom of man than in the wisdom of God; Take heed, lest you err. Thus speaks who are of broken minds, who ever learn Isaiah, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and never come to the true knowledge of and bear a Son," Isa. 7: 14. Again, the the eternal truth; and who ever contradict angel of the Lord said unto Joseph, "That and reprove them by the plain word of the which is conceived in her is of the Holy holy gospel of Jesus Christ, out of mere Ghost," Matt. 1: 20. Again, when Mary brotherly love, is from that moment conasked the angel the manner of the concep- sidered by them as being a shameful section, how it shall be, he answered: "The tarian or a wicked perverse heretic; Ipsi Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the judicate, an ne verumn sit quod dico? notpower of the Highest shall overshadow withstanding that their own unbelieving thee," Luke 1: 35. Again, this is the sure hearts are quite earthly, carnal, and deviltestimony of John the servant of God and ish and their whole life nothing but mere of Christ, concerning the incarnation of flesh, pride, vanity, laziness, unchristianlike Jesus Christ. "The word was made flesh," avarice,? hatred, cruelty, blood-thirstiness, Jn. 1: 14. He does not say, The word took drunkenness, flattery, in short, nothing but unto itselfflesh. sin and shame. 0, might it be that I lie Behold, dear brethren, however incontro- and do not tell the truth! vertible these reasons and Scriptures be by Nevertheless let them slander and upwhich we try to establish our assertion, yet braid as much as they please; we will willw o a f t ai, ingly bear it. We will all be judged by I fear that we, on account of this article,ge who will scrplos ty a Ione Judge who will scrupulously try and will be judged and considered as being sec- rewardtheir doctrine,faith, zeai,seeking and tarian, heretical and deceitful, notwithstand- life, as well as ours. Then it will appear who ing there may be many among us who fear have anxiously sought the everlasting truth the Lord from their inmost hearts, who of God, the praise and honor of the Lord, never in their lives, heard a word spoken in and the everlasting salvation of all manregard to the mystery of this matter as pre- kind. Brethren, beware, lest you become y pressed it r earness; no like these fruitless disputers. Take heed, viosly expressed with gf you would save your souls, that you sinever inquired into it, besides they neither ceey seek, desire, believe, receive, and knew nor understood anything about it; live according to the saving truth of God, but they are satisfied with the Father's fa- Amen.

Page  334 3'4 CONFESSION OF TIHE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. O BJECTIO NS. As I have shown and confessed to you seed is spiritual, of which she begets all her the firm foundation of the incarnation of children of the saving truth. Between these the Lord, that he did not become flesh of is constant opposition, as may be plainly Mary, but that he became ilesh in Mary; seen. Yet truth triumphs, and falsehood and as I have also, in part, adduced the is vanquished, notwithstanding falsehood reasons and Scriptures by which we are opposes with all its power. 0, brethren, forced to such belief therefore I will now do understand the Scriptures aright, lest we, briefly reply to your Scriptures and argu- through misunderstanding or pernicious ments, hitherto advanced, by which you obduracy, deceive ourselves and with us teach and undertake to prove that he did many souls. If you be not satisfied not simply become flesh in Mary but of with the clear explanation of these ScriptM.ary. ures, but still maintain that both the woman First, you ask, "If he is not the seed of and the seed must be corporeal, then we woman " We answer, Yes, Gen. 3: 15. know and confess that this same woman From this you conclude that if he is the conceived in her womb the beforementioned seed of woman, he is also man born of wo- seed, which is God's word, Jn. 1: 1; not man. ~We answer by asking, had not the from her body nor of her body, but of God, deceiving serpent a body? You must an- by the power of the Holy Ghost, Matt. swer, Yes. For God said, "Upon thy belly 1: 18, through faith, Luke 1: 34. shalt thou go and dust shalt thou eat all Secondly, You ask, If he is not called the the days of thy life." Again, WVas not the seed of AbrahamZ? We answer: Yes, Gal. deceived woman corporeal? Doubtlessly 3: 16. From this you conclude that he so. If the natural and corporeal seed must, according to the flesh, be descended of the deceived woman be bodily, then the from the flesh and blood of Abraham. In seed of the serpent must also be a natural, confirmation you cite the saying of Paul, bodily seed, of which God himself has "For verily he took not on him the nature spoken and testified in Genesis. Or else of angels; but he took on him the seed of you must admit and confess that the one Abraham; wherefore in all things it beshould be understood spiritually and the hooved him to be named like unto his other literally. Not at all, beloved breth- brethren," Heb. 2: 16, 17. To this in the ren. But the bodily serpent represents the first place we reply, That your conclusion spiritual serpent) namely Satan, Rev. 12: 14, is according to the flesh and not with the and has his spiritual seed, which is false- word of God. John says, "The word was hood, Jn. 8: 44. Thus also, the woman, made flesh, and dwelt among us;" and it is who is the mother of all mankind, a like of the Holy Ghost, Matt. 1: 25; therefore it image of Adam, flesh of his flesh, and bone was not Abraham's natural flesh and blood. of his bone; subject to her husband, after But by grace it was promised the beloved she had sinned-the image of the new spir- father Abraham, that he, that is, the true itual bride, namely, of the church of Christ, blessing of all nations, should not come of which is the image of Christ, Rom. 8: 29, the seed of his brethren, nor of the gentiles flesh of Christ's flesh and bone of his bone, nor uncircumcised, but of his seed, that is, subject to Christ, Eph. 5: 30. If the bride of his generation, as it is written, "In thee be spiritual then the seed m'ust be spiritual, shall all. families of the earth be blessed," namely, the eternal truth, whichl truth is Goen. 12: 3.? Thus is Christ Jesuls )romiied, Christ hiiimself, Jn. 14: G. Behold, imost to Abrahami and born of his seed, accordbeloved, thus the serpent is spiritual and ing to the promise, as Christ himself says, his seed is spiritual of which he begets all that "salvation is of the Jews," Jn. 4: 22, his children of accursed falsehood. On the and thus he is called the seed and son of contrary, the bride is spiritual and her Abraham, Gal. 3: 16; MIatt. 1: 1. For he

Page  335 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 335 is, doubtlessly, according to his blessed not sin; but if you take it as meaning the flesh which is conceived of the Holy Ghost evil ones, then you should know that he reof Abraham's seed, come and born for the jected them and keeps them in the bondage salvation of us all. of eternal darkness unto the great judgment Again, the saying of Paul which you al- day. Therefore Paul says, "For verily he lege to sustain your cause was not taught took not on him the nature of angels; but and spoken by the Holy Ghost in such a he took on him the seed of Abraham. sense as you claim; but Paul says, "Both Wherefore in all things it behooved him to he that sanctifieth and they who are sancti- be made like unto his brethren (to wit: fled are all of one (that is, you say, "' of weak and mortal), that he might be a merone Adam." But we say they are of one, ciful and faithful High Priest in things perthat is, of one God), for which cause he (the taining to God, to make reconciliation for Savior) is not ashamed to call them (the the sins of the people. For in that he himsanctified) brethren, saying, I will declare self hath suffered being tempted, he is able thy name unto my brethren; in the midst to succor them that are tempted," -Heb. of the church will I sing praise unto thee," 2: 16-18. Now, judge for yourselves whethHeb. 2: 11, 12. For as Christ Jesus was er this notthe righlt meaning of this Scriptborn from ab!ove of the Fath'er and is there- ure of Paul. In the third place you declare fore called God's child or Son, having Godl and say thus: Pcant p2ainly teaches that as Father, thus, also, all who receive Christ ChZrist rTeszs is born,; of the seed of David ac"to them gave he power to become the sons corcdin to the.flesh,,anid is proven to be the of God," Jn. 1: 12. Such also have God as Son of God, qoith'poer; according to the their Father. As the regenerated are born, I spirit of sanctificcatcion. Therefore he is, together with Christ Jesus, of one God, and you conclude, according to the flesh, of the have one Father, therefore lie calls the seed or loins of David, and according to sanctified who, with him, are born of God, the Spirit, alone, born of God. his brethren, not because of the flesh but To which we reply: It is true that it would because of the new birth. If it were other- follow in the common course of nature that wise you would have to consent and admit Christ was born of the seed or loins of that all wicked, unbelieving and perverse David; but it is not in accordance with the men and women were brethren and sisters testimony of Scripture. The reason is this: of Christ Jesus as well as the believing, sin- Because the Scripture teaches that the cere and pious ones. Not so, for Christ "WVord was made flesh," and that it came Jesus says, "Whosoever shall do the will forth from the Holy Ghost, Jn. 1:14; Matt. of my Father which is in heaven, the same 1: 20; Rom. 1: 2. Therefore, beloved brethis my brother and sister, and mother, Matt. ren this is the true meaning of Paul in re12: 50. Read and understand it rightly. gard to this and like Scriptures; the conFurther, Paul says, "Behold I and the chil- soling promise of the future Savior was dren which God hath given me," Heb. 2: 13. given to Abraham; that he should be born Forasmuch then as the children are par- of his seed or generation. Abraham's offtakers of flesh and blood, he also himself spring were, Ishmael, Isaac, and the chilpartook of the same (that is, mortal, as a dren of Keturah. The promise of the paconsequence); that through death he might triarch was again given to Isaac, and not destroy him that had the power of death, to the others. Isaac begat Esau and Jacob. that is, the devil, and deliver them who Not Esau, but Jacob again received the through fear of death were all their lifetime promise given to his father Abraham and subject to bondage, which was the seed and Isaac. Jacob multiplied into twelve tribes; generation of Abraham, and, by the terri- and, that the promised Savior might not be ble threat, subject to the heavy burden looked for from the tribe of Reuben, Dan, and intolerable yoke of the law of Moses. Gad, or any of the eleven tribes, therefore For verily he took not on him the nature of the Holy Ghost points to Judah and not to angels; if you understand it as meaning the any of the other tribes, Gen. 49: 10. Judah, good, then you should know that they did multiplying into many branches, the prom

Page  336 336 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. ise is renewed in David, 2 Kin. 7:12. Thus l Christ; which Solomon was naturally born the merciful Father has ever testified and oftheloins of David. Thus Nathan spokeunshown beforehand, from one patriarch to to David, "And when thy days be fulfilled, another and from one generationto another, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I that all men might know from which patri- will set up thy seed after thee, which shall archs and generations the promised Savior proceed out of thy bowels, and I will estaband Deliverer of all mankind should be lish thy kingdom. He shall build a house born, according to the flesh, as the Jews for my name, and I will stablish the throne well knew by such showing of Scripture, of his kingdom forever. I will be his fasaying, "Hath not the Scripture said that ther, and he shall be my son (now note of Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out whom it is spoken). If he commit iniquity, of the town of Bethlehem," Jn. 7: 42. "He I will chasten him with the rod of men, and came unto his own and his own received with the stripes of the children of men," 2 him not." He is come of the seed or gener- Sam. 7: 12-14. Now, Christ never commitation of David, according to the promise; ted iniquity; for he knew not sin; neither was but they did not receive him. Yea, the ap- guile found in his mouth, 1 Pet. 2:22. Again, pointed hour is come. Gabriel was sent of in the Psalms, "The Lord hath sworn in God to a virgin named Mary who was prom- truth unto David; he will not turn from it; ised to a man. Mary believed the word of of the fruit of thy body will I set up on thy the Lord; the Holy Ghost overshadowed throne. If thy children will keep my coveher, &c. The Word, in her, became flesh, nant, and my testimony that I shall teach Jn. 1: 14. It is conceived and brought forth them, their children shall also sit upon thy of the Holy Ghost, Matt. 1:20; and accord- throne for ever more," Ps. 132: 11, 12. That ing to this same flesh, or with this same this is literally spoken of Solomon, he himflesh, which was conceived of and brought self testifies in plain words, 1 Kin. 3: 6; forth of the Holy Ghost, he is born of Mary, 8: 20; which Solomon, without doubt, repthe pure virgin, who was of the seed and resented in figure, Christ Jesus, as in his generation of David; David was of Judah; glory, wisdom, building of the temple, &c. Judah of Jacob; Jacob of Isaac; Isaac of Behold, most beloved, thus we should not Abraham; and thus the divine promise was take the letter for the spirit and the spirit fulfilled, which God through grace alone had for the letter. But that the promise accordpromised and given to the abovementioned ing to the Spirit had reference to Christ) is patriarchs; and thus was born, according incontrovertible; for this the holy prophets to the flesh, as was said above, of the seed of God plainly show; and particularly, Isa. or generation of David; and by his saving 9: 6; Jer. 23: 5; 33: 15. Spirit is proven to be the living Son of God, In the fifth place you ask, If he is not a fruit of the Rom. 1: 4. For if he were to prove or de- womb of Mary? dare himself to be the Son of God, it must, Answer. Yes, Luke 1: 38. From this without doubt, be according to his sanctify- you conclude, ing Spirit, inasmuch as he could not be If he be a fruit of the womb of Mary then he is also such according to the flesh, as he had hum- brought forth of her flesh and blood by the power of bled himself, and was forsaken of the Fa- the Holy Ghost. For if he were not of her flesh and ther, was weak, despised.,.hungry, thirsty blood then he could not be called a fruit of her womb. ther, was weak, despised, hungry, thirsty, But because he is of her flesh he is called the fruit of passive, mortal, and like unto us in all her body, as an apple is called the fruit of a tree, bethings, yet without sin. Beloved brethren, cause it grows upon the tree, and partakes of its nattake heed. The alleged Scripture of Paul ure, through the strength of the earth. is very clear, and has every where a-scruple, Answer. According to the course of natRom. 1: 13. ure your conclusion is in part right, but In the fourth place, you say, Christ is called a fruit according to scriptural testimony quite of the loins of David. Therefore he must be the natu- wrong. For the Scriptures say, that Mary, ral and pleasing seed of David. the pure virgin, by faith, conceived the eterAnswer. These words, according to the nal word of God which in the beginning letter were spoken of Solomon and not of was with God, and was God, that it became

Page  337 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 337 flesh, Jn. 1: 14; conceived and brought forth Answer. Be impartial and judge rightly. of the Holy Spirit, Matt. 1: 20; that it was Your meaning is, that Christ Jesus accordhuman and natural-like; nourished in her; ing to the Spirit alone, is of the Father, in and was in due time born as a natural child which Spirit he was impassive and immoris born of its mother. Thus Christ Jesus tal, as you say, but that he was not of the remains the precious, blessed fruit of the Father according to the flesh. But according womb of Mary, according to the words of to the flesh, in which he suffered and died, Elizabeth, which was conceived not of her you teach that he is of earth, that thus the womb but in her womb wrought by the law (wherewith earthly man was cursed on Holy Spirit through faith, of God the om- account of his disobedience) concerning the nipotent Father, from high heaven, as we earthly man, namely Christ, might be fulhave frequently shown. filled, that he by obedience might save, and You allege a natural reason concerning we in him, by the communion of his human the tree and its fruits in proof of your as- nature and blood, whereby he has fulfilled sertion. Inasmuch as you do so, I will re- the righteousness of the Father in our flesh. ply to your reasoning according to nature, This foundation is implied in your Latin namely, I have a well prepared field, well syllogisms. We will not controvert this pulverized and manured, bearing abun- by subtle syllogisms nor by acute human dance of wheat, corn, or rye. I say, ah, cavilings, for we do not have them; but we that is a beautiful crop, which fruit this field controvert it by the plain testimony of the could not produce of itself, however well- word alone, which cannot be turned by tilled and rich the same was, and however flatterings, nor broken by human reason. much it was induced to do so by the heat First, we confess and consent before all of the sun and the moisture of the atmos- the world that God, the Almighty, eternal phere, until the seed was sown in by the Father is quite impassive and immortal; sower. Being sown, and grown up it is for with him there is no change, Jas. 1: 17. called the fruit of the field, notwithstanding Ego Deus, inqnzit Propheta, &c., non 9nutor. it was first sown thereon. An apple is But God, the Son, the eternal Word called the fruit of the tree, although it is is humbled, has denied himself, became produced and grown by the soil on which less than the angels, miserable, mortal flesh the tree is grown. or man, Jn. 1: 14. In the same manner the heavenly seed, You say, God cannot suffer; but the namely, the word of God, was sown in Scripture says otherwise, that God, the Son, Mary, and by her faith, being conceived in has suffered, for he himself says, I am the her by the Holy Ghost, became flesh; and first and the last, I am he that liveth and thus it is called the fruit of her womb, the was dead, and behold I am alive for eversame as a natural fruit or offspring is called more, Rev. 1: 18; 22:13. Adam's flesh was the fruit of its natural mother, Jn. 1: 14. not the first and the last; but he who was For Christ Jesus, of his origin, is no earthly before every creature, by whom all things man, that is, a fruit of the flesh and blood were created, Eph. 3: 9. Whose goings forth of Adam; but he is a heavenly fruit or man. were from the beginning and from eternity. For his beginning or origin is of the Father, This is the first and the last; this same one Jn. 16: 28, like unto the first Adam, yet is become flesh; he has suffered, he died, without sin. Given to Adam and his chil- he again became living and shall live fordren, in case they hear and receive him in ever. Take heed, lest you willfully oppose his holy word, to their everlasting salva- the Scriptures. Christ can not be divided tion and deliverance, of God the merciful into two parts, as you think. Father alone through grace and mercy; I repeat, the Father is impassive, immorwithout price and without any previous tal and unchangeable; but for our sakes mention on our part. the Son is humbled, became passive and In the sixth place you say, God could not suffer. If mortal, according to the testimony of the Christ's flesh were not of earth or of Adam, but fiolm Scriptures Phil 2 7; Heb. 2- 14; 1 Pe 1 19 heaven, then he could not have been passive, and conse- iet. 1: 19, quently he could not have died. and many other Scriptures. Therefore he 79

Page  338 338 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. prayed his beloved Father that he might ants had to die, he having sinned and not again acquire the glory that he had with having wherewith to requite; therefore it is the Father, which he had lost in becoming solely grace, mercy and love that he should man, Jn. 17: 5. If he remained unchanged live. But how? Through the righteousness in his divine form, and if he suffered in that of Adam's flesh? Not at all; but the word which he took of earth, as. you say, then which had made Adam a living being, tell me, beloved, what he had lost that he de- which gave him the commandment and sired again to acquire of his Father? Ex- promised him death, if he should commit amine the Scriptures rightly and pray, and iniquity, as was said above. This same by the grace of God, your eyes will be word (as death had to be the consequence, opened to behold the truth of Christ. according to righteousness, as truth had Again, in the second place we answer, spoken) which God again promised to that the whole Christ Jesus went forth from Adam, was to become flesh; that, as he his Father, Jn. 1: 14; 3: 31; 6: 27; 8: 42; was deceived by the liar, and therefore, ac14: 24; 16: 28; 17: 8; that the word of God cording to the justice of God, had to die, became flesh in Mary, the Lord himself he might again be delivered by the promfrom heaven, 1 Cor, 15: 47; and that he was ised truth, and thus by grace and mercy afflicted and oppressed in the flesh, soul alone, inherit life eternal. Adam believed and Spirit, according to the testimony of it and was consoled, and as a sign of the the Scriptures. In the flesh, because he was truth of the promised favor and love, God crucified. In his soul, because he himself made unto Adam and unto his consort, says, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even coats of skins and clothed them, Gen. 3: 21. unto death. In the Spirit, as he said Jn. Thus has not the earthly, guilty, trans13: 21, Turbatus est Jesus Spiritut, "He was gressing, accursed andmortal flesh of Adam troubled in spirit." Which Christ Jesus requited the righteousness, and appeased (that he might be an offering unto God), suf- his wrath, as you claim, but only the fered the judgment of the unrighteous; died heavenly, innocent, obedient, blessed and according to the flesh, but was made alive quickening flesh of Christ, as the Scriptures according to the Spirit. testify; that he bare our sins, 1 Pet. 2: 24; Again, in the third place we reply to your Isa. 53: 8; by his wounds are we healed. syllogisms, thus: The commandment was For the promised Word, Christ Jesus, is not given to the heavenly Christ, but to the become man and has fulfilled the righteousearthly Adam and his seed, through Christ, ness required by the law, as Paul says, that is, through the word. Adam, trans- "For what the law could not do, in that it gressing, was condemned to death through was weak through the flesh, God sending the Word Christ, Gen. 3: 19. As the right- his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, eousness of God is unchangeable and eter- and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. nal, as you yourselves say, therefore diso- That the righteousness of the law might be bedient Adam must die according to the fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh. immutable righteousness of God. As but after the Spirit," Rom. 8: 3, 4. Adam was earthly and of earth, and was I-lence it follows that all those who are cursed by the word on account of his diso- born of Adam, and remain his in not rebedience and had to die, therefore nothing ceiving by faith the promised seed (I am could be expected nor taken from earth but speaking of those of understanding age), earth, from curse nothing but curse, and must, by the immutable righteousness of from death nothing but death, as Paul God, inherit the curse of Adam, that is, plainly shows, Rom. 5: 12. Adam, being death, as a reward of sin. Christ himself disobedient to the word which created him, says, "He that believeth not shall be in not giving heed to it, and eating what it damned,"' Mark 16: 16. Again, Paul says, had forbidden, had to die involuntarily the "The wages of sin is death," Rom. 6: 23. death, with his seed, which the word had I For they have no communion of the most promised him. Because it was for right- { holy flesh and blood of Christ Jesus; nor eousness' sake that Adam and his descend- j can they ever enjoy his deliverance, kind

Page  339 CONFESSION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 339 ness, merits and blessing unless they be of his faith; although I do not thus deeply truly converted from the shameful darkness go into the matter in my admonitions to of unbelief and sin, to the eternal, clear, the brethren; but, alone, in an apostolic heavenly light, Christ Jesus, 1 Jn. 1: 7. manner admonish them to regeneration and But those who, with Adam, truly receive love. I desire, by the grace of the Lord, the promised seed and thus become renewed that you will rightly see into all things and and consoled in God, who are born anew rightly observe who have sinned. On the by this same seed; who are changed or con- contrary, who has requited sin, that we verted from the disobedient nature of Adam, may put on Adam and his descendants, into the obedient nature of the Word, Christ their unrighteousness, darkness, sin and Jesus, these he calls flesh of his flesh and shame; and give to Christ Jesus his rightbone of his bone; he gives these unto him- eousness, brightness, praise and honor. self, by mere grace, and makes them par- Praying you, I say, not to follow in this takers of his righteousness, merits, cross, and other matters, human wisdom, but the blood and bitter death, yea, his whole life, wisdom of God; not intelligence, but Scriptlove and Spirit; for they are one body and ure; not flesh, but Spirit; not the writings one Spirit with him; so that they willingly and opinions of the learned, but alone the fulfill, by this spirit of love which they have testimony of Christ and his apostles, fearreceived of him, for God is love, all that ing God in purity of heart from your inwhich the merciful Father, by his saving most souls, as I should, also myself, that truth, Christ Jesus has commanded as John we may not be like unto them who are ever testifies, saying, "And whatsoever we ask, learning and never come to the knowledge we receive of him, because we keep his com- of the truth. Observe well that you do not mandments, and do those things that are otherwise ask, hear and answer, but by sinpleasing in his sight," 1 Jn. 3: 22. Again, cere zeal. Before God, faith and works Paul says, "Love-is the fulfilling of the avail. In all things be prepared to do the law," Rom. 13: 10. _Again, Christ says, will of God and not the will of your idle, "He that hath my commandments, and vainunwilling flesh. keepeth them, he it is that loveth me," Jn. I know there are many who are disposed 14: 21. to nothing but to search, inquire and disBesides you say, Whatis born of the spir- pute, and have never once confessed and it is spirit. Just brethren, we do not say received the most necessary things, without Christ is born of the Spirit, but we do say which none can be saved, namely, the piercwith the Scripture that he is incarnate and ing, regenerating and sanctifying faith, the conceived by the Spirit. Now it is different urging fear of the Lord, and the burning as you know, to be born of the Spirit and love of God and their brethren. Be not to be incarnate and conceived by the Spirit. like unto them. But, beloved brethren, Who doubts, moreover, but that to be born seek and strive after true wisdom; open unof the Spirit is regeneration! I beseech you to her; she stands before your door; behold therefore, through the Lord as not being led her beauty; taste of her fruits; search her rightly by the Scriptures, if you hold these strength, and you will love, embrace and things, you are ready to defend your cause. gladly receive her; your flesh will go under Herewith, beloved lords, friends and breth- and the Spirit arise, and go before you in ren, I conclude this my confession of the the word and truth of the Lord, until Adam incarnation of our beloved Lord Jesus dieth in you and Christ prevail. May God Christ. I write you this in accordance give us all his divine grace, Amen. to your desire, and place it before you [ "Take ye heed, watch and pray," Mark in all clearness, as one who is not ashamed 1 13: 33.

Page  340 ADMONISHING CONFESSION AND CLEAR, DEMONSTRATION TO THE LEARKNED JOIIN A'LASCO, ARCII-BISHOP AT EMIDEN, EAST FRIESLAND, ALSO TO HIS BRETHI1REN. HOW TIE PREACHERS OF THIE DIVINE WORD AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SIIOULD BE MINDED, ACCORDING TO TIIE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES. BELOVED sirs, friends and brethren, as I heart." Again, " For I have given you an have disclosed unto you, at your own re- example," &c., and therefore he gloried by quest, the foundation of my faith and feel- the true testimony of his Holy Spirit, sayings concerning the very consoling incarna- ing, "I am the good Shepherd," Jn. 18: 37; tion of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, al- 7: 16; 1:9; 3: 19; 8: 12; 12: 36; Matt. 11: though I do not teach the same so deeply 29; Jn. 13: 15; 10: 11. before the church, therefore I will now brief- This Christ Jesus, the Bishop of bishops, ly point out my foundation and feeling how and the Shepherd of shepherds, who was the teachers and church, who can rightly faithful in all things unto which he was be called christians, should be affected and sent of his heavenly Father, never sends minded before God and before all the world, any other bishops, teachers, shepherds and according to the showing of the Scriptures, laborers in his vineyard, to his members, so far as we can, by the grace of God, children and sheep to care for them, to pascomprehend and understand it from his ture and protect them, than those who are word; yet I will not dwell upon this matter of one body, Spirit and mind with him, as long, lest I become tedious. he is one with his Father, who, by the diFirst, I would say in regard to the preach- vine Word, which is Christ, in him and in ers and adduce this Scripture, "As my Fa- his heavenly nature, are so renewed, conther hath sent me, even so send I you," Jn. verted and changed that he may truly say 20: 21. Ever remain unchangeable in the of them, Behold, these are the children which church of God, thus: As all true teachers God hath given me. Whosoever shall hear and preachers are sent of Christ Jesus, as you shall hear me, as the Father testified he is sent of his Father, therefore we should of Christ, saying, "This is my beloved Son rightly consider how and who this Christ in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him," Jesus was, how and what he taught when Matt. 17: 5. Again, those who are of one the Father sent him. iHe is doubtlessly the spirit with Christ Jesus are members of his Son and inage of God, the Teacher of right- holy body, full of the love of God and of eousness who has taught and testified noth- i their brethren, who with Christ Jesus, their ing but the truth, namely, the word of his Bishop, seek nothing but the eternal gain, Father. He taught it in the power of the honor, glory and praise of God, and the inSpirit and was urged by the Holy Ghost ward conversion, regeneration and eternal through an unquenchable fire of love to the salvation of those whose brotherly care is service of all mankind. Besides, he was the entrusted and commended to them of God. burning, shining light of the world, the true Yea, he sends such as are unblamable both pattern of all virtue who could truly say, in doctrine and life; as are urged by the "'Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of Holy Spirit; who sincerely lament, with

Page  341 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. 341 Christ, about those who do not acknowl- pasturing the sheep of Christ, not by force, edge the gracious time of their temptation, but willingly, not being intent on shameful who are rejoiced, with all the angls of God, gain but on affection, not as those who seek at the conversion of a sinner, who so thirst dominion over others, but as examples to after the salvation of all mankind as a hun- the flock of Christ, not serving for a certain gry person hungers after bread; who so ap- benefice, pension, or stipulated salary as ply the word and truth of the Lord that do your teachers, but, solely, for the gain they dare not teach or practice a word oth- of the souls which Christ Jesus has so dearerwise than Christ Jesus himself has taught, ly bought with his precious blood. Enpracticed and commanded, namely, the trusting and commending to the God, who, pure, unadulterated, biblical word in the by his grace, created, delivered, regenerated true sense and meaning of Christ and of his and sent them to his ministration, to the care holy apostles; who practice the sacramental of their temporal necessaries of life, dilisigns conformable to the gospel of Christ, gently feeding themselves, by the grace of namely, the baptism of the believing (and the Lord, from their own or their rented not of infants), and the Supper under both lands, or from the labor of their hands, so forms, in such church as is flesh of Christ's far as is possible; that they do not sell the flesh and bone of his bone; such as are out- free word of God, given them without price, wardly unblamable and inwardly of one and thus live on shameful gain, robbery heart, spirit, soul and body in Christ Jesus. and theft. Let all sincere and pious servYea, he sends such whose doctrine is a salt; ants of Christ beware of this, and whatever whose life is as a shining light, long suffer- they cannot obtain by due prudence and ing, meek, lowly, merciful, hospitable, not diligence will doubtlessly be provided for avaricious or selfish, not desirous of shame- them by the begotten brethren who fear the ful gain, not puffed up, of good report Lord, for whom they sow spiritual things; among those of the world, ruling well his and not by inconvertible heathen, drunkown house, having a well-minded consort, ards, usurers, whoremongers and such like. if they have the gift of cleanliness and obe- For such teachers are the oxen which tread dient children. Yea, in all things chaste, out the corn, which should not be muzzled, sober, unblamable, having the Spirit, fear I Cor. 9: 9; 1 Tim. 5: 18; Deut. 25: 4; they and love of God. Again, so minded in all are those who are worthy of double honor, things that they can truly say with Paul, with whom all things should be shared, and to their entrusted sheep, "Be ye followers who shall live by the gospel according to of me, even as I am ofChrist." "Be thou an the Lord's own ordinance, as the priests example of the believers in word, in conver- under the law, lived by the altar; these are sation, in charity, in Spirit, in faith, in the true laborers worthy of their reward as purity," Heb. 3: 2; Jn. 17: 11; Heb. 2: 13; Christ says; such teachers we shall acMatt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Eph. 5: 30; Matt. knowledge, honor, maintain in love, and 5: 14; 1 Tim. 3: 2; Tit. 1: 6; 1 Cor. 4: 2; for their labors' sake keep peace with them, 11: 1; 1 Tim. 4: 12; Phil. 2: 17. as Paul teaches, "For they watch for your Behold, most beloved, thus the teachers souls as they that must give account," Heb. should be minded who shall serve the Lord's 13: 17. church, that they may not hear from the Behold most beloved sirs, friends and obdurateandrefractory: "Why do you teach brethren, thus has God, the merciful Father, others and not yourselves?" Nor can they sent his blessed Son, who was in his own otherwise teach to the glory of God; for the form, and minded like him in all things, service of the New Testament is a service of namely, Christ Jesus, who has sent such the Spirit and not of the letter, 2 Cor. 3: 6. as were of one spirit, soul and body with Therefore Christ never chooses as laborers him, without a staff, purse, shoes, scabbard, in his vineyard, as servants and builders, money, gold and silver, that is, without all such as are avaricious, drunkards and solicitude and avarice. The apostles oridlers, that the kingdom of God, which is dained, at all places where they had bespiritual, may be taught in purity of heart, gotten churches, such bishops and teachers

Page  342 342 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. as were unblamable both in doctrine and them. Most beloved, do not excuse yourin life, and have never mentioned annual selves because all who boasted themselves incomes, benefices or rents. For they were as being teachers of the church of Christ, men of God, servants of Christ, full of the even in the times of Paul, were not sincere, love of God and their beloved brethren, pious, and urged by love, as appears from who labored, taught, sought, pastured and Phil. 1: 15; 2: 21; 3: 2. Verily, I say unto watched through mere love, urged by the you, they boasted of being such, but in truth, Spirit, not only for one, two or three hours before God they were not. For it is not a week, in the synagogue, but at all hours hidden from you what kind of fi*uits they and places, in synagogues, streets, houses, produced and how Paul regarded them. mountains and fields. And, as they had As you are aware that it is not the intention received the knowledge of the kingdom of and will of God, nor ever shall be, that God, the truth, love and Spirit of God, his holy word should be proclaimed to the without price, so they were, again, prepared erring world unto salvation, eitherby drunkto dispense it diligently and teach it with- ards, whoremongers, avaricious, idolaters, out price, to their needy brethren; and, as despisers of the Scripture, gluttons, proud, for the temporal necessaries of life, the be- thieves, bloodthirsty, vain talkers, enemies gotten church was sufficiently urged by of the cross of Christ, by those whose belly love, through the Spirit and word of God is their God, by those who are already to give unto such faithful servants of Christ, condeminned by the word of God, or by the and watchers of their souls, all the necessa- carnal or earthly-minded. But only, by ries of life, to assist them and provide for the truly regenerated christian, unblamathem all such things they could not obtain ble men who sincerely seek God from their themselves. 0, brethren, flee from avarice! inmost souls, urged by the Holy Ghost and Again, those teachers did not go about constrained by love, as Christ said thrice offering their services, as these do, but they unto Peter, "Lovest thou me?. Yea, Lord were called of God, as were Aaron, Jeremi- (answered Peter); thou knowest all things ah, Isaiah, Zechariah, Paul and others. and knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith Others, born of the unblamable church of unto him, Feed my lambs," Jn. 21: 15. Christ, were chosen by lot, as was Matthias 0, most beloved, take heed what spirit Acts 1: 26. Being called, they were con- urges you, what love constrains you, what strained by the Spirit, to teach, to admon- church calls you and what things you seek. ish, to console, to reprove and to serve and Follow the good and not the evil. I tell protect their poor brethren and sisters ac- you in Christ Jesus that my soul is troubled cording to God's holy word, with all their for your sakes. I pray you, beloved brethstrength. As they were thus called, and ren, receive it with a will. I must frankly felt in them an urging spirit and moved by speak my mind; for as much as I can delove, as was said above, so they reasonably duce and understand from my past actions filled their office with all solicitude and dil- and from your apparent fruits, you are all, igence, watching night and day for the eter- none of your teachers excepted, urged by nal salvation of their sheep, working dili- your flesh and belly, and are therefore all gently in the vineyard of the Lord, ruling hirelings and not shepherds, Jn. 10: 12. Or, the people of God with the rod of the Lord; at best, are such shepherds as seek the they did not doubt, made use of no flat- wool, milk and flesh and do not care for the tery; but in a good conscience they re- Lord's sheep. For wherever the fattest are, proved the great as well as the small, the there are also the best sheep. 0 brethrich as well as the poor, the learned as well ren, consider what the Lord's prophets have as those that were not learned; the word so often threatened on such. Yea, how was proclaimed in their church, wholesome many are found among you who, for the and unadulterated, at all times and in all sake of an earthen house, or for ten guildplaces, as was said above, according to the ers, move from one place to another, as if measure of their faith and Spirit which G-od, they were not all bought equally dear at by his grace, had given to every one of one price? I fear that you would all do it.

Page  343 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. 343 O brethren, if you confess this to be true I fore you undertake to impress and teach then judge for yourselves what is your seek- Christ unto others. Let us examine ouring, and if you will not verbally confess it, selves, that we may learn to know our own superbia five pertinacia impediente, it can ailings, and knowing them, die unto them. yet not be denied by the intelligent. God For before God, neither smooth words nor has been mocked long enough. Brethren, semblance will avail. Brethren, I must be converted! tell you the plain truth which may be gallAs the teachers are serving their bellies. ing and bitter to you because there is found avaricious, desirous of shameful gain, earth- neither Spirit nor power, nor trust in Christ, ly-minded, as Paul says, not to say proud, nor fear of God, nor love of the brethren lazy, vain, drunken, spiteful and envious, with your teachers, but only a vain calling so are also minded, all these who are of words for the sake of a stipulated salary, taught and begotten of them, as may be without any show of christian fruits. Thereplainly seen, inasmuch as both teacher and fore all your calling is nothing but to sow church live and walk so shamefully that all on the shore to reap the wind; for the pure heaven must be ashamed and astounded word of God and the teaching of the Holy thereat. For their avarice, unchastity, Spirit cannot be pointed out and taught by pride, pomp, greed, drunkenness, hatred, servants who are unclean and carnal. To envy, fornication, adultery, blood-thirsti- this all intelligent persons must, doubtlessness, usury, fraud, vanity, and all manner ly, consent. of shame have no limits or bonds. More- As you then, I say, are blamable both over, we find open fencing-schools, gam- in doctrine and in life, and as your doctrine, bling houses, houses of ill-fame and drink- such as you have, is hired for a salary and ing houses. For as the teachers are, so are without spiritual fruit, and as no unblamaalso their doctrine, sacraments and church, ble church is begotten of you, and as the as is said, Qualis Papa, tale Erangelium and signs of the Word are abused by you; thereomnia. Verily, I say, believe it if you fore it is apparent that you are not the true choose, Christ does not send such avaricious, messengers of God, but you run your own selfish and carnal teachers, nor does he ac- course, urged by the flesh and not by the knowledge such a self-conceited, carnal and Spirit; not sincerely seeking the salvation blamable church. But those who are sent of the church, but rather the temporal profof Christ Jesus have his Spirit, crucify the its and rents, and that with such rapacity lusts and desires of their flesh, that they, that you are not ashamed to receive them preachingto others may notbe foundshame- as a reward and price of your preaching, ful, seeking alone, the praise of God and the which were in ancient times, by feigned salvation of their beloved brethren, refusing words and fraudulent commerce, as Peter all shameful gain, presents and gifts, so says, nay, by nothing but theft and sly long as they have wherewith to maintain robbery, taken from the true and legal themselves, honoring none for the sake of heirs. gain, living unblamably, teaching the word Thus you sell, first, the precious, fiee wholesomely and using the sacraments ac- word of God which, by grace, was given us cording to the commandments of the Lord, of God, without price. And secondly, it is excluding all degenerated sisters and breth- paid for by that which was stolen. Here ren, again proclaiming grace to those that lies hidden more than I will disclose. Qami are converted, having eternal vigilance and de furto vivit anda rapina non dubium est, care for those whose care is entrusted to quim fur^ est and rapltor. Do look at the them of the Lord's church. matter in a christian light. Behold, feel As you are not such as the Scriptures re- and taste your manifest error, unworthiquire you to be, but are as yet in opposi- ness and plain avarice. I here speak of all tion to the true doctrine, and also, blama- your preachers; for they all enjoy such ble in life, as is apparent, therefore I ad- gain. Your teachings, benefices, pensions monish you in all earnestness and fraternal and rents are such an abomination before love, to become first sincere christians be- my eyes, that brethren, verily I would

Page  344 344 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. rather be beheaded, burned, drowned or of God, who for the testimony of their contorn into quarters by four horses than to sciences, confirmed by the word of God, receive, on account of my preaching, such have fled from their country and kindred, benefices, pensions or rents. Yea, when giv- and for the sake of the testimony are preing salaries to preachers was established, pared for water, fire and sword if God so there surely crept into the church of Christ will. Besides, your doctrine being quite a very fearful, corrupting pestilence; which powerless and fruitless, the church which has corrupted so that, alas, there are scarce- you beget being quite earthy, carnal and ly any left who have retained the breath of contrary to the testimony and fruits of the Christ in them. To this you must all con- holy word of the Lord; therefore, we repeat sent. What other reason is there than this it that you are not the true messengers of that the preachers have sought the temporal Jesus Christ. Be not angry with me, most gain of their own bellies more than the beloved. eternal gain of the souls of Christ? As you It is for the beforementioned reasons that freely accept and enjoy the beforementioned we will not hear nor attend your preaching, shameful gain, and what is still worse, as nor partake of your supper. For we shall you diligently seek and desire the same, never desire to enter into your church and how can you defend yourselves and say to become one body with you until you that you are not desirous of the filthy lucre? sincerely repent and embrace a free, chris1 Tim. 3: 3, and that you do not honor the tian doctrine, not hired nor sold out, but person for filthy lucre's sake? 0, brethren, solely urged by the Holy Spirit through I wish you would awaken, to consider brotherly love, a true use of the sacramentthe matter, and that you were all of one al signs, according to the command, docmind with us in this matter; for it would trine and usage of Christ and his apostles, doubtlessly be profitable to both the praise and an unblamable life and walk, led in the and truth of God, and to your poor souls, love and fear of the Lord. If we do so bethat we would without pay, dispense the fore these are found with you, we are sure precious word of God, the word of eter- that we sin against God and his holy word, nal salvation and heavenly grace, which from which may the kind, merciful Father can be merited by no works nor requited save us. For before God, it does not become by money, as we, by grace only, received us to commit ourselves to such doctrine, adit of God without price, that we again monition and church, who first, err in docwould dispense it without pay, and solely trine, and secondly, do not in the least by brotherly love would teach it to the hun- show by their lives that they are the truly gering consciences, God surely would not regenerated children of God, or the true forsake us, but would in every emergency church of Jesus Christ. But most beloved, paternally care for us and protect us. But it behooves you, as you have not the unit can not thus be with you because you are blamable doctrine and walk of Jesus devoid of faith and love. Christ, to renounce your doctrine and life As you are all buried to your ears in and voluntarily bid adieu to all the lusts filthy lucre; earthly and carnally minded of the flesh, to seek the kingdom of God in in all things; not yet dead unto the flesh sincerity of heart, to enter with us, into all by the power of regeneration, not yet re- obedience to our beloved Lord Jesus Christ ceived Christ Jesus in all his words, and with all your strength, if you do not desire on that account, are not yet wholesome in to err willfully, that we together, may bedoctrine, do not conform the ministration come the holy, christian and unblamable of the signs to the word of God; are blam- church, godly, holy, clean, obedient unto able in doctrine, as is plain, and as there God, serving all mankind, powerful in truth, is found with you no power, no fruit of the shining forth in righteousness, dead unto Spirit, no true fear of God and no brother- sin, living by the Spirit, nay, in all things ly love; but rather heresy, upbraiding, christian, heavenly and unblamable in blasphemy and profaning of the teachings Christ Jesus. and lives of the pious saints and children Do receive my admonishing confession,

Page  345 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. 345 in good faith, and ~o not understand it as the testimony of the Scripture, that you vaintoo far-reaching, namely, such words as, ly and wrongfully boast of the name, grace, clean, unblamable, and the like. For they deliverance, merits, death, blood, and promare spoken of Christ Jesus himself, and of ises of Christ; as you have not his word, his holy apostles to the church of the Lord, and by the word, his faith, Spirit, fear and Jn. 13: 10; Phil. 2: 15. Do not understand love, and consequently do not follow them. it, most beloved, that we deem ourselves so Therefore, I pray you by the mercy of the clean and unblamable as being without sin. Lord, to consider once, what kind of teachNot at all, dear brethren; for I know full ers you are, what kind of spirit urges you, well that holy John teaches, saying, "If we what kind of love prompts you, with what say that we have no sin, we deceive our- intentions and by what motives you teach, selves, and the truth is not in us," 1 Jn. what kind of fruits you produce, what kind 1: 8. Again, James says, In multis eniqn of ordinances you use, and unto what kind labimur omnes. "In many things we of- of a church you teach and minister. Judge fend all," Jas. 3: 2. Yea, beloved brethren, all things according to the divine testimowith Paul, I find the disposition to com- ny, without self-love, flesh and partiality. mit sin, at all times, so strong in my flesh, I doubt not but if you examine the matter that I often think recklessly, speak incon- rightly, you will not be surprised that we siderately and "the evil which I would not, will not hear your doctrine, nor use your that I do," Rom. 7: 8, 19. sacraments, and refuse unto death to beBut the abominable, shameful sins and come members of your church. For this offenses, such as adultery, fornication, ha- remains incontrovertible, eternally untred, envy, inebriety, pomp, splendor, curs- changeable; that as Christ Jesus is of ing, swearing, gambling, desire of filthy one mind with the Father, and sent of him, lucre, abuse of the ordinances of Christ and so all teachers should be of one mind with fraud I verily, detest from the inmost of Christ Jesus who can be considered as sent my heart, and they should never, by the ofhim. Thosewho areonewithChristin Spirgrace of the Lord, be practiced by any sin- it, love and life; who teach that which was cere, godfearing christians, inasmuch as commanded by Christ, such as repentance they hate and oppose them; for the and the peaceable gospel of grace, which spirit which is in them is a deadly enemy he himself received of God, and taught to to all ungodliness, wickedness and sin the world, all those who hear, believe, (in the mean while we often find that we keep and fulfill the same in true fear, are are born of Adam). Besides, their spirit the church of Christ, the truly believing, strives and hungers after the truth, right-_ christian church, the body and bride of eousness, will and commandments of God, Christ, the ark of the Lord, the mount and yet in great weakness; for they are very paradise, the house, people, city and temmuch retarded in the works, fruits, and ful- ple of God, the spiritual Eve, flesh of fillment by the heavy burden of the sinful Christ's flesh and bone of his bone, children flesh. Nevertheless, because the good Spir- of God, the chosen generation, the spiritual it of God abides in them, they do not cease seed of Abraham, children of the promise, to fight their tardy flesh. For the life of branches and trees of righteousness, sheep true christians is nothing but a continual of the heavenly pasture, kings and priests, combat upon earth. Whosoever shall val- a holy begotten people which is God's own. iantly battle and overcome, will be clothed Besides, they are chosen to proclaim the in white raiments, and fed with the heaven- power of him who has called them from ly bread of the tree of life, Rev. 2: 17. darkness into his marvelous light, Col. Behold, most beloved, inasmuch as you 1: 14; 1 Cor. 12: 27; Heb. 12: 22; Matt. and your church have never triumphed in 5: 14; 2 Cor. 6: 16; 11: 5; Eph. 5: 30; 1 Pet. this battle (I judge from what I hear, and 2: 9; Rom. 9: 8; Isa. 61: 3; Ps. 95: 7; 79:13; from your actions which I see), but still Rev. 1: 6; 1 Pet. 2: 9. serve the world, the flesh and the devil All those who have not the Spirit, love carelessly; therefore we deem, according to and life of Christ, nor sincerely desire them, 80

Page  346 346 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. have no share in the glorious Jerusalem of observed and found with you, and, besides, God, that is, in Christ's church; no matter a free, christian doctrine, the true ministrawhether they be teacher or disciple, prince tion of the sacraments of Christ, not accordor subject, man or woman; besides they ing to the opinion of men or of the learned, have neither prayer, nor God, nor Christ, but according to the true doctrine of Christ nor promise, nor remission of sins, nor any and his apostles-again, the fear and love sure consolation in eternal life, so long as of God, and an unblamable life, according they do not sincerely repent, receive God's to God's word, then you will ever have us word, and fulfill it in the true fear, as Christ as your brethren; for it is such we seek. himself says, "He that believeth not is al- But if you remain as you are, then I say ready condemned," Jn. 3: 18. pubJicly, Better to die than to enter into Dear brethren, you may contradict this your doctrine, sacraments, life, and church, as much as you will, yet this foundation as was said above. shall stand forever, and will never be Beloved brethren, it is no use to allege changed. The words of Paul shall never the Scripture of the Pharisees sitting in the be broken, "If any man have not the Spirit seat of Moses, Matt. 23: 2; nor that Herod of Christ, he is none of his," Rom. 8: 9; and sent the wise of the east; nor that some say, where the Spirit is there shall also be the If the devil should preach the word of God, fruits of the Spirit, as it is infallible that if why not hear it? Christ Jesus did not send the Spirit is in man, the evil one as well as the Pharisees, the servants of the letter, to the good, it will manifest itself by its fruits, preach the word of the Spirit and of life; Gal. 5: 16; Matt. 7: 17. Herod did not send the wise, with good inLastly, most beloved, if you want to be tentions; nor has the devil ever sincerely givthe true church of Christ and boast of the en praise to God; nor does God want the truth, grace, word, Spirit, and blood of the praise of the devil, for Christ says, "Hold Lord, then separate, first, all your preach- thy peace, and come out of him," Luke ers who are urged by the unclean spirit and 4: 35; therefore it is useless to adduce such flesh, who, therefore are not of the church reasons, inasmuch as God, by his mercy of Christ, namely, all those who are desir- and grace, has so opened the eyes of our bus of filthy lucre, as was said above. mind that we surely know that the spirituAgain, also, all drunkards, wranglers, fiat- al service of the New Testament can be adterersj proud, envious and avaricious; for ministered by none but by servants of the all these testify by their fruits that they Spirit impelled in love by the power of the have not the Spirit of Christ. And if they Holy Ghost; for it is and remains a service have not the Spirit of Christ, how can these of the Spirit and not of the letter, 2 Cor. poor, miserable men, then, teach and im- 3: 6. Enough has been adduced on this. press the Spirit, power and will of God, the In short, deny yourselves, be prepared to word of grace, and the word of eternal life, do the will of God, seek nothing but his which they do not confess? Yea, brethren, honor and praise, and the eternal salvation it is impossible for me to teach the things of your brethren, and hunger and thirst after which I do not know myself, and how shall the righteousness of God. Believe and reI serve in the house of the Lord while I my- ceive Christ Jesus rightly in his blessed self am a castaway? Judge for yourselves. word, and you will undoubtedly understand Secondly, cleanse your church, also. Ex- and comprehend the true way, the truth, elude, according to the word of God, all and life eternal, to the praise of God, and adulterers and fornicators, drunkards, slan- to your own salvation. May God, the kind derers, swearers, those who lead a shameful and merciful Father, grant us all this, Amen, and inordinate life, the proud, avaricious, Matt. 5: 6; Jer. 31: 25. idolatrous, disobedient unto God, whore- As I, dear brethren, have diligently remongers and the like, that you may be- proved the preachers, on account of the recome the holy, christian church which is ceiving of filthy lucre, in this my admonwithout spot or blemish, which is as a city ishing confession, according to the word of built upon a rock. In case these are truly God, therefore I do not doubt but that there

Page  347 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. 347 are some who will bitterly contradict me in teachers, as Christ himself teaches, saying, this matter, and say, "BelovedMenno, you Ye are the light of the world. Ye are the can not deprive us of the privileges Christ salt of the earth, Eph. 5: 30; Matt 5: 13. Jesus has given us; as you have alleged Inasmuch as the beforementioned, carnal from Paul, that those who serve the gospel teachers are already excluded from, and shall live by the gospel. Say why seek deprived of the christian office of teacher, you to take away that of which we have the by God's own ordinance and word, as they privilege?" To those who contradict me do not live up to the doctrine, and by their thus, I would first reply by asking, If the apparent unbelief and inordinacy are not teachers, to whom this privilege is given of in the church of Christ; therefore they Christ by the gospel, are not sent of Christ can not enjoy that privilege; for Christ Jesus They must answer in the affirma- Jesus has promised and given sincere, pious, tive. Then I say again, as they are sent of spiritual, meek, true, unblamable teachers, Christ, who enjoyed this privilege given of sent of God, and not inordinate, lazy, vain, Christ, therefore those have not this priv- idle, drunken, shameful, lying, pompous, ilege, who run their own course and are not gluttonous, avaricious and carnal rogues, sent of Christ. Rom. 10: 16; Isa. 51: 7; 62: 6. Again, I ask if these teachers to whom Fourthly, I ask, whether the men of God, this privilege is given by the Scriptures, the prophets, apostles, and teachers sent of were not men of the Spirit of love and of God, were also hired or boight at a stiptruth? Doubtlessly so. Then I reply: If ulated, annual salary, to teach and proclaim they are men of Spirit, of love and of truth, the free word of grace? I know that the anto whom this privilege is granted by the swer must be, no. For they did not teach gospel, those who do not teach and but by the urging of the Spirit and love. I serve by the Spirit, love and truth, may not say again, Inasmuch as your preachers are appropriate and make use of this privilege; hired and bought at a stipulated salary or for they are not the teachers to whom it rents, and do not preach unless they are was given and promised by the word of hired, they must acknowledge that they are God. hirelings, and not teachers that are sent; Thirdly, I ask, if the teachers which are for they do not teach by the urging of the sent of Christ Jesus, who, according to the Spirit and love, but are enticed and drawn Scriptures may enjoy this privilege, led a on as was Balaam by the promised salary, shameful life after their being called? and benefices and rents. Quai id negat, Solem if they led a shameful life, and were found in die splenldere rinus concedet. corrupt before God and his church, if they Fifthly, I ask, if the teachers, sent of God, could longer remain as teachers in the un- men of the Spirit, of love and of truth, enblamable church of Christ? They must lightening both in doctrine and in life, lived doubtlessly answer, No. Then, if they an- of a stipulated salary, benefice or rents; or swer, no, as it is in truth, that those whose whether they did not live by the services or life and walk in the church of Christ, are no assistance of the brethren, so far as they more pure and useful than the filthy carrion could not obtain it of themselves They by the roadside, are no teachers in the must confess that it was by the assistance church of the Lord; such as drunkards, of the brethren, and not of certain benefices, perjurers, those filled with all unrighteous- pensions or rents. This I teach, seek and ness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, sincerely desire. Therefore this is my brief maliciousness; full of envy, murder, deceit, conclusion and christian admonition to all debate and malignity. For if the salt have preachers and teachers. Brethren, humble lost his savor, says Christ, it is thenceforth yourselves and become unblamable discigood for nothing, but to be cast out, and to ples, that you may hereafter become called be trodden under foot of men, Matt. 5: 13; teachers. Try your Spirit, love and lifebe1 Cor. 5: 10; 2 Cor. 6: 10; Rom. 1: 29. And fore you commence to pasture and to teach. if the church is to be unblamable, and with- Run not your own course, but wait until out spot or blemish, how much more so the you are called of the Lord's church; I say,

Page  348 348 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. Lord's church, of the Spirit of God, and are Jesus Christ, but their own bellies," who, constrained by urging love. If this is the on account of their lazy, gluttonous, easy case, brethren, then pasture diligently, flesh, teach and serve to please the world, preach and teach valiantly, cast from you as hired servants, at certain wages, the all filthy lucre and booty; rent lands, milk Scriptures do not know. Therefore I say cows, learn a trade, if possible, do manual for once and for all time, If they will not labor, as did Paul, and all that which you do differently, but always say in their then fall short of will doubtlessly be given hearts —Erret quilibet homo ad libitum, and provided you by the pious brethren, by nihil ad nos, modo ventri nostro provisum the grace of God. Understand it not as fuerit-then I will leave them in the hands'superfluously,' but as'necessarily.' of him who shall judge them and us accordSuch privileges the holy gospel grants to ing to his most holy word and to his pleasthe unblamable preachers which are sent of ure. Christ Jesus, and nothing further. But the Brethren, decide the more wisely, and preachers who run their own course, are living in the great God through all things, earthly and carnally minded, are blamable refuse not to bid adieu to your carnal in doctrine and in life, "serve not our Lord bodies. CO NC L U SIO N. HERE you have, beloved sirs, friends, and nor listen to human doctrines, nor cleverness, brethren, our plain confession of the incar- nor garbling of the Scriptures, nor flatternation of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, ings, nor presumption, in regard to this which I thus sincerely confess and believe; but solely to the plain Scriptures, truth for you requested me to do so, and, I trust, and immutable testimony; as we have with a good intention. Therefore I have presented to you, in this matter of our connot hidden my faith. Now, judge the mat- fession, nothing but scriptural truth and ter rightly, if you be spiritually minded, immutable testimony. But if you cannot and if I should, as you think I do, err as is advance such, then give heed, keep your natural to man, which I trust I do not, then peace and leave us our faith in peace; for, do not think that I do so out of obduracy, most beloved brethren, before God, I seek or partiality, but before God, my Creator, nothing but the pure, unadulterated word it is because I know no better but that it of God and its testimony. is the firm, immutable foundation of God's Besides, I have here presented to you, how word and truth. Brethren, do not look at and in what manner I admonish and teach me as one who seeks something contrary the open hearted brethren; with which docto the will of God. Not at all. The eter- trine no godfearing consciences can be afnal truth, word and will of God, I am pre- flicted, nor christian souls be deceived. I pared to do, at the risk of all that his pater- pray and desire you to do likewise, that nal kindness may inflict upon me. This I say you may build and not break. Brethren, in sincerity of heart, and have no doubt. if you do not then take heed how and what Therefore I say to you, that if you have you teach, I can beseech and admonish you any plainer Scriptures in support of this in love, but it behooves me not to force you, article of the incarnation of Christ; if you even if I could. Every person shall have to have a clearer foundation, truth, or clearer render an account of his teaching and doproof than we have, then assist us. I will, ing, before God and not before men. by the grace of the Lord, change my heart In tie third place you have my admonin regard to this matter, and follow your ishing confession how both teacher and doctrine. But, above all, brethren, I want church should be minded according to the you to understand that I will not accept Scriptures. Again, I pray and desireby the

Page  349 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. 349 mercy of the Lord, that you will not accept doctrines, from which you may clearly this scriptural truth in bitterness; for that learn my foundation, doctrine, seeking and which I have written is the unchangeable intentions; why I labor, after what I strive, word and will of God, and will remain so and by what Scriptures and for what reaforever. Therefore take heed that you do sons we assert the baptism of the believing; not be angry with me on account of my and for what reasons we deem and consider writing, because it is contrary to your flesh. infant baptism as vain, idolatrous and conIt verily is not mine, but the doctrine of trary to the word. Christ; not my will, but the will of Christ. Read it all in sincerity of heart, ponder If you be angry, you are not angry with me, upon it, follow alone the true sense of the but with Christ, who has thus taught and divine. Spirit and truth. Let opinions go, instructed us in his holy gospel or word. let flesh and adroitness be destroyed. Many And in case you fear God, you will doubt- have been deceived thereby. This our doclessly love me the more, because I, by the trine concerning the preachers, concerning grace, Spirit and word of God, as far as he the unblamableness of the church, concernbestows on me, open unto you the kingdom ing the baptism of the believing, concerning of heaven, and show you the right way. the Supper of an unblamable assembly, and Yea, because I, fearlessly, and in true concerning the separation of the penitent, brotherly love, of which God is my witness, is, doubtlessly, the eternal, immutable word, speak unto you and point you to the eter- will and ordinance of God; therefore, by nal, immutable truth; because I cut the the grace of the Lord, we will never be reacankering flesh from your wounds, and do soned out of it by human wisdom, clevernot flatter you; for I seek not your carnal, ness, threats nor tyranny. Yea, at all but your spiritual friendship; not your times I am prepared to testify and assert praise, but the praise of God; not your this doctrine before God and my brethren, goods and gifts, but your salvation and with the sure testimony of my conscience, souls. For these reasons I tell you the at the cost of all anxiety, persecution, blood pure truth of God, and do not spare you. and death. Let the merciful, kind Father 0, brethren, receive it in gladness of heart. treat me and all those who sincerely seek It is the only word and will of Christ. If and fear him, according to his divine, you reject it, you do not reject me, but blessed will. Read it discreetly and judge Christ Jesus who has so dearly bought us it in a christian way. all. Therefore take heed to awaken yet This is briefly my foundation and conto-day, and no longer wander and proceed viction of the articles of the christian church; in darkness and deadly blindness. And that before God neither baptism, nor Suplet the poor, ignorant people, the poor, in- per, nor any other outward ordinances nocent souls, no longer err under your name avail if partaken without Spirit and the and cover. The whole, wide world depends new creature. But before God, only faith, upon you learned. As you pipe, so they love, Spirit, the new creature or regeneradance; as you teach, so they believe; and tion avail, as Paul plainly shows, Gal. as you proceed, so they follow. Therefore, 5: 6. All those who, by the grace of God woe unto you if you teach wrongly; if you receive these from above, suffer themselves destroy and do not gather; if you deceive to be baptized according to the commandand do not pasture; if you corrupt and do ment of the Lord, and rightly partake of his not convert. Supper, Acts 2: 38; 9: 19; 8: 38; Matt. Receive eyes of wisdom, that you may 28: 19. rightly teach and lead others, according to Yea, they with ardent desire commit the will of God; and that the word which themselves to the ordinance and doctrine of Christ spoke be not applicable to you, "If Jesus Christ, and shall nevermore willfully the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into' oppose the holy will, and plain testimony the ditch," Matt. 15: 14. Lastly, I shall of God. For this reason I amicably besoon send you, if God please, my treatise seech you, most beloved, from my inmost on the baptism of the believing, with other heart, not to dispute with me, nor any oth

Page  350 350 AN ADMONITION TO THE PREACHERS. er person concerning any outward articles Spirit, with your love and spirit; his seekand literal ordinances; but first conquer ing, doctrine, sacraments and life, with your and subject yourselves; that is, your unbe- seeking, doctrine, sacraments and life; and lieving, miserable, refractory, obdurate you will, no doubt, find wherein you fall flesh which yet keeps and hinders you from short. the truth, faith, knowledge, righteousness May God, the merciful Father, grant unto and obedience of God. Yea, doubtlessly, you and to us all, true wisdom, understandif that is rightly vanquished, you will see ing, faith, knowledge and truejudgment; an into all of the ordinances of God, confess ardent heart, true fear, love, doctrine, life, and practice them. But as long as it lives sacraments and ordinances, through Christ in you and has its sway, you will dispute Jesus, our Savior and eternal Deliverer of and oppose, and nevermore comprehend, the world, Amen. understand and follow the immutable foun- "Enter ye in at the strait gate," Matt. dation of eternal truth. Beware. 7: 13. No more at present. But rightly com- Amara est veritas, and qui earn prcedicant pare Christ with yourselves; his love and repletus amaritudine, dicit Hieronymus.

Page  351 A VERY PLAIN AND POINTED REPLY TO TIHE Anti-Christian Doctrine AND FALSE ACCOUNT BY MARTIN MICRON CONCERNING THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN HIM AND MYSELF, BEFORE MANY WITNESSES, HELD A. D., 1553, CONCERNING THE INCARNATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH AND POWER OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, TOGETHER WITH A SINCERE EPISTLE OR ADMONITION TO HIM, TO LEARN TO KNOW HIMSELF, TO REPENT AND BE SAVED. BY MENNO SIMON. WR-'ITTE A8T. AD., 15 6. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent," Jn. 17: 3. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3:11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1 8 71.

Page  352 PREFACE. To the well-disposed Reader: We see clearly, since Christ Jesus, by his It is manifest, honorable reader, that as grace, has shown himself through the clouds Satan, the envier of the divine honor and so that we, with Peter, and with all the of our salvation, in the beginnning of crea- Scriptures confess him in power and truth tion, used the serpent as an instrument to to be the Son of the true and living God, lead Adam and Eve off the way of life, and and submissively seal this faith with the thus to lead them into death, as he actually sign of the holy baptism, as did the Ethiodid, Gen. 3: 19, he now uses his false au- pian, Acts 8:36, according to his command, thors and preachers to do so, some of whom because we would, in our weakness, walk he clothes with an angelic appearance of according to his commandments and be innocence, by using many garbled Script- saved by his grace; how terribly we are ures, philosophy, sophistry, words of hu- upbraided, slandered, belied, accursed, perman wisdom, and by leading a reasona- secuted and murdered by this wicked, perble, private life, whereby he detains and en- verse, blind, and carnal generation, on that snares the poor, bound souls in their great account. For Satan, never, from the beginblindness and abominations, and robs them ning confessed true faith in Christ Jesus, by his many wiles of their only means of nor submissively sealed it by true baptism. salvation, which is Jesus Christ. Nor will he ever do so, unto the end. For the serpent said unto Eve, "Ye shall The apocalyptical Apollyon has so cornot surely die." Thus, now, our opponents rupted things by the locusts of the bottomsay, Should Christ be the Son of God? VNo, less pit, that but little truth remains with he is not. The man Christ has no father, man; for it is manifest that not only the and like expressions. For from the be- Turks and the Papists are inimical to the ginning, the devil neither did nor could clearness of the most holy birth of Jesus confess the true faith in Christ Jesus, name- Christ in which consists true faith, to the ly, that we should acknowledge him to be nature, power, fruit, impression and sealthe true Son of God, as may be plainly un- ing of faith, but also those of whom we derstood from 1 Jn. 2: 22; 4: 3; 2 Jn. 7. should expect better things, as may be seen "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the by the writings of our opponents. Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he Oh! oh! how very little these poor chilin God," 1 Jn. 4: 15. In short he has life dren have and know of the kingdom of everlasting. Such destroy the dominionofthe God, and of the power of his holy word, devil and the kingdom of falsehood. Yea although they may think, perhaps, that Christ himself had to suffer death because they understand a great deal. For it is he confessed himself to be the Son of God, very clear that an earthly, carnal minded Matt. 26: 64; Mark 14: 62, Jn. 5: 18; 19: 7. heart, an ambitious, proud mind, a spiteIf Satan, then, did not confess such faith, ful, envious person, and an untrue and false in the beginning, as was heard, how shall tongue is not of the good, but of the evil he now suffer, as by the righteous judgment one, I Jn. 3: 8; that the writings of our opof God, he is arisen, through anti-christ ponents were prompted by an earthly, carand his servants, to fall domini6n, for the nal, hateful and false heart; that they did sake of sin, and has bound all earth by his not seek the glory, name and honor of God, deceitful doctrine, explanations, flatterings, but their own; and that they are partial statutes, commandments, idolatry, tyranny \ and untruthful, can be easily deduced from and violence?! the fact that from begnining to end they do

Page  353 P REFACE. 353 not speak a kind word about me nor our Christ, which is taught and testified to beloved brethren; that they are quite silent throughout the Scriptures in incontrovertiupon the favor, faithfully rendered them in ble power and clearness. need; nor once mention that they were so I therefore beseech all readers, for the often silenced and could not present any Lord's sake, to peruse this my explanation, excuses, something which I do not mention with impartial hearts, to consider well the to our honor, but to the praise of the Lord; foundation and to pray the Lord for grace also, that they did not at all in their writ- and understanding. I trust to be able to ings touch upon their confession which they. show and explain it, by the aid of God, made before us all, that woman has no with such power and clearness of the holy seed, * * * whereby, Scriptures, that it will be plainly seen that in fact, his whole cause was already lost. anti-christian deceit is on the side of our Again, that there were two persons in opponents and that the clear ground of Christ; and that the crucified one was not truth is on our side. Therefore I would the Son of God; something which does not have the judicial term, Alteram partem aubecome an impartial writer who does not dito, that is, hear also the other party, apseek his own honor, but sincerely seeks the plied, and to compare my writings with honor of God; also, that they call me quite theirs and not be mistakenl throtugh prejnignorant, yea, as a cuckoo (as he also calls dice as do the partial. me) which always sings the same song, and I also beseech you not to think hard of passes himself for a spiritual master, versed my having to use such terms as, seed of in Scripture, while, before God and his man, seed of woman, &c.; God knows angels and before all present, it was actu how unwillingly I do so; but necessity ally found to be quite different, as, by the forces me to make use of such terms, that grace of God, will be found and clearly seen the glory of Christ Jesus may not be obfrom my following writings, if judged ac- scured with many, and that the heavenly cording to the divine truth. Very little, brightness of his most holy birth may not alas, have they meditated upon the Script- remain obscured by the anti-christian flature of Paul, saying, that we should not be tering and sophisty of the breath of Micron. desirous of vain glory, Gal. 5: 26. Inas- I can not sufficiently wonder at the man's much as they give such an untrue account heart and mind that he dares publish such of the discussion, and as they have so lam- absurd fables to the world, and that he entably profaned the Father and his Son, dares show himself so ambitious and proud and their precious, dear, powerful and true (something which, before God, I must deword and all their confessors as also, our duce from his writings), as it will doubtbeloved brethren who daily, piously suffer lessly be read by many an intelligent perand die for the sake of the Lord's word, son; for what else does he do all through and who are slandered as if their whole his iwritings, but exalt himself, and tramlife and death were but madness, and their pie me in the dust as is the nature of all forsaking possessions and kindred, were but the ambitious, something which I would heresy; therefore I am impelled, as in duty not have written if it only touched me, and bound, and for the love of my Lord and not the honor of God, while so many godSavior Jesus Christ and his holy church fearing, pious men were present who heard (not urged by wrath; for this I leave to him the discussion from beginning to end. Yet who in due time shall judge us all without besides, it is well known, perhaps, to thourespect of person), faithfully and truthfully sands, as I presume, to whom it is known to annotate all that which Micron has will- through my printed writings which are daifully suppressed, to the dishonor of Christ I ly read here and there, that I have frequentand his holy word. Besides also, how ly solicited a public discussion, at the risk slanderously he has blasphemed the Father. of being burned if I could not maintain my and the Son, the Word and its confessors, faith and doctrine by virtue of the Scriptand how wrongfully he opposes our faith ures; but which, alas, has never been acand doctrine concerning the incarnation of cepted.

Page  354 354 PREFACE. If I, now, were so entirely ignorant, as of the matter. For, more than two years must be understood from his writing, it ago I warned him by a man of considerable would be very curious why such a discus- name and one of his fellow-believers, that if sion should have been so long denied me, he would put it in print (for I was told that as he might thereby have gained many a he intended to do so), and would not tell soul, might have redeemed many a child, the tale just as it truthfully happened, for if we were wrong; and as he might have I observed that he did not spare falsehood, won such a fame and reputation, if he had I should reply to him, if I lived and the -been successful, among those of high stand- Lord granted it. But he was aware that if ing and also among the whole world. But he did not tell it differently from what it was, Micron has not yet forgotten how they were he would have acquired but little fame and situated with us, notwithstanding he wrote honor with the world; for it would have thus sneeringly. If Micron and Herman sounded: M]1icron lost it all; somethingthat had feared God as they pretend by their conceited, proud flesh does not like to hear. sheep's clothing, they would not have acted Yet, I would never, in my life, have so foolishly as they have done by their I thought that he was of such extremely amwritings. But I presume that the one who bitious, partial, untrue, infamous, and urged Pharaoh to persecute Israel (notwith- shameless mind, if I had not been convinced standing he had seen such miracles in thereof in our discussion and by this writEgypt by the hands of Moses and Aaron), ing of his. I thought that his intellect and found his punishment in the Red Sea, would have told him, even without the warnEx. 7: 25; 8: 2; 9: 6; 10: 14; 11: 5; 14: 28; ing of any one, that if he should do as he who urged Antiochus to turn Jerusalem did, while I am yet living, that it would into a death-pit, and on his way met the produce him nothing but shame and dispunisher; that this same one has urged Mi- honor with all reasonable readers and aucron and Herman to write thus, that their ditors. But Micron had to speak, as his covert hypocrisy, their many gross false- heart was full. hoods, ambitious partiality (I call it as I But perhaps, he hoped or thought that I judge them before the Lord), ingratitude, might, in the mean time, die, and that he slander, adulteration and willful garbling might thus acquire fame and honor, unreof the holy, divine word, their corrupting buked, with the world. He was also aware flatterings, sophistical philosophy, misera- that he could not offend the world, who ble deceit of the poor, despised souls, abomr- gladly accept and hear false consolations inable, anti-christian doctrine, blasphemy and slanders, by abusing me; for whosoevof both the Father and his blessed Son, er can best belie, defame, upbraid, and depalpable blindness, and their vain, carnal pict me and my brethren in evil colors, is, hearts, may once be made manifest through with them, a great prophet, and a pleasing this our explanation; and that thus the preacher. Let them run their course until hearts which are bound by their snares hindered by the Lord! John says, "They through the falsehoods which they publish are of the world, and therefore they speak against us, by the fine appearance they put of the world, and the world hear them," on, and by the garbled Scriptures which 1 Jn. 4: 5. If possible, the beloved Lord they teach by smooth, flattering words, may grant them grace. Let the reader take due be unbound and delivered, to the glory of notice of the following reply, that he may the Lord. I learn to know Christ, do right, and be I do not know what else to say or think saved. N-, ~ ~ ~ i

Page  355 A VERY PLAIN AND DISCREET ANSWER TO MIAIRTN MICRON'S ANTI-CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, AND UNTRUE ACCOUNT OF THE DISCUSSION OF 1553, ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH AND POWER OF THE HOLY, DIVINE SCRIPTURES. Hlow and when the so called Eliglish came to us, and what faithaful love our brethren shoeed them. IN the year 1553, a little before midwin- Iamong them. They refused the money, and ter, it happened that it was told the breth- said they had enough; but would like that ren that a ship-load of people had arrived labor might be procured f6r some of their from Denmark, who, on account of their number; in which our brethren assisted faith, were driven from England, and that them as much as they could. they lay a short distance from the shore, One of our number offered to take the frozen up in the ice. children of John A'Lasco into his house, When the brethren heard of this, they. and to do the best he could for them. To were moved by christian mercy on their ac- which Herman Backereel answered: No, count, as was proper. They counseled to- this can not be granted; for John A'Lasco gether and concluded to- lend them their is a man who has dealings with lords, assistance to help them out of the ice and princes and other high personages. It properly escort them to the city, without might (oh! reader observe) injure his repuany commotion. as they also did; although tation if his children should sojourn with they conjectured that it might cause trouble such people. On hearing this, I observed with their governments, as was also the that we had- not met with the true, plain fact. and humble pilgrims of Jesus Christ. They met them with wheat bread and Behold, thus was their arrival and recepwine, so that if there should be any sick tion by us; and such faithful love have our among them, they might refresh and stimu- brethren shown them, which was, not long late them therewith. And after they had es- afterward, taken quite amiss by ungrateful corted them into the city they made a col- Herman; and as appears, is not touched lection of twenty-four thalers out of their upon in Micron's account, merely out of poverty, and presented that sum to the hatred of the truth and out of disfavor to leading ones of them, to be distributed the brethren, lest piety should be ascribed among the needy if such there should be to them. HO1W THE ENGLISIt CAME INTO DISCUSSION WITH US. AFTER they had been a few days in the them, and after many broad assertions he city, Herman and his followers called some said unto them, "I am a teacher, and would of us together and desired a discussion with like to have a teacher put against me; for I

Page  356 356 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. have heard that Menno was to be in the But there are many who think that they city. Therefore I would have him or some cannot misuse us. other teacher to discuss with me. For I I In the same manner they have been unhave had discussions with hundreds of grateful to the city which showed more meryours, and when they would be vanquished cy to them than all Eastland and Denmark, they would invariably appeal to their teach- when in midwinter they knew not where to ers." Behold, thus he spoke! I mighthere find shelter; as they, with their unsalted, write a good deal about his false preten- I partial writings, have made the city sussions and ambitious expressions; also about I picioned by lords, princes and other cities, his infamous talk behind my back, and that the city maintained us; while the city seeking if he could not find a splinter about knew no more of my sojourning than they me to magnify into a beam and to tie this knew of the hour of their death. upon my back as a sign of shame. Also, Lastly, they registered the names of some how he inquired of an unconscious child good persons who had not merited such about my secret shelter, &c. But, as it can treatment, that they might be known in all not be serviceable to the reader, therefore I countries to which they might move. A rewill commend it to the Lord, and leave the ward of thousands has been offered for the shame of Herman untouched, that the read- apprehension of one and his little children, er may not think that I wish to retaliate who have rendered them such great services evil with evil, from which may the Lord for- if the Lord, by his grace, do not prevent it. ever save me. Yet it is my heart's desire If they had now, in all this considered the that he would be more truthful, and more unfeigned, pure love (which wishes harm to impartial of heart, and that he would fear none, much less does it), common honesty, the Lord, his God, more. and their word and honor, since such a The discussion was agreed upon with course instructs none upon the earth, nor Herman and his fellows upon this condi- makes them better in God, and appears tion: That they were to tell none where the more like the work of a traitor, than of a discussion took place (as I was a poor, pious man; then, according to my opinion, weak man, hated of all the world). Upon the evangelical, christian character, spirit, which they, on their part, gave our breth- discipline and reasonableness would have ren their hands that they would never tell been more uniform than it now is. The it. But how they kept their word their Lord's word is true: The fruit shows what deeds have shown. For it was but a short the tree is, Matt. 12: 33. Behold, thus have time until it was known in the streets of they acted who pretend to be christians Ernden where Menno lived, and that Micron and say that we are heretics; who call upon and his fellows had a discussion with him. God as their witness and judge that they And besides, they have published it in have faithfully described the discussion, print, to all the world. If honorable, pious while they are well aware that the first senpersons are not bound to respect their word tence they wrote was a falsehood. And and pledge (which is considered the same how quite untrue it is, will, by the grace of as an oath by all reasonable people) better the Lord, be shown by self-evident truths than this, I will leave to the judgment of all from my following explanation of the disreaders, both those for and against me. cussion between Herman and myself. DISCUSSION BETWEEN HERIMAN AND MYSELF. IT happened when we met for the purpose 1 true christians. To which he immediately of a discussion, that I briefly admonished answered: "That I wished to make his docthem in regard to the suffering, oppression, trine suspected." Something of which I tribulation, persecution and cross of the had not thought of in the least. I then

Page  357 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. S57 quit, and said, Well Herman, I presume When he had finished his discourse I you would rather discuss the question of asked him whether or not he agreed with the incarnation? He answered in the affirm- John A'Lasco, in doctrine He answered in ative. Then, I said, confess your faith. the affirmative. I replied: Well, A'Lasco When he had made his confession, I said, has made an antithesis of this Scripture Beloved Herman, take heed of your words. of Paul "In the form of God," and, "the For behold, all these inconsistencies follow form of a servant." That as he was in a from your belief. And enumerated eight divine form and thereby truly was God, of them. he has thus, also, taken upon himself And behold, when I had finished my dis- our sinful form and was thereby, truly, course there was one among them (J. M. made man, "but" (he says), "the sins, on whose name is frequently referred to in Mi- account of which we are called servants in cron's writings), who asked me if I could Scripture, he did not have." prove that to be the fact, according to Script- From which antithesis one of two things ure? thinking that I had thus spoken in must be true. Either, if he had the sinful regard to my own faith. I told him that form and not the sin, that he then, by virhe might ask Herman, as it was his faith tue of the antithesis, also, must have had and doctrine. On hearing this he dropped the divine form; but he did not have the his head and was silent. I told him thrice, divine form. Or if he had, and therewith successsively, to get Herman to prove it to the divinity also, that he, also, must him, according to the Scriptures. I have have had the sinful form, and therewith yet to receive his answer. sin; else the antithesis is false and can When I observed such partiality, I was not stand, in fact. In this view of the matvery sorry. I said, Great God, are we thus ter one of two things is true, that Christ to treat the word of the Lord. 0 shame! Jesus was either a sinner, or else he was When you thought that it was my doctrine not God. And how such doctrine agrees you wanted Scripture; but since you find with the Scriptures, I will leave toyourown that it is the doctrine of Herman, now you judgment. have Scripture enough! 0, friend, I said, Then he replied: "The Scriptures testify repent and be ashamed before God; for you that he was without sin." It is true, I said. do not treat his word, as becomes a true Therefore it is manifest that this antithesis Christian. And this is one of the principal, of A'Lasco is false, and that you can not impartial witnesses, as Micron wrongfully maintain your doctrine by this Scripture. boasts. But if the Scripture is to remain unbroAfterward Herman replied and said, "I ken, then this is the true antithesis; as will scatter these inconsistencies as the wind Christ was in the godly form, and was scatters the dust." Dear Herman, I said, thereby truly God, as he humbled himself do not speak so boldly, it does not become and did not take on himself the form of a a christian. I know you can not do it. potentate, emperor, orking, whom we should And, praise to the Lord for his grace, it is serve, but the form of a poor servant, beverified to the present time as I can plainlyI cause he wanted to serve; for as he has see by Micron's Appendix, notwithstanding been truly God in God, and with God his they have revolved the matter in their heads Father, from eternity; thus he became our for more than two years. true servant, in due time, Isa. 7: 15; 9: 5; Theinconsistencies remained unrepliedto, 40: 28; Jer. 2': 5; 33: 15; Jn. 1: 2; Rom. and it was mostly grantizng that could be 1 9: 26; 1 Jn. 5: 5; Matt. 12: 18; 20: 28. heard from him. So at last I said, My He then abandoned that Scripture, and dear sir, show me, where do you find it said, "There is another one much plainer, written that he took on him our flesh or our which has it that," "He has taken on him human nature, as you claim? He then an- i the seed of Abraham," Ieb. 2: 16. Not so swered: Paul teaches us that Christ Iherman, I said. VWe should not thus adul"took on him the forrm of a servant," Phil. \ terate the Scriptures. For it does not read 2: 7. that he has taken on him the seed of Abra

Page  358 358 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. ham, but it reads that 7Je took it on himself. 3: 14. Not that we partake partly but Which taking on shall last unto the end. wholly. He then took the words of the same chap- Therefore, beloved Herman, I warn you, ter and said, "That Christ had taken upon let the Scripture remain Scripture and do himself the children's flesh and blood, and not garble it to suit your opinion. For is thus, on account of the flesh, called our Paul does not say that the unsanctified, brother." such as, liars, haters, proud, adulterers, Onl hearing this I replied: That that was and the children of the devil are one with again an adulteration of the Scriptures; for Christ, our Savior, but that the sanctified it is written that he took upon himself flesh are of one ith him, that is, those who, and blood; but not the fiesh and blood of with him are born of one God. On account children. Therefore let us get at the mean- f which birth of God, and not of Adam, ing of these words at the start, lest we we are his brethren; for the regenerated adulterate the Scriptures. Thus Paul says, with him, have one Father, as he is the first I-Ie that sanctifieth, and they who are begotten Son of God, thus he is also the sanctified, are of one." Now I ask, to firstborn among many brethren, Heb. 1: 6; whom has it reference? To God or to Adam? Rom. 8: 29. Tie replied: "To Adam." Then it follows, As holy Paul, then, teaches us that he is I said, incontrovertibly, that all ungodly thus the first-begotten among the brethren; children of the devil, such as thieves, mur- therefore it is very plain that he is not our derers, drunkards, haters, idolaters, whores brother of Adam, but of God; for he was and rogues, are Christ's brethren and sis- not the first-begotten of Adam, therefore ters. He frankly. admitted this to be the Adam's children must, through regeneracase. tion by faith, also become the children of It would fur ter follow, if we were Christs God, Jn. 1: 12, and thus be Christ's brethIt would further follow, if we were Christ's \ * ^ 1-4 a,,11~ ren, r Matt. 12: 50; tMark 3: 35; Luke 8: 21; brethren and sisters on account of the flesh, Ir ebn M. 11 then also we would be his children on acthen also we whshdnn-Behold, he is not ashamed to call his count of the flesh; for Paul says, "Behold, n asaed ca i I and my children," &c. From which t enerated and sanctified would surely follow tha t the one brother ones who, with him, have one Father (no hlad genelated the other, and the children whores, rogues and children of the devil), had generated the other, and the children I'Itheir father, according to the flesh. And I saying, Ty nae he means his Fat's will leave you to study out how such a ge name and not Adam's) I will promulgate to will leave you to study out how such a gen- m b A I'lr in'im eration could be, according to the Script-my brethen. Again, I ill trust in him ure and according to the ordinance of od. (namely, in the Father, and not in Adam). ures,d n e according to the ordinance oi God.. "..' Again, behold, "I and the children which After passing some other words concern- God (not Adam) hath given me." Inasing the partakin/ of, I asked him if Adam much as it is very plain that his children had not partaken of flesh and blood? IHe are not the carnal, but the spiritual chilanswered in the affirmative. Well, said I, dren (for he had no carnal children) then of whose flesh and blood did lhe partake, if his brethren must be spiritual brethren; or we are to understand participation as you i else one Scripture must be understood spirdo Therefore beloved Herman, take heed. itually and the other carnally, then, also Your learned ones deceive you. Thus Paul sister Mary must have generated her brothsays, "He that threshes in hope, should be er Christ, in the flesh. This is incontropartaker of his hope," that is, that he may vertible. obtain that for which he hopes. Again, in Although now such regenerated, the sancthe same chapter: "If others be partakers tified, are his brethren and sisters they yet of this power over you, are not we rather?" lhave, contrary to their own will, communion 1 Cor. 9: 10, 12, that is, if others have this with flesh and blood, through the inherent power. Again, "We are mlade partakers sinful nature; they frequently sin, stumble of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our and transgress, and are thus through the confidence steadfast unto the end," Heb. beforementioned communion, conscious of

Page  359 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 359 guilt according to the law which requires made a brief statement. Yet I was shown perfect righteousness. And behold, there- no inconsistency. fore he is their Savior, first-begotten Broth- Behold, worthy reader, these are the priner, and Father Christ, who in like manner, cipal points and Scriptures which Herman has partaken of flesh and blood, not of the and I discussed concernin the incarnatio children, for it does not read so, and in of Christ. I say the principal ones; for to that case he must have been one of two epeat all the words which passed between sons, one of whom was of heaven, eter- us, is impossible. nal and immortal, the other of earth and mortal, but the Word itself (I add some After eal time we came to tie discssion of pedo-baptism whicl he tried to words for explanation) is become flesh, 1^ ^. ^ ^..,^~ - *.make right bv the assertion, that the chilthat is, a truly passive, mortal man, in a s,' dren, as lie said, are accounted as beniievMary, as John says, "The word is become. he s e a i flesh," like unto his sanctified brethren in the S, d tt Ti 1..', ii ~. f i^i-i: (he insisted upon %acchens, notwcitlsctanl-ding all things, except sin, that he might fulfill ( iniste u o, a cenotwi.i-,., 1 " ^..^ 4.^1 ^^i I told hlmthat lt wa+r not/<Zacclne-asz), a-anid his the law in his innocent flesh and not by our hm th i tw not Z) a. whole house were baptized. guilty flesh; that he might take away the deserved death by his innocent death; de- i'nd reader, if were to gicve an a'Tonn stroy the devil who had the power of death;, f tli ciscussion as it happened i t wc il bruise the Serpent's head; sanctify us unto seeim to some readers as if I were partial; God, his Father, by virtue of his precious again, to others, who know me, that itwas blood; and assist us in all our temptations very foolish of him to challenge us while he and besetting sins which result from our did not now more of Scripture. I told wicked flesh and the inspirations of Satan. him twice, dear Herman, you are too young; Behold, this is the proper explanation of you will have to learn a great deal before Heb. 2: 14. And by such explanation you ought to try to defend your cause. Christ remains the undivided Son of God, Wlat is become of all your bold asserticon the Scripture remains unbroken, Christ re- hich you made at the start et, Micron mains the Sanctifier and we are the sancti- writes that some of their weak bretlhrlen fled. Brethren and children, there is not a were very mu strengthened byr Trman single Scripture which contradicts this, iuring the discussion. I will leave the i^:ItwhileHerman's confession and faith are very ter here. Thlus they hoodwink the reader inconsistent as has been heard. that he may not observe that Herma-n atcted When I again touched upon the incon- so childish, to their shame. sistencies, he asked me to confess my faith, I know to a certainty that Micron was as he had done his; and he was going to written to immediately after the discussion, show, he said, more inconsistencies (al- as his own writing implies. F6r1 their though he had not yet heard it) in my faith j brethren who were with us were in great than I had shown in his. And when I had need, inwardly and outwardly. WVhat he made my confession, he said, "This is too i means by'inwardly' I will leave the reader long for me; I can not reply to it." I then i to judge. HOW PARTIALLY MICRON NARRATED OUR FIRIST DISCUSSION; ITOWV SILIENT I1E IS ON THE PRINCIPAL POINTS; HOW HE GARBLES MY WORDS AND tHOW HIE ADORNS ITIS OWN. WHEN we were met for the discussion, I made quite a reputation at London, Engsaid to Micron, I hear that your name is land, that you have published writings, as Martin Micron. You are unknown to me, I hear. Therefore my fraternal admonition and I have never heard of you before you to you is, that if you hear more powerful came here. But I understand that you have truths and firmer foundation in this our

Page  360 360 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. discussion, than you have heard or learned i the Scriptures that Jesus Christ is the Son before this, that you seek not your own of God, Matt. 3: 17; 17: 5; Mark 1: 11; fame and honor, but the praise and honor 9: 7; Luke 1: 31; 3: 22; Jn. 1: 45; 5: 22; of God. To which he replied: "Menno, 6: 35; 7: 21; 8: 23; 9: 37; 10: 36. this is also my admonition to you." I said, I His proper confession and foundation I am here for that very purpose; and I have was, That there are two Sons in Christ. suffered for many years because I would The one eternal and impassive; the other gladly have the truth and follow it. temporal and passive; and that the one This brotherly admonition, given him in which was crucfied for us, was not the Son faithfulness of heart, he has lamentably of God. Which confession he did not make disregarded in the latter part of the discus- thoughtlessly and by mistake, but with sion, as he was every time conquered in premeditation and a sober mind, before us his false, anti-christian doctrine,.and he all; and he has repeated it, at least four or said it before my face that I had blamed five times. Yet he calls on the judgment him with seeking his own praise and honor and name of the Lord, that they frequently by his writing, in London. Something confessed, with us, that the Son of God which I had, then, never thought of; for I died for us. Syrach truly says, "Many was not acquainted with him. would rather do the worst than to lose their He called upon his own as witnesses, honor; and do it for the sake of the ungodwhich poor, enchanted children all agreed ly," Syr. 20: 24.* with him, at which I was very sorry, and I proposed the inconsistencies of his besaid, Is the fear of God, then, not before lief and after many long and broad asseryou? There are now ten of you, all of whom tions I let him read undisturbedly an hour answer to suit him. If there were ten thou- or an hour and a half from the Bible, about sand more besides you, you would not tell the seed of woman, the seed of Abraham, the truth in this matter. For how could it and of David; and about the fruit of the be possible that I should at the first start loins of David. When he had finished run up to a man with whom I was not ac- reading, I asked, what he wanted to assert quainted, and of whom I had heard nothing thereby "I assert thereby, he said, that but a good report, and say, that he had the man Christ is of the fathers, and that sought his own honor with his writings. the word did not become flesh, as you say." Also, all of our brethren contradicted This was the amount of his words. him, and said, "Good Micron, you are I replied, I cordially acknowledge and mistaken; for so and so has Menno admon- confess all these Scriptures to be right and ished you, and thus you have answered good; for they teach us, and testify that such him." Yet it was of no avail. These un- a Savior should come. But now we will find kind, bitter, lying, and defaming words out from the Scriptures of whom the human must, alas, be published in his book. What fruit comes; whether it comes of the father kind of a spirit this is; how he follows the or of the mother. On hearing this, he said, unadulterated, christian truth, piety and "Are you going to find that out?" I anlove; and how faithfully he narrates the swered in the affirmative; for I trust, by the matter, I will let all impartial, reasonable grace of God, to be able to prove by virtue readers judge by his dishonest adulteration of the holy, divine Scriptures, that the oriof my words which I spoke to him with gin of the child is of the father, and not of such good intentions. We then discussed the mother, but through the mother. This, some articles with which my writings are re- I think, was something new to him; for he plete; and to which it is useless to reply. said, "Sir, let us hear it." I pointed him Lastly, we came to the discussion of the in- to I Cor. 11: 8, where Paul says, "Man is carnation, for the sake of which we are t not of the woman, but the woman of the called such abominable heretics and de- man." On hearing this he interrupted me ceivers by them, namely, because we con- and said, " Thisis spoken of Adam and Eve." fess with God, the Father, with Christ, with -- the angel Gabriel, with Peter, and with all i *German Bible.

Page  361 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 361 Hold, said I; but it further reads: "Even so made no reply at all. But he now writes is the, man also by the woman." Was as if he had then said, thus, "The words of Adam, then, by Eve? He was then silent, Paul, 1 Cor. 11: 7, should be understood as as one who is beaten. I showed him many having reference to Adam and Eve; for plain Scriptures, as Gen. 15: 4; 17: 6; 19: 32; Paul wanted to humble the men that they Rom. 9: 7; Heb. 7: 10; 11: 12. I also re- should not exalt themselves above woman, ferred him to the genealogy, Matt. 1, that on account of their glory," which in one Christ, according to his foundation, must sense is right, yet not according to the also have been a Syrian, Canaanite, Moab- sense of Paul in this instance. For Micron ite and an Ammonite. I also made some desires to apply it to Adam and Eve, and natural illustrations, as of the sower, his Paul spoke it in reference to all who are seed and soil; from which he tries to make born of Adam and Eve. For he says, "For it appear to the reader that I made use of as the woman is of the man, even so is the my intellect and not of the Scripture, against man also by the woman." Mark, he says, him. But, as the saying is, Micron's little By tile woman. If Onan had done as he finger knows full well that the seed of the did, Gen. 38: 9, a thousand times; and beland and the seed of man are called by the sides, all men with him, who were from the same name, in the Scriptures; and that also beginning, no human fruit would be born Abraham cast his seed, that is, sowed it, therefrom. For the seed must have a propHeb. 11: 11, although he garbles it in his er soil to produce fruit and to generate acwritings and would apply the casting to cording to the word and ordinance of the Sarah. What we are to judge of such Lord, and therefore Paul says, "Neither willful adulterers of the holy, divine word, is the man without the woman, neither the I will leave to the impartial reader. It is woman without the man, in the Lord," 1 the same means of which the serpent made Cor. 11: 11. I trust that such plain Scriptuse when he led Adam and Eve into death, ures can be understood. Gen. 3: 1. Kind reader, as the Scriptures, Again, concerning the Scripture, Wis. together with daily occurrences, openly tes- 7: 2, Micron says, "It does not read of tify to us by the ordinance of God, that man's seed alone." To which I reply: Mithere are sowers, and also that there is cron must be a man who esteems the judgseed, which is sown, there must also be a nment of the Almighty God too little, that fit soil to be sown; for neither in the un- he is not afraid to adulterate such plain plowed land, nor upon houses, trees and words, or to obscure them by the breath of rocks do we sow, as may be seen. And the abyss, as it is so plain that the Holy whether or not my comparison of the hus- Spirit in plain words here ascribes to the bandman, of his seed, and of his field can father that which belongs to the father, acstand according to the Scriptures, I will not cording to the ordinance of God, and to the leave to the calumniating Micron and Her- mother what belongs to the mother. *man, but to the reasonable reader. I repeat it, that such plain words of the When I had finished my argument I said, Scriptures are easily understood. Behold, Martin, this natural comparison Again, to my pointing him how Sarah which I have proposed, you may take into conceived of Abraham, and Rebecca of consideration, at your leisure, but let us Isaac, Heb. 11: 11; Rom. 9: 7, he replies have a reply to my Scriptures. Then he thus, but in the discussion he did not refer appeared as one who is in doubt, and said, to it, the reason why Abraham and Isaac "Away with this plilosophy of the seed of are called the origin of their descendants, woman." On hearing this, I replied: I have he says, is to exclude other men, and also, proposed to you the plain Scriptures where- because woman has lost her privilege by I have proved that the child is original- through sin. This is such glozing as if ly of the father, and not of the mother; and both the Scripture and that were lost. you want it to be of the mother, without the Therefore this is my brief reply: God does Scriptures. Say, kind sir, which of us two not require of any one that which he has makes use of philosophy? You or I? He not given, nor does he envy any one for 82

Page  362 362 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. that which is given him; for he is a God of said unto Abraham, "I shall bless thee;" the truth and not of a mere name. And if "and I will bless them that bless thee," the Lord had done so, for the reason given Gen. 12. Again, he promised to the obediby Micron, then God would have had pleas- ent parents under the law: "Blessed shall ure in the name, and not in truth. He be the fruit of thy body," Deut. 28: 4. Were, would also have given more to those patri- thereby, Abraham, together with all those archs than truthfully belonged to them, and that bless him, and all those who are born taken from woman what belonged to her. of such pious parents, pure and without Mark what kind of a God the sophistry of sill? Micron teaches. tie said, "Christ was pure and without As for the privilege, of which he writes, I sin, and that because he was not of human would in all love ask him what kind of a seed." I replied: From such explanation privilege this was, which woman has lost expla io through sin? If she is no more woman, and the greatest inconsistencies would follow. if she is become unfit to fulfill her maternal He then replied: "God was the cause calling and office to which she was ordained that the nature of Adam was corrupted." I of God? That she is woman still,andnecessa- noticed that he was unable to reply, and ry to fill her place in the world, is too clear that he knew not what to say. I asked to need arguing. Therefore I do not know him, Why? Because, said he, "God said," what the privilege might be, as the Script- "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou ures say no more than, "I will greatly mul- shalt surely die." So I hear, I said, that tiply thy sorrow, and thy conception; in God was the cause of the transgression of sorrow thou shalt bring forth children: and Adam? together with some other remarks. thy desire shall be to thy husband and he "No," he said, "I do not say so." Oh, Mishall rule over thee," Gen. 3: 16. But thus cron! I said, Consider what inconsistencies something must be done to deceive the you advance and what a weak, unscriptural humble reader, when flattery will not give foundation it is which you would assert it a scriptural appearance. and maintain! He did not reply again, yet Oh! oh!! If we poor children were to he claims in his writing that he asserted treat the Scriptures the twentieth part as and maintained thepurity of Christ, against they do (something from which may the us. If that is not seeking one's own honor Lord save us), and would vail the eyes of and to give an untrue account of the discusthe ignorant as does Micron by his flatter- sion, I will leave the reader to judge. And ings,great God! howthey wouldbe offended. how the assertions which he now makes in They would also have full right to do so. his writings, will stand according to the Nevertheless, however they teach and do, it Scriptures, we will show by the Scripture. is a welcome gospel to the poor, deceived Thus he writes: "W~e can conclude nothing world, as was commonly the case from the under sin, but that which the Scriptures beginning with all false prophets and their conclude under it." In this he is right, yet followers. He is allowed to break the bones contrary to himself. For the Scriptures of the passover, and to cut off Samson's conclude Adam and all his seed under sin. hair, Ex. 12: 46; Num. 9: 12, until the time Therefore it must be so with Adam and all comes that it is ended with him and he has his seed; this cannot be denied, 1 Cor. 15: 21; to give an account of his deceit before the Rom. 5: 18; Gal. 3: 22; Eph. 2: 1. He furLord. ther writes: That which the Scriptures After some passing remarks, we came to make free, we also should consider free. the inconsistency that they had an impure Again he is right; but contrary to himself, Christ; and I asked him if he confessed for the Scripture makes Christ free, and Mary to be of the impure and sinful seed of therefore we also consider him as free, beAdam He answered) "Yes." But lie said cause he is from above, of God who is pure, she was pure, because the angel said unto and not from below of impure Adam; her, "Blessed art thou among women," which Adam, I repeat, according to the Luke 1: 28. To this I replied: The Lord Scriptures, is concluded under sin, with all

Page  363 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 363 his seed, and the Scriptures do not contra- tainly was no brute. What is this for a diet themselves, base question? Behold thus the brute came He further writes that the apostles and into play; upon the cause of which he is prophets had no need of saying so much silent; and which he adduces quite strangeabout the holiness of Christ, if he were from ly, and little to my honor. above, and not of Adam. This is so simple, I confess before him and before all readthat it looks surprising. For, if Christ ers that I did not answer him respectfully; were such a pure man of impure Adam, as and I am sorry for it; for it would have our opponents say, then the Scriptures been proper to have given him a considerwould contradict themselves; or else Adam ate answer; and not to return foolishness must have had two seeds of which one was with foolishness. But to which of us the corrupt and the other remained pure, which greatest blame should be attributed, to Miis not thus taught by holy writ. Observe cron with his surprisingly indiscreet queswhat blind arguments he advances. tion, or to myself with my unseasoned anLastly, he writes: "That which God tes- swer, I would gladly leave to his own contifies to be holy; man can not make com- sideration if he were impartial. mon or unholy," and adduces, Acts 10: 15. After this had taken place I had but very Here the most holy holiness of the flesh of little desire to discuss with him at that time, Jesus Christ is compared, by him, to the as I saw that he so quite partially placed flesh of the animals, which, under the law, himself against the truth although he had were forbidden Israel to eat, Lev. 11; Dent. nothing to advance whereby he could de14: 7, and which are now, under the gospel, fend his foundation, so that I was forced to allowed as clean, Matt. 15: 11; Mark 7: 15; say, Good Martin, do not take it amiss; it Acts 10: 15; Rom. 14: 20; Tit. 1: 15, as if would be well if you would learn to know Adam, thus, by one word (as the animals yourself better, for you are yet too much of under thelaw), was made unclean; and now, a novice in the Scriptures to defend tlie again, by one word (as also these animals), foundation of your doctrine in regard to was made clean, in this his seed'(of which, this matter. according to him, Christ should be gener- "Attend," he said then, "I will tell you ated); by which he blasphemes the most something else." But as it had no foundaholy holiness of Christ's flesh. 0, abom- tion at all, and was nothing but nonsense; inable flattery! and as he went from one thing to another, Behold, dear reader, this is the best foun- I recklessly answered: Away with your dation upon which Micron can build his talk. All you adduce is nothing but anathassertion of the purity of the flesh of Christ, ema. after a study of two years of which he, at He then became very angry and cried out the time of the discussion did not advance thrice: "The pope has taught you this." a single word. You may consider for your- No, I answered with the same words, thrice, selves whether he does not make his doc- Not the pope, but Paul has taught me this, trine suspected by such flattery. Gal. 1: S. For it is a strange gospel, your And when he was defeated in his assertion philosophy about Christ, which is nottaught about the seed of woman, by virtue of the us by the apostles nor by the Scriptures; Scripture, and could find nothing to solve and I did not say a word about 1 Cor. the inconsistency, and was hedged in on all 16: 22, although he, without any truth, said sides, he proposed the following question, and wrote so, tilhe like of which alas, he as if he was so confused that lhe knew not often does to defame me, out of malice. what to say and yet wanted to say some- I again acknowledge that I inight have thing, that it might not be said that he was borne with him more patiently than I did. silenced: "Do you believe that M;ary was Yet the Son of God has not lost his son-ship a human being?" For God's sake, hear what and rights, by my inconsiderate answer; he has proposed! nor was iMicron's anti-christian doctrine On hearing this, I became recklessly ex- thereby rendered the christian doctrine. I cited, and answered thoughtlessly: She cer- became very tired of answering his foolish

Page  364 364 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. questions; for I began to observe by what adorn his falsehoods and seal them as kind of a spirit he was prompted. much as he pleases. By the grace of God, Be s, e hs qe r d te I shall affirm my humble truth with yea, Besides, he has quite reversed the narra- nay, as Scripture teaches. Whosoever tion of the discussion; has enlarged his ten ad nay a tre tehe Wh ever tatter his cause; will, may therewith believe my writings; words into very many, to flatter h is cause;hewilnot I cannothelp it. I will has abreviated mine in many instances, to I have suffered call on nothing higher. I have suffered weaken our cause, and has written many things whih we much pain and trouble for about twentythings which were never thought of; and one years for the sae of truth, yea nd tn one years for the sake of truth, yea and such by which he was quite stunned, he has nay, and have borne it submissively; nor not mentioned at all. Yet this audacious assistance of the shall I by the merciful assistance of the man dares call on God as his witness that Lord leave it in my old age, on account of he has given a true narration. O Lord! Micron and all anti-christians' false docWell, every one will have to give an ac- trine, however Satan may portray me by count of himself before his God, let him his authors and servants. HOW AND WHAT MICRON CONFESSED DURING OUR SECOND DISCUSSION, AND HOW UNFAITHFULLY HE HAS NARRATED IT. A * ~ -* second page he writes: "As to the real oriIN the second place, I asked him if he ad- gin of the human substance (which he called mitted the confession which he had made, before us, the second son), he had, accordconcerning the two Sons in Christ, at the ing to the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, time of our first discussion? lie answered, no father; and refers to Matt. 1: 2, 3. And "Yes." Then I desired,Andrew whom he thus the pure, Holy Scriptures (because they calls Cananeus, to write it down, which he call Mary a virgin), must be the cover of did in Micron's presence, and reads thus: his abominably false doctrine; notwith"Two sons in Christ. The first, God's eter- standing it clearly testifies in many places nal Son, born of him before time was, with- that God is his Father; and that he is the out mother, and impassive. The second, Son of God, Luke 1: 31; 9: 35; Matt. 3: 17; Mary's son, or the son of man, born ofher 14:33; 16: 16; 17:5; llark 3:11; 9:6; in due time, without father, and passive. 15: 39; Jn. 1: 45; 3: 16; 6: 69; 7: 28; 8: 23; In which passive son of Mary, the impas- 9: 37; 10: 36; 11: 27. Behold this is the sive Son of God, dwelt. So that the man man who, according to his own writing, has Christ who died for us, was not the Son of so cleverly discussed and so powerfully asGod; for he had no father." Behold, this serted the foundation of his doctrine, as he was his confession which we all heard from falsely makes his followers believe; and his own mouth, and which was written who has, to his own everlasting shame, down in his presence. placed such a bright crown upon his head, When Andrew had written it down, Mi- as he claims in his book. The proverb, cron said, "Read it to me." After it was "That honor shames those that seek it," is read I asked him if he had not written it true. down right. Ie replied "Yes." And now In the third place, I asked him, since he this untruthful man comes and writes that says that the man Christ had no father, they frequently confessed that the Son of whether he did not call him the Son of God? God died for us; while it did not happen He answered, "Yes." I asked him again, otherwise than it is here narrated; and for what reason he called him so; whether comes now again in his writing and says it was on account of his birth, or of regenthat he had no father. For on the thirty- eration, or of his creation, or of the accep

Page  365 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 365 tation? For if he should be truly called remembered that John A'Lasco and he such it must be because of one of these four were unanimous in this doctrine; and that reasons; or else one would speak a false- A'Lasco wrote: "If Christ be holy why hood as often as he would call him such. was he then condemned by the judgment of I received this answer: "On account of none the Father, on account of sin?" Again, of these four reasons." This is all the an- "Christ partook of no other flesh but that swer he gave me; but he sought another re- of sin, that he might be tempted, and subtreat, that he might not be caught in the ject to death." Inasmuch as they-agreed, I net of truth. This question (then left unan- thought, and as these sayings of A'Lasco swered) he now adduces quite garbled, and openly testify, that he (Christ) was not holy, says, page 173, "That he is called the Son but that he was of a sinful flesh, guilty of of God, on account of the union of the two death, therefore it might, in the same mansons" (which he artfully calls two natures ner, be called by the learned, a boose-geld that it may not sound too strange), of which and ransom. Behold, thus I answered, and union we can find not a letter in all the not otherwise. Scriptures, whereby he confesses publicly When I told it thus, Micron desired to that the crucified Christ Jesus who has read the sayings of A'Lasco, and said at borne the sins of all the world and recon- last, after having studied about them: "It ciled it unto God his Father, was merely is very obscure." Yes, certainly, I said, called the Son of God; and that God is Not obscure but ungodly. And this distherefore but a God in name, and not a God creet reply of mine he has not only sup"in truth. Surely, this is too much of bJas- pressed, but lamentably garbled, to my phemy, that the Almighty, great God and disadvantage. Besides, he has left the his blessed, beloved Son must hear of such writings of A'Lasco out of the narrative a man. and thus he blames me of what others are In the fourth place, I asked him if he guilty. I will leave it to the all-seeing knew that Gellius Faber had issued a pub- God and to-his own mind whether he has lication against us, and if he had read it? written it with the Spirit of truth, which is He answered, "Yes." Well, said I, how quite impartial, and with true, christian do you like it? "It is a very fine thing," he love, as if standing before God. said, "I have also let our brethren read it." Inasmuch as I have thus found it printed Ah, Martin! said I, do you endorse that in his book, and as the sayings of A'Lasco, ungodly homily which is so replete with imply that Christ's flesh was guilty of death; falsehood, by which the word and ordinan- as has been heard, which may rightfully be ces of the Lord are so lamentably broken, called a boose-geld and ransom, as he and wherein the most holy flesh of Christ is deems it to be sinful, then say, beloved, called a boose-geld" and ransom? If the Lord what have I said about which to make such will help me he will be replied to, for an ado? and, as he perhaps thinks, on acwhen this happened mine was almost in count of which he has so mortally wounded print. Behold, I tell the truth. Then Mi- me; besides, according to truth it is their cron said, "I have spoken to Gellius about foundation and the unmistakable result of the boose-geld; and he claims that it is a their doctrine. But thus he must render mistake of the printer, and that it should Gellius a favor at my expense, although he be loose-geld (a ransom). Then one of ours once spoke quite differently to some preachsaid, loose means, in this sense, false or ers at Eriden, about Gellius'book. frivolous." Should Christ's flesh, then, have We then came to the inconsistency of been a false or frivolous money &c. concluding two persons in Christ. To which On hearing this, I said: I have often Micron answered: "We do not assert that thought to myself how is it possible that a there are two persons in Christ; but we say man could thus write? It must be a mis- there is but one. For although the Word, take. Reflecting upon the matter, I said, I i from eternity, was one person, yet when it | was conceived in Mary it was no person." *Boose in Dutch means wicked., Beloved, mark, what indiscreetness he uses.

Page  366 366 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. He further said: "Although every man is a "Whom say ye that I am?" "Thou art the person, and although the man Christ was a Christ, the Son of the living God," Matt. man as any other man, yet the man Christ, 16: 16; and Christ blessed him for it. And for himself alone, was no person." Is it you, Micron, say that the man Christ is not not a shame that one has to repeat such ig- the Son of God. norant words before intelligent persons? The centurion confessed him to be such; Paul truly asks: "Where is the disputer of at the cross. He said, "Truly this man this world?" 1 Cor. 1: 20. When we had was the Son of God," Mark 15: 39. And finished our arguments in regard to this you, Micron, controvert it, and say that he matter, I said, I understand that some of was not. you say, "Menno said sometime ago that All the apostles confessed Christ to be the whole Christ was God's Son; but he did the Son of God, Matt. 14: 33; also, John, not prove it by the Scripture." Therefore I the Baptist; Nathaniel and Martha, Jn. desire to do so now; and I will read the 1: 45; 11: 27. And you, Micron, are not Scriptures of the New Testament to you, ashamed to say that he is not. which testify that the whole Christ Jesus, John says, "These are written, that ye from head to foot, visible and invisible, is might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the God's own, only and first-begotten, true Son of God; and that believing ye might Son, if you will patiently attend, as I did have life through his name," Jn. -20: 31. when you were reading. "Do so," he said. Beloved Micron, take heed. At another I read about twenty-four or twenty-five place it reads, "He that believeth not God, strong, plain Scriptures, to some of which I hath made him a liar; because he believeth shall here refer. The first was, " The Holy not the record that God gave of his Son," 1 Ghost shall come upon thee and the power Jn. 5: 10. "He is anti-christ that denieth of the Highest shall overshadow thee; there- the Father and the Son," 1 Jn. 2: 22. Before also that holy thing which shall be hold, Micron, what kind of spirits you are born of thee shall be called the Son of God," we will let you judge by this Scripture of Luke 1: 35. Here the angel of the Lord tes- John. What is your answer to all those tifies that Christ Jesus should be the Son of plain Scriptures, which I have read? God, and you, Micron, say that he was He was again puzzled as before, during not. the first discussion when he was overcome The Father himself says, "This is my be- on the subject of woman's seed. Both he loved Son in whom I am well pleased," and Herman became pale (as the brethren Matt. 3: 17; 17: 5; Mark 9: 7; Luke 3: 22; told me, for I did not notice it), and Micron 9: 35. And you, Micron, boldly contradict said, "Most of these Scriptures I confess to it, and say that he is not. Again, Christ be right and just." Not all? I asked. I said unto the blind man, "Dost thou believe have not added a single word; but merely on the Son of God? He answered and said, read from the Bible. Tell me which are Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on not right. him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast I received no answer at all. But again both seen him, and it is he that speaketh i he asked a strange question three or four with thee," Jn. 9: 35, 36. Here the visible, times, which I refused to answer, desiring speaking Christ confesses himself to be the an answer to the Scriptures which I had Son of God. And you, Micron, say lie is read. At last he spoke, but merely deceitfulnot. ly, that he might lead me off my Scriptures Christ says, "Wrhat and if ye shall see I which he could not answer because they were the son of man ascend up where lhe was be- too powerful and plain, and also because fore " Jn. 6(: 62. Here Christ testifies that he yet wanted to make a show: "They shall the Son of man was from above, and that bI e answered," he said. Then ask on, said he would again return thither. And you, I. "Do you believe," he said, "that Christ Micron, say that the son of man is not of I was born of the Father, and seated with the heaven, but of earth. I Father, from eternity?" I let him ask the Peter answered Christ to the question: question again.

Page  367 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 367 Martin, said I, you do not act as becomes comprehend. But that there was a birth a true and pious man. Is that an answer from everlasting, as you say, I can not find to my Scriptures? Immediately he began in the Scriptures. to boast that I could not answer his ques- Inasmuch as I can not find this in the tion. I was sorry that I had commenced Scriptures, and, as I am prepared to obey to discuss with such a perverse man; for I them unto death, therefore I ask you to saw clearly that he was not prompted by show me (as you ask it of me) where it is the spirit of truth. I further said, that I written, and, by tile grace of God, I will have never read of such a birth, in the not in the least controvert it; for I was cerScriptures, as the one which he enquired tain that he could not show it. He answered about, which implied a seat with God from again: "No, we want to find out by you." eternity. If you read of it, I said, then Now judge of the spirit of the discussion. show me where to find it. I will now leave this to the judgment of "No," he said, "We want to find it out all impartial, reasonable readers whether by you." Martin, said I, be ashamed. Micron has met us in discussion as a godly, When I want to see the Scriptures you are humble, kind' and pious christian, to teach not willing to show them. He again said, me and all of us, or to be taught of us in the "He wanted to find it out by me." Man, matters pertaining to Christ Jesus, by the man, I said, By this you show what kind Spirit and word of the Lord; or, whether of a spirit there is in you. What indiscreet he met us as an ungodly, proud, cruel and perverseness, to require of me to show that infamous pharisee. which is not to be found in the Scriptures. A more abominable discussion I never Heaven and earth have not yet stood six heard of. In the first place, because lie thousand years, and the Scriptures say that wanted to find out by us something which heaven is God's throne, and earth his foot- is not in the Scriptures. And in the second stool, and that God is an eternal God who place, because I desired him to show it to has neither beginning nor end. If I should me, and he would not do it for the sake of ask, now, what were God's throne and foot- truth and love. But Micron knew that he stool before heaven and earth were created, could not find it in the Scriptures, yet, by would you be obliged to answer me, while the such trickery, after he had lost this foundaScriptures say nothing about it? I again re- tion, he tried to make a show among his ceived the answer: "We want to find out followers who understood so little about the by you." Mark with what kind of a spirit Scriptures. But he was caught in the net this man discussed with me. he set for us, as you may clearly see from Observing that the bait which he threw the following account. For, when I obout was to get something peculiar from me, served that he had lost all christian reasonI said to him: Micron, since you can not ableness; that no Scriptures would avail stand before the truth, I can see what your anything in his case, and that he strove for object is. Therefore understand me, that nothing else but to catch me at some exyou may give a true account of me. What- pression or other, which he might, by falseever the Scripture testifies concerning the ly adding to it, himself, fasten upon us, to eternal, divine form of Christ, I sincerely our disadvantage, I desired of him to exbelieve, although I may not thoroughly plain his question a little better, namely, commprehend it, as that his goings forth whether he believed that Christ, from everhave been from of old, from everlasting, lasting, was born of the Father, or that he Micah 5: 2; that he is the Alpha and Ome- was from eternity seated with the Faga, Rev. 1: 8; 2: 8; the eternal Word of the ther, and separated from him? Three or Father, his Wisdom and Son, by whom all four times, he said, "Born." things were created, Gen. 1: 1; Ps. 33: 6; Born? I said, I do not contradict it; for Prov. 8: 22; Jn. 1: 3; Eph. 3: 9; Col. 1: 16; you have heard my confession, clear enough, Heb. 1: 2; the firstborn of every creature, but explain your question. It was again, Col. 1: 15, who is before Abraham was, Jn. S "Born." 8: 58, and other like Scriptures I do not j Then I said to Herman, Do tell, what is

Page  368 368 REPLY TOjMARTIN MICRON. your faith? He spoke in his usual, thought- from God and still remain the WTord. Yet less manner and frankly said, "That he the Word is not the Father, nor is the Fawas seated, separate from the Father." ther the Word. And therefore you daily Well, Micron, I said, is that your faith sing in your temples, Lumen de lumine, also? He again answered, Born. For the that is, a Light of lights. Also says Paul, fox was afraid that he should be caught in "He is the brightness of the glory of God," his den. Heb. 1:3. Micron, said I, say yes or no. We have Behold, dear Micron, this the beforemenheard enough of your, Born.'Then he tioned writers have confessed concerning the said, "Yes!" Well, I said, give attention! eternal, divine Being, and you confess thus. I presume, I said, that you have read I will leave it to your own judgment wheththat there was a sect in ancient times which er you did not forsake their faith and whethwas called Triticole or Tritoites (Trithe- er you did not make them false writers, by ists),* because they worshipped three Gods. your confession. He did not reply at all If you have the same faith concerning the to this. Holy Ghost, that you have concerning the In the fourth place I said, You surely Father, and the Son, then it is plain that confess that Christ Jesus from everlasting, you are Tritheists; for you so divide them, was the Almighty word, wisdom and power as being seated separate, one from the oth- of God? He replied, "Yes." Well, I said, er, as was seen. He made no reply to this, if such a birth, then, took place, as you at all. say, that he was seated, divided and sepaIn the second place, I said, You are aware rated from the Father, then the Father must that Arius was deemed a heretic, because have been seated without wisdom, word he said that Christ had a beginning! He and power from eternity, inasmuch as they answered, "Yes." This is right, I said. were separated, as you claim. This is too But reflect. If Christ was from eternity plain to be controverted, Jn. 1: 1; Gen. 1:1; with the Father, separated from him, as you Isa. 40: 8; Bar. 3: 5. Dear Micron, consider say, having neither beginning nor end, then how you blaspheme God. Not a word did he is not the Father's Son; for in such case he reply to this. he is not born of the Father; and if he be But now he comes and says that Christ, born in such a manner, that he was divided from eternity was born of the Father, alfrom the Father, and separated from him, though yet remaining in the Father. Mark, as you have it, then he must have had a be- what a double tongue and unsteady spirit ginning; for that the begetter must be be- it is. At the time of the discussion, Christ fore the begotten, in a natural sense as you was, from everlasting, seated, divided and assume, is as clear as day. And if you, separated from the Father; and now, he then, are not Arians, I will leave to your remained in the Father. In such a short own judgment. I am yet to be answered. space of time he has changed his mind on In the third place I said, Some ancient five points concerning the incarnation of authors have compared the eternal, divine Christ, as is shown in the "Admonition" Being to the Sun, that is, they have compared written to him, and now he comes to cast the body to the Father, the Word or Son to upon me the base stains of his own unsteadthe brightness, and the Holy Ghost to the iness; while the merciful Lord has, by his heat. For as these three, the body, the grace and power, for abouttwenty-one years, brightness -and the heat are one sun, thus kept me steady in one sense and foundation the Father, his Word, and his Holy Ghost of the doctrine, notwithstanding the many are one God. artifices devised against me by so very And, as the brightness cannot be sepa- many crafty spirits, as all must testify who rated from the sun and yet remain bright- have impartially read my books and heard ness, thus the Word can not be separated my admonitions. Here I would faithfully admonish all *Tritheist, One who believes that the three persons readers, in love, and would humbly pray in the Trinity are three distinct Gods. them, for God's sake, that none will say or

Page  369 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 369 think that I, by these four answers to his with. For God is a Spirit, Jn. 4: 24, and proposed and explained question, would that Spirit is ineffable. change or forsake my doctrine concerning As he again makes use of philosophy the birth of Christ, the eternal Word, be- and not of the Scriptures, the searching, fore every creature. Not at all. For, with curious philosopher might again ask him all those who, with holy Paul, in truth, i in regard to the word, born: How can one confess Christ Jesus to be the first - born be born and yet remain in the begetter I of every creature, and that without the in- do not know where Micron can find a direct termixture of any human philosophy, with answer, wherewith he could stand before these I hereby confess to be unanimous, the disputer. Therefore I would that the now and forever. ineffable mystery was left with God. For I declare that if Micron had asked, in ac- all who want to follow their own intellect cordance with the Scriptures, if I confessed in this ineffable mystery, and maintain Christ, according to his divine form, to be their opinion thereby, are immediately the first-born of every creature, then I caught in the snare of the disputer. No would immediately have answered him in matter how he manage. the affirmative. It would, then also have Inasmuch as we clearly find and know prevented his irrelevant questions. But as that the Holy Ghost has hidden this myshis questions were the result of reason and tery in the Scriptures, and that he has not, not of the Scriptures, and as he would thus in any manner, revealed it unto us, neither make of the word a separate person, from by prophet, apostle nor by the Son himself; everlasting, of which not a single word is and, inasmuch as it is manifest that it can found in the Scriptures, before his ascension, not be explained by intellect how short or therefore, he was immediately defeated by how long; how near or how far he was to the four inconsistencies concerning the eter- the Father; or whether at birth, he became nal, divine Being, from which he could not separate from the Father or not; as he is a extricate himself at all, as was heard. Spirit; besides, as we learn from history, Mark also, that he has reflected upon the and find in our own time how many piercfoolishness of his wisdom which he, without ing eyes are dazzled by this impenetrable any Scripture, used against me, so that he brightness: therefore I warn all pious hearts is now ashamed of his own confession and that would walk with a good conscience words; for he says, "IfI received the correct before their God, not to speculate about news, that he never talked about" "being this ineffable and indescribable majesty of seated." If this is true, then, alas, it is too the immeasurable, eternal Godhead and gross a falsehood. He also writes now not to conclude, assert, teach or maintain that he is born of the Father, from everlast- any thing more than the Holy Ghost has ing, but, that he yet abided in him as is revealed and taught, lest they, by their fanalso the doctrine of the Nicene council, cies, make themselves a god which is not Athanasius, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Luther, revealed unto them, by the Scriptures. For Pomeranius, Melanchthon, Bullinger and it is sufficient for all godly souls that they of the most learned persons, as can be easi- have such faith in God, as his word directs ly deduced from their comparison of the and points out, that Christ Jesus is from sun, as also from the writings of some of everlasting; the ineffable, eternal word, them. wisdom and power of the Father, and firstHe again makes use of philosophy and born of every creature, an eternal, true, not of the Scriptures, as he did in his first perfect, divine substance or being in, by, which he has now eaten up. For the spirit and with God, and that this same, by the of wisdom has not left us a single word power of the Almighty, eternal Spirit, acconcerning the ineffable, incomprehensible cording to the promise, became, in due mystery of the eternal birth, at all; wheth- time, a true, passive, mortal man, in Mary, er he became separate from the fatherly as the Scriptures teach. Being at his birth, before all creatures, or For, if we should have needed more whether he remained ineffably one there- knowledge and understanding of this inef

Page  370 370 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. fable birth, the Holy Spirit which rightly on which their whole foundation rests, teaches his unto all godliness, would un- whereby the cause was already lost, had he doubtedly not have hidden it from us, but not again admitted it, as also, that there would have revealed or explained it to us were two sons in Christ, and that the cruciby some of his holy apostles, or prophets, fled one was not God's Son, whereby he had or by the Son himself. already forsaken the Son of God; and as I hereby pray all pious hearts, for Jesus' he could not prove by the Scriptures the sake, to submit their intellect to the word spotlessness of the flesh of Christ, according of the Lord, to feel and believe of God as to his view of the matter; nor that there the Scriptures command and teach, not to were two persons in the one Christ, as he ascend higher nor descend lower, and to professes to believe, nor did he know how walk before God and his church with a pa- he could show the fatherless Christ (as he tient, humble, contrite heart, and he shall makes him) to be the Son of God; and as find peace therein. Whosoever feareth he could not reply a single word to all the God, let him reflect upon what I write. plain Scriptures which I produced to prove When he was again met in his question, that the visible, palpable, speaking and and unable to reply, he broke forth with a crucified Christ Jesus was God's own Son; disturbed mind, as it appeared, and said, and, lastly, as he was so inextricably caught "Do you also believe that Christ was nour- in his unscriptural, strange question; and ished by Mary 2" Yes, I said, I sincerely as he is silent on all these, not even touchbelieve so. " Fy!" he said then, "what an ing them, and yet calls upon the name and impure Christ; for if he was nourished by judgment of the Lord, and upon my own her, then he must also have become im- conscience, that he has faithfully narrated pure." He knew not, as I thought, what the matter in discussion; therefore I will to say, for surprise, leave it to the judgment of all reasonable, Dear Micron, I said, control your heart impartial readers whether he has written as and tongue. We speak of his origin and a true writer or as a false one; whetherlhe not of his nourishment. And if nourish- gained the discussion or lost it; whether he ment could make him impure, which is has done justice to truth and to us, or contrary to Christ's own word, Matt. 15: 11; whether he has done wrong; whether he Mark 7: 15, how much more the substance sought the honor and glory of God, or his taken from such body of which the fruit own honor and fame; and also, whether he should have come as you say and teach, should be deemed a pious, praiseworthy, and that Mary was born of the impure, sin- honorable, unblamable, true teacher, or an ful seed of Adam, of which you say the flesh impious, unfaithful, ungodly, blamable and or humanity of Christ came; this you ad- lying deceiver and calumniator; as he wrote mitted yourself; nor could you produce a through envious partiality and carnality, single Scripture by which you could prove without truth, and yet, to affirm his falseher spotlessness, as I mentioned sufficiently hood, so highly seals it, alas! as was heard. plain in the narration of the first discussion. When I had answered his last question, Behold, honorable reader, here you have they left me, and went to the front part of the principal foundation of that which Mi- the building. What was said there I can cron and Herman have suppressed in their not say to a certainty; for I was not there narration. It is easy to guess forwhatpur- myself. But I was told by the brethren pose and with what intention they have that he was still arguing there, notwithdone so. standing the weapons were knocked out of Inasmuch as it did not happen otherwise his hands by force of the Scriptures. Also than we have here told, and as it is well some of their members about the doors next know to the all-seeing God, to Micron and the street were too noisy in their talk. For Herman, as also to their own witnesses and which reason some of the brethren said all of us who were present, that he was they would better go, and asked them to quite outdone in the argumentation in re- help us all out of the gates. Of which he gard to the question under discussion and so unworthily has made, thrust out, that he

Page  371 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 371 might thereby make a greater stench and pected to be, insignificant in their own hatred for the pious and true, and make sight, born of truth, and gifted with the them a bad name. power of the word, they would have thought: Justly has the Holy Spirit likened this What is the use to write. Our cause is lost. generation unto the fearful apocalyptic lo- And if we now defame them we do so out of custs whose shapes were like unto horses partiality, and not with truthfulness; for it prepared unto battle, who have crowns on is manifest that they do not hate us, betheir heads, like gold; which however are cause they have shown us such faithfulness not gold; of which Micron and Herman and love, in time of need. But, alas, there have placed one on each others head, by was not so much prudence, honorableness, their writings; their teeth are as the teeth reasonableness, reflection and love found of lions, and they have tails like unto scor- with them. pions,andthere arestingsintheirtails,Rev.9. As we have truthfully and plainly shown Consider what the Holy Spirit means, as all that which Micron has artfully supalso that the serpent should bruise the heel pressed in his narration, to the dishonor of of the seed of woman, Gen. 3: 15. I think God and of his holy church, as was heard, they have not stung a little by this writing thus we shall now, by the grace of God, of theirs. The Lord forgive them and grant briefly show to the reader how far we differ that they may yet sometime find his merci- with them in regard to this matter, that, ful grace, if possible. thereby, truth may be the more clearly disHad they now been people of contrite tinguished from falsehood, and light from hearts, as they should reasonably be ex- darkness. THIRTY-ONE ARTICLES AHD DIFFERENCES, PRESENTED TO THE READER, TO SHOW THAT MICRON SAYS THIS, WITHOUT TIE SCRIPTURES, AND WE THAT, ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE. First. Micron and Herman have clearly which implies a separate seat, from everand publicly confessed before us all, "That lasting, as Micron and Herman confessed Christ Jesus.was so born of the Father, before us, we do not read in the Scriptures. from everlasting, that he was separated Consider whether this our confession is not from the Father, and seated separate from in accordance with the Scriptures. him, from eternity," Mark that this being Secondly. The doctrine and belief of our seated separate from the Father, is without opponents is, "That this separate Son of the Scriptures. God, in due time, became a real son, body We confess, and that according to the and soul, of the flesh and blood of Mary." Scriptures, that Christ Jesus was from eter- Mark, two Sons, and a divided Christ. nity the Father's wisdom, Prov. 8: 12. His Our doctrine and belief is that this same eternal Word, Jn. 1: 1, by which all things Word, Wisdom, or Firstborn, as we have are created, Gen. 1: 1; Ps. 23: 6; Jn. 1: 3; confessed, in due time descended from Eph. 3: 9; Col. 1: 16; Heb. 1: 2; that his heaven, and that he became a true, passive, goings forth were from the beginning and mortal man, by the power of the Most High from the days of eternity, Micah 5: 2; that and his Holy Spirit; not of Mary, but in he was before Abraham was born, Jn. Mary, above all human comprehension, as 8: 58; that he was before John the Baptist, John says, "The word is made flesh." Oband came after him, John 1: 3; the first and serve if this our confession is not in accordlast, Rev. 1: 8; 2: 8; the firstborn of every ance with the Scriptures. creature, Col. 1: 15. But of such a birth Thirdly. Micron and Herman frequently

Page  372 372 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. confessed before us all, "That there were man, thus the Son of God and the son of two Sons in Christ; the one, the eternal Mary are an undivided person. Mark, in Son of God, the other the temporal son of the third place, two Sons, and a divided Mary." Mark, again, two sons, and a di- Christ. vided Christ. We confessed, as said before, We call one what the Holy Scriptures, that he who was the Word, Wisdom and and all the world call one, that which is first-born from everlasting, became the son one; and that which they call two, are two. of man, in due time, an only, undivided If there are two sons in Christ which generSon, whose Father was God, from everlast- ated at different times, the one from eterniing, and whose mother was Mary tempo- ty, the other in due time, of different perrally, Luke 1: 31; Matt. 1; Jn. 1: 49. Ob- sons, namely, of God and of Mary, in difserve if this our confession is not according ferent forms, the one invisible and impasto the Scriptures. sive, and the other visible and passive, as Fourthly. Micron and Herman frequent- is the doctrine of our opponents, then there ly, have plainly confessed before us all, must also be two persons in him; or else and do so in their narration many times, the Word was no real Son of God, or the that the son of man had no father, some- son of Mary no real son of man, or else the times they say, no near father, which is the one must be taken away by the other and same as no father. Mark, how they blas- absorbed thereby. Of this, we can not, by pheme both the Father and the Son, Christ. the grace of God, be convinced by human We confess with the angel Gabriel, Luke reasoning, without the Scriptures. 1: 28; with the heavenly Father, Matt. 4: 17; Nor is such a parable of body and soul, 17: 5; Mark 1: 11; 9: 7; Luke 3: 22; 9: 20; in regard to this matter, known to the with Christ himself, Jn. 3: 16; 5: 22; 6: 69; Scriptures; nor such a Savior and Christ, 7: 28; 8: 23; with all the apostles, Matt. who was changed from one Son into two 14: 33; with Peter, Matt. 16: 16; with John, sons, from one person into two persons, the baptist, with Nathaniel, Jn. 1:49; with from earthly into heavenly, from holy into Martha, Jn. 11: 27; and with all the Script- sinful, from good into evil, from pure into ures, that God is his Father, Jn. 1: 14; impure, from blessed into cursed, and who 9: 38. Observe whether this confession is was changed from man into Jesus Christ. not right according to the Scriptures. Seventhly. The foundation and doctrine FiftRly. Micron and Herman have fre- of our opponents is, "That as the man quently confessed before us all, and yet do Christ was born of Mary, he was, therefore, so in their narration, "That the crucified also of her flesh and seed;" and refer to Jesus, who died for us, was not the Son of Matt. 1: 16. Mark, fourthly, two Sons, and God and is one with the other." Observe a divided Christ. if this is not forsaking the Lord who has We say, Obed is also born of Ruth, and purchased them, as Peter says. We con- Solomon of Bathsheba; nevertheless Boaz fess according to the Scriptures, that and David were their fathers, who begat the crucified Christ Jesus is God's first and Obed of Ruth, and Solomon of Bathsheba, only begotten, own true Son, whom he has thus, also, the man Christ was born of not spared, for our sake, Rom. 8: 32; but Mary; yet, God the heavenly Father, was sent him to be the propitiation for our sins, his Father, Matt. 1: 20; Gen. 17: 6; 19: 32; by his paternal, divine love, 1 Jn. 4: 10, by 35: 11; Wis. 7: 2; Rom. 9: 5; Heb. 11: 11. whose blood we are cleansed and bought, 1 Observe whether I do not rightly teach you Cor. 6: 20; 7: 23; who also, in the last ex- according to the Scriptures. tremity confessed God the Father to be his Father, crying, "Father, into thy hands I * * commend my Spirit," Luke 23: 46. Mark, inthly. The foundation and doctrine whether our confession is not right accord- of our opponents is, "That the man Christ ing to the Scriptures. is of the natural seed of David," because Sixthly. Micron makes use of a parable the Scriptures say, "Of the fruit of thy body that as body and soul are an undivided will I set upon thy throne," Ps. 132: 11;

Page  373 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 373 89: 4. Mark, fifthly, two sons, and a di- his most holy blood, by faith, that she is vided Christ. flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone; but We say, according to the foundation and the church can not thus testify of Christ, doctrine of the Holy Scriptures, that he is Eph. 5: 30. See if we do not rightly teach David's supernatural, promised and given you according to the Scriptures. son; for if he were David's natural son, as Twelfthly. The foundation and doctrine our opponents have it, then he must have of our opponents is, "That the man Christ, been of Joseph's natural seed (for the evan- and we, are of one Adam, and are thus gelists count to Joseph), and the Word did brethren by virtue of the flesh." The founnot become flesh. Observe whether we do dation of this assertion is that Paul says, not teach according to the Scriptures. "He that sanctifieth and they who are sancTenthly. Again, the foundation and doc- tified are all of one," that is, of "' one Adam," trine of our opponents is, "That the man they say. Mark, in the eighth place, two Christ was of David's seed, and refer to sons, and a divided Christ. Rom. 1: 3; 9: 5." Mark, sixthly, two sons, We say that the foundation and doctrine and a divided Christ. of the Holy Scriptures are, that Christ and WVe say that the foundation and doctrine his regenerated church are of one God, Jn. 1: 12, that is, those who hear and obey his of the Holy Scriptures are, that the same1, and therewho was God's Almighty, eternal Word, word, Mark 3: 35; Luke 8: 21, and therew fore he calls them his brethren, and says, from eternity, in due time, according to the e e cll thm hi brethren, and says, promise, became man by his Almighty "I will dclare ty name unto my breth-power in came virgin Mary, whowas prom - ren;" for as he is God's firstborn Son, Heb. power, in the virgin Mary, who was prom- h i a t, ised to a man of the generation of David, 1: 6, thus he is also the firstborn, of the called Joseph, to which Joseph, the evan-brethren, Rom. 8: 9. If he were our brothgelists count, Matt. 1: 16; Luke 3:23; Matt. er in Adam, as is the doctrine of our oppo1: 18; Jn. 1: 14, and was thus, in due time,nents, then he must, also, have been born according to the flesh of the same gen Adam's first-begotten son, as he is the firsteration of which he was incarnated, as the begotten of the brethren, as was heard. Lord had promised unto David. And thus Then, also, all the ungodly of the whole Christ is born of the seed of David, that is, world, who have the devil as their father, CiibrotseoJn. 8: 44, must-be Christ's brethren and sisof the generation of David; but did not be- t beChrists brethrenandsiscome flesh of the seed of David, as our op- ters, as e a the regenerated who have onahp God as their Father. See if we do not teach ponents claim, by garbling this Scripture..p 1 1you rightly according to the Scriptures. Observe whether we do not teach rightly r a ding o the S criptu according to the Scriptures. Thirteenthly. The foundation and docaccording to the Scriptures. trine of our opponents is, " That Christ has Elevent7ly. The foundation and doctrine partaken of the flesh and blood of his chilof our opponents is, " That the man Christ dren; which can not be explained or underis flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone, stood otherwise than that he has received and that our flesh is seated at the right his flesh and blood of the children." Mark, hand of the Father." This he advocates in in the ninth place, two sons, and a divided his book on "The Doctrine of the Church of Christ. God." Mark, seventhly, two sons, and a We say that they thereby deny the word divided Christ. of the Lord and the ordinance of creation. We say that the foundation and doctrine For the Scriptures say, only, that he parof the Holy Scriptures are, That the regen- took of flesh and blood. If they should erated church of Christ is flesh of his flesh, say that the children are spiritual children and bone of his bone, as Adam testifies of (as is also the case, because Christ had no his Eve that she was flesh of his flesh and carnal children), and, if then the brethren bone of his bone, Gen. 2: 23, but Eve was should yet be carnal brethren, then they not thus of Adam. Thus Christ also testi- first break the Scripture, in explaining the fies of his church which he has begotten by one word, which is so closely connected to virtue of his holy word in the sprinkling of j the other, as being understood in a spirit

Page  374 374 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. ual, and the other in a carnal sense. And, it is plainly shown that he is not of Mary's secondly, they assert an inconsistency. flesh, which was also concluded under sin; Consider whether they teach according to but that the Father's most glorious word, the Scriptures. which knew not sin, became flesh, Jn. 1: 14. Fourteenthly. Micron frequently writes For he is holy, and that in truth, and shall that Christ has taken unto himself the seed ever remain holy. Therefore, in my opinof Abraham, and refers to Ieb. 2: 16. In ion, it is blasphemy against the most holy the tenth place, mark, two sons, and a di- flesh of Christ, which is the true food for vided Christ. our souls, the living bread, given in such We say, and that truthfully, that Micron great love, to the reconciliation of the sins lamentably adulterates the text; for Paul of all the world, thus to compare it to the does not say, has taken, but he says, takes flesh of irrational animals which were forunto himself the seed of Abraham, that is, bidden as food, under the law, and were, the children and descendants of Abraham. therefore, deemed unclean; and which are Mark, how he deals with the Scriptures. now again, under the gospel allowed as * * * * clean and free, as was once heard. See if Eighteenthly. Micron confessed before we do not teach in accordance with Scriptus all, "That although Mary wasof theim- ure, Jn. 6: 51; Lev. 11: 4; Deut. 14: 7; Rom. pure, sinful flesh of Adam, she was, never- 14: 20; Matt. 15:11; Mark 7: 15; Acts 10: 15; theless, pure and holy, because the angel Tit. 1: 15. said unto her,'Blessed art thou among Twenty-first. The doctrine of our opwomen,' Luke 1: 28. See whether such ponents is, "That the Son of God has fuldoctrine can stand the test of the Scriptures. filled the law in our flesh." In the fourWe confess, and that according to the teenth place, mark, two sons, and a divided Scriptures, that as Mary was of the sinful Christ. seed of Adam, as we are, she, therefore, was We say, that it is the doctrine of the Holy concluded under sin, the same as we; for Scripture that none born of the accursed the Scriptures except none of Adam's seed, and sinful flesh of Adam, could fulfill the Rom. 5: 12; 1 Cor. 15: 21; Gal. 3: 22; Eph. law which was spiritual; for the seed of 2: 3. For if she would have been pure on Adam was too much corrupted, and was account of such, as Micron says, "Then also, by the righteous judgment of God, God might have cleansed the whole world subject to the curse, Deut. 27: 26. Inasby such a word; and it would have been much, then, as it is become so quite impovain to have sent his beloved Son into this tent and weak in Adam, and as the law acwicked world, in such an humble form." cused us before God, therefore he, in his Oh no. It required another who must re- great love, took pity upon Adam and all quite the debt, fulfill the law and be the his seed, and did not spare his own Son, pleasing sin-offering for Mary, no less than but he sent him in the form of sinful flesh, for us, if we were to be saved. Observe and Rom. 8:3, 32, who fulfilled the law for us, see if we do not rightly teach youinaccord- Matt. 5:17; Eph. 2: 13, who innocently ance with the Scriptures. died for us guilty sinners that through him * a * we might live, 1 Pet. 2: 24; and thus he beTwentieth. Now Micron writes, "That came our holy, innocent and spotless High we should free from sin whatever the Script- Priest, Mediator, Advocate and Reconciler, ure frees therefrom; and that man should with God, his Father, Heb. 5:1; 6: 20; not declare common or unholy that which 7:26; 8:1; 9:14; 10:12; 13: 12; 1 Tim. God testifies to be holy," and refers to Acts 2: 5; 1 Jn. 1: 2. And thus the glory is to God 10: 15. our Almighty Father, by his blessed Word We confess and say, and that in accord- or Son, alone, as the Scriptures teach; and ance with the Lord's word, that the Script- not by the accursed, sinful flesh of Adam, ure frees none from sin but him that is free as our opponents teach, Rom. 7: 14. Obindeed, namely, Christ Jesus, Isa. 53: 12; 2 serve whether we do not teach you in acCor. 2: 15; 1 Pet. 2: 22; 1 Jn. 3: 5; whereby cordance with the Scriptures.

Page  375 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 375 Twenty-second. The distinct doctrine of Christ, the son of God. I will let himself our opponents is, "That the man Christ and all intelligent persons judge according who died for us, was not of heaven, but of to his own word. earth." In the fifteenth place, mark, two Twenty-fourth. Micron writes: "As, then, sons, and a divided Christ. the same human nature (he means, the whole Our foundation and doctrine is, according man of Mary's flesh) in which he suffered, to the Scriptures, that he was of heaven and was his own flesh and body, and was none not of earth, as he himself says, "I am the other; therefore it can not be concluded livingbread which came down fromheaven;" therefrom that God's Son did not suffer for "and the bread that I will give, is my us." Mark how, here, the mere name, and flesh," Jn. 6: 51. Again in verse 62, "What not the reality, must avail with him, conand if ye shall see the son of man (mark he trary to his own doctrine. says, The son of man, who Micron says, We say that Micron manages it so with was of earth) ascend up where he was be- his flatterings that they may not be too fore." Again, "I am from above; ye are of much alarmed; for at different places he this world," Jn. 8: 23. Again, "He a that s that Christ, according to his human cometh from above, is above all," Jn. 3: 31. substance and nature, had no Father, and Christ says, "I came forth from the Father,'that he suffered in this same human suband am come into the world; again, I leave stance and nature, which had no father; the world, and go to the Father," Jn. 16: 28. and here he says that this was God's Son, Paul also says, "The first man is of the and that he suffered for us. What kind of earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord a flatterer and writer Micron is, and what from heaven," 1 Cor. 15: 47, and many oth- one should think of his foundation and er similar Scriptures. By the grace of God, doctrine, I will let each one judge for himwe will, at the proper time plainly show self, from his own writings. This is not what kind of spirits those are who deny simply truthful declaiming, as he writes. I these plain Scriptures and point the poor, know not what greater shame one could ignorant people to a divided, earthly, im- think of. pure and sinful creature and Christ, as also Twenty-fifth. Micron writes that the what abominations they commit by their Scriptures say, "That the Son of God suffalse doctrine. Observe whether we do not fered and died for us. This he writes for rightly teach in accordance with the Script- two particular reasons. First, to prove the ures. inseparable union of both the divine and Twenty-third. Micron writes: "They tes- human natures, in one person, Christ. Sectify sufficiently that the name without ondly, to show that Christ's suffering, in truth and works is vain; and, that none his body and flesh, could not conduce to can be saved by the name, unless he have, man's salvation otherwise than by such above all, the reality of the being; for the inseparable union of both the divine and name cometh of the truth." Mark how he human natures in one person, Jesus Christ." here judges himself. In the seventeenth place, mark, two sons, We say, that he is right, that the name and a divided Christ. without the reality avails nothing; and yet We say, Micron generally sings the same he confesses in different parts of his writ- tune about the union of both natures all ings that the man Christ (as he calls him), through his appendix, of which not a single had no father, still he calls him the Son of word can be found in all the Scriptures. God; he calls him of heaven, yet he says We ask nothing more than that he shall that he is of earth; he calls him pure, yet show us where the Scripture says, "This is confesses that he is of the impure seed of the divine nature in Christ," or, "that is the Adam, and says other like things. Wheth- human nature in Christ," although I confess er or not Micron proves thereby that he both natures to be in Christ; but not as the calls vain names and does not speak the doctrine and teaching of our opponents truth-for according to his doctrine the Son have it. Or else, that he show us where the of God is the son of man, and the man Scriptures say this is the union of the two

Page  376 ~t 6 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. natures in one person, as he generally seed, children, flesh and blood of Adam, on writes; or that he show us where the perfect account of our carnal birth. Mark whether Son of God is called only of divine nature, we do not rightly teach you in accordance or the perfect man, body and soul, only of with the Scriptures. human nature, as he would make the read- Twenty-seventh. Micron says,' That Daer believe, that we may reflect upon it. -If vid confessed Christ to be his Lord, accordit is no Scripture, it is anathema, Gal. 1: 8, ing to his divinity, and to be his son, acand if it is Scripture, let it be shown us, cording to his humanity," Ps. 110: 1; Matt. and we will yield. 0, God! what abomin- 22: 42. Mark again, two sons, and a diable deceit which they falsely teach the vided Christ. poor, ignorant people under semblance of We say that the prophets call him, withthe Scriptures! out any distinction as to his divinity or huI would further say, that if it were such manity, our "Immanuel," Isa. 7: 14, "The inseparable union, and that the same made mighty God" and "everlasting Father," his suffering have the power unto salvation, Isa. 9: 6, "The Lord Our Righteousness," as he says, then it is manifest that also the Jer. 23: 6; 33: 16. Paul calls him our divine nature suffered. For that which is Lord, 1 Cor. 8: 6; 12: 3. Thomas called inseparable cannot be separated, and.in himn,. "my Lord and my God," Jn. 20: 28. other places he says that the divine nature Christ says, "All power is given unto did not suffer; whereby he makes the nat- me in heaven and in earth," Matt. 28: 18. ures separable. Thus he contradicts him- Paul says, "That at the name of Jesus, self, and deceit remains deceit however he every knee should bow, of things in garbles the Scriptures by his flatterings. heaven, and things in earth, and things See if we do not rightly teach you accord- under the earth; and that every tongue ing to the Scriptures. should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord," Twenty-sixth. Micron writes, "Those Phil. 2: 10, 11. As also, that all things speak very unintelligently'of this great and are put under his feet; and that the Father holy mystery of our salvation, who say gave him to be the head over all things to that Mary's flesh was crucified for us, when the church; "and set him at his own right the man Christ was born of her, for they do hand in the heavenly places, far above all not consider that Christ was not only man, principality, and power, and might, and but also God." Mark, two sons and a di- dominion, and every name that is named, vided Christ. not only in this world, but also in that We say that Micron makes his glozings which is to come," Eph. 1: 21; that he is the worse and worse, so that it must be appar- Lord both of the dead and living; and if ent that he advocates the cause of anti- he is thus not also David's Immanuel, the christ. I leave it to the judgment of all the Powerful, God, Father, Jehovah, Lord, world if the man Christ (mark what he Head, and Judge, all those may reflect upon means by saying the man Christ) were of in the fear of the Lord, who rightly confess the seed of Mary, born of her, as the wine the Lord and his word. Consider whether is of the vine, and the blossom and fruit are we do not rightly teach you according to of the tree, if he was not, then, Mary's flesh the Scriptures. and blood who was crucified for us? Al- Twenty-eighth. Micron writes, "If the though one could not say when Absalom flesh of Christ were of the substance of the hung upon the tree, there hangs David, as heavenly Father, as Menno dreams, then he writes, yet one could have truthfully said, the heavenly Father must also have flesh There hangs David's flesh and blood; nei- and blood; or else Christ could have no ther do we say, that Mary was crucified, flesh and blood; but would only be a Spirbut Mary's flesh and blood (mind, I speak it, as God is a Spirit." Behold what blind this in the manner of Micron) was crucified; reason, and no faith. that is, if he were born of the flesh and We testify and confess before God and blood of Mary; or else the whole Scriptures all our readers, and that in accordance with must be wrong, which say that we are the the word of the Lord, that the eternal, inef

Page  377 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 377 fable word is of the eternal, ineffable sub- Isa. 40: 10, and the Lord Our Righteousstance of the Father, and must be, if it be ness, Jer. 23: 6; 33: 16. God. For what can be God, with God and Thirdly, they deny the Almighty power in God which is not of his substance or be- of God, by which he can do whatsoever he ing? And, also, that this same word came will. They make Gabriel a false messendown, in due time, and that it became truly ger, as he said that nothing was impossible man in Mary, by the Almighty power of with God, Luke 1: 37. God, Jn. 1: 14. Behold, thus the Holy Fourthly, they are in opposition to all Scriptures teach, and thus we believe, not- the Scriptures which testify, without any withstanding Micron dares call it "dream- separation, that Christ Jesus is the own, ing." only and first-begotten Son of God, Jn. The holy angel Gabriel, and the dear 1: 14; 3: 16; 1 Jn. 4: 9; Heb. 1: 5; Rom. evangelist, together with John the Baptist, 8: 32. Peter, and all the apostles, nay, Christ Fifthly, they make the Father a liar; for himself certainly knew as well as Micron they do not believe the testimony which he and the learned do, that God the Father has given of his Son, 1 Jn. 5: 10. was a Spirit, and that he was not of flesh Sixthly, they have neither Father nor and blood; yet they confessed before all Son; for they deny the Son, 1 Jn. 2: 22. the world that the visible, palpable, eating, Seventhly, they remain under the wrath drinking, speaking, sleeping, waking, walk- of God; for they believe not in the name of ing, teaching, sighing, weeping, dying and the only, begotten Son of God, Jn. 3: 36. resurrecting Christ Jesus was the invisible, Eighthly, they attach to Christ all the eternal and living Son of God, as may be gross inconsistencies which neither Micron plainly seen by the general tenor of the nor any other man can explain away, as whole New Testament. O God, what abom- may be clearly seen by his writings, if one inable snares to catch the poor souls and has spiritual eyes. Consider whether we to drag them to the pit of destruction. do not rightly teach you in accordance with a the Scriptures. Twenty-ninth. The foundation and doc- the crit onandHe rmansay Tat trine of our opponents is, "That the word if the Word ecae eh an a was God from the beginning, and could 1 on himself the flesh of Mary, there must therefore not suffer." They refer to Jn. 1: 1. a have been a new creation in Mary. Mark, It was flesh, and could, therefore, not be-. c "It was lesh, and could, therefore, not b how diametrically they oppose the foundacome flesh." Mark, it is reason, and not tion of truth. faith. tion of truth. faith. Weal~.yadcnesanthtbte We say (note it) that if all miracles and We say and confess, and that by the powers of God, by which many things were strength of the Scriptures that this same changed into different beings or forms from Word, which was, in the beginning with what they were before, were to be called a God, and was God, in due time became new creation,then wewouldfindmanysuch man, and dwelt among us, Jn. 1: 14. For new creations in the Scriptures, as when "God so loved the world," says Christ water was changed into wine, Jn. 2: 9, it himself, "that he gave his only begotten was turned into blood, Ex. 7: 20. Lot's Son." He spared not his own Son, says wife was changed into a pillar of salt, Gen. Paul, but delivered him up for us all, Rom. 19: 26. All the dust of Egypt was changed 8: 32; and John says, "He sent his Son to into lice, Ex. 8: 17; and many other mirabe the propitiation for our sins," 1 Jn. 4: 10. cles. The omnipotence of God was thereby All those who controvert this, deny first, acknowledged; yet it is not called a new the eternal love of God who so loved us creation in the Scriptures. that he gave his only begotten Son, Jn. But we will let the polite, impartial read3: 16; 1 Jn. 4: 10. er judge according to the Scriptures, if there Secondly, they deny the promise of truth would not have taken place a new creation whereby God promised that the Messiah in the case of Christ being born of Mary, should be our Immanuel, Isa. 7:4, our God, as was in the beginning the case with Eve 84

Page  378 378 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. being made of Adam's rib, if our opponent's of the flesh; but is only called so for the foundation were true. Consider whether sake of their garbled union; rob us of both we do not rightly teach in accordance with Father and Son, make false and untrue all the Scriptures. the Scriptures, together with all the aposThirty-first. Micron writes "That we ties and prophets, nay, also, the Father place in the stead of the true Christ, a new, and the Son, and take the innocent aposunknown Christ whom neither the patri- ties, patriarchs, and prophets, with whom archs, prophets, apostles, nor the many we agree in all particulars, as a mere cover thousands of martyrs, &c., ever confessed." for their falsehood; they point us from the We say that Micron, as also all-the false firm foundation of truth to the quick-sands prophets, thereby lamentably slander the of criticism, garbled Scriptures and glozing; pious patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and build their church upon a man and creature witnesses of Christ; and that he thereby of the impure, sinful seed and flesh of denies their sure, true testimony, left in the Adam, without father. And although they, Holy Scriptures, concerning Christ Jesus poor children, are quite earthly and carnal, the Son of God. For it is manifest that the as may be seen by their writings and works, prophets confessed him to be their Imman- yet they boast that they rightly teach uel; and that he was to be the son of a vir- Christ; which none can do but by the revegin, who was to conceive of the Holy Ghost, lation of the Father through the Holy Ghost, Isa. 7: 14, for God himself was to be his as Christ himself says, " No man knoweth Father, Luke 1: 31-35. They confess him the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth to be their mighty God, and everlasting any man the Father, save the Son, and he Father, Isa. 9: 6, their Jehovah who would to whomsoever the Son will reveal him," make them and us righteous, Jer. 23: 6; M att. 11: 27. 33: 16; that his goings forth were from ever- Observe whether we teach a Christ to lasting, who was to be Lord and Prince of whom the prophets and apostles have not Israel; that he was the wisdom of God, pointed us, as these unfaithful people falseand was to show himself on earth and dwell ly accuse us of, before all the world. among men. David confessed him to be O T t m G his Lord, Ps. 110: 2, he was to be the Lord, Oh! That they meant God! that they strong and mighty, and to be the Lord Sab- sought the glory of God and the salvation aoth, Ps. 24: 8, which no man of Adam of their neghbors, and not their own vain could be. Also, all the holy apostles, honor and glory! How gladly would they Matt. 14: 33, the angel of God, Luke 1: 28,confess the h he pure, saving truth the Father, Matt. 3: 17; 17: 16; Mark 1: and they the impure, accursed flsehood. 9: 7; Luke 3: 22; 9: 35, and Christ himself, But as it is, it is hid from them by their Jn. 9: 35, John the Baptist, Jn. 1: 34; 3:28. earthly, carnal vision. Nathaniel, Jn. 1:49, and Martha, Jn. 11: 27, Behold, honorable reader, here you have confessed him to be the true Son of the true distinctly presented to view the principal and living God, nay, to be his only, and differences between us and our opponents, first-born, inseparable Son, all through the concerning this article. And I will now New Testament. I say inseparable; for, faithfully show you, for further explanathat the son of man was God's Son, and tion, their unscriptural confessions, garthat the Son of God was the son of man, blings and adulterations of the Scriptures, Peter plainly confessed, upon which, also, together with their principal glozings of salvation was promised him of Christ; that which they make use without the Scriptthe church would be built thereupon, and ures, or with a false and garbled underthat flesh and blood had not revealed it standing of them, whereby they quite obunto him, but the Father which is in heaven, scure the brightness of Jesus Christ the Son Matt. 16: 17. of God, break the foundation of truth, enAnd now these thoughtless people come snare the simple'reader, deprive him of the and divide Christ, without Scripture for it; Father and Son, and thus detain him in the he must not be the Son of God, on account curse, sin and death, as has been heard.

Page  379 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 579 FORTY-FIVE UNSCRIPTURAL CONFESSIONS, EXPLANATIONS, FALSE GLOZINGS, ADULTERATED AND GARBLED SCRIPTURES, PRESENTED TO THE READER FOR THE EXPLANATION OF THE MATTER. First. We do not read in the Scriptures, promised by the prophets, and preached that Mary, who was a natural daugh- by the apostles, as Micron says, without ter of the impure and sinful flesh of Adam, any truth, or: was without sin and pure, as Micron con- Sixteenthly. That Christ was God and fessed before us all, at the discussion, or: man in such a sense as Micron teaches, or: Secondly. That such pure, innocent,, * * * spotless and blessed fruit, as was Christ Eiqteenthy. That the Son of God is Jesus, was born of such impure, sinful flesh, called the son of man and the son of man guilty of death, as was the flesh of Mary, is called the Son of God, by reason of such since she was a daughter of the impure seed union, as our opponents assert, without of Adam, as Micron says, or: anScripture or: Thirdly. That Adam had two seeds, of * * which the one was holy and pure, as was Christ, and the other sinful and impure, as Tenteth. Tha the flesh of Chrst was we are; as must be concluded from the doc- sinful, and guilty of death, as John A'Lasco trine of Micron, or: (with whom Micron agrees) blasphemously Fourthly. That Christ was born of the teaches, or: Father, from eternity, that he was seated Twenty-first. That the word, which from separate from the Father, and outside of the beginning was God, thus took its tabthe Father, from eternity, as Micron and ernacle, tent, or dwelling in our flesh, as Herman confessed before us all, or: John A'Lasco philosophizes, or: * * m- T Twenty-second.'That the Son of God Eleventhly. That the Word, or the eter- thus covered his divinity with humanity, so nal Son of God, without mother (I write it long as he was upon earth, as John A'Lasaccording to their foundation), thus united co writes, or: himself with a son of man, without father; Twenty-tkird. That the one who had that he accepted, or took on the same, that transgressed, also, had to requite it in his he dwelt therein, and thus became one per- nature, as is the foundation of our opposon and son, as is the foundation and doc- nents, or: trine of our opponents, or: Twenty-fourth. That the Son of GodfulTwelfthZy. That there were two sons in filled the law and reconciled the Father in Christ, as was heard, of which one was vis- our flesh, as is the foundation of our oppoible, passive, and earthly-the other invisi- nents, or: ble, impassive, and heavenly, as is the foun- Twenty-fifth. That we could not have dation and doctrine of our opponents, or: partaken, unto salvation, of his heavenly Thirteenthly. That the divine nature and spiritual attributes, such as his life, thus united itself with the human nature holiness, righteousness, merits, &c.,if Christ (whereby he means, two perfect sons) into had not had our human nature, form and one person, which he so often repeats, or: substance, as Micron writes, or: Fourteenthly. That such a union of Twoenty-sixth. That the son of man, who God's Son and Mary's son, as Micron says, is confessed to be the Son of God by Peter, should be compared to the union of the by John the Baptist, by the angel and by body and soul of man, or: all the Scriptures, said in any part of Fifteenthly. That such a divided, double, Scripture: No, I am not the Son of God, earthly and heavenly, righteous and un- but he that dwelleth in me whom you do righteous, pure and impure Christ was not see, is the Son of God, and for his sake

Page  380 380 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. I am called his Son, as is the doctrine of to purity the most holy flesh of Christ with our opponents, or: the cleanness of the animals which were deTwenty-seventh. That the angel Gabriel dared clean, as Micron compared Acts told Mary that such a divided son would 10: 15, or: be conceived in her, Luke 2: 28, as Micron Thirty-eighth. That the most holy flesh garbles it, or: of Christ Jesus was flesh of our impure, Twenty-eighth. That Christ Jesus was sinful flesh, as our opponents make the not God's Son, according to his most holy poor people believe, or: humanity, as well as according to his eter- Thirty-ninth. That Christ would be the nal divinity, as our opponents teach, or: Immanuel in our flesh as our opponents Twenty-ninth. That the man Christ was claim, or: of earth and was called heavenly, only, on Fortieth. That Christ and we, are brethaccount of some honorable attributes as ren on account of the flesh, as Micron teachMicron writes, or: es the unrepentant, ignorant world, without Thirtieth. That the flesh and blood of the truth, or: the seed of Adam, as our opponents say, Forty-first. That the children of the devil, that the flesh of Christ is the true bread of such as liars, haters, murderers, adulterers life, on account of some divine attributes as of the Scriptures, blasphemers, &c., are they garble the word of Christ, Jn. 6: 51, or: Christ's brethren and sisters as well as the Thirty-first. That Abraham and Isaac children of God, as we must conclude from were called the autores or origin, in the the teachings of our opponents, or: Scriptures, that it should not be attributed Son of G to strange men, as Micron says, without the ty-second. That the Son of God Scrip ~ t or:'~~ ~united himself with human nature, that is, Thirty-second. That Christ took on him with a man of the flesh of Mary, and that our sinful form as John r'Laso says, he ascended with such flesh, as Micron unour sinful form as John A'Lasco says, scripturally garbles Eph 4 10, or Phil. 2: 7, or: scripturally garbles Eph. 4: 10, or: Phil. 2: 7, or: Thirty-third. That Christ took on him Forty-third. That our flesh is seated at the seed of Abraham, as Micron garbles the right hand of the Father, as is the docthe text of Heb. 2: 16, or: trine of our opponents, or: Thirty-fourth. That Christ partook of Forty-fourth. That Christ is our Head, the flesh and blood of the children by gen- and we, his body, members and brethren, eration, as our opponents garble or falsely on account of the flesh, as we must underexplain the text, Heb. 2: 14, or: stand it from the teachings and foundation Thirty-fifth. That God was manifested of our opponents, or: in our flesh, as our opponents explain the Forty-fifth. That a man of the impure, Scripture of Paul, 2 Tim. 3: 5, or: sinful seed of Adam is our Advocate, MediThirty-sixth. That Christ dwelt in our ator, Reconciler and High Priest with God flesh by generation, as our opponents ex- the Father; and, that with him we should plain, 1 Jn. 2: 4, or: worship, honor and serve him as the true Thirty-seventh. That we are to compare and living God, as our opponents teach. CONC LUSI ON. IHEE, observe, kind reader, that the whole their anti-christian doctrine was the docfoundation and belief of our opponents trine of the Son of God, and whereby they concerning this article is built upon mere cause themselves to be called the true teachxarnal wisdom, philosophy, explanation, ers, and us the deceivers, by the world who, glozings, adulteration and garbled Script- alas, are little versed in divine matters. ures whereby they make it appear as if But how they will stand at the coming of

Page  381 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 381 Christ, before his impartial judgment seat, trine is not of the Fountain of the eternal I fear most of them will find out too late. Wisdom, as Micron dares boast, without I will now point out to you, by the grace e e of the Lord, the inconsistencies that must follow from their doctrine and faith, in such abyss by the locusts of Apollyon. Take clearness that you can see that their doc- heed. FOURTEEN INCONSISTENCIES, WHICH MUST RESULT AND FOLLOW FROM THE FOUNDATION AND DOCTRINE OF OUR OPPONENTS. FIRST, it follows incontrovertibly from is a divided Christ, who became a Savior, their doctrine and faith that there are two and Jesus Christ, of God and man, of the sons in Christ, of which one was the im- heavenly and earthly, of the pure and impassive, eternal Son of God, without moth- pure, of the righteous and unrighteous, of er, and the other the son of Mary or the the good and evil, and of the blessed and son of man, without father. And whether accursed, as was once heard above. You or not such doctrine and faith is not an in- may judge by the Scriptures whether this consistency, I will leave you to judge ac- may not, also, rightly be called an inconcording to the Scriptures. sistency. Secondly, it follows incontrovertibly that Sixthly, it follows incontrovertibly that there are two persons in Christ; for where the eternal expiatory offering, once offered there are two actual sons there must be two for all the world, is not the spotless lamb persons. Or else the one must have taken which the Scriptures confess him to be, but unto him the other, and by the fictitious an impure, sinful, and accursed man of the union quite absorbed the other. If this can impure, sinful and accursed flesh and seed not be called an inconsistency you may of Adam. You may judge by the Scriptjudge according to the Scriptures. ures whether this is not an abominable, Thirdly, it follows incontrovertibly that blasphemous inconsistency. the eating, drinking, sighing, weeping, pas- Seventhly, it incontrovertibly follows that, sive, dying and crucified Christ Jesus was as the holy apostle Thomas confessed the not the Son of God, notwithstanding he is crucified, visible Christ to be his Lord and confessed by all the Scriptures to be the God, and, as all Scripture testifies that he first and only begotten, own Son of God; is our Reconciler, Mediator, Advocate, High for, they say that he had no Father. You Priest, Savior, and Deliverer, and if he were may judge by the Scriptures whether this a man of Adam's impure seed, as our opmay not be called a blasphemous incon- ponents assert, then it is manifest that an sistency and denial of the Son of God. earthly, impure, sinful and accursed creatFourthly, it follows incontrovertibly that ure, of the earthly, impure, sinful and acthey utter a falsehood as often as they call cursed flesh of Adam is our Reconciler, Methe man Christ, the Son of God; for how diator, Advocate, High Priest, Savior, Decan he be a Son of God according to their liverer, Lord and God. You may judge by doctrine? for they publicly write and ver- the Scriptures whether this may not, also, bally confess that he was not of God but of be called a blasphemous inconsistency and Mary. You may judge according to the anti-christian abomination. Scriptures whether this is not a blasphe- * * * * mous inconsistency, which is not conforma- Tenthly, it incontrovertibly follows that ble to the true God who deals according to if the man Christ were of the unclean, sinful truth, and does not use idle names. flesh of Adam, as is the foundation of our Fifthly, it follows incontrovertibly that it opponents, that one of two things must be

Page  382 382 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. true, either that the Scriptures do not right- urrection again united therewith, the second ly teach us, or that all are idolaters who time, Wis. 18: 15. You may judge by the worship, honor, thank and serve such an Scriptures, whether this may not rightfully earthly) sinful and accursed Christ, as our be called a wonderful inconsistency. opponents teach and advocate without the Fourteenthly, it incontrovertibly follows Scriptures; for they say, "Thou shalt that if the word or the eternal Son of God thus worship the Lord thy God, and him only took on him such a man of Mary's flesh shalt thou serve," Matt. 4: 10; Deut. 6: 13. and blood, and united himself therewith The prophet, also says, I will give my into one person and son, as our opponents, praise to none other. And it is clear that by their philosophy pretend, then, God one does not worship our Savior Christ any the Father, was not the true Father of less than he does the Father himself. You Christ, Mary not the true mother, Christ may judge according to the Scriptures not a true Son; and all the Scriptures are whether this is not also an idolatrous in- thereby denied, which confess Christ to be consistency and an infamous blasphemy. the first and only begotten, true Son of God, * * * * without any distinction between divine or Twelfthly, it incontrovertibly follows, if human, between spirit and flesh, invisible I understand the writing of Micron, that the and visible, immortal and mortal, as we eternal Word became the Spirit of man, have clearly explained above and shall and that it only took on itself a tabernacle still further explain below, by virtue of the of Mary's flesh. For, as I think, he alleges word of the Lord. You may, in the fear of Peter for such a purpose, and says he was God, judge by the Scriptures whether this put to death in the flesh, but quickened by can not be rightfully called a blasphemous the Spirit, 1 Pet. 3: 18. inconsistency, and a direct denial of both If he understands the Spirit of Christ as Father and Son. being the Spirit which he commended to the Behold, chosen readers, it is such an unFather, as also, being the immortal Son of scriptural, divided, unclean, sinful and God with which, according to his doctrine, earthly Savior -and Christ which our oppohe was united, then Peter did not write nents teach and point to by their anti-chrisenough by merely saying "quickened by tian, covert, garbled, mysterious and obthe Spirit," and not, "as also by the im- scure reasonings of human wisdom. I place mortal Son of God with which he was before you, in plain and clear words the united." Mark what I say. mirror of their deceit. If you will, you may And if he understand it as solely having clearly see how lamentably you are dereference to the Spirit of Christ, and not, ceived by them. also, to the immortal Son, as he confesses Inasmuch, then, as their doctrine and him to be, then the Son of God must have faith is nothing in fact but anti-christian debecome, according to his doctrine, a spirit ceit, and the temptation of the old serpent, of man; or else I do not know for what for it is all taking unto, uniting two into purpose he adduces this Scripture. You one, divine and human nature, honorable may judge by it whether this is not an virtues and the like whatever we read or abominable inconsistency, and blind-fold- hear from them, of which we find nothing ing of the poor, ignorant world. in Scripture; and as they make these asserThirteenthly, it incontrovertibly follows, tions and adorn them with many broken if the doctrine of the learned is right, that Scriptures, glozings and false explanations; the Almighty Word, whereby heaven and therefore I say, first, in Micron's own earth were replenished, must have united language, that all they philosophize and itself with such a small body of the flesh of teach avails us nothing, since it is not Mary, and thus sighed, wept, ate, drank, according to Scripture. And secondly, in suffered and died with it and lay dead in the language of holy Paul, it is anaththe grave; or else it must have merely ema, since it is a strange gospel of which sheltered in Christ's Spirit, and thus, at not a single word is taught in the Scriptdeath, departed therewith, and at the res- ures, neither by the prophets, nor by Christ,

Page  383 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 383 nor by any of his apostles, in such a sense dation of our confession together with its as our opponents teach it. Take heed. proper contents, fruits, end, and promise, We will now, by the grace of the Lord, that you may, by such comparison in black present to view, in the first place, the foun- and white, the more readily guard against dation of the confession and doctrine of our the deceit of the old serpent, and find the opponents, concerning this article, together sure and firm foundation of truth, and bewith its proper contents, fruits, end, and lieve and follow it, with a sure conscience, promise, and, in the second place, the foun- without any fear. THE FOUNDATION AND FAITH OF OUR OPPONENTS CONCERNING CHRIST JESUS, TOGETHER IWTITH. THEIR PROPER CONTENTS, FRUITS, ENDS, AN.D PROMISE. HONORABLE reader, take heed. The fol- took of sinful flesh, that he might be temptlowing is the whole contents, conclusion, ed and be subject to, or guilty of death. They sense, explanation, foundation and mean- place their salvation in an earthly, sinful ing of the faith and doctrine of our oppo- creature of the unclean, sinful seed of Adam, nents, concerning the incarnation of our and make Christ Jesus not alone of the sinLord, whereby they, by their human wis- ful and accursed flesh of Adam, Abraham dom and the cunning of the old serpent, and David, but also, a gentile of the genproclaim that all the glorious promises tiles, namely, a Syrian of the daughters of concerning Christ, the Son of God, con- Bethuel and Laban, Gen. 24; 29: 18, a Catained in Moses and the prophets, such as, naanite of Rahab, a Moabite of Ruth, Matt. of grace, mercy, remission of our sins, peace 1: 5, and an Ammonite of the mother of of conscience, reconciliation, and life eter- Rehoboam, of the son of Solomon, 1 Kin. nal, are concluded, in the unclean, sinful 14: 21. flesh of Adam, which they call clean al- They make a creature of the unclean, sinthough they confess that it is of him with- ful flesh and seed of Adam, their seat of out any Scripture. grace, and sin-offering, their High Priest, They confess publicly (witness their own Mediator, Advocate, Intercessor, and Recconfession), that there are two Sons in onciler, and falsely call him the Son of God. Christ; of which the one is the Son of God, I say falsely; for they publicly confess that from everlasting, without mother, and im- he had no father. Call them their Lord passive; and the other, the son of Mary, or and God, still, they say and write that he the son of man, without father, and passive. is of earth, and not of heaven. They worWhich two sons, they say (but without ship, honor and serve him as they do the Scripture), are united into one; so that the Father himself. Oh, abomination! man, Christ, who visibly walked, ate, drank, They garble and break the Scriptures, besighed, wept, and hung on the cross, and cause they do not believe the testimony of who cried to his Father: "Father into thy John, that the Word was made flesh. They hands I commend my Spirit," and who lay adulterate the plain confession of the in the tomb three days, was not the Son of angel of God, concerning the Father and God. the Son himself, of John the Baptist, of They make the Holy of holies, the ever Peter and of all the apostles, of Paul, and blessed Christ Jesus, a sinful and accursed of all the Scriptures, which unanimously man; [one of their number asks publicly: testify that the conceived, born, suffering, If Christ were holy, why was he adjudged whole Christ, outwardly and inwardly, visunto death by the judgment of the Father, ible and invisible is inseperable, the first on account of sin?] and say that he par- and only begotten Son of God.

Page  384 384 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. They break and contradict the whole gos- matic words and self-conceited glozings pel and the precious epistle of John in and abominations, of which not a word is which he testifies more than sixty times —found in the Scriptures. that Christ confessed himself to be the Son Is it not a pity, nay, a horrible thing, to of God and confessed God to be his Father. wade in such pure, limpid waters, with such Also, frequently, that he went forth from filthy feet, and thus to obscure the precious the Father, that he was sent and came from and bright sun of righteousness with such heaven. infernal exhalations of the anti-christian They garble and profane the Holy Script- doctrine? Rev. 9: 2. And that for no other ures quite lamentably, heap one abomina- reason than that they do not trust the testible flattery and fictitious explanation upon mony of John and of the angel; do not beanother. Christ, say they, has taken on lieve the Almighty power of the Father, himself our human nature of Mary; then, judge every thing according to nature and there are two sons and natures combined not according to the Scriptures, and attribintoone person and Son. Now the Son of ute more to Mary than belongs to a true God has put on the flesh and blood of mother, according to the ordinance and Mary, dwelt therein, placed his tabernacle word of the Lord. or tent therein. From which it incontrovertibly follows, One of their learned writes, "That the and is manifest, according to the doctrine Son of God has brought all his attributes and testimony of John, that they, alas, to the son of man." Another writes, "That have neither the Father, nor the Son;"' Whothe man Christ was God's adaptivus filius, soever denieth the Son, the same hath not the that is, the adopted and well-pleasing Son Father," 1 Jn. 2: 23, that the wrath of God of God." Still another, "That the one nat- abides on them, and that they shall not see ure in Christ was quite divine, and the life; for they do not believe in the name of other half divine and half human." Some the only begotten Son of God; that they write, "That the divine nature also suf- must die in their sins; for they do not befered." Others write and say, "That he lieve that it is he, Jn. 8: 24; that they do only suffered in his human nature and not not vanquish the world, that they are not in his divine nature. Micron says, "That in God, nor God in them; for they do not Mary's blood became in her, our flesh; that confess that Jesus is the Son of God, 1 Jn. Christ's flesh is of our flesh, and that, not- 4: 3. Oh! how well it would be if these withstanding he is of earth, and of Adam's poor people would take heed, rightly conseed, he is still called heavenly, on account fess Christ, the Son of God, and give him of certain virtues," and other like anathe- his due praise and honor. OUR DOCTRINE AND FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, THE SOX OF GOD, TOGETHER WITH THEIR PROPER CONTENTS, FRUITS, END, AND PROMISE. OUR foundation and faith is, and that, by the power of the Holy Ghost he became according to the Scriptures, in power and man in Mary, the virgin, who was promtruth, that the whole Christ Jesus, visible ised to a man of the house and generation and invisible, outwardly and inwardly, of David, named Joseph, above all human mortal and immortal, is the first and only understanding, and that, according to this begotten Son of God, Heb. 1: 6; Jn. 1: 14; flesh he was generated in her, and in due 3: 18; 1 Jn. 4: 10, as the angel, John the time born of her, an only, undivided perBaptist, the apostles and all the Scriptures son, Son, and Christ, God's true and natuconfess him to be; that he is the ineffable, ral Son, by virtue of his origin; and Mary's eternal word, by which all things are cre- supernatural son, by virtue of his concepated, ineffably come from heaven, and that, tion, I say, supernatural; for it was not

Page  385 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 385 brought about by the will of man; who 49: 10; 2 Sam. 7: 12; Rom. 1: 3; 9: 5; Matt. was promised that he should be born of the 1: 18; Luke 2: 7; 3: 23; 2 Tim. 2: 8; Jer. generation of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ju- 23: 6; 33: 16; Isa. 11: 1; 1 Kin. 5: 5; Ps. dah and David; as it also happened; that 89: 37; Matt. 1: 16; Luke 3: 23; Acts 2: 30; he is, also, by reason of his mother, Jo- Isa. 9: 6; 7: 14; Matt. 1:23; Isa. 40:3; Jer. seph's wife, called in the Scriptures the 23: 6; 33: 16; Prov. 8: 12; Bar. 3: 36; Ps. righteous branch of David, a rod out of the 110: 1; 24: 8; Heb. 1: 10; Isa. 9: 5; Luke stem of Jesse, the fruit of theloins of David, 1: 28; Jn. 16: 28; 6: 32; Eph. 4: 10; Matt. represented by the literal Solomon; that he 1: 18; Luke 1: 31; Jn. 1: 14; Luke 2: 7; is the Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty Gal. 4: 4; Heb. 2: 14; 4: 15; Jn. 4: 6; Phil. God, The everlasting Father, ourImmanuel, 2: 7; Matt. 5: 17; Rom. 8: 3; Eph. 2: 13; our God, The Lord Our Righteousness, The Col. 2: 13; Ezek. 34: 23; Matt. 18: 11; 4: 17; Wisdom of God, the Lord of David, the Jn. 2: 11; Rom. 5: 8; 1 Jn. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:19; Strong and Mighty God, who in the begin- Heb. 9: 12; Eph. 2: 15; Col. 1: 20; 1 Pet. ning founded the earth, and madetheheav- 2: 9; Rev. 1: 6; 5: 10; Matt. 28: 6; Mark ens; our new and spiritual Solomon, seated 16: 6; Luke 24: 6; Jn. 20; Eph. 1:20; Mark upon the new spiritual throne in the new 16: 19; Acts 1; Jn. 6: 62; Rom. 3: 25; Heb. and spiritual kingdom and reign of David; 3:1; 5: 1; 6: 20; 7: 24; 8: 1; 9: 11; 10: 11; God's true Son, I say, by reason of his Fa- Rom. 8: 27; Heb. 7: 25; 1 Tim. 2: 5; 1 Jn. ther; Abraham and David's son, by reason 2: 1; Heb. 9: 11; 12: 24; Jn. 20: 28; 5: 22. of his mother; an only, undivided Son of We confess and believe that, as the A1God and Mary, gone forth from the Father, eternal Father, through mere grace come down from heaven; conceived in Mary, ad, ha, in the bgi g, reae born of her, a true man, like unto us, poor d e by h rist, his ight, Adam and Eve by Christ, his Almighty, children of Adam, in all things except sin; eternal word, Gen. 1:27. e, also, now by eternal word, G-en. 1:27. He, also, now by that he hungered and ate, thirsted and p lo drank, tired and rested; that he was made and grace, has aain rase the and all their seed (since they fell) by the in the likeness of men; that he has fulfilled same word, now incarnated by his Almighty the law for us; that he sought the lost a e d n nan ted shee; taught the kingdom of God, and power, and that he has again accepted them sheep; taught the kingdom of God, and stheep; the kningdm by as his children, Jn. 1: 14, that we may give that he confirmed his sending by miracle the eternal honor and praise to God, for and that he, at last died the bitter death, his grace, by his Word or Son and not to, his grace, by his Word or Son, and not to innocently, for us who were guilty (when t. we were yet ungodly and enemies); that he n ehl s confession concernhas thus purchased, sanctified and cleansed s thus pd, sand n l d ing this matter leaves the whole Scriptures us by his own blood, anid not by the blood Not an inconunbroken and unchanged. Not an inconof another; that he has reconciled us with ent fae n an adulterated Scriptsistent flattery, nor an adulterated ScriptGod, our Father, nay, made us kings and God, our Father, nay, made us kings and ure is found, as is, alas, the case with the priests; that he was delivered and resur- confession of our opponents. rected from the bonds of death, and ascended to his Father, where he was before, and The Almighty, eternal God alone, retains that, by his precious innocent blood, he be- his glory and honor, by his Word or Son, came our only and eternal High Priest, In- The Father remains the true Father of the tercessor, Mediator, Advocate and Recon- whole Christ, the mother the true mother, ciler, with God his Father; that he is our and the Son the true Son of both his Father Lord and God, whom we, in our weakness, and his mother, which Son is from above should honor and praise because of his in- and not from beneath, who is from heaven effable love and merits, even as we honor and not of earth; pure of the pure God, an the Father himself, Gen. 1: 1; Ps. 33: 6; only Son and person, the Potentate and Jn. 1: 3; 3: 13; 8: 23; 16: 28; 1 Cor. 15: 47; Lord of heaven and of earth, the Savior of Eph. 4: 10; Matt. 1: 20; Luke 1: 23; Jn. all the world, in whom all the present and 1: 14; Rom. 1: 3; Gal. 4: 4; Luke 1: 30; future promises are fulfilled, and by whom Gen. 12: 3; 18: 18; 22: 18; 26: 4; 28: 14; they are given and received. Eternal praise

Page  386 386 RREPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. be to his adorable, glorious, and exalted explanations, fictitious glozings, adultername, Amen. ated and garbled Scriptures," and by these All those who can thus firmly believethis "Fourteen insolvable, blasphemous inconmiraculously high work of the ineffable, sistencies;" and you must observe that his great love of God, and who can confess, inconsistencies, together with the foundawith Peter and all the Scriptures, that Christ tion of their confessions concerning this Jesus is the true Son of the true and living matter, which I have faithfully and plainly God, they have both the Father and the set forth, are nothing but anti-christian deSon, 1 Jn. 2: 23; they vanquish the world; ceit of the old serpent; and that our founthey are in God, and God is in them, 1 Jn. dation and faith, on account of which we 4: 15; they are freed from the wrath of God, must, alas, hear and suffer so much, are the and have eternal life; they acknowledge the firm, immutable, invincible rock and stone severe justice and the merited curse which of the eternal truth which the holy apostles came upon Adam and all his descendants and prophets, together with all the pious through Adam's disobedience. They, there- witnesses of God in the primitive, incorfore, fear God, bury their sins, and turn rupted church, before the man of sin enfrom evil. They also acknowledge the in- tered into, and was seated in the temple of expressible love of God, so richly shown us God, who cannot bear this foundation, as in Christ Jesus; they enter into newness of may be seen, 1 Jn. 2: 22; 4: S; 2 Jn. 1: 7, life with Christ, Rom. 6: 4; they believe in confessed with us. the name of the only begotten Son of God, Not a single Scripture is adulterated or Jn. 3: 18. broken by us. We make use of no glozing. Honorable reader, take heed. I warn No inconsistency is the result. It is the you in sincere and faithful love; for it avails eternal life, or eternal death. If you be pn Spte and its fundation which not quite blinded you must observe the de- we present to the reader, as you may feel ceit of Micron by these "Thirty-one differ- and see. ences," "Forty-five unscriptural confessions, * * * OF GEN. 3:15, "I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN THEE AND THE WOMAN, AND BETWEEN THY SEED AND HER SEED." MICRON, in his writing, reports that I said being a generative seed, between which two that we should not understand the seed of the enmity would exist, solely; for the one woman, Gen. 3: 15, in a carnal, but in a seed must be after its own kind, for the reaspiritual sense only. To this I reply unre- son that it is of one name. In that sense servedly, that the assertion is without foun- the literal serpent, only, was vanquished dation. For neverin my life was it my in- by Christ. Understand rightly what I write. tention that I would exclude Christ from On the other hand, if the serpent be a this promise. For, as deceived Eve was a spiritual serpent (as it indeed is) representliteral woman, thus also, was the deceitful ed by the deceitful serpent, then the woman serpent a literal serpent, through which the must also be a spiritual woman, representdevil deceived her. For the Lord said, ed by the deceived woman, and thus, again, "Upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust the seed be after its own kind; for as the shalt thou eat all the days of thy life," serpent is spiritual, so also, is her seed Gen. 3: 14, something which the devil, who spiritual, which is falsehood, Jn. 8: 44, of is a spirit, could not do. If we, now, are which alas, she begets such children as to understand the seed of woman as a gen- write such deceiving, lying, infamous, and erative seed, as does Micron, then also, the partial books as Micron and Herman have seed of the serpent must be understood as done in this instance.

Page  387 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 87 In the same manner, as the woman is me," Phil. 4: 13, and, "Who is he that overspiritual, Eph. 5: 25; Rev. 12: 6; 19: 7, cometh the world, but he that believeth that thus, also, is her seed spiritual, that is, the Jesus is the Son of God " 1 Jn. 5: 5. truth of which (eternal glory be to God for Inasmuch as it is manifest from all this, his grace), she begets such children as walk that Christ and his Spirit, word, wisdom, in the truth, sincerely speak the truth, and truth, righteousness, sanctification, peace, for the sake of the truth, willingly submit deliverance, and all other attributes can to death with yea, and nay. never be separated in power and truth; and And behold, between these two, the chil- as it is manifest that where the one is the dren of truth, and the children of falsehood, other must be also, therefore I will not leave there is an eternal enmity. The seed of it to the judgment of Micron and Herman, woman vanquishes, and that by sincere, but to the judgment of the impartial reader, firm faith, in christian patience by the Spir- whether I exclude the man Christ, in whom it and word of the Lord; yet it receives our salvation is, from this promise, and say many stings in the heel from the van- that it should only be understood spirituquished seed of the serpent. For their name ally, notwithstanding the allegory is spiritis slandered, their doctrine is ridiculed, ual in him, as Micron reports. their life is hated unto death, their effects It has always been my understanding are stolen, their flesh is burned, and they that he was hereby promised unto us of a are drowned, and must expect to be daily woman, and have so stated it in some of my bitten by the venomous, bloodguilty seed, books; yet he must thus misquote my writas I, in my weakness, have experienced for ings, as alas, he often does. I would -not more than twenty years. know for what reason I should contradict Behold, if we understand it in such a it, as he is not here promised of a man, but sense as we have here shown, the spiritual of a woman, Isa. 7: 14, of a virgin; from things remain spiritual, carnal things, car- which we must deduce that he was not to nal, and the Scriptures remain unbroken. be the impure seed of mortal man, but the But the Lord save me from hereby excluding Son of the Most High. Christ from the promise. For I am aware, * * * by the grace of the Lord, that Christ is the Behold, here you have our incontrovertipower, the beginning, means and end of the ble reply, founded on the Scriptures, to all whole promise, and that he will remain the unfounded, wordy, sophistic and powsuch forever. For he is the spiritual hus- erless arguments which Micron and Herman band of this spiritual woman, Jn. 3: 6; Rev. adduce in their writing about the seed of 19: 7; Eph. 5: 25. His Word is the seed of woman. woman, which Word he is himself, as he I do not see why the godly women, of says, "Even the same that I said unto you which he writes and to whom he complains, from the beginning," Jn. 8: 25. He spoke should not submit to this, as I allow their and taught the truth and he is the truth, husbands and lords, whose honor, all virJn. 14: 6. He spoke and taught love, and tuous and honorable wives should gladly he is love, 1 Jn. 4: 8. In short, he spoke of maintain, and to themselves each in her wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and deliv- sphere, according to the measure of eternal erance, and he is himself Wisdom, Right- truth, that which their God the Lord, has eousness, Sanctification and Redemption, 1 allowed them himself, by his word, by the Cor. 1: 30. works of his creation, according to his diHe alone is the victorious Prince, and tri- vine pleasure. umphant Conqueror who was promised by I will not say anything about what shame those words, who has bruised the serpent's Micron commits against all honorable wohead for us, and also, we in him, by him, men by his unseasoned writing; I do not as Paul say3, "In all these thirngs we are delight in chiding and upbraiding. It sufmore than conquerors, through him that fices me to assert the foundation of our docloved us," Rom. 8: 37. And "I can do all trine, to the praise of the Lord. He must things through Christ which strengtheneth once in a while maliciously pierce me, that

Page  388 588 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. he may thereby the more embitter some truth still more hated and abhorred by our hearts against me, and that he may make hated name. MICRON'S CONFESSION, IN HIS NARRATIVE, THAT CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD AND OF MAN. Micron writes: Jesus Christ is called the Son of God Son of God died for us. If we take the best on account of his eternal and ineffable generation of view as to his meaning he can be no more God the Father, according to his divine form. Thus he is also called the son of man on account of his being than an adopted, or a nominal Son, withborn in the fullness of time, of a human being, of Mary, out truth, let him gloze the matter over as according to the flesh or human nature, Matt. 1. HAC much as he can. I will leave the impartial ILLE. reader to consider whether this is a simple Answer. I would here faithfully admon- and plain reasoning according to the truth, ish the kind reader earnestly to consider or an equivocal and dark argument of my reply to Micron's confession, and to falsehood. judge it with a frank, impartial heart. I Now observe, first, his equivocation totrust, by the grace of God, that if he do so gether with the unconformable, wavering, he will discover the adulteration and deceit lightminded foundation of his doctrine, of our opponents in great clearness; and and his intolerable error, to teach that the he will see, on the other hand, that the crucified Christ Jesus was not God's own truth is with us. true Son, but merely a nominal Son, as was In the first place, if we compare the verb- heard. I do not see what greater blasphemy al confession which he made to us, with his one could commit. Yet he is a good teachconfession in writing, he appears to be as er and writer, and that for the reason that slippery as an eel. For at the time of the he has so finely, but falsely, portrayed the discussion he confessed repeatedly before old heretic, Menno. us all, that the crucified Christ Jesus had no * * father or near father; and says so yet at Thirdly, so long as they do not prove to different places in his writing. Neverthe- us by the Scriptures that the Son of God is less he now comes and writes, but without called the son of man, and the son of man, the truth, that they repeatedly confessed the Son of God for the reason that there was before us, that the Son of God died for us. a union of the two as they frequently assert He repeats the same song, but he sings it to without the Scripture, so long, they mistake the unintelligent, and to a little better tune. the truth as often as they call the Son of It would sound too much out of tune thus God the son of man, and the son of man bluntly to forsake the crucified Christ Jesus, the Son of God; for the name is given, as and say, that he had no Father, as he did Micron himself confesses, in truth and in before us. fact. And how this assertion of his agrees In fact, I do not know what to say or to therewith, the reader may consider. To think of this man. Now the man Christ is mock man is disreputable; but to mock the Son of God, then again he is not; now God is too abominable and blasphemous. God is his Father, then again, he had no Fourthly, so long as they do not prove to father. For be writes pointedly that the us by the Scriptures, that such union took man Christ, who died for us was generated place, as they assert, so long it is the lies not of God, but of the seed of Mary, and and deceit of the old serpent, as it is not that he had no father. If he then, be of her according to Scripture. For it is manifest seed, and not generated of God, and if he that it is no union, as they call it, but a had no father, as he says, then it is plainly fearful division of the most holy and undifalSbhood, lies and deceit, to say that the vided person of Christ, whereby he mani

Page  389 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 389 festly makes two persons and sons in Christ, together with the ordinances of God conwhich are born of two different persons, at cerning generation; and that he includes so two different times, in two different forms; many abominable inconsistencies in Christ that he robs the crucified Christ Jesus of that a feeling heart is pained thereat, when his beloved Father, and the Father of his the matter is earnestl considered only begotten, beloved Son; that he makes the greater part of the most holy flesh of Behold, upon such a foundation has MiChrist of gentile origin; that he esteems the cron built his false doctrine of the union of man Christ no higher than an adopted or the Son of God, which he teaches all through nominal Son of God; that he points us to his book, in so many smooth sentences and an unholy, sinful, accursed offering, to an garbled Scriptures. It is easily perceived impure seat of justice, High Priest, Savior, what kind of an abomination, Babylon, the Mediator, Advocate, and Christ, of the un- mother of whoredom, pours from her golden holy, sinful, accursed and created flesh of cup, by her messengers and servants. Woe Adam; that in fact, he makes Mary both unto those that drink thereof; for she will the father and mother of Christ; that he so enchant them that they will become breaks and disputes the whole Scriptures, drunk, and fall. HOW CHRIST, THE SON OF (GOD, IS ALSO THE SON OF ABRAHAM AND DAVID, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. IF we would have the true understanding For, if such a man as was Christ, should of Christ being also the son of Abraham have been begotten of human seed, as our and David, and not break or go beyond the opponents say he is, who was to be the DeScriptures, then we must keep in view the liverer of the whole world, as is Christ ordinances of God, and as it is manifest Jesus, then the Scriptures would point to that Christ Jesus is not in truth confessed the one of whom he was generated and origto be the Son of Joseph, but the Son of God, inally came, and not to the one of whom he by the Scriptures, therefore it may be easi- was not. For the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of ly discerned how or in what manner Christ truth, which teaches and instructs rightly. is also the Son of Abraham, and of David, According to the foundation of the learned, and why he is thus called in Scripture, be- our salvation would not be attached to the cause of his human birth, as Paul says, Scriptures, but to an uncertain meaning. "To Abraham and his seed (that is, his For it is manifest that there is not a word sons), were the promises made. He saith found in them, which shows that Mary was not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of of David's generation. Luke says that she one, and to thy seed, which is Christ," Gal. was a cousin to Elisabeth who was a daugh3: 16; Rom. 1: 3; 9: 5; 2 Tim. 2: 8. ter of Aaron, Luke 1: 5, 36. In the same manner we should consider * * * * also that both the evangelists, Matthew and Kind reader, understand me. I do not Luke, count the genealogy up to Joseph, mean that Mary was not a daughter of Daand not to Mary. Luke makes no mention vid, but I say that the Scripture does not at all of Mary, but says, "Being (as was say so. But, inasmuch as our opponents supposed), the son of Joseph, which was found their whole structure upon the ground the son of Heli," &c., Luke 3: 23. Mark that the man Christ was to be a natural what the evangelists mean. From this it is seed and son of David, and that by Mary, plain that they do but show the generation therefore they must have the sure testimony of which, according to the promise, is born of the Holy Scriptures whereby they can he who is forever the Jehovah, Immanuel, prove it to be as they assert, before one can Savior, and Lord of the world. accept such an important thing concerning

Page  390 390 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. the salvation of all the chosen. Since it is hand by Isaiah, and again at his concepfounded on mere presumption and not on tion, when it was already fulfilled in the the Scriptures, it may be that she was a letter by the angel, that he was to reign daughter of David, and again, it may be forever therein, Isa. 9: 6; Luke 1: 29, which that she was not, inasmuch as they did not kingdom and throne he did not receive litfollow one rule in regard to marriage, as erally, but spiritually, for it was then almay be seen by sacred history, and where- ready fulfilled; his kingdom is eternal, as it has nothing to do with the matter, Luke 19; and shall not be left to other peoand was, according to the evangelists suffi- pie, Dan. 2: 44; and as he is acknowledged cient that she was the wife of a son of Da- all through the Scriptures as the first and vid, that the promise might be fulfilled in only begotten Son of God, which he could the generation to which it was promised, as not be if he were generated of impure huwas frequently said, therefore I do not con- man seed, as our opponents say, and not tradict it in the least that she was a daugh- of God; and as his house or temple which ter of David. But a sure testimony of the he builds, is not a literal house, of literal Holy Scriptures, on which the foundation wood, stone, metal, gold, and silver, as was of eternal salvation should be built, they the perishable house of Solomon; but as it can not adduce, to prove their doctrine. is built of living precious stones, of the im* * * * perishable gold and silver, 1 Cor. 3: 12, upIf they should say that it was to be a on the immutable foundation of the holy virgin, according to the word of the prophet, apostles and prophets, put together by the and that therefore, it could not be of the Holy Ghost, Eph. 2: 19; 1 Pet. 2:4, 19, seed of man, then I would answer in plain therefore it is thereby manifest that the words that they thereby pronounce their promise made to David, should be underown sentence that Christ was not the natu- stood in the old, literal form, as fulfilled in ral seed and son of Abraham and David, Solomon, and in the new spiritual being, but their supernatural and promised seed. Christ, 1 Kin. 5: 5; Ps. 89: 37; 132: 11; for For he was not of one of Abraham and Da- if we measure the genealogy of his blessed vid's sons, but of one of their daughters, flesh the most minutely, in the line of David, who was a virgin, and knew no man, but then we find that he was no more than the was promised to one of David's sons, be- son of the daughter of David, while there is gotten of the ineffable, eternal word of the not a word in all the Scriptures to prove Almighty, great God, which she conceived that she actually was one of David's daughby faith, Jn. 1: 14. Being the first and only ters. begotten, true Son of God, on account of Behold, such a foundation has the strong his eternal Father, and the promised, given, argument of Micron, as he boasts, that the and born son of Abraham, Judah and Da- gates of hell will not prevail against it, vid, on account of his mother, who was a something which they, doubtlessly, will not; daughter of Abraham, and the wife of Jo- for they would rather strengthen and aid seph, the son of David, as heard, Heb. 1: 2; him in such a cause; it is the strongest forJn. 1: 14; 3: 16; 1 Jn. 4: 16. tification and shield of hell, as may be I will now conclude all the passages of clearly seen by John. But it takes a heavthe Holy Scriptures which treat about the enly gate to prevail against it, the strong seed, fruit and branch of Abraham and Da- Spirit and word of the Lord, against which vid, with the following remarks. Inasmuch neither the gates of hell, nor the devil can as the Savior, King, Prince, Conqueror, and prevail. Prophet, graciously promised to Abraham, Whosoever desires to have more informaIsaac, Jacob, Judah and David, Gen. 12: 3; tion upon this subject may examine our re18: 18; 22: 18; 26:4; 28: 14; 49: 20; 2 Sam. ply to John A'Lasco, impartially, and by 7: 12, was, in due time, born a true man of the grace of God, he will find the true founone of their daughters, according to the dation and meaning thereof. promise, Luke 2: 7, to whom the kingdom And behold, thus our foundation and and throne of David was promised before- doctrine remain firm and invincible; that

Page  391 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 391 Jesus Christ is the only, first-born, and tion, according to the true foundation of the undivided Son of God, Heb. 1: 6; Jn. 1:49; Holy Scriptures are unknown to the whole 3: 16; 1 Jn. 4: 9; Rom. 8: 32, by whom he world, the glorious Prince and wise Lord, has created heaven and earth, and the sea the peaceful Solomon, who is seated upon with their fullness, Gen. 1: 1; Ps. 33: 9; Jn. the spiritual throne of his father David, 1: 1; Eph. 3: 9; Col. 1: 16; and that he is prepared for him by his eternal Father, in not the impure, sinful, accursed, earthly seed of Abraham and David, as our oppo-eternal glory, and shall reign forever over seed of Abraham and David, as our oppo- nents philosophize it. the house and kingdom of Jacob, Isa. 9: 6, Truly, he is the new Melchisedec, the 7; Luke 1: 29. Consider whether we do King of perfect righteousness and of eternal not rightly teach you in accordance with peace, whose Father, mother, and genera- the Scriptures. CONCERNING THE TWO NATURES IN CHRIST, HOW IT SHOULD BE RIGHTLY TTNDERSTOOD ACGORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. MICRON criticises my sixth point, and re- compares to the union of the body and soul marks concerning my saying, That God's of man. Son did not die for us according to their That the body and soul of a living man doctrine, is caused by a misconception on are one person, is as clear as the light of my part, that I do not, or will not under- the sun. stand the union of the two natures, the di- But, that such a man, body and soul, vine and the human, into one person, Christ; which is a perfect person, was thus united and says, That in both discussions they have into one with the Son of God who is eterrepeatedly stated that God's Son died nal; or, that the eternal Son of God thus for us. united himself with the son of man (which To which I reply thus: First, that they two sons they call two natures, without can not truthfully say that they once stated, Scripture), may be read in theflatterings of during the discussion, that the Son of God Micron, but we do not find it written in the died for us. For they have distinctly as- Scriptures. Youmay further consider what serted, all the time, that the man Christ had kind of a Christ they teach you, by comno father, or as Micron sometimes said, paring this criticism of ours with the Scriptthat he had no near father, and repeats it ures. in different places in his book, as any one Thirdly, I say that if Micron desired to may read and see. deal with the readers as a faithful teacher, 0, dear Lord, what a terrible abomina- he would not make use of such equivocal tion that mortal man and an earthly creature and dark reasoning, but would express and dares so boldly lie against his own con- explain his foundation and meaning withscience, that he dares so lamentably belittle out any duplicity, and say that the eternal, the King of all honor, so unrestrainedly de- immortal Son of God put on a temporal, ceive the poor souls, and commit such great mortal son, body and soul, of the flesh and deceit and shame against the word of the blood of Mary, and that he has thereby deLord! 0, that they could see what they are livered us; for this is, in this matter, the doing! proper meaning, sense and understanding Secondly, I reply as I did before him, of all their writing, flattering, and teaching, that there can not be a word found in all as their public confession, before us all, the Scriptures about this union of the two clearly testified and implied, as was heard. sons, of God's Son and the son of man, in But now he deals unfaithfully; for he one person, Christ, which he, generally, means two actual sons, of which one was artfully calls two natures, and which he divine and the other human and calls them

Page  392 392 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. but two natures, that the unsuspicious read- tian, as there are in truth, why then not in er may not be offended at the harshness; Christ? For, as he is the only and true Son which nature is but a property of him who of God, having no other origin but of God, possesses it, and which is not the one him- then he must also have the nature of the self who possesses it. For, if one sees a one of whom he is, this is too plain to be man, he does not say that is a human nat- controverted. That he had the divine nature, but that is a man; for the property is ure he has proven by these manifest, apnot the being itself, but the being possesses parent attrributes of a true, divine nature; the property. And if Christ had but the as by his perfect righteousness, truth, holiproperties, namely, the natures, and if he ness, love, and miracles. had not the being itself, which are the sub As he had the divine nature, I say, on stances, then he was neither God nor man; account of his divine origin, thus he also for the natures are not the being itself, but had the unblemished, pure, human nature the being possesses the nature. Therefore (like unto the nature of Adam, before the it would be becoming in Micron to deal un- fall), and that by reason of his true humanequivocally, and not to deceive his readers ity. For as truly as he was the Father's and hearers by such incomprehensible, Almighty Word from everlasting, so truly strange words, that they might comprehend also, he, in the fullness of time, became a the foundation of his doctrine, and under- true, passive, mortal man, Jn. 1: 14; 1 Jn. stand what he means. For we teach in such 1: 1. And as he thus became a true man a manner that it may be understood. he must also have had the property of a But it would offend the thoughtful reader true man, which is a true, human nature thus boldly to confess and teach that there (though not corrupted), or else he would are two Sons in Christ, and say, that the not have been a true man; this is incontrocrucified Son was not God's Son, but a sin- vertible. ful, acccursed man, of the sinful, accursed Although the Scriptures say nothing flesh or seed of Adam. And therefore they about the two natures in Christ, yet I admust fix it so as to retain their honor and mit it with the above understanding; for I name with the world, and enjoy their sala- am sure that one can not separate the natries and liens at ease. ure from any thing any more than he can Behold, thus we must, by virtue of the separate the light from the sun, the heat Scriptures, lift the fine cloak of the Baby- from the fire and humidity from water. lonian whore, which Micron and the preach- That he had the true, human nature as ers would keep down by their glozings, well as the divine, he has shown by the apwrong explanations and adulterated Script- parent fruits of the real, human nature, as ires, since they live off her table, that you by hungering, thirsting, being weary, sighmay rightly observe and see their infamy, ing, weeping, suffering and death. loathsome diseases, lumps, and deadly lep- Behold, thus I plainly confess according rosy, understand it spiritualy, and that you to the style and ordinance of the holy, dimay, in the fear of your God beware thereof. vine Scriptures, that there were two natures I cordially admit, however, that Christ in the only, undivided person and Son of had two natures; but not in such a sense God, Christ; and not as Micron does, who as Micron believes, but in a scriptural makes one Son of two sons, and one person sense; in this manner Peter writes to the of two persons, without the Scriptures, church of God, and says, Ye are partakers which he calls two natures, and according of the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1: 4; whereby to his glozings, were born at two different he clearly testifies that there are two natures times, of two different persons, in two differin a christian; the one, the human nature ent forms, and which several natures rewith which he is born of Adam, and the mained distinct, and were incomprehensibly other, the divine nature of which he partakes united into one person, Christ, according to by faith, in the birth which is of God, by his writing, without the Scriptures. Obthe Holy Ghost. serve which of us points you to the ScriptIf there are, then, two natures in one chris- ures.

Page  393 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 393 It is hardly necessary to reply to some person, and which was my Spirit. For one Scriptures which he adduces, whereby he of three conclusions must be drawn from tries to prove that not the Son of God, but Micron's writing. Either the indwelling the son-of man, suffered. Of these Script- Son of God whom he generally calls the ures, in my opinion, the strongest is, that divine nature, and the son of Mary, whom Peter says, Christ was "put to death in the he generally calls the human nature, toflesh, but quickened in the Spirit," 1 Pet. gether, must have had one Spirit or soul, 3:18. For who ever suffered but in the and this Spirit he must have commended flesh? Also, "Forasmuch then as Christ into the hands of the Father; or that the hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm your- two remained alive at the death of Christ. selves likewise with the same mind: for he First, the immortal, eternal Son of God, that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased which had dwelt in him. Secondly, the Spirfrom sin," 1 Pet, 4: 1. Mark, Christians it or soul which he had received of Mary, also suffer in the flesh, as Christ himself or else the eternal Son of God must have did, yet they are not one son, composed of become the Spirit of a mortal man, which two sons, as Micron says that Christ is. had put on a dwelling place or tabernacle Nobody can suffer otherwise than in the of Mary, which he offered for us, as was flesh, for Christ himself says, "Fear not said in treating about the inconsistencies. them that kill the body, but are not able to From which it follows that it is mere kill the soul," Matt. 10: 28; Luke 12: 4. quicksand upon which they build their Again, to the murderer, "To-day thou shalt doctrine of the two natures, or two sons in be with me in paradise," Luke 23: 43. His Christ, according to their manner; and that flesh hung upon the cross, and was after- it can stand no better before the power of ward buried, from which it is very plain the divine word, than the stubble can stand that it was said in regard to his immortal before the fire. And thus we firmly hold Spirit. our ground that Jesus Christ is the only, Again, Christ said, "Father, into thy undivided, and true Son of God; and that hands I commend my Spirit." He did not he is not one Son composed of two different cry, Father, into thy hands I commend thy sons, as is the anti-christian, false foundaSon with whom I have been united into one tion and doctrine of our opponents. THAT GOD THE FATHER IS THE TRUE FATHER OF THE WHOLE CHRIST, HIS SON; AND THAT THE WHOLE CHRIST IS A TRUE SON OF GOD, HIS FATHER, WHICH MICRON CONTRADICTS IN MANY PLACES, AND SAYS THAT IT IS NOT SO. MICRON writes at some places, "That the him, and that they have taught nothing but son of man had no father, or near father." an anti-christian foundation. He often said so at the time of the discus- Thus spake the angel of the Most High sion, too. Something which is so diametri- to Mary, when she wondered how this cally opposed to all Scripture that one must should be, as she knew not a man: "The be astounded and ashamed thereat. Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Since he so indiscreetly denies the Father power of the Highest shall overshadow of Christ Jesus, according to his humanity thee; therefore also that holy thing which -therefore, I trust I will show to the read- shall be born of thee shall be called the er, who is the Father of Christ, by a num- Son of God," Luke 1: 35. ber of scriptural references and by their Which plain Scripture Micron has obpower that he must say, if he be not entire- scured by his infernal smoke, saying, "The ly given up, that Micron and the learned, angel meant to say to Mary, that her child by their writings, have lamentably deceived should not be man, only (he means of her 86

Page  394 394 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. flesh), but also truly God, and his Son, ac- the Holy Ghost. And I saw and bare reccording to his eternal, divine being." Not ord that this is the Son of God," Jn. 1: 33. a single word did the angel say to that ef- Here John confesses the visible Christ (who, feet; nor did he make such a division in according to our opponent's foundation, Christ, as does Micron. But the angel was only the son of man), to be the Son of merely made it known that she should con- God; and Micron writes that he is not. ceive, and that the fruit should be the Son Again, the centurion, on Golgotha said, of God, and that God should be the Father "Truly, this man (mark, he says, this man) of the child. Behold, thus Micron breaks was the Son of God," Mark 15: 39; and Mithe testimony of the holy angel, which he, cron says, he is not. Paul says, "God at God's command, bore to Mary from high sent forth his Son, made of a woman," Gal. heaven, that the holy thing which should 4: 4; and Micron writes, God sent forth his be born of her, should be the Son of God. Son, who came of a woman. At another Again, the heavenly Father himself testi- place, Paul writes, "He that spared not his fies of Christ Jesus, saying, "This is my own Son," Rom. 8: 32. Mark, he says, His beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. own Son, and we are reconciled to God by Hear ye him," Matt. 17: 5; Mark 9: 7; Luke the death of his Son. Rom. 5: 10. John 9: 35. Here the Father proclaims him to says, "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son be his beloved Son, without any division. cleanseth us from all sin," 1 Jn. 1: 7. At And Micron says that he is not. another place, "He (God) sent his Son to Again, Christ said unto the blind man, be the propitiation for our sins," 1 Jn. 4:10, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God He which reconciliation, according to Micron's answered and said, who is he, Lord, that I false doctrine,is not brought about by the might believe on him? And Jesus said unto blood of the Son of God, as John and Paul him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he teach, but by the blood of the son of man, that talketh with thee," Jn. 9: 35. Here the who, according to Micron, had no father, palpable, visible Christ, who, according to as has often been heard. the foundation of Micron, was only the son Kind reader, if you closely observe it you of man, confesses himself to be the Son of will find more than sixty instances in the God, without any division; and Micron New Testament where Christ Jesus confesssays that he is not. Again, at another es God the heavenly Father to be his Faplace Christ says, "What and if ye shall ther, and himself to be his Son. And from see the son of man (mark, he says the son the beginning to the end, you will not find of man) ascend up where he was before " anything about such a division and union Jn. 6: 62. Here Christ himself confesses as our opponents teach, neither in Christ's that the son of man was from heaven; and words, nor in those of any of the holy aposMicron says that he was of earth, and that tles or evangelists. he is called heavenly, on account of some Micron writes at more than one place, virtues, as if Christ was a nominal Christ "If God, the Father, is the Father of the and not a Christ in truth, man Christ, then he must have also had Again, when Christ asked his disciples, flesh and blood." From which it is manisaying, "Whom do men say that I, the son fest, first, that he does not allow the cruciof man, am?" (mark, he asks about the fied Christ a Father. Whereby the angel son of man). Then Peter said, "Thou art of God, the Father, and the Son, themselves, the Christ (without a division), the Son of also John the Baptist, Peter, John, Paul, the living God," Matt. 16: 16, &c.; and Mi- Nathaniel, Martha, and the whole Scriptures cron says that the son of man was not the are made bare-faced liars and false witnessSon of God. es, by him, Luke 1:31; Matt. 17: 5; Jn. Again, John the Baptist says, "He that 9: 36; 1: 33; 3: 16; Matt. 16: 16. For they sent me to baptize with water, the same have repeatedly confessed him to be the said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see true Son of the true and living God. the Spirit descending, and remaining on Secondly, it is manifest that all such him, the same is he which baptizeth with writing is not of the living Fount of the

Page  395 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 896 Holy Ghost; nor of an enlightened, firm, I repeat it, in Mary, for in the Father, believing heart which, without all wavering, or in heaven, before he was conceived, he trusts, with Joshua and Caleb, in the pow- was not flesh. This I have often confessed er and true promise of the Almighty God; in plain language, and thoroughly proved but that it is solely of human wisdom and by the Scriptures. Notwithstanding this an unbelieving, carnal heart, which can not he is not ashamed so to garble my words judge but according to nature; and yet, as if I should have said that the Word was through excessive blindness, destroys the flesh in the Father, or in heaven. Someordinances of this same nature, which God thing which I can say with a good conestablished in the first creation. science never to have thought of in all my Kind reader, take heed! The Almighty life. power of God, the ineffable miracle of his I do not see what difference there can be divine love, and the undeceiving, sure word between the spirit of our opponents and the of his eternal truth should avail more than spirit of the Pharisees and of the false the blind intellect of our corrupted nature, prophets. For as they always garbled the if we would rightly learn to know Christ, words of the pious prophets and of the and follow and obey his holy word. Lord Christ, and were always intent upon The dead body of Adam, created of the making them disreputable, and thus, out dust, by the breath of God, became a living of mere hatred and envy of the truth, make soul, Gen. 1: 27, and the water gushed forth way with them by violence, falsehood and from the rock, Ex. 17: 6. Yet the earth, wrong; thus these, out of mere hatred and from which the living Adam was made, was envy of the truth, deal with me, old, afflictno living soul, neither was the rock from ed man; for, alas, they have portrayed me which the water flowed for Israel to drink, all through their book, in such colors, that the ingredients of water. If they should I do not see how they could have depicted now say that this was done by the power Behemoth and Beelzebub in more unpleasof God, by supernatural means, as is the ant colors than they have depicted me; notcase, too, then I would reply again: Thus withstanding that, I have never in my life, was also brought about the miraculous in- wished them any harm and much less done carnation of Jesus Christ, in Mary, by the them any; but have shown them all chrisomnipotence of God by which he can do tian faithfulness and discretion by giving any thing he pleases, as the angel says, them good counsel in their need, as the love "The power of the Highest shall overshad- which is of God teaches all true christians ow thee;" for with God nothing is impossi- to do. Yet, however, they have written this ble, Luke 1: 35. lying, infamous and slanderous falsehood I entertain the opinion that all those who against me, undeservedly, as thanks for my believe, in power and in truth, that God faithfulness, whereby they cause me to be was able, in the beginning, to create heaven, tenfold more obnoxious in all countries earth and sea, and the fullness thereof, by than I was before. And this for no other his mighty word, and now, by the same reason in fact, than that we confess Christ word, rules, disposes and maintains all Jesus to be the true Son of the true and livthis; and who believe that he is able to ing God, with the angel Gabriel, with the raise Adam and all his descendants, at the Father, with Christ himself, with John the end, by the same power, from the dust, and Baptist, with Peter, and with all the Scriptreclaim them from the undermost parts of ures, and that we, in our weakness, would the earth and the depths of the sea, and gladly hear and follow his word, commandplace them before the sight of his majesty, ments, prohibitions, ordinances and unwill also believe that this same God had blamable example, that we might thus be the power to send his ineffable, eternal saved by his grace, which our opponents word from heaven and to let it become, by utterly hate and oppose. For they publicthe power of his Holy Spirit, a true, pas- ly avow that the son of man, whom we consive, mortal man, in Mary, as John says, fess to be the Son of God, according to the "The Word was made flesh," Jn. 1: 14 Scriptures, was not the Son of God. They

Page  396 896 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. contradict his express ordinance of baptism, Beloved, do observe what abomination which he taught and commanded us with and poisonous draught it is which they his own mouth, whereby all the regenerated, pour out for you from the Babylonian cup! believing children of God submissively tes- True and immutable remains the testimony tify before Christ and his church that they of the Father: "This is my beloved Son in are prepared and willing to follow his holy whom I am well pleased," Matt. 3:17; 17:5; word and divine will, unto death. Mark 1: 11; 9: 7; Luke 9: 35; 2 Pet. 1; 17. HOW THE DIVINE WORD, IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, ACDORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, WAS MADE FLESH. X * * * First, that God the Father is confessed to You have heard that God, the Father, is be the true Father of his Son Christ, by the a true Father of the whole Christ, and that Scriptures, Matt. 3: 17; 16: 16; 17: 5; Luke the whole Christ is the true Son of God, his 1: 31; Jn. 1: 45; 3: 16; 5: 22. Father. We will now show you, by the Secondly, that Christ Jesus is confessed grace of the Lord, by virtue of the holy, di- to be the true Son of God, his Father, by vine Scriptures, what kind of divine sub- all the Scriptures, Matt. 3: 17; 14: 33; 16: 16; stance, matter, seed, or being it was of 17: 5; Mark 1: 11; 9: 7: 15: 39; Luke 2: 48; which this same Son of God and Mary was Jn. 9: 37. brought forth, that you may confess and As it is plain that God the heavenly Fasee the clearness of the human birth of ther is a true Father of Christ, his Son, and Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures, that Christ is a true Son of God, his Father, through the smoke of the bottomless pit, as is testified all through the Scriptures; cleared away by the power of the strong therefore it is sure and manifest that we word and scattered by the breeze of the should leave the testimony of John unHoly Ghost. glozed and unbroken, where he says, "The Thus John teaches us, saying, "In the word was made flesh." For since Christ is beginning was the Word, and the Word God's true Son, and God the Father, Christ's was with God, and the Word was God. true Father, the Father must also have The same was in the beginning with God. had his ineffable Word, by which all things All things were made by him; and without were made that are made, as was heard. him was not any thing made that was made. If our opponents should say, "That the In him was life, and the life was the light Word was Spirit from the beginning, and of men." "And the Word (which was in could therefore not become flesh," then you the beginning) was made flesh, and dwelt may answer, first, If the Word could not among us (and we beheld his glory, the become flesh, as you say, the power of the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), Fatheris madeless and his arm is shortened, full of grace and truth," Jn. 1. by which he can do anything he pleases; Behold, dear reader, here John shows us and the angel bore a false testimony to as a true witness of the truth, the divine Mary, when he said that there is nothing being of the man Christ, the ineffable, eter- impossible with God, Luke 1: 37. nal Word. Secondly, you may answer: If the. Word If you would have an immutable, true was not made flesh, as you say, then all and firm foundation of faith, and the true the Scriptures deceive us, which testify sense of these words of John, and not be and teach, without any division, union, deceived by the lying seed of the old ser- or exception as to nature, sons or persons, pent, nor be robbed of your Savior by the that Christ Jesus is God's Son, and that subtle deceit of anti-christ, you must well God is his Father, as was said. observe and hold to these facts. Thirdly, you may answer: If the Word

Page  397 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 397 was not made flesh, as you say, then the might answer, first: John has taught us that Holy Scriptures testify falsely, that he is it was made flesh, and he has not said L of heaven and not of earth, Jn. 3: 31; 8:23; word further, as to how or to what extent Eph. 4: 10, that he came forth from the Fa- it was changed; something that you, inther, Jn. 16: 28, that he is the bread and quisitive ones, want to know and hear of Lord from heaven, Jn. 6: 35; 1 Cor. 15: 47, us, without any Scripture. that he is the Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1: 8; Secondly, you might answer: Adam was 22: 13, and other like Scriptures. made a living soul, 1 Cor. 15: 45; yet he Fourthly, you may answer: If the Word remained dust, for the Lord said unto him, could not become flesh, as you say, then "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou one or the other of you must be wrong. return, Gen. 3: 19. Either you who say that he could not be- Thirdly, you might reply: We ought to come flesh, or John, who says that he was believe sincerely, and not intellectually made flesh, as was heard. comprehend. For Paul says, that "Faith If they should further say, that the Word is the substance of things hoped for, the evput on, by generation, of Mary's seed, as idence of things not seen," Heb. 11: 1. they actually do, you may answer then Fourthly, you might reply: Paul says, thus: First, Then we desire that you show That he is God, and Christ says that he is to us where this is written in the Scriptures a Spirit. Zophar the Naamathite says, or else we say, that it is the flattering and "It is as high as heaven; deeper than hell; falsehood of the old serpent, and not the longer than the earth; and broader than Lord's truth. the sea," Job 11: 8, 9. And the prophet Secondly, you answer: By such accepta- says, that he comprehended the dust of the tion you rob the Father of his Son, and the earth in a measure, Isa. 40: 12; also, "saith Son of his Father. You divide Christ into the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the two parts, into good and evil, into right- earth is my footstool," Isa. 66: 1. There is no eous and unrighteous, into heavenly and man born of Adam who is so intellectual earthly. You point us to a sinful creature and wise that he can measure this God and and an impure offering. You idolize the Spirit, or comprehend his being, therefore earthly and sinful flesh of Adam. You it would be well for them to abandon their make all the pious witnesses of Christ, such high, soaring intellect to search such ineffaas John the Baptist, Peter, &c., false and ble profundity, to humbly bow themselves lying, and yourselves anti-christ; and make under the word of the Lord, and to ponder the Scriptures contradictory. on the saying of Solomon, "It is not good Thirdly, you may answer: Becoming is to eat much honey; so for men to search becoming., and putting on is putting on; their own glory is not glory," Prov. 25: 27. nor will it be found otherwise in the Script- Read also Syrach 3: 21. ures. Thus when Christ became twelve Kind reader, if intellect were to avail in years of age, he did become twelve years of this ineffable, deep matter, and not the age, counting from the time of his human Scriptures, then I would ask them an intelbirth. Christ became a curse, Gal. 3: 13. lectual question concerning their faith, of He became such, so as to be hung between which they could scarcely extricate themtwo murderers, on the cross, Matt. 27: 38; selves. It would be this: Whether or not Mark 15:27; Luke 23:32. Water was made they believe that the Almighty, ineffable wine, and it was made, John 2: 9; Lot's Word, of which heaven and earth are full, wife became a pillar of salt, and she did Wis. 18: 15, and which is also, the eternal become one, Gen. 19: 26. For becoming I wis dom and power of the Almighty, eternal say, is becoming, and cannot be explained Father, lias placed itself out and out in in any part of the Scriptures as meaning l such concreto sanguine, as Micron calls it putting on. at one place, as is his dcctrine now I preIf they would still follow their intellect sumne they will leave the question unanand say, "If the Word is become flesh, it swered. For if they say that it was therehas lost its first being by the change," you \ in, out and out, then they make a Father

Page  398 898 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. who has separated his word, wisdom and bitter death, Isa. 63:3; Rev. 19: 15, to power from himself, and placed it outside whom the law and all the prophets point, of himself. And if they say that it was not and in whom all the glorious promises of all therein, then they make their own foun- the inexpressibly great grace and love of dation untrue and false; for they say and God are fulfilled. And thus, after he had teach that the Son of God (which is God's done the service of his divine love he again eternal Word, wisdom and power) has put ascended up where he was before, Jn. 6: 62. on the son of man or of Mary, and that he He has all power in heaven and upon earth, has united himself therewith into one person. Matt. 28: 18, and is, through faith in his Therefore I repeat that it would be well blood, our only and eternal Propitiator, for them to leave such ineffable profundity Reconciler, High Priest, Mediator, Advounsearched, to stay under the clouds, and cate, and Peace-maker with God, his Fanot to soar above heaven, with their earth- ther, Rom. 3: 25; Jn. 4: 25; 1 Tim. 2: 5; 1 ly, ignorant intellect; for, I presume that Jn. 2: 1. when they have measured the height of the Behold, thus the most high, most graheavens and the depth of the abyss, have cious, and most merciful God and Father weighed the mountains and enumerated the retains his glory, praise and honor through drops of rain, then they will give me an in- his blessed, eternal Word and Son; and not telligent answer, and explain how this thing through the unclean, sinful flesh of Adam, is, about which I asked concerning their as our opponents teach and pretend. faith, foundation and doctrine. And there- Mark, now, beloved reader, how our opfore I say that I do not at all charge my ponents are deceived in this matter by their mind with this incomprehensible miracle, earthly, carnal intellect which would exbut adduce the word of the Lord, whereby plain this miracle, not according to the I am plainly taught that Mary, the Lord's Scriptures, but according to thelaws of natmother, conceived the Almighty, eternal ure, and therefore, do not believe that the Word of the Father (by which all things Almighty God had the power to let his were made that are made), by faith, Luke eternal Word become flesh, and a true man; 1: 31, and that the same, by the great pow- for which reason they have depicted me in er and operation of his Almighty, eternal such unbecoming colors, although these Spirit, became a true, visible, palpable, poor souls are doubly what they would passive, mortal, pure and holy man, not of make us to be, namely, false teachers, and her, but in her, above the comprehension of perverse heretics. For they say and teach all mankind. And thus he who was al- without any Scriptures, that the manChrist ready the first-born of every creature, and, who died for us, was not the Son of God, also, according to his human form, the first and that he had no Father; and we say and only begotten, true Son of God, was that he is God's Son, and that God is his supernaturally born unto God, his Father, Father, according to all Scripture. of Mary, according to the flesh, as Isaac was They say and teach, without any Scriptnaturally bornuntoAbraham,by Sarah; Sol- ure, "That the Word has put on a whole omon unto David, by Bath-sheba, and John man of Mary's flesh and seed;" and we say the Baptist unto Zacharias, by Elisabeth, and teach, according to the plain testimony Gen. 21; 2 Sam. 12: 24; Luke 1: 12; which of John, That the Word was made flesh, not first and only begotten, true Son of God of Mary, but in Mary. became also, according to the promise, a They teach, "That there are two different son of Abrahar,-Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and persons and sons, one divine, the other huDavid on account of his mother (but in the man, in the one Christ," without Scripture; genealogy of Christ, Joseph's son, Matt. 1: 16; Luke 3: 23), who graciously fulfilled and we say that there s but one undiided the spiritual law which no flesh of Adam person and Son, according to the Scriptures. could fulfill, for all of the descendants of They say and teach, "That the visible Adam, in perfect righteousness, Rom. 8: 2; Christ was earthly, of the earth," without and who innocently trod the wine press of the Scriptures; and we say and teach that

Page  399 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 399 he is heavenly, of heaven, according to the lous writing, and contrary to the word and Scriptures. ordinance of God, was generated from the They say and teach, "That he is pure of seed or blood of Mary, without father; and impure Adam," without Scripture; and we we, in the Almighty, eternal Word, which say and teach that he is pure of the pure became man in the fullness of time, by God, according to the Scriptures. which all things are made, ruled, and have They point us to an "accursed, sinful of- their being, forever, which was from everfering," without Scripture; and we point to lasting the eternal wisdom, power and gloa spotless, innocent offering, according to ry of God, his Father, one with God, his the Scriptures. eternal Father and the eternal Holy Ghost, They worship an Adamitic flesh, contra- blessed forever, Amen. ry to all Scripture; and we, the Almighty, Invincible and firm remains the word: eternal Word which became man by the "The word was made flesh," Jn. 1: 14; 1 infinite power of God, according to the Jn. 1: 1. 0, merciful, gracious Lord, enScriptures. lighten the eyes of all the blind, that they In short, they place their whole salvation may see thy heavenly brightness and rightin the unclean, sinful seed of Adam, that ly confess the majesty of thy honor, Amen. is, in a man, who, according to their fabu- Dear Lord, Amen. CONCLUSION. HONORABLE reader, here you have our fame me, and thus make our doctrine, which fundamental explanation and plain reply is the pure doctrine of Christ, a stench to to the untrue, and partial narration, and many. anti-christian, false doctrine concerning In several instances they have lamentaJesus Christ the Son of God by Micron and bly garbled and misinterpreted my words; Herman, wherewith I am now and at all have added to, or subtracted therefrom, and times willing and ready to appear before changed the meaning of their own. The God and his angels, before friend and foe, order of the discussion they have changed, and before the whole world, unto water, made many unscriptural glozings, adulterfire, sword, and before the coming judg- ated the Holy Scriptures, made false witment. nesses of the Father himself and his blessed I would pray you all, reasonable readers, Son, of the angel of the Lord, of John the through Jesus, as if before God, to reflect Baptist, of all the evangelists, apostles and earnestly what kind of spirits and people of all the Scriptures, as may be seen. they are who have written the "Narration" However, they fill the measure of their and its appendix and articles concerning predecessors, the false prophets, who, from us, as they have kept quite silent about the the beginning, have praised and taught beneficence so faithfully shown them in falsehood by hypocrisy, have hated the their need; nor said anything about the truth, and upbraided the faithful servants distinct confessions which they made, as of God, and defamed them; who have taken above stated, whereby they had already amiss the faithful service of their love, aclost the whole point in discussion, as also, cused them before lords and princes, have that they were frequently so puzzled that hindered them in the doctrine and true relithey knew not what to say, and as they gion, and at last, have taken their lives have not written a single, discreet word and confiscated their goods. It is but little about me in their whole book; and from to me, that they have thus trampled upon the beginning of the discussion to the end me, and caused me to be a stench to many; of their writing, they have only studied and for I am aware that I am unworthy of honaimed how they might most expertly de- or, since I am born of Adam, of impure

Page  400 400 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. seed, an unworthy sinner; as all those have able men, should acknowledge that they complained, from the beginning, who were have the impure, deceitful doctrine of antirightly overshadowed by the glory of the christ, and we the wholesome doctrine of Lord. But, the Lord forbid that I am such Christ; notwithstanding we must hear and an unsteady falsifier, and artful rogue, as suffer so exceedingly much. I am depicted to be by our opponents Dear reader, if we consider the Scriptthrough the infamous, false, indiscreet and ures of John the evangelist, we clearly find bitter spirit of envy. Many pious people that the spirit and doctrine of our oppoof both the Old and the New Testament had nents already existed in his time. For, at to hear this same thing, with me. Christ that time they denied that Jesus Christ was promises us a great reward in heaven; for the Son of God, and that he was made it is done for his name's sake, Matt. 5: 11; flesh; something which these, also, often Luke 6: 22. But it pierces my soul night did in their writings and verbal discussion and day that they so lamentably blaspheme which they had with us. From which it is the Son of God, adulterate the Scriptures, manifest that it is the roguery and deceit and so falsely console the poor, unenlight- of the old serpent. ened souls by such open falsehood, and I would, therefore, humbly beseech all thus encourage and keep them in their ac- the godly, pious hearts who sincerely and cursed blindness. For which reason I was diligently seek Christ and eternal life, for urged to write this reply, to the praise of the Lord's sake, first, to pray for all of our the Lord, and to your service. opponents, both of high and low station in - I would, therefore, that you would earn- life, learned or unlearned, rich or poor, estly consider what a pure, clear and una- who ignorantly err, and who are encouraged dulterated foundation of truth we have and consoled in their impenitent, reckless pointed out to you and to all the world, life, by such false teachers and writers as concerning Christ. And, on the other hand, are our opponents, that the merciful, graalso, how plainly and convincingly we have cious Lord may give them eyes to see his discovered and manifested unto you and glorious, exalted origin, and rightly conall reasonable readers the anti-christian fess his truth, that that may not be lost foundation and doctrine of our opponents. with which they are so dearly bought. Whosoever has but half sight may see And secondly, pray that the Lord may where the deceit is hidden. grant me, and all our fellow laborers of the We now and at all times willingly offer, house of God, together with the whole that if they can prove to us by the unbroken church, the Spirit of his wisdom; grant that and unadulterated Scriptures, that Adam we, by his grace, may remain wholesome had two kinds of seed, of which one was in doctrine; steady in faith; ardent in love; pure and the other impure, or, that the quickened in hope; unremittent in the work Scriptures any where call that holy, pure, of the Lord; unblamable in life, and patient and heavenly which is unholy, impure and in all oppression and tribulation; of which earthly in itself, or, that two sons can be alas, we do not experience a little by the one Son, or, that the Scriptures any where infamous crying and writing of our oppomention such a union, as our opponents nents; that we may set a living example to falsely pretend, or, that ever any one was the world; that many may see our new, the true son of another without his being christian walk in the truth and examine it, generated of his substance or seed, or, that repent, and thus be eternally saved. God is a God of falsehood, so that he would I beseech you in the same manner not to call the man Christ his Son, without his leave these our writings idle and hidden, actually being such, then we will gratefully but to send them east, west, north and and diligently reconsider the matter, in all south, into the hands of all men, and to let love. Behold, before God, it is the truth many read them, that the bright sun of that I write. And, in case they cannot do i righteousness which, alas, has been obso (something which they surely never can), i scured for so many centuries by the smoke of then our opponents, if they be reason- I the bottomless pit of the anti-christian, false

Page  401 REPLY TO MARTIN MICRON. 401 doctrine, may shine forth with the power To this only and eternal Savior, together of truth, and that our glorious and holy with his heavenly Father and Holy Ghost Savior, the first and only begotten, true be the praise forever, Amen. Son of the Almighty, living God, the ever blessed Jesus Christ, may be rightly con- MENNO SIMON. fessed by many, in his glory. October 5. A LETTER. -From MIenno Simon to Margaret, wife of Rein Edes. CHOSEN beloved sister in Christ Jesus, says Paul, hath concluded all under sin. Mercy, grace and peace be to thee! Most There is no man on earth, says Solobeloved sister whom I sincerely love in mon, who does righteously and sinneth Christ. From your beloved husband's let- not, Eccl. 7. At another place, "A just man ter I understand, that during all the winter falleth seven times, and riseth up again," you have been a sick and afflicted child, Prov. 24: 16. Moses says, "The Lord, the which I very much regret to hear. But we Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsufpray daily: Father, thy will be done. By fering, and abundant in goodness and which we commit ourselves to the Father to truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgivtreat with us as is pleasing in his blessed ing iniquity and transgression and sin, and sight. Therefore bear with your affliction that will by no means clear the guilty," Ex. resignedly. For all this is his paternal 34:6,7. 0, dear sister! Observe, he says, will for your own good; that you may put None are guiltless before God. Again, Dayour trust in the eternal living God alone, vid says, "Lord, enter not into judgment and not in any perishable things. Be con- with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no soled in Christ Jesus; for after the cold of man living be justified;" "If they sin against winter, comes summer; and after death, thee (for there is no man who sinneth not);" comes life. 0, sister I rejoice that you are "We are all as an unclean thing, and all a true daughter of your beloved Father. our righteousness are as filthy rags;" Christ, Soon will the inheritance of his glorious also, says, "There is none good but one, promise be due; a little while yet, says that is, God;" "The evil which I would not, the word of the Lord, and he who is coming that I do;" "In many things we offend all;" shall come and his reward will be with him. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive May the Almighty, merciful God and Lord, ourselves, and the truth is not in us," Ps. before whom you have bent your knees, to 143: 2; 1 Kin. 8: 46; Isa. 64: 6; Matt. 19:17; his honor, and whom, according to your Mark 10: 18; Rom. 7: 19; 1 Jn. 1: 8. weakness you have sought, grant you a As it is plain from all these Scriptures strong and patient heart, a sufferable pain, that we must all acknowledge ourselves to a lovely refreshment, a gracious cure or be sinners, as we, also, are in fact; and as godly dissolution, through Christ Jesus no one has perfectly fulfilled the righteouswhom we daily expect with you, my be- ness required of God but Christ Jesus alone; loved sister and child in Christ Jesus. therefore none can approach God, obtain Secondly, Iunderstandthatyour conscience grace and be saved except by the perfect is troubled because you have not and do righteousness, reconciliation and advocacy not now walk in such perfection as the of Jesus Christ; however godly, righteous, Scriptures direct us; on which account I holy and unblamable he is. We must all write the fo g to following to my faithful sister, as acknowledge, whosoever we are, that we are a fraternal consolation, from the true word sinners in thoughts, words and works. and-eternal truth of the Lord; The Scripture, Yea, if we had not before us the righteous

Page  402 402 A L-ETTER. Christ Jesus, no prophet nor apostle could cording to our small gift, often shown you be saved. Therefore, be of good cheer and from the Scriptures. Yea, most beloved be consoled in the Lord. You can expect child and sister, so long as you find and no greater righteousness in yourself than feel such a spirit in yourself which is deall the chosen of God had in them from the sirous of following that which is good, and beginning. In and by yourself you are a abhorringthatwhichis evil,notwithstanding poor sinner; and by the eternal righteous- the remnant of sin is not entirely dead in ness, banished, accursed and adjudged to you, as also all the saints complained of eternal death; but in and through Christ from the beginning, so long you may rest you are justified and pleasing unto God, assured that you are a child of God, and and accepted of him in eternal grace as a that you will inherit the kingdom of grace daughter and child. In this all saints have in eternal joy, with all the saints. "Hereby consoled themselves, trusted in Christ, es- know we that we dwell in him, and he in teemed their own righteousness as unclean, us, because he hath given us of his Spirit," weak and imperfect, with contrite hearts Jn. 4: 13. I sincerely pray that you may, approached the throne of grace, in the by faith, rightly understand this ground to name of Christ, and with firm faith prayed the refreshment, strengthening and consolathe Father: 0, Father, forgive us our tres- tion of your conscience and soul, and repasses as we forgive those that trespass main firm unto the end. I commend you, against us, Matt. 6; Luke 11. most beloved child and sister, to the faithIt is a very precious word which Paul ful, merciful and gracious God, in Christ speaks, "When we were yet without Jesus, now and forever. Let him do with strength, in due time Christ died for the un- you and with all of us according to his godly;" yea, when we were yet ungodly, blessed will. Either in the flesh, yet to reand thereby he manifests his love toward us. main a little while with your beloved hus"For if, when we were enemies, we were band and children; or out of the flesh, to reconciled to God by the death of his Son the honor of his name and to the salvation much more, being reconciled, we shall be of your soul. You before, and we after, or saved by his life, Rom. 5: 6, 10. Behold, we before and you afterward. Separation my chosen, beloved child and sister in the must once come. In the city of God, in the Lord, this I write from the sure foundation new Jerusalem there we will wait on each of eternal truth. I herewith pray you, and other, before the throne of God and of the desire that you will wholly commend all Lamb; there sing hallelujah! and praise your doings outward and inward unto his name in perfect joy. Your husband Christ Jesus and his merits; believing and and children I commend to him who has confessing that his precious blood, alone, given them to you, and he will do with is your cleansing; his righteousness your them justly. The saving power of the most piety; his death your life; and his resur- holy blood of Christ be with my most berection your justification; for he is the for- loved child and sister, now and forever, giveness of all your sins; his bloody wounds Amen. are your reconciliation; and his invincible Your brother, who sincerely loves you in strength the staff and consolation of your Christ. weakness, as we have, in former days, ac- MENNO SIMON.

Page  403 A VERY SINCERE EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON AS A NECESSARY REPLY TO HIS INDISCREET FALSEHOOD, ABUSE, AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS, CONCERNING THE MAGISTRACY, SWEARING OF OATHS, &C., WHICH HE HAS PRESENTED FOR THE PERUSAL OF THE WHOLE WORLD, TO THE DISGRACE OF THE HOLY, DIVINE WORD AND OF HIS (THE LORD'S) CHURCH; AS ALSO SERVING AS A MIRROR TO HIS ERRING SOUL, THAT HE MAY LEARN TO KNOW HIMSELF, AND MAY KNOW, TOGETHER WITH THE READERS OF BOTH OUR WRITINGS, HOW WICKEDLY HE HAS ACTED AGAINST GOD AND MAN, THAT HE MAY MAKE CONFESSION, REPENT, AND BE SAVED. BY MENNO SIMON. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART, INDIAN A: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871.

Page  404 THE pure, true knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Son of God in truth; a new, regenerated, and understanding heart; a new, impartial, true hand and tongue; a new, godly, unblamable life in the fear and love of God; together with the unadulterated, pure, and good disposition, nature, fruits and unction of the Holy Ghost, I wish to Martin Micron from the inmost of my heart, to the enlightenment of his soul, from him who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, through Jesus Christ, his belove, chosen Son, our Lord and eternal Savior, Amen.

Page  405 A. V:E:RY SICITOE EiJ EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. ALL Scriptures teach and enjoin, honora- soul, that you (if there is yet a spark of ble Martin, that we should love the Lord, life and a faint light left in you), by such our God, with all our heart, and with all showing, written for your own good, may our soul, and with all our strength, and be induced to see your ulcers and deadly our neighbors as ourselves. On these two wounds, and yet be cured by the heavenly commandments, says Christ, hang all the medicine of the Lord's Spirit and word by law and the prophets, Matt. 22: 37-40; sincere repentance, to the praise of the Lord Mark 12: 29; Luke 10: 27; Deut. 6: 5. and the salvation of your soul. If there be All that Scripture teaches is love. "Every yet any reason left in you, reflect upon what one that loveth," says John, "is born of what I tell you. God, and knoweth God. He that loveth First, it is manifest, and cannot be sucnot, knoweth not God; for God is love," cessfully denied by you nor by any person And, "He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in else that you have by your writing made a God, and God in him," 1 Jn. 4: 7, 8, 16. liar of the Almighty, great God, the God of Without this love, it is all vain, whatever heaven and of earth, the Father of our Lord we may know, judge, speak, do or write, 1 Jesus Christ, who can neither lie nor deCor. 13: 1. The property and fruit of love ceive; for he testifies of Christ, and says, is meekness, kindness, not envious, not "This is my beloved Son in whom I am crafty, not deceitful, not puffed up, nor well pleased," Matt. 3:17; 17: 5; Mark selfish. In short, where love is, there is a 1: 11; 9: 7; Luke 3: 22; 9: 35; 2 Pet. 1: 16; christian, also. and you say that he is not; for you have Since we are pointed to love by the Script- verbally confessed to us, and you write so yet ures, and cannot be christians without love, at different places, that the man Christ and as you do not only call yourself a corn- (which you call the human nature in Christ) mon layman, but also an exemplary teach- had no Father. er; therefore you have done quite wrong Observe, whether you are not one of the not to have taken into consideration the spirits, of whom John says, "He that becommandment of love, in the fear of God, lieveth not God has made him a liar; bebefore you published your false, infamous, cause he believeth not the record that God ambitious, anti-christian "Narration" and gave of his Son," 1 Jn. 5: 10. Beloved Mibook. cron, reflect, and see if I do not write the You have manifested yourself before God truth. and man in such a manner as though you Secondly, it is manifest that you have had, never in your life, felt and confessed also made a liar of Christ, who is the eterthe least particle of the pure, unadulterated nal truth, by your writing; for he confesses nature of love, as I shall show and explain, more than sixty or seventy times, in John, by the grace of the Lord, in an impartial, that he is the Son of God, and that God is sincere conscience, by this my admonitionhis is Father; that he came from heaven, and out of love of the divine honor and the holy that he was gone forth from the Father; word; as also, out of love for your poor that he is the only begotten Son, &c., and

Page  406 406 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. you boldly proclaim to the public, that he fully maintain the purity of your Christ; is not; that he had no father, according to that you could make no reply to the Scripthis humanity; that he is of the flesh and ures we have read; that you tried to shelter seed of Mary, of earth, and the natural son behind an unscriptural question, which we or seed of Abraham and David. answered in such a manner, that all your Observe and see if you are not one of the refuge was cut off, and that you had to turn false teachers and prophets who forsake from one thing to another. One would the Lord who bought them, 2 Pet. 2: 1. reasonably suppose, if they were people of Dear Micron, reflect and see if it is not the common self-respect who sought the honor truth that I write. of God, and your salvation, as we supposed Thirdly, it is manifest that by your writ- them to be at first meeting them, that they ing you make false witnesses of the heav- must charge you before all men that you enly messenger, the angel of the Most High, have, out of mere hatred and envy, spoken Luke 1: 31; of the humble, plain Nathaniel partial, devilish falsehoods, and not the in whom was no guile, Jn. 1: 47; of John impartial, godly truth, to defame your the Baptist, the holiest born of woman, neighbors, and that you have done so to Matt. 11: 11; of Martha, the hostess and your own eternal shame. But it is an old servant of the Lord, Luke 10: 38; of Peter proverb: "As the shepherd goes, the sheep the faithful shepherd, Jn. 21: 6; John the follow." Christ truly says, "If the blind apostle whom Jesus loved, Jn. 13:23; 21:20; lead the blind, both shall fall into the and of Paul the chosen vessel, Acts 9: 15. ditch," Matt. 15: 14. Dear Micron reflect, For they all unanimously testify, and that and see if I do not speak the truth. without any division whatever as to human- Fifthly, it is manifest that you lamentaity and divinity that Christ Jesus is the bly deceive all your readers and hearers Son of God; and you publicly proclaim who believe your writing, and that you kill that he is not according to his humanity. their poor souls. For it is known to the Observe, and see whether you are not a Lord, who has eyes as a flame of fire, to servant of the abominable beast which yourself, and to us all who were present, opened his mouth in blasphemy against that in fact your cause was lost; yet you God, to blaspheme his name and his taber- console them with devised lies, as is the nacle, and them that dwell in heaven, Rev. way with all false prophets, whereby you 13: 6. Dear Micron reflect, and see if I do rob them, according to John, of both the not write the truth. Father and the Son, 1 Jn. 2: 23; keep them Fourthly, it is manifest that you have under the wrath and curse, Jn. 3: 36; wheremade such witnesses of your own brethren by you keep them out of God, and God out who were present at the discussion (and, of them, 1 Jn. 4: 15, so that they do not who, alas, did not know much about the overcome the world, 1 Jn. 5: 4; for they do matter), as those were who testified against not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Christ, Stephen, and Naboth (that is, if Observe and see if you are not one of your brethren agree with your unjust, par- those who shut up the kingdom of heaven tial charges; which I hope they do not); against men, as the Lord says, Matt. 23:13. for as those testified, out of hatred of the Dear Micron reflect, and see whether it is truth, against the righteous, to please Jeze- not the truth I write. bel and the Scribes, thus these, out of hatred Sixthly, it is manifest that you have, with of the truth, testify against me, to please your writing acted toward some of us, and you and those of your faith (I speak of the also toward myself personally, not as an guilty ones), to defame me thus, notwith- honest, virtuous, godly, pious christian, standing that they heard your confession but rather as a dishonest, shameless, indisconcerning the seed of woman, on which creet and blood-thirsty Coryceus, or informfoundation your whole doctrine is built; er. For it is a fact that you have, without also, concerning the two Sons in Christ, the truth, registered a poor, innocent man that the crucified one should have had no (whom you well knew), as a teacher, who father; again, that you could not success- is no teacher, nor apt ever to become one,

Page  407 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 407 whereby you will, perhaps, deprive him or Seventhly, it is also manifest that you his poor children of their whole welfare, encourage and strengthen the rulers in their nay, of thousands, if the Lord in his provi- impenitent lives, not a little, by your writdence does not prevent it. The Spirit of ing, who are, as a general thing, quite obthe Lord does not enjoin you thus to act durate, proud, ambitious, puffed up, selftoward the innocent. conceited, pompous, selfish, earthly, carDear Micron, if you would have had a nal, and in part, blood-thirsty. And, that single drop of pious blood in your veins you may the more gain their favor and you would have had mercy on the poor, in- praise, I, miserable man, must be your nocent, unworthy servant; whom you thus, blind and imprisoned Samson whom you alas, repay before the whole world, for his make to play and dance before the princes faithful services of love willingly shown you of the Philistine, as a mockery and deriand yours with sincere, christian intentions. sion, although I never, in my life, spoke an In the same manner you have acted to- indiscreet word against the rulers, or ward the others who furnished you with a against their office and service. dwelling place, victuals and drink, who so- I have, from the beginning of my minislicitously led yours into the city, furnished tration, fraternally warned them in my them situations, and showed them all man- writings in faithful, unadulterated truth, ner of kindness, in pure love. Let the chris- from my soul, against the corruption of tian reflect andjudge according to the Lord's their souls; admonished them to a godly, Spirit and word, whether this is the work of penitent, christian life; pointed them with unadulterated, christian love, which wishes the Scriptures to the unblamable Spirit, harm to none, much less does it. word, commandments, prohibitions, ordiBesides, you have also, nearly pointed nances and example of Christ; and, when out my place of abode which I had enjoyed you proposed your Pharisaical, Herodian until that time (of which Herman, also, had question concerning the Magistracy, I said to deprive a poor child), while you are nothing more to you than that it would well aware that every where they try inno- hardly become a true, christian ruler to shed cently to take my life, out of mere hatred blood, for this reason: If the transgressor of the truth. By which doings you surely should truly repent before his God, and be can not teach unto righteousness, nor in- born of him, he would then also be a chostruct the ignorant. And the work in itself sen saint and child of God, a fellow-pardoes not prove to be the reasonableness taker of grace, a spiritual member of the and love of a regenerated christian, but it Lord's body, sprinkled with his precious rather shows an unmerciful, cruel, envious, blood, and anointed with his Holy Ghost, hateful, ravenous, blood-thirsty heart, and a living grain of the bread of Christ, and the bitter mind of an informer, as all the an heir to eternal life, and for such an one reading world must judge and say. to be hanged on the gallows, put on the Whether you have done this by the mer- wheel, placed upon the funeral-pile, or in ciful, compassionate, faithful, unadulter- any manner be harmed by another chrisated and pure Spirit of Christ, as a pious, tian, who is of one heart, spirit and soul virtuous man, or by the unmerciful, tyran- with him, would look somewhat strange nical, faithless, false and unclean spirit of and unbecoming, according to the compasanti-christ, as an ungodly and shameless sionate, merciful, kind nature, disposition, spy, to cause me, an old, afflicted man, Spirit and example of Christ, the meek some trouble, I will leave to the considera- Lamb, which example he has commanded tion of your own soul, as before God who all his chosen children to follow. tries the hearts and reins, in Christ Jesus. Again, If he remain impenitent, and his Observe and see if you are not one of life be taken, one would do nothing else those, who say in their hearts, It is hard but unmercifully rob him of the time of refor us to see him; for his life does not con- pentance, of which, in case his life were form to ours. Dear Micron, reflect and see spared, he might yet avail himself; do if it is not the truth I write* nothing but tyrannically offer his poor soul,

Page  408 408 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. which was purchased with such a precious be wise in counsel, honorable, and master treasure, unto the devil of hell, under the of their passions, were called to high offices. intolerable judgment, punishment and They were not urged by the blood-thirsty wrath of God, so that he. would forever have spirit of murder, as is the case with some to suffer and bear the tortures of the un- of the preachers and writers who dare boast quenchable burning, the consuming fire, of the crucified Christ and his office or serveternal pain, woe and death. Never taking ice, who do not only imprison and take the into consideration that the son of man, who life of those who are guilty according to says, "Learn of me," Matt. 11: 28, I have the justice of the world, such as thieves, given you an example, Jn. 13: 15, follow murderers, wizards, &c., but also the sinme, Matt. 16: 24, is not come to corrupt cere, faithful children of God who sincerely souls, but to save them, Matt. 18: 11; Luke seek Christ Jesus and his holy truth, and 19: 10. walk unblamably before the world, to deBehold, this was the foundation of my liver them without mercy into the hands of innocent words which I at that time spoke the blood-stained beadle to be tortured, to you in sincerity of heart, according to drowned, burned, or put to the sword, out the style and Spirit of the gospel of Christ, of mere hatred of the truth, because they to which words you give this hateful color, shun their deceiving doctrine and false relibefore all men, saying, "That I make many gion, according to the word of God. O pious rulers, murderers of men; that I pro- Lord! tect and encourage the rogues in their wick- That I write the truth in regard to this edness." I will leave it to your own judg- matter, is shown to you and all the world, ment what kind of a spirit prompted you not only by the Papist and Lutheran writthus enviously to write about my plain ers, but also by the books of your highly words. 0, Micron, you carry this thing too esteemed predecessors and brethren, John far. For what else do you do by your Calvin, Theodore Weselin Beza, and John writing, but upbraid and blaspheme Christ A'Lasco, which were prepared to be printJesus himself, whose example I follow in ed; but by the contradiction of some peothis matter, for pointing to the adulterous pie, were again recalled. woman, who was already adjudged by the Beloved Micron, if you and they were law of Moses, to repentance, and letting her born of God, and urged by the Spirit of the go unpunished, Lev. 20: 10; Deut. 22: 22; Lord; if you had tasted the sweet word of Jn. 8: 11; as also, faithful Paul, who did God, and the fruits of the future world, you no further punish the Corinthian, who, ac- would never have thus troubled the pious, cording to the Mosaic and human law, was as you have done by your untrue, false deserving of death, than with separation, writing; nor would you encourage any whereby he won him unto God; something body in their bloody doings; but point which he could not have done had he been them to the meek Lamb, and let the dead killed. Dear Micron, reflect, and see if I bury the dead. Ponder upon what I mean. do not write correctly. I cordially agree with you that the office of I do not doubt in the least but that all the magistrates is of God, and that it is an reasonable men who shall read my writ- ordinance of God; but I deny that one is, ings, if they have any scriptural knowledge or can be a christian and not follow his at all, will say that I have not spoken un- Prince, Head, and Predecessor, Christ, but reasonably, but truly and christianly, al- ornaments and decks his unrighteousness, though I have to hear from you such a base boldness, pomp, splendor, avarice, robbery greeting. and tyranny with the name magistrate; for Profane history shows that the Lacedae- whosoever would be a christian, must folmonians, who were gentiles, did not prac- low the Spirit, word, and example of Christ, tice capital punishment; but they impris- no matter whether he be- emperor, king or oned them and put them at labor. There anything else, Matt. 22: 21; Rom. 13: 1; 1 are instances that when some of them Tim. 2: 1; Tit. 3: 1. For these following showed natural piety and found them to admonitions apply to all alike: "Let this

Page  409 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 409 mind be in you, which was also in Christ shalt not swear at all. 0 God, what pity Jesus," Phil. 2: 5. "He that saith he abi- that such plain words of the Son of God deth in him, ought himself also' so to walk, are thus lamentably adulterated and daubed even as he walked," 1 Jn. 2: 6. over with the foul mortar of serpentile flatBehold, you show by actual facts that tery, merely to suit the rulers who are but you speak and teach to tickle their ears, of dust; as Musculus and you have done!, and the lusts of their hearts, inasmuch as How little you have pondered upon the you again point them. to the vengeance of Scriptures which say, "We ought to obey the Mosaic law, and not to the longsuffer- God rather than men," Acts 5: 29. ing of Christ, and thus you encourage them Inasmuch as it is very plain that Christ in their vain, proud, pompous, and utmer- Jesus, the teacher of righteousness, forbids ciful, carnal life which is so little in keep- us the oath of Moses, which was also an ing with the life of an innocent, contrite, oath of truth, and sworn by the name of humble, merciful, compassionate, pious and the Lord, which you use and highly recomregenerated christian whose conversation mend to the reader, and commands us to is in heaven, Phil. 3: 20. It is manifest the true, yea and nay; and as I know to a that you are a deadly enemy to their poor certainty that his word is the truth, and his souls and do not deal by them as becomes commandment life eternal; therefore I am the service of a true messenger of God. For sincerely frank and bold thus to teach it, they build the wall, and you daub it with truly believing that he will not deceive us untempered mortar, Ezek. 13: 10. You cry by his doctrine, Jn. 17: 17; 12: 50. peace, peace, while there is no peace, Jer. I cordially rejoice that such faithful chil8: 11. Beloved Micron, reflect if it is not dren in truth are found, who are prepared to the truth I write, seal the holy commandments and testimoYour unscriptural adulations concerning ny of the Lord with their possessions and the oath show that I write the truth. For blood, notwithstanding I have to hear so Christ says,''Ye have heard that it hath much on that account, at your hands. Nor bren said by them of old time, Thou shalt am I in the least doubtful but that they, at not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the day of Christ, will have a part in my the Lord thine oaths; But I say unto you, crown; for they, for a testimony against Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it you and all the world, suffer for reproving is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is your deceiving, lying hearts and tongues, his footstool, &c., Matt. 5: 33 —35. And in faithful love, that you may be brought you, Micron, say that nothing but light- to reflect; notwithstanding that they, alas, minded, false oaths are hereby prohibited, are called such detestable people, by you. as if Moses allowed Israel to swear light- If they were no more faithful to truth mindedly and falsely; and that Christ, un- than Herman and you have shown yourder the New Testament only forbade it; selves to be towards me, then they would notwithstanding that all intelligent readers not so valiantly adhere to their true yea know that it was not merely allowed Israel and nay, unto death. Of this we are conto swear truly, but also commanded them vinced. to do so, Lev. 19: 12; Deut. 10: 20. As it is manifest that they so faithfully If the Israelites, then, had the same lib- adhere to their undeceiving yea and nay, erty in this matter that we have, as you which Christ has commanded us, Matt. have it, and if it be such a glorious thing 5: 37; Jas. 5: 12, that they would rather and honor to God rightly to swear by the forsake their possessions and life than to name of God, as you dare boldly lie against transgress this commandment; and their your God, then tell me why the wisdom did whole mind and life ever conform to this not say, You have heard that it hath been yea and nay, always spoken truthfully, said to them of old, thou shalt not forswear before God and man; and, as these same thyself, thus I say, Thou shalt do likewise? people are now troubled on that account; while he says, Moses commanded not to therefore I will herewith leave it to the conforswear thyself, but I say unto you, Thou sideration of all impartial, reasonable 88

Page  410 410 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. readers as also to yourselves, whether I and the truth not be told without being sworn? our beloved brethren are deserving of such Do all testify to the truth, even, when under innocent bloodshed because we lead them oath? To the first question you must anby the assistance and power of the Lord, swer in the affirmative, and to the last in by virtue of the word in the Holy Spirit, the negative. from falsehood unto truth,from unrighteous- As the oath is not the truth itself to which ness unto righteousness, from darkness one testifies, or as the truth is not estabunto light and from the old, sinful life of lished by the one that takes the oath, why ungodliness unto the penitent, new life of can not the magistracy, then, accept the godliness, to which Moses and Christ, to- testimony confirmed by yea and nay, as gether with all the prophets, apostles, sac- commanded of God, instead of that conrifices, commandments, prohibitions, cere- firmed by that which is forbidden? For monies and sacraments unanimously point; they can punish those who are found false or, whether those are deserving of being in their yea and nay, as well as those who called deceivers by you, and your like, commit perjury by forswearing themselves. tickling, and blood-thirsty preachers and I trust that no person is so confused but writers, who teach the powerful doctrine as he knows that the ordinances of God, which taught from the lips of the Lord; and wheth- are of heaven, should not give way to the er all such valiant witnesses and saints of ordinances of men, which are of earth, but Christ who would rather die than willfully that the earthly ordinances of men should transgress the word of the Lord, or confirm give way to God's ordinances, if they would aught further than by yea or nay, are de- be christians and do according to the truth. serving of such treatment, whereby you Therefore it would be well for you to obopen the doors wide, to the rapacious rulers serve, first, that you by your writing conto rob such pious souls, and to the blood- cerning the oath make ignorant or false thirsty, to murder them. teachers of Christ, the Son of God, and of Dear Micron, if you were one of the true his holy apostle James. For Christ's founmessengers and servants of Christ, as alas, dation and doctrine is, that Moses had you boldly boast, you would reasonably commanded not to forswear thyself; but be expected to point the magistracy who that under the New Testament one should have, as a general thing, high and proud not swear at all. James says, That we minds and are quite carnal in their life, to should not swear "neither by heaven, neithe true, sincere repentance which avails ther by the earth, neither by any other before God; and to teach them the Spirit, oath," Jas. 5: 12 (mark, he says, neither by mind, nature, and word of the Lord; for any other oath), and you gloze it, by the then the unction itself would teach them, infatuation of the serpent, that it is not so, without, even the counsel of man, how they but that we may swear to the truth, &c. should conduct themselves in regard to the And thus the eternal Wisdom himself, and delicate matters of bloodshed, the oath and his holy witness James, alas, must be your other matters. But now, alas, things are disciples and servants. inverted, that there may be something in- Secondly, that you condemn the innocent, vented wherewith to charge us before the and clear the ungodly, both of which are blind world, and cry that we are unfit to an abomination in the sight of the Lord, live. 0, Martin, your scorpion's sting and Prov. 17: 15, whereby you strengthen the lion's teeth are too sharp and envious; for hands of the evil-doers, and daub the wall your venomous, deadly stings and bites with untempered mortar, Jer. 23: 14; Ezek. are, alas, too numerous! 13: 10, as was once said. Beloved, reflect, Say, who is wronged because we can not and see if you are not one of those whose conscientiously swear? because the Lord mouths speak great swelling words, having has forbidden it, if we testify to the truth men's persons in admiration because of adwhen required, and make use of no deceit? vantage, Jude 16. The oath is required for no other purpose Thirdly, that you cause great tribulation but that we shall truthfully testify. Can to the pious hearts who are born of the

Page  411 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 411 truth and faithfully walk and seal it with But that I made an exception in regard yea and nay, with their possessions and to the doctrine, I did it to aid the reader, for blood, and thus load the innocent blood the purpose of showing that Paul and Christ upon yourselves, Rev. 17: 3. did not make use of the terms, Verily, and, John saw the finely attired whore upon God is my witness (which the learned would the scarlet colored beast, drunk with the construe into an oath for the purpose of blood of the saints, and with the blood of making a foundation for their doings), in the witnesses of Jesus. And whether or treating of temporal matters, but in their not you, in your heart, have drank or do teachings only. drink such a draught of blood with her, I If this matter is to be strictly weighed in will leave to the omniscient Judge, and to the balance of the holy, divine word, in yourself. Dear Micron, reflect, and see if I such a manner as to keep unanimity bedo not rightly point out your sores. tween all the Scriptures, then it should be obAs you did not fear, but diligently ex- served that the oath and some affirmations erted yourself, to adulterate, obscure, and are not of the same form, in the Scriptures. break the Lord's express word, for the pur- For it is manifest, that an oath was always pose of pleasing the magistracy; thus you, sworn by God, or by something else, and also have, alas, exerted yourself to garble is so sworn yet, which is not the case with my words, as if I had cited the words of an affirmation, as Paul and Christ used in David (who does not delight in false doc- their teaching. Abraham said unto his trine neither has sworn deceitfully, Ps. servant, "Put, I pray thee, thy hand under 24: 4), in my article concerning swearing, my thigh; and I will make thee swear for the purpose of proving that under the (mark) by the Lord, the God of heaven, New Testament we should not swear; while and the God of the earth," Gen. 24: 2. I adduced these words for no other purpose, Again: "By the life of Pharaoh (mark) as my words plainly imply, than to show ye shall not go forth hence, except your that but little attention was alas, given to youngest brother come hither," Gen. 42:15. the piety implied in the words of said Again: "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy psalm, as is plainly shown by your false, God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt defaming tongue and hand, toward me, thou cleave, and swear by his name " (mark), poor man, who, alas, has or finds but little Dent. 10: 20. consolation from the children of men. Again, Christ says, Neither by heaven, Besides, I had written a note in the mar- nor by earth, neither by Jerusalem, neither gin of the page, in plain words, that it was by thy head, Matt. 5: 34, nor by the temspoken by David in a spiritual sense; and pie, nor by the altar, Matt. 23:16, 18. Read that under the New Testament we were to also Jas. 5: 12. Again, neither with the use yea and nay, instead. You have world, nor by God, nor by the gospel, nor spared nothing to make me ridiculous and by a cross, &c. obnoxious to the reader. Behold, thus an oath is always sworn by In the same manner, you have not avoid- something. But this is not the case with ed to call me inconsistent, because I wrote an affirmation which is made without an that we should not swear at all in regard oath. to temporal matters, because Christ did not An affirmation may be made without an use the word verily, in worldly matters, but oath; but an oath cannot be made without merely in his doctrine, &c. I know of noth- an affirmation. And thus Christ and Paul ing that I wrote which you did not wrongly often affirmed their words with strong tesexplain and garble. Iwish thatyouwould timony, but did not swear to them. For once consider, in the fear of God, what kind nowhere did they say, "This we swear or of a spirit it is that thus taught you. My affirm by the truth," or, "By God," or, " By saying that one should not swear at all in our soul, but solely, verily, or, God is my worldly dealings, was taught me, not by witrness, and other like affrming words. the flattery of the old serpent, but by the As I thus humbly, plainly and strictly word of the Lord, Matt. 5: 37; Jas. 5: 12. abide by the holy word, commandments,

Page  412 412 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. and prohibitions of the Lord; and, as I Christ, both rulers and subjects, according point my neighbors, who would do things to the sure word of the holy gospel, to use in the fear of God, honestly to yea, and no other sword than the one Christ Jesus nay, as the mouth of Truth has commanded and his holy apostles used, to be merciful me and all true christians to do; and as I unto the penitent sinners, as Christ is mersincerely strive to instruct, according to my ciful unto us; mercifully to punish the imsmall talent, the poor, blind world in the penitent, and to admonish them in love, as true, divine knowledge, through Jesus Christ Christ admonished us; and scrupulously without any respect of person, and to point to stand by their yea and nay, as the true out the falsehood of anti-christ and the old Teacher and Executor of the New Testaserpent, according to the truth, thus to lead ment, the ever blessed Christ Jesus himself, them to eternal peace, by his grace; and as has distinctly commanded and taught us the doctrine shows its fruit in many, as with his guileless mouth; no matter what may be seen; therefore it is that they are the consequences to my person may be. so enraged at me, that neither Turk nor Dear Micron, reflect and see if I have not Tartar, neither tyrant nor fiend under the rightly pointed to the Scriptures; and conwhole heavens, no matter how ungodly he sider, also, by what Spirit you have slanbe, is so hated as I, persecuted man, am dered me. True is the wise man's word: hated of the world through this defaming, "Who is able to stand before envy?" Prov. false, blood-thirsty writing and crying of 27:4. the learned, who, for the sake of their bel- Eighthly, it is manifest that throughout lies, teach the broad, easy way, with all the your book you have labored with all your false prophets. He who created me knows might to make the truth of Christ, taught what love I bear to you and all my ene- by us to the measure of our talent, obnoxmies and slanderers. If I could serve you ious and hateful to the reader and hearer, with my life, unto righteousness, I- would by my person, and to make the falsehood at all times be willing and prepared to do of anti-christ, taught by you, pleasing and so, by the grace of God. This I write with taking, by your own person. You have so a good conscience, as if before God, in presented the matter, but alas, not with Christ Jesus. God's Spirit, that if I had been a tyro in Dear Micron, do consider how you, out of the church for three or four months, I would mere hatred of the truth, treat me, old, in- probably have done about as I now did, firm man, quite contrary to all truth, as according to your untrue, partial writing. also contrary to the virtuous, pious nature But thus the righteous Lord makes maniof the divine, christian love which would fest unto the unsuspecting and innocent, curtail nor harm none, to the dishonor of the impure Spirit, heart, bitterness, ambithe Almighty, great God. But what will it tion, hatred, envy, falsehood, and infamy, benefit? The innocent, defenseless Lamb as also their false doctrine of all such peomust be hated and murdered in his mem- ple who so cover up their ravenous heart bers. with a sheepskin, as you do, that they I will let you teach and counsel (as you can scarcely perceive it. The venomous, will not be convinced) your church, the deadly arrows and lies directed against me, world, to fight and retaliate as did Moses show to the whole world what kind of a and the patriarchs, according to your man- spirit is in you. Now it is Menno's inconner; teach them to punish, scatter, imprison stancy, anon, his ignorance, or deceitful inand destroy their enemies; to adjudge the tellect, or artful roguery, Menno's lies, &c., criminals, no matter whether they repent or and you also say that I should have changed not, as you write. Teach them also to my doctrine. In short, Ido not know what swear and be sworn, after the manner that you wrote that was not written to the disMoses commanded the Israelites. But I honor of God, of the saints, of the truth, of shall and will, by the grace of God, faith- the church and of myself. fully teach and counsel all truly regener- i I thank my God, with joyful heart, that ated ohildrea of God, amd followers of i by his grace he has kept me these twenty

Page  413 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 413 one years in one doctrine and foundation Again, as to the charge of falsehood, of faith without any change, notwithstand- which you prefer against me, this is my ing that I was unworthily called to my plain answer: I am also concluded in the hard service, in such perilous, dark, erring word, "All men are liars," Ps. 116: 11; times, as all those will admit who have Rom. 3: 4. I trust that I would submit to walked with me in Christ Jesus during the be killed before I should willfully lie, be it time of my pilgrimage; who have from the slightly or grossly. I hate falsehood. I beginning read my humble works and hated falsehood, even before I knew of books, and heard my admonitions. whose seed it was. I shall also, in my old It may be that I am an ignorant, coarse age, by the grace of the Lord, avoid it, so and unintelligent man. but I have never in far as possible, since I know its origin or my life boasted of great intellectuality, father. learning, arts and science; but I do boast 0, Micron, Micron, how pecisely do you that I, in my weakness, seek the praise of treat me, as the false prophets and stiffthe Lord, and the salvation of my soul, and necked Jews, out of mere hatred of the truth, that I have learned so much in the school treated the good Jeremiah, saying, "Come, of God, by his grace, that I know that the and let us devise devices against Jeremiah," whole, undivided Christ is G-oa's first and and not pay attention to his words, Jer. only begotten, and true Son, and that those 18: 18. John the Baptist had to hear from who contradict this are the spirits of anti- the Pharisees and Scribes that he was poschrist; that all blasphemers against God, sessed of the devil; and Christ Jesus was profaners against the saints, adulteraters called by them a wine-bibber and glutton, of the Scriptures, willful liars, public de- Matt. 11: 19, that he cast out devils in the famers, enviers of the pious, ambitious, name of Beelzebub, as they said, Luke blood-thirsty men,are ungodly persons, and 11: 15, that they might by these means lead not christians. Again, that all those who the ignorant, reckless people from the truth, hear and follow Christ, and submissively, and keep them in their leaven and vain, obediently and conscientiously follow his false doctrine. Just so you treat me, inword, ordinances and unblamable example firm man, out of mere hatred of the truth. in faith, by virtue of the new birth, are the For if you could but daub me with so much children of God, and that they shall for- filthy falsehood, that they would be affrightever inherit the kingdom of honor. I trust ed at me, then you would think that the that I shall stand before the throne of High cause of Christ was already lost. Thus Majesty in his grace, with this my gross blind is poor, foolish flesh which is not ignorance, which is wisdom in the sight of overshadowed by the brightness of the God, but hidden from the world, while all Lord. high minded and bold hearted, who are so You may fulfill the measure of your fawise in their own sight, shall hear: "I thers, so long as the hand of God does not never knew you; Depart from me, ye that intercede, yet I am assured in my heart, work iniquity, Matt. 7: 22. My dear friend by the grace of the Lord, that as Jeremiah, Micron, take heed. John and Christ remained Jeremiah, John Again, I trust that I shall be found inno- and Christ however much they were belied cent before the Lord and his judgment of by their enviers, and persecuted by them, the charge, artful roguery, which yon pre- out of hatred against the truth, I also, by fer against me; for I have dealt with you the merciful grace and power of God, will with no more artful and roguish heart than remain the same Menno Simon in Christ those do who, daily for the sake of the tes- which I was, in my weakness, for more timony of Christ aid of their consciences, than twenty years, however infamously you are, with a glad and joyous mind, martyr- may belie me, and depict or portray me, ized; notwithstanding this I have to hear out of hatred against the truth; as also, from you this unkind, false charge made that as the false prophets, scribes, and before all the world. But the Lord will be Pharisees were inimical to truth, and were our judge. blood-thirsty mam, and thAolo d~i^ witb

Page  414 414 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. out God, you also are without God and his praesenti, that is, in the present tense). grace, and that you, together with all false Whosoever does not believe it may read hypocrites, will receive your reward, unless the text, Heb. 2: 16. you sincerely repent; something of which * * * * there is but a very faint hope, because you Since it is manifest that you have preso willfully suppress the truth in regard to meditatedly adulterated the holy, divine our discussion, tell so many falsehoods, so Scriptures and made yourself a translation wittingly adulterate the Scriptures, and act and Scripture (as Tatian made himself a so deceitfully against your neighbor in his gospel, as you write) of your own, that you absence; something which no regenerated may the better maintain your anti-chrischristian will or can do. For the word tian doctrine before the unsuspicious and stands firm. Reflect, and see if I do not ignorant, therefore I will leave it to the truly point out your errors. judgment of all the impartial, reasonable Ninthly, it is manifest that you have cor- readers of all the world what kind of a mitted against yourself and your soul teacher and writer you are. which was purchased at such a precious 0, dear Micron, consider to what you price, the grossest kind of shame and in- have already come. It appears as if you jury; for these reasons, first, because by had nearly lost both the Scriptures and your writing you have made yourself an common sense by the deadly disease of your open accuser, reprover, nay, teacher and ambitious and envious partiality. If you instructor of God the Father, of Christ the should thus defame his imperial majesty, Son, of Gabriel the angel, and of all the and his son Philip, as you have defamed the apostles and saints of the New Testament. heavenly Father and his blessed Son Christ, The Father confesses Christ Jesus to be his in your writing, and should plainly say, beloved Son, without any division; Christ No, king Philip is not the son of the emconfesses the Father to be his Father; and peror; but he is the son of another person, the angel and the apostles,together with all and is only called the son of the emperor; the other witnesses unanimously testify the if you should, besides, adulterate their same, in regard to the visible, palpable, public mandates, sentences, and commanddying, and resurrected Christ; and you ments, as you have done the adduced Scriptboldly say and write, that he is not. I will ures, and the plain ordinances, word, and leave you to consider, in the fear of God, commandments of Christ concerning bapwhether you are not such an one as I have tism, and the oath; and moreover, should here written. deride, upbraid, scorn, and belie their sworn Secondly, you prove yourself to be an courtiers, and faithful servants, because open corrupter of the Holy Scriptures. For they honored and respected the emperor as you write, "That Christ is of David's seed, the true father of Philip, and Philip as the Rom. 1:3; that he is of a woman;" whilst all true son of the emperor, and because they the unadulterated texts have it: Born of the faithfully respected and obeyed their manseed (that is, of the generation) of David. dates, sentences and policies, 0, Lord, what Born of a woman, as may be seen by the ado there would be made about you, and Lutheran and Zurian translations. what blood-songs there would be sung. Thirdly, you write, " That Christ has par- But of what reward you are now deserving, taken of the flesh and blood of the children," and must expect in due time from God the Heb. 2: 14; and the text says nothing more Lord, because you so lamentably blasthan "flesh and blood" without the addi pheme the Emperor of all emperors, the tion of, "of the children;" if we accept of God of heaven and of earth, and his blessed the Scriptural meaning of the pronoun, eo- Son Christ Jesus, because you adulterate rundem, that is, of the same. and break their heavenly mandates, ordiFourthly, you write at different places, nances, and explicit and plain command"That Christ has taken on him Abraham's i ments, and because you so lamentably seed" (inprceterito, that is,in the past tense), slander, upbraid, belie, hate, and persecute while the tesxt says, He takes on dim (in their faithful servants by your indiscreet

Page  415 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 415 writing, I will leave to Almighty God and for us;" while I dare say and testify with a his judgment. Lear friend, ponder upon good conscience that you never touched upwhat is here said. on it during the whole discussion. But First, you have made yourself to be an when I asked you at the last discussion, open, perfidious falsifier; for you call on whether you did not still call the man God as a witness (which in my opinion is Christ (who you said had no Father) the the same as an oath), that you have given Son of God? you answered, yes. When I a true narration of the discussion; and the asked again, why you called him so, what first thing you wrote in your book is an un- kind of an answer I received to that questruth. For you write: "A true Narration." tion, was related above. Yet you dare And how quite untrue it is, God knows, as falsely write down, "That you frequently also you yourself, and we. We have also confessed it to us," as has been heard. partly touched on this, above, in the de- Though you were not ashamed of telling scription of the discussion. gross falsehoods against us before men, Secondly, you have quoted in your book because you are aware that you can not my first words and very brotherly admoni- sufficiently abuse us, in the sight of the tion: "If you now hear more powerful world, which is your church; yet one would truths and surer foundation from us than reasonably expect that you would be you have heard hitherto, then you ought ashamed to do so before your God who not to seek your own praise and honor; tries the hearts and reins; and that you but you ought cordially to seek the honor would remember that it is written, that "A and praise of the Lord, &c.," and have thief is not so bad as a man accustomed to coupled a gross falsehood therewith, and lies;" "for he can never attain to honor," rendered it as if I should have said, that -Ecl. 20: 27, 28: that the lying mouth killyou had sought your own honor and praise eth the soul, Wis. 1: 11; that God will deby your writing, in England. Something stroy the liars, Ps. 5: 6, and that their part which, at that time, I had never thought will be in the lake which burns with fire about; for I knew no more about you than and brimstone, Rev. 21: 8. I would have known had you never been Fifthly, you write, "That you maintained in the world. Yet, you garble my words the purity of your Christ against us;" to make it appear so. I will leave yourself while, before the Lord, before you, and beto judge whether it was the Spirit of truth fore us all, it did not occur otherwise than and of godly, faithful love, or the spirit of I related in the narration of the first disimpure falsehood and faithless envy which cussion, concerning the inconsistency that inspired you thus to write. you had an impure Christ. Thirdly, you write, "That Herman Back- * * 4 ereel had already proved to me that Mary I was also surprised at the fact that there was a daughter of David." It seems that was not sufficient common sense left in you you are not at all ashamed to tell a false- to consider that you might have made it so hood, if it can but make your cause appar- by your partial writing and gross falseently true. He who can prove to me, by hoods, that many of the readers, and parvirtue of the Scriptures that Mary was a ticularly of those present at the discussion, daughter of David, must have a Bible and might suspect you of writing falsehoods Scripture different from ours; for it can not out of mere partiality, and might thereby be found in our Bibles and Scriptures. I leave your church. But the spirit of wis. asked no proof of you nor of Herman, as dom, alas, has not kissed the dwellingit was irrelevant. And now you make it place of your soul, nor greeted it with the falsely appear that I should have said that friendly lips of its truth. she was not, and that Herman proved to Fourthly, you have also made yourself a me that she was. This is certainly a false- very unsteady, wavering and inconstant hood. person, whom one can not overtake on one Fourthly, you write, "That you frequent- foundation and doctrine. For, at the time ly confessed to us that the Son of God died of the discussion you confessed, "That

Page  416 416 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. Christ, from everlasting, was born of the ing, suffering, dying, and arisen Christ, Father; that he was, also, from everlasting, was also God's own, true Son, nor could seated, divided, and separated from the you reply a word to my four convincing anFather. Now you have changed yourself, swers, with which I overcame your unscriptand you write, that he remained in the Fa- ural question concerning the birth from ther. Mark your first change. everlasting, separation, &c., all of which Secondly, you confessed two Sons in you have left out of your "Narration." Christ; and now you say there is but one; Neither did you say anything about the yet, in fact two, if we impartially consider union of the two sons, which you generally your doctrine. called two natures, in our discussion, which Thirdly, you confessed that the crucified is now your strongest Scripture, although, Christ who died for us, was not God's Son; in fact, it is not found in the whole Bible. and now you write that you frequently con- For if you had made mention of it at the fessed that he was. Mark your second, time of the discussion, you would, by the and third changes; and yet you write that assistance of the Lord, have received an he had no Father. Whether this is, Sim- answer. And, besides, having told such plex veritates oratio, the word of truth is abominable falsehoods, you have changed plain, as you write, I will leave yourself to the order of the discussion, garbled my consider. It must be admitted that if one words, misinterpreted them, abbreviated or can not see lightminded unsteadiness and added to them, at pleasure, and changed false duplicity in this, he must be quite un- your own, whereby it is manifest before intelligent and blind. God and man that your discussion with Fourthly, you confessed, "That Christ us, and particularly the account thereof, should not be worshipped according to his was not prompted by an humble, converthuman nature;" and now you say, "That ed, and contrite heart; not by the Spirit he should be." Mark your fourth change; and love of Christ, but by an ambitious, yet you confess that he was an earthly man, self-conceited, proud, obdurate flesh and of earth, who was born of Adam's seed. If mind. I will leave it to the all-knowing this be not idolatry we may truly say that God, and to yourself (to whom are best the Scriptures deceive us. known your seeking) as also, to the pious Whether so many confessions and re- reader, who walks in the truth, whether callings are consistent with a sincere, pious, this is not the truth. 0, friend, teach yourconstant, and wellfounded teacher and self before you undertake to teach others. writer (as you want to be), who, out of am- Behold yourself, inwardly and outwardly, bition falsely denies it all, I will herewith in the clear mirror of Christ and his holy leave all impartial readers to judge. word, that you may realize what an ignoFifthly, you have made yourself, before rant teacher and unfit christian you are beall intelligent persons, a very proud, self- fore God. conceited, bold and ambitious boaster, be- Sixthly, you have also made of yourself cause you sing such great triumphs and a false prophet and teacher, a deceiver of glory in your book, while it is manifest to men, an apparent hypocrite and ravening God, to yourself and to all who were pres- wolf in sheep's clothing. Do not take it ent that you had already lost the whole amiss that I call you such, and tell the point in discussion. It would also be man- truth. For how can you teach a more false ifest to the whole world, if you had but im- doctrine than to teach that God the Father, partially told it as it happened; for you is not the true Father of the whole Christ; confessed two Sons in Christ, and that the and that the whole Christ is not the true crucified one was not God's Sop, as you, in Son of God; to make the angel of God, fact, do yet; whereby you had ilready fin- John the Baptist and all the apostles of ished the discussion. You could not an- God, false witnesses; to make Christ, the swer a word to all the Scriptures I read, eternal truth, a false teacher; for he says, whereby I testified unto you, that the Son that we shall not swear at all, Matt. 5: 34, of man, the visible, palpable, eating, drink- and you say that we are allowed to swear

Page  417 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 417 to the truth; to make the baptism, which charge, slander, defame, and trampleunder was commanded by Christ, and taught and foot the doctrine, which is the clear, pure, practiced by his holy apostles, a false bap- unadulterated, powerful, saving and retism; and to want to teach a different doc- generating doctrine of Christ, as being hertrine and practice, of which not a word is esy and deceit, and the faithful children found in all the Scriptures. which are thereby converted from unrightDear Micron, if you would follow good eousness unto righteousness, and from the counsel, you would at once quit your writ- dumb idols unto the living God, as being ing. For make it as you will, it is certain deceitful, sectarian people, before the erring, that you by your strongest arguments and blind, and carnal world of blasphemers, best points do nothing, in fact, but super- blood-preachers, messengers of the devil, sede and teach the eternal wisdom, Christ blood-thirsty tyrants and covetous robbers. Jesus, the Son of God, and his Holy Ghost, O, Micron, friend, how good it would be together with the apostles of Christ; noth- for your poor soul (if you do not sincerely ing but change their words, doctrine, corn- repent) if you lad never been born. What mandments, institutions, ordinances and have you, miserable man, suffered your practices, as if they in themselves were not ambitious, proud, evil flesh to do, that you, essential and right, yea, powerless, vain, for the sake of a little breeze of vain honor, and useless, and thereby show that you are which you can enjoy but a short time in their teacher and master. Beloved Micron, this confused evil world, have committed take heed. The more you write the more such abominable blasphemy against the manifest you make your own shame and Almighty, eternal, and great God; have so false doctrine, and the greater you make lamentably defamed his holy apostles and the guilt of your deceit. My friend, let faithful witnesses; so grossly profaned the yourself be warned. Lord's word; so deadly deceived the peoYou console the poor, blind people with pie; so unmercifully caused trouble to the falsehood, deprive them of both Father and godly and pious, and that you have heaped Son, 1 Jn. 2: 22, lamentably adulterate the such great guilt and sin upon your own, word of the Lord; from which it is very poor soul, by your writing. Surely your plain, that you forsake the Lord who has whole book is nothing but a plain declarapurchased us, 2 Pet. 2: 1, that you are tion and manifestation of your own shame prompted by the Spirit of anti-christ, 1 Jn. and anti-christian doctrine, both for the 4: 3; that it is anathema, Gal. 1: 8. You present and future world, which discovers, teach us a gospel which was not taught us proclaims, and publishes your abominably by the apostles of Christ. It shows that great abuse and error unto all men who you rob God of his honor, and are a mur- seek the Lord. Friend Miicron, reflect, and derer of souls, Jn. 10: 1, which Christ Jesus see if I do not rightly point out your very has purchased at such a great price, 1 Pet. dangerous wounds and deadly sores, ac1: 8, a messenger of darkness who trans- cording to the Scriptures. forms himself into an angel of light, 2 Cor. Lastly, you have made youself a shame 11: 14. and dishonor to all the rest of the preachDo not take it amiss, that I write the ers, who are your fellows in doctrine and truth. I repeat, a ravening wolf in sheep's service, in the sight of all the pious of the clothing, Matt. 7: 15, who devours the souls world. For, as you migrated from Flanof men by a false explanation of the Script- ders to England; from England to Friesure, under a fictitious semblance of truth, land, for the sake of the gospel, as is said; robs them of the truth, and thus offers and and as you do much writing and disputing, sacrifices them to the prince of hell, for the lead a reasonable, civil life before the world; sake of a woolen rag and a piece of bread. are not particularly considered as an adulNot to mention that you cause so much terer, wine-bibber or coxcomb; in short, trouble to many a chosen saint of God, de- as you are finely clothed in sheep's clothing, prive him of possession, and even of life, &c.; therefore you are probably looked by your false doctrine, because you falsely upon and considered as an exemplary per

Page  418 418 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. son, head, light, or at least, as one of the tions, adulteration of the Scriptures and principal of them. And you are yet in flatterings. "Forby the law, is the knowltruth found to be, before God and all intel- edge of siii," Rom. 3: 20, thus this epistle ligent persons, such an one as we have will discover unto you how deadly you are partly shown you to be in this epistle, by stung by the serpent, and how he has coryour own writings, therefore we will let the rupted you, before God, by the accursed reader consider in the fear of God, what we venom of his evil nature, and poisoned should think of the others who are not thus your whole life. covered with sheep's clothing, but who If the merciful Lord, by his loving kindgrasp, eat, drink, and lead a pompous, os- ness, should make you feel and know your tentatious, careless, easy and carnal life, abominable shame which you have comwho fear neither God nor devil, who sell mitted against God and man by your slanthe souls of men for a trifle, who gladly ac- derous writing, which, I fear, you have uncept liens and easy times, and still are in til now, by your great blindness, hatred, the same doctrine, vocation and service, ambition, and self-love, but little noticed, with you. And what we should do in re- then be not dilatory (if you would not die gard to attendin g the preaching of both you in your ungodliness) in coming before the and them (on which account they would throne of grace, the ever blessed Christ bite their own tongues for madness), I will Jesus, with a broken, contrite, repentant let every one judge who cordially seeks spirit, in an adulterated faith, with a God, according to the word of the Lord, changed, penitent, and new heart; for he is Matt. 7: 15; 15: 13; 16: 6; Jn. 10: 1; Rom. the spiritual, brazen serpent, raised unto 16: 16; Gal. 5: 8; 1 Tim. 6: 3: 2 Tim. 2: 3; all of Adam's children (who are poisoned Tit. 3: 9; 2 Jn. 1: 7; 2 Cor. 6: 14; Rev. 18:4. in Adam) as a wholesome sign. He is the I am very much surprised that the other man who can cure you of all the deep preachers, part of whom (though they do wounds of your diseased soul. He is the not want to be upon the narrow path with Physician in Israel. With him alone, is Christ and his chosen ones), are naturally found the ointment and medicine of eternal intelligent, do not reprove you and stop life. And if you would commit yourself to your slanderous writing, as it is a shame him and follow his advice, that you may to them as well as to yourself; for never find help and health for your diseased soul, was your anti-christian foundation and you must give yourself up to him; obey his doctrine concerning Christ, the Son of God, word, will, commandments and prohibimade so manifest, as it was by your bold tions; deny your selfish, ambitious, false, assertions and blindness, and by my nec- partial, envious, vain, wrathful flesh which essary reply thereto. All those that have leads you to this abominably false writing; eyes may see what fearful unbelief and become little in your own sight; lay a betabominable foundation and doctrine you ter and christian foundation in your heart; have. Still, you will remain good teachers quit your flattering, adulteration of the in the sight of the world; for it is such they Scriptures, idolatrous sacraments and all seek and desire. John truly says, "They hypocrisy; truly seek and fear the Lord are of the world; therefore speak they of and his holy word, with sincerity of heart; the world, and the world heareth them," 1 reconcile your neighbors whom you have Jn. 4: 5. wronged through pernicious falsehood, with Behold, dear Micron, I have placed the tears, in sincere brotherly love, and by othclear mirror of truth before the eyes of your er writings publish to the world that through conscience, and properly dissected the in- mere hatred against thre truth, you have visible members of your soul. Now open causelessly still more defamed their name, your eyes, and you shall see what kind of a which was already hated too much for man you are, and how greatly you are truth's sake; something which, I fear, you spiritually diseased; from which, spring all will hardly do unless you become a more these obnoxious exhalations, such as up- godly, penitent and pious Micron than you, braiding, lying, defaming, false explana- alas, have been hitherto.

Page  419 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 419 So long as you do not do as here pointed stroys those who hate his truth and are inout, it is manifest that you without cause imical thereto. hate your neighbor, and are inimical to In the year 1554 three of our brethren him, out of hatred of the truth; and are were at Wisburg, in Gotland, for the purtherefore separate from Christ, with the pose of earning a livelihood. A preacher murderers. 0, friend, reflect and repent. of the city, named Lawrence, who was of Take heed, lest you forever destroy your the spirit of his father (the devil), cried after precious soul for the sake of a little tempo- them in the street, hooted at them, and rary and vain praise! But a short time, said "That they should not there practice and Micron is no more! 0, the sentence, their religion, if it were to cost him all that Depart from me, ye cursed, into the ever- was surrounded by his clothes," meaning, lasting fire! Oh, oh, what a sentence! his body and soul. A few days afterwards Friend Micron, in faithful love I warn he conversed with one of these brethren in you. Take heed, I pray you. I have the presence of another preacher who was known several persons who were prompted not unreasonably minded. He behaved by a like spirit of bitter zeal against the outrageously. The great Lord, in the Lamb and his chosen ones, who were ad- presence of both of them, smote him so judged and punished by the Lord, who does that he, at once, lost his voice; and within justly, and properly rewards the unjust, be- twenty-four hours he was a corpse. 0, terfore the eyes of men. rible punishment and judgment of God! It is about eighteen or nineteen years A case almost similar happened the same...,3year at WTismer. They had accepted a since that highly esteemed man, who was ea aismer. T he h ad aepted a much respected by the world (whoe name crier, named Doctor Smedesteet, who said, much respected by the world (whose name "That he would rather have a hat full of and country I will not mention), wickedly a hat full o advised that they should destroy me to- our blood than a hat full of our old. gether with the pious. His words and un- persuaded the magistracy, who glady hear godly thoughts were hardly finished until such makers of pillows, "To proclairl, just the avenging hand of the Lord was laid before cold winter, to the poor children to upon him. He dropped at the table; and clear the place before St. Martin's day; or upon him. He dropped at the table; and else they would be put where they would thus in a-moment his blood-thirsty, impen- they wold be ut where they ould not like to go." Smedesteet was very iovitent, ungodly life was ended in a terrible y joyr~f'way. O^ ea^fu! ous that he had accomplished the fulfillway. 0O, fearful judgment! wAy.' farfu judment!apndta- ment of his heart's desire, but to his sorAbout the same time it happened to an- row; for the same day the Almighty, great other man, who thought that he would so Lord laid the hands of his wrath upon him, set his trap that I could not escape, that and within seven days the Lord took him he at the same meal he was eating while away by a severe illness; yet the blind, obspeaking these words, was suddenly struck durate world does not observe these things. by an arrow from the Lord, stricken with a In the year 1555 in the same city there severe disease, and thus had to give an ac- was a preacher named Vincent, who lives count before the Lord. Ile was buried with- there yet, who was never tired of upbraiding in eight days from the time he spoke these and slandering. On the day they call the words. Lord's ascension-day, he read the Scripture, Another who was to become an officer to "He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be the emperor at a certain place, thought that saved," Mark 16: 16. He said," lte woulduphe would destroy this people, if there was braid and slander us so long as his mouth any virtue in the imperial army. IHe came would open." The same hour the strong Lord to the place where he was to be situated closed it, and bound his tongue. Ile fell and serve in his capacity; and four or five down in the pulpit, and was carried by days thereafter the bell was toiled and the some of those pr-sent as a punished one requiem sung over him. Behold, llus God, into his house, a dumb man. Behold, thus the Lord, annihilates the designs of the uni- e may punish tlose who would touch the godly who storm this holy mount, and de- apple of his eye and harm it. If I were to

Page  420 420 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. relate all the incidents which in my time which will remain the truth. If you do not befell the enemies of the saints, it would re- believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, quire a separate volume. Therefore I ad- that his testimony and word are true, and vise you in sincerity of heart, no longer to that his ordinances are the true ordinances; oppose such a strong and avenging God if you be not born of God; do not become and Lord. I tell you in Christ that it will of divine disposition and nature; are not be too hard, yes, too hard for you to kick urged by and possessed of the Holy Ghost; against the pricks, Acts 9: 5. For his name do not sincerely repent; if you be not in is Sovereign Lord, Mighty Prince, Isa. 9: 6. Christ, nor Christ in you, then, according "Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, to the doctrine of John, you are one of fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Ex. those who have no God, 1 Jn. 2: 22. 15: 11. His arrows never miss, and when But if you have Christ, if you actually he calls we must appear. None can escape believe that he is the true Son of God, then from him, and avoid his wrath. 0, Micron, you have both the Father and the Son, 1 take heed. Jn. 2: 24; and you will walk as he walked, Good friend, if your battle was against you will not willfully tell a falsehood; for me, as you perhaps think it is, you would you are born of the truth; you will not hate; already have won it. For the whole world, you will not defame: you will not inform in this matter, is on your side, nay, the against your neighbors; and you will serpent himself, and against me; for this wrong no person. You will seek the salfoundation is the only weapon, according vation of others, and not their corruption; to the doctrine of John, which is to conquer you will reprove their sins; you will righthis kingdom, the world. But the battle is ly teach, and not deceive them, for the not against me, but against the truth itself, spirit of love which does justly by God and against the Father and his blessed Son, man will dwell in you and prompt you. against the whole Scriptures, and against If you have Christ, in truth, you will walk those who dwell in heaven. Therefore take in the light, Jn. 3: 21; 8: 12; you will folheed. For, although the reckless, rough low the true shepherd, and will enter in at world may say amen to your cause, yet it the right door, Jn. 10: 2; you will walk will not be the case with the Most High, upon the true road; remain in the truth, in whose glory, honor, truth and testimony I, the right vineyard, Jn. 15: 1; build upon according to my small talent, uphold, by the true rock, Eph. 2: 20; 1 Pet. 2: 5; you his grace and assistance. will not adulterate the word of God; for And if you do even deprive me of my your spirit is one with the Spirit of Christ; honor, reputation, body and life, which I your faith will be one with his word, and have already long deemed of little conse- your life, though in weakness, one with his quence, for Christ's sake, in the sight of the life. world, which are not concluded under You will seek the praise and honor of Christ's prayer, Jn. 17: 9, though, thank the Lord, and not your own; you will conGod, I have never harmed you, nor wished fess Christ as your Savior, at the risk of you any harm. Still, God the Father will life or death by all the world; all your remain the true Father of Christ, and Christ pleasure will be in the law of the Lord, and the true Son of God; and you will have to your whole life in his fear; your thoughts turn from your impure, anti-christian doc- will be pure, and all your words well-seatrine to the unadulterated, pure doctrine of soned; your daily combat will be against Christ, or else you will be one of those of the world, the devil, and your own evil whom it is written: "He that believeth not flesh; and you will, by your honest, virtuis condemned already, because he hath not ous life, set an example to all the world; believed in the name of the only begotten the cross, taken upon yourself for the sake Son of God," Jn. 3: 18. Neither partizan- of the Lord's word and testimony, you will ism nor disputing will prevail against God patiently bear; and, if you should thoughtand his word. lie is the one who will have lessly think, say or do any thing wrong, the praise, and his word is the doctrine I you will sincerely lament it. In short, you

Page  421 AN EPISTLE TO MARTIN MICRON. 421 will prove by all your actions that you are baptism and supper, together with its false a chosen child of God, born of the heavenly religion, and impenitent, vain, easy life, seed of the holy Word, and that you are be Babylon, and will, with the holy prophbecome a live member of the body of the et Itabakkuk, stand upon my watch, and Lord. set me upon the tower, and thus clearly Behold, dear Micron, such penitence and sound the trumpet of the holy, divine word and reformation I sincerely wish you; and from the walls and gates of Jerusalem, acI would like to see it truly manifest in you, cording to my small talent and faithfully in power and truth, and that I then, for the awaken the citizens of the eternal peace, sake of the testimony of Jesus, together joyfully to sing the lovely Hallelujah with you, would have to make a sacrifice through the streets, with grateful, joyous of my blood, to the praise of the Lord, and hearts, to the honor of God, Heb. 2: 1; to to the edification of our neighbors. I re- attire themselves, before God and the world, peat it, repent, that the precious treasure, in the shining, white raiment of the saints, given for us, be not lost in your case. in sincerity of heart and purity of doctrine. I would herewith commend you to Al- I will faithfully admonish them with caremighty God. He will bestow upon you ac- ful, pious Esdras and say, My people, hear cording to his great grace, as I would like my word, and prepare yourselves for the to see you receive. No more hereafter, battle, and evil things, &c., 4 Esdras 16: 41. however much you may cry and write, un- With holy Paul, "Take unto you the whole less you be converted into a better mind, armor of God, that you may be able to and I constrained and urged to do so by withstand in the evil day," Eph, 6: 13. And the godfearing. with Christ himself: Watch and pray, Matt. Nor shall I hereafter solicit a public dis- 24: 42; Mark 13: 33; Luke 21: 36; 1 Pet. cussion with any person, and that for this 4: 7. For the prince of darkness with his reason, first: Because I have these many whole force and kingdom, besieges the city years, desired it by numerous written and of God, storms by night and day, uses verbal requests, and have never been grant- many means, with flesh and blood, as falseed it. From which it is manifest that they hood and false doctrine, lusts of the eye, care but little about the glory of God, and imprisonment, banishment, confiscation, the souls of men. bloodshed, tyranny and violence. WhosoSecondly, because your principal teach- ever does not constantly pray, and fear the ers and exemplary men, as John A'Lasco, Lord, can not stand. Calvin, and Theodore Beza, whom you con- I will let Babylon be Babylon. Those fess to be your most worthy and most be- who are piously inclined will leave off their loved brethren, are men of blood. That ungodliness and wed themselves to Christ; this is the case is testified to by their own for truth is revealed, and the repast is prebooks, as also by old Seructus of Geneva, pared. Blessed is he who enters in with and Joris of Paris, who was burned in Eng- sincerity of heart, and saves his wedding land. garment. I would sincerely warn all the Thirdly,because your brethren, the Welsh chosen children of God, the sincere faithful church, as they are called, at Frankfort brethren and sisters of Christ, with beloved have, in their publications, sworn against John, our most beloved brother and fellow us; which two things we did not so posi- in tribulation, in the kingdom and in the tively know heretofore as we do now. patience of Jesus Christ, and say, children, Inasmuch as I plainly see that there is "Love not the world, neither the things that but deceit, faithlessness, blood-thirstiness are in the world. If any man love the and perverseness found among the children world, the love of the Father is not in him. of men wherever one may turn himself; and For all that is in the world, the lust of the as nothing does, nor can avail on earth but flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride the praise of Christ and the salvation of of life, is not of the Father, but is of the souls; therefore I will let Babylon, with its world; and the world passeth away, and false preachers, impure doctrine, idolatrous the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will

Page  422 422 A HUMBLE PRAYER TO THE READER. of God, abideth forever," 2 Jn. 2: 15-17. to the gracious, merciful God and Father, Friend Micron, again be warned; repent, for the enlightenment of your blind soul, pray to God for grace, and earnestly reflect and the reformation of your sinful life, by upon that which I have written. And be his blessed, first-born, and only true Son, not angry because I have thus sharply re- Christ Jesus, by the manifestation of his proved you. I have done so truthfully, eternal Holy Ghost unto more righteousand to the honor of God, and to the benefit ness. "Open rebuke is better than secret of the reader, as I reprove the whole world, love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; without respect of person, that you may but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful," rightly learn the brightness of Christ, see Prov. 27: 5, 6. and feel your foul sores, be healed by the MENO Lord's medicine, sincerely repent, and be MENNO SIMON. eternally saved. I herewith commend you October 16th. A HUMBLE PRAYER TO THE READER. IT is an old proverb, dear reader, that has suppressed or misinterpreted, just as it "Many men have many minds." Every per- happened. Nor have the holy apostles son, generally judges according to his own and evangelists who described the actions ideas, whereby many an unjust and wicked and doctrine of Christ, by the inspiration sentence is rendered, especially where blind of the Holy Ghost, done so. For the one partiality has its sway. describes the same occurrence this way, Since I find that our opponents, with their and the other that way. It sufficed them false doctrine cannot stand before the power to show the foundation of truth; so it does of the holy, divine word, and since they me. I do not desire to wrangle about diligently try so to defame and calumniate a word. I only care about showing to the us, and so garble our words, that we, with the reader that the crucified Christ Jesus is truth on our side, are rejected by the world, God's first-born and only begotten, true and they, with falsehood on their side, are Son; and to show that Micron has given honored by the world; therefore I pray all quite an untrue account of the discussion, impartial readers not to be offended at and that he has deceived his readers by their saying, "Menno has not truthfully open falsehood. written this or that." Secondly, I pray them not to take it In accordance with the doctrine of Christ, amiss that I also referred to John A'Lasco. I rejoice in being called a liar by the liars. It was not done through hatred nor dis-faI trust that those who are born of the truth vor; but zeal for the glory of God and of shall not charge me with falsehood; for I Christ his Son, and for the honor of eterhave chosen truth for a mother, more than nal truth, and for the sincerely desired saltwenty-one years, since. I also desire, in vation of your souls, have urged me to do my weakness, to walk in her ways as an so; because Micron says, "That they are obedient, faithful child, without looking of one mind in doctrine," and I do not see back and without offense, so long as I re- that one could believe, teach, write, speak, main on earth. Of this my hand and mouth, hold, or feel more abominably concerning my humble life, together with my tribula- the crucified Christ than he does in his detion, poverty, privation, misery, cross and fense against me. Besides, I hear that he, death shall be witness against my enemies, also, is become a man guilty of blood, notat the judgment of Christ. Take heed. withstanding he verbally confessed to me I deem it impossible literally to describe that none should be harmed on account of those parts of the discussion which Micron the faith.

Page  423 A HUMBLE PRAYER TO THE READER. 423 But now, as I hear, it is claimed that it have the Scriptures and truth on our side. was not on account of faith, but on account of Fourthly, I pray them not to take it as disobedience. As the foundation is quick- upbraiding and slandering that I sometimes sand so are their assertions. Lettherulers handle Micron roughly, according to the command things in keeping with the gos- truth. It was done for no other purpose pel of Christ and neighborly love; and if than that he and his followers may acwe refuse to obey them, then we are culpa- knowledge their deceiving, lying spirit, ble. I will leave it to the judgment of all through such earnest admonitions which reasonable rulers, as before God in Christ, are in keeping with the foundation of Scriptwhether it is in accordance with, or contra- ure, that they may take a dislike to their ry to the Scriptures, to expatriate the poor abominable doings, and thus renounce their souls because they fear God; confess the evil ways; as, also, that all the unsuspectcrucified Christ to be God's Son; receive the ing, good hearts which are bound by their holy baptism according to the command- snares of unrighteousness, may be delivered ment of the Lord and the doctrine of the to the praise of the Lord. apostles; affirm their testimony by yea or It was done in the same spirit which nay, in accordance with Christ's command, actuated the holy apostles and prophets. and because they lead a penitent, pious which actuated Christ himself, in their sevlife in righteousness, &c. eral reproaches. If any one now should I am aware that there are many unsus- reprove me of pithiness, they must first repecting hearts who look more to John prove Christ and his messengers. For it is A'Lasco and to the learned than they do to they who have, in the Holy Scriptures, thus Christ and his apostles; therefore I have taught me and all teachers who follow and also referred to his errors in regard to this uphold the right. matter that all godfearing readers may see All those who have a scriptural underwhat kind of writers and teachers they are standing, know that where we find mention who are so highly esteemed and whose made in the Scriptures of the despising of, names are considered so worthy. and blasphemy against God we also find Thirdly, I pray that none will accept my added the sentence and sharp rebuke of the saying that I will no longer solicit a public Holy Ghost. discussion, in such a sense as meaning that Inasmuch as it is manifest that Micron is I have no courage to do so. This is not not ashamed to fasten one falsehood upon the meaning I wish to impart. But I do another, to make a translation to suit himnot desire, to discuss publicly nor privately self; to deny the testimony of God, the Fawith such people as those to whom I referred ther of Christ Jesus, his blessed Son, of the in my epistle; nor with such as dishonestly angel Gabriel, together with that of all the adulterate, change, break and misinterpret other witnesses of the New Testament; to my words and testimony, and slander us as flatter the rulers; to seek the favor of men, did Micron from the beginning to the end and to deceive the poor souls for which the of his writing. For I generally find myself Lord's blood was shed; therefore it surely deceived by them on all hands, as it is the is not wrong to call him by such names as nature which would lead an easy life and are applied to him in the Scriptures by the not take up the cross of the Lord. Holy Ghost. The truth must have its But if any rulers should be troubled at I course, and does not respect emperor nor heart concerning the Scriptures and be sus- king; much less a false prophet or teacher, picious of their preachers and teachers, and who advocates the cause of the serpent; would ask me to a public discussion for perverts the testimony of God into falsethe sake of finding out the truth, it would hood; and, for the sake of vain honor, and be as glad a tiding to me as I could hear of his lusts, strengthens the ungodly, and on earth; nor would I, I trust, be dissuaded troubles the saints. Whosoever has sound nor prevented by the godfearing, to whose judgment and knows the way of the Holy hands and counsel I always willingly cornm- Ghost in the Scriptures, must say that I am mend myself. For we are sure that we right.

Page  424 424 A HUMBLE PRAYER TO THE READER. Fifthly, I pray that no person will think clearness, according to the pure doctrine of that I thus write to retaliate Micron's writ- the holy apostles, evangelists, prophets, ing. 0, no. I leave wrath to him who is and of Christ himself. In Christ, be warned. judge of all the world. I have done so to Your poor souls are lamentably deceived the service of Micron and all the erring, by the doctrine of our opponents; for it is that they may be converted, and give be- the smoke from the bottomless pit, Rev. coming praise and honor to Christ, the Son 9: 2, which obscures the bright Sun, Christ of God, Deut. 32: 35; Heb. 10: 39; 1 Pet. Jesus, and the air of his holy word; it is 2: 3, 23; 3: 9. The truth is presented to the falsehood of the old serpent; its egg and them, bythe grace of God, in such power brood; he that eateth it dieth, and that and clearness that no man can disannul it which is crushed breaketh out into a viper, by virtue of the Scriptures, nor contradict Isa. 59: 5; it is the spiritual dung with it by virtue of intellect. Therefore it would which Ezekiel had to bake his bread, Ezek. be well if our opponents would behold it 4: 12. In short, it is the horrible, abomimore clearly, that they may, with all the nable draught of the golden cup of the saints, flee from the future judgment, and Babylonian whore, drunken with the blood that they may, in the day of his appear- of the saints, with which she has made ance, stand before the throne of his Males- drunk all who dwell in the earth, Rev. 17:4. ty in eternal joy.' Their doctrine and confession stand clear If they do not, but refuse, remain obdu- and manifest, that the crucified Christ Jesus, rate and partial; if they repay good with was not the true Son of God; for they say evil, and love with hatred; if they seek as- he had no Father, and is only called so on sistance from the worldly powers, since account of their fictitious union; they reject they are too weak in the Scriptures, and the baptism of Christ; they rage and blasthus watch for the corruption and misfor- pheme against it, and institute a different tune of the pious, by falsehood and orna- baptism which is neither taught nor commented inventions, as has, alas, been the manded them by the Scriptures. The difcase hitherto, with many, then we must ference between the oath of Christ and leave them to the Lord, possess our souls Moses they deny, and say, we are allowed in patience, and remember the saying of to swear to the truth, that it is a holy thing, Christ: " For so persecuted they the proph- &c., Matt. 5: 34. Let him who is intelliets which were before you," Matt. 5: 12. gent, understand what we have explained * r J.I * 11 c'L\ 11 - in both our book and epistle. Lastly, I would faithfully warn all my in both our book and epistle. John says, " The WVord was made flesh,?' readers and hearers, both great and small, " rp aavJn. 1: 14. Paul says, "Great is the mystery rich and poor, favorable and unfavorable, of godliness. God was manifest in the as before God, and sincerely pray them in. - as. be o r o, an.ine mi flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, Christ Jesus, to read impartially this ouren of angels, Cinconst Jrovr t ile preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the incontrovertible, thorough answer and ex3.... world, received up into glory," 1 Tim. 3: 16. planation; and rightly to weigh it in the planation; and rightly to weigh it in the Because we sincerely confess this testimony, balance of the holy, divine word, and to ~. ~. ~.' as also all others which confess the visible, compare it with the fictitious foundation palal, ciid Cit to the Son of an doctriof or o, tt palpable, crucified Christ to be the Son of and doctrine of our opponents, that they, t y God, to be true and just; therefore we must, enlightened by the truth, may find the truei w alas, be called by the world, sectarians and'way to life. heretics. It is time to beware. Kind readLet none believe me; but believe the truth er take heed. God grant you his grace, which I have, according to my small talent, Amen. Read attentively and judge imparplaced before you in invincible power and tially, Amen.

Page  425 A PLAIN AND CONVINCING PROOF, FROM THE SCRIPTURES, THAT JESUS CHRIST IS TIHE TRUE, PRO MISED, SPIRITUAL DAVID, TI-IE KING OF KINGS, THE LORD OF LORDS, AND TIlE TRUE, SPIRITUAL KING OF SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, TIIAT IS, OF HIS CHURCH WHIICHI 1E HAS BEGOTTEN AND BOUGHT WITH HIIS OWN BLOOD. FORMERLY WRITTEN TO ALL TIHE TRUE BRETHREN AND FELLOW-CHRISTIANS, SCATTERED IIITIER AND TIHITHER, AGAINST TIE ABO3IINABLE AND TERRIBLE BLASPHEM3Y OF JOHN VAN LEYDEN, WItO PASSED HIMISELF FOP. TIE JOYOUS KING OF ALL, AND AS HAVING BECO3ME THE JOY OF TTIE MISERABLE; IHE PLACED ITIMSELF IN THE STEAD OF GOD. BY MENNO SIMON. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. 3: 11. ELKHART,- INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOIIN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871. 90

Page  426

Page  427 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. Grace,.peace, and mercy, from God the Father, through Jesus Christ, be with all true brethren and fellows scattered hither and thither. THE eternal, merciful God, who has called Christ reprovingly said unto the Pharisees, us from darkness into his marvelous light, "Ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cumnay, who has led us into the kingdom of min, and have omitted the weightier mathis beloved Son, Jesus Christ, must keep ters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: us upon the right way, that Satan by his these ought ye to have done, and not to wiles does not deceive us, and that no root of leave the other undone. Ye blind guides! bitterness spring up among us to make con- which strain at a gnat and swallow a camel," fusion, and many be thereby made unclean, Matt. 23: 23, 34; and as Paul said, "The as is, alas, now the case to some extent. end of the commandment is charity, out of And thus it must be that sects will arise a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and amongst us that the tried may be made of faith unfeigned; from which some havmanifest, 1 Pet. 2: 9; Col. 1:13; Ieb. 11: 15; ing swerved,' have turned aside unto vain Deut. 29: 18; 1 Cor. 1: 18. jangling; desiring to be teachers of thelaw; Let none be offended thereat. But let all understanding neither what they say nor give heed to the word of God, and abide by whereof they affirm," 1 Tim. 1: 5-7. Thus it, that they may be delivered from the all false teachers forget the covenant of strange woman, as Solomon says (by which God whereby they are bound to him, as is, woman we should understand all the false alas, the case with many at present, who teachers), "Even from the stranger which have forgotten all upon which they were Ilattereth with her words; which forsaketh baptized, namely, the cross, and would recthe guide of her youth, and forgetteth the ommend and make use of the sword. May covenant of her God," Prov. 2: 16; 4: 6, 7. the Almighty God save all true christians This is the true nature of all false teachers. from this, and may he give them wisdom First, they forget the pure doctrine of and intelligence to keep the covenant of Christ, and choose a strange doctrine. They God, and to be always mindful of what enchant others so that they can not believe kind of a spirit Christ wants his disciples the truth, and use smooth talk, as Paul to be, Luke 9: 55. says,"Bygoodwordsandfairspeechesthey Grant that they may be aware of this deceivethe hearts of the simple,"Rom. 16: 18. strange woman; for her house is inclined Secondly, they leave their Master, Christ, to death, and her ways to corruption. All whom alone, they should hear, as the Fa- those who enter in unto her, will not come ther testifies of him, saying, "This is my out again, nor do they get on the way of beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. life. And this strange woman now reigns Hear ye him," Matt. 17: 5; Mark 9:7; Luke extensively, and as she deceives many, as 9: 35. But this voice from the Father, all did and yet does the prophetess Jezebel, false teachers forget, and they leave their and as the serpent deceived Eve; therefore only Master, Christ Jesus; for as they are we will, by the grace of God, discover some not of his sheep they hear not his voice, things, that those who are yet blind may Matt. 23: 9; Jn. 10: 26. become seeing, and that when they acknowlThirdly, the false teachers forget the cov- edge anti-christ to be an abomination standenant of God; and that to which we should ing in the holy place, they may see all degive most heed, they pay no attention, as tceit, Rev. 2: 20; Gen. 3: 13; MIatt. 24: 15;

Page  428 428 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. Mark 13: 14; Luke 21: 7; Dan. 9: 17; Rev. the Lord. But sufficient of this. We shall 17: 18. And that, as they will not drink of commence the matter to the honor of God, the cup of the Babylonian whore, they may and to the edification of the church. beware of the venom of the serpent, and In the first place. It is incontrovertible that if they be bitten by the serpent, they that Almighty God has made his Son, may become aware of it and get rid of the Christ Jesus our Lord, King of all the venom by looking on the true serpent, and earth and of his faithful church. That be thus cured. All of which God must give Christ is the King of all the earth is abunus, Num. 21: 6; Jn. 3: 14. dantly testified to by the Scriptures; particWe should not have written, but it be- ularly the prophet David, who says, "The comes necessary; partly because we can Lord most high is terrible; He is a great not tolerate the shameful deceit and blas- king over all the earth," Ps. 47: 2; and, phemy against God, that a man be placed "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord in Christ's stead; partly, because we are with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises not allowed a verbal, scriptural defense to God, sing praises, sing praises unto our against such deceit and abominable heresy King, sing praises. For God is the King concerning the promised David, and other of all the earth: sing ye praises with underarticles. But it is the nature of all impos- standing. God reigneth over the heathen; tors and erring spirits to flee from the word God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness," of God, as Christ says, "For every one that Ps. 47: 2, 5-8. doeth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh Therefore, as true as Christ is God, so to the light, lest his deeds should be re- true he is King of all the earth. proved. But he that doeth truth cometh to Paul testifies this to the Ephesians, saythe light, that his deeds may be made man- ing, that God, the Father, "raised him ifest that they are wrought in God," Jn. from the dead, and set him at his own right 3: 20, 21. Therefore, he that flees from the hand in the heavenly places, far above all light, that is, from the word of God, mani- principality, and power, and might and fests that his deeds are not wrought in God. dominion, and every name that is named, But if there are some who can not yet see rot only in this world, but also in that this they need the eyesalve which is spoken which is to come. And he hath put all of in the revelation of John, Rev. 3: 18. 0, things under his feet, and gave him to be God, what perilous times these are! How head over all things to the church," Eph. the prophet Baal conspires with the Moab- 1: 20-22. ite king, against the Israel of God! Num. Christ testifies of himself that he is a 24; 25. mighty King, saying, "All power is given The Egyptian sorcerers, how they stand unto me in heaven and in earth," Matt. against the true Moses! Ex. 6. 28: 18. Paul says that Christ is the exThe lying Pashur, how he is heeded, be- press image of God, upholding all things cause he prophecies prosperity, of which by the word of his power, Heb. 1: 3. nothing is realized! Jer. 20; 2 Tim. 3. Thus Christ is the king of all the earth How the false Hananiah deceives the notwithstanding the wicked may deny it. pious children of Israel, and makes them Therefore the prophet says, "The Lord trust in falsehood! Jer. 28. reigneth; let the people tremble; he sitteth The Almighty God shall raise a Jeremiah between the cherubim; let the earth be to reprove the deceiver of the people, who moved," Ps. 99: 1. Still they can do nothshall speak nothing but that which God ing more than the Lord allows them to do, commands him to speak, and the Lord will Jn. 19: 11; and none can withstand him. place his word in the mouth of this Jere- The mountains melt as wax before the miah, as a fire, and all false teachers as Lord, the ruler of all the earth, Ps. 97: 5. stubble, that truth may prevail, Jer. 1: 17. Further, that Christ is king of his believAnd if ever so many prophets of Baal be ing church is clearly testified to by the Scriptraised, yet the Lord will leave behind a Mi- ures. Thus speaks Isaiah, "Unto us a cron who shall promulgate the true word of child is born, unto us a Son is given, and

Page  429 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. 429 the government shall be upon his shoulder Christ; which in his time he shall show, and his name shall be called Wonderful, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlast- King of kings, and Lord of lords," 1 Tim. ing Father, The Prince of peace. Of the 6: 13-15. Again, it is the greatest biasincrease of his government and peace there phemy a man can speak, that John Van shall be no end," Isa. 9: 6. Leyden asserts that he is become the joy The house of Jacob is the believing church of the miserable. as is generally understood. Of this, Christ Christ became our joy at his birth, acis king, as the angel clearly testified; and cording to the testimony of the angel to the as Jeremiah says concerning Christ, that shepherds, saying, "Behold, I bring you he would be a king who should reign and good tidings of great joy, which shall beto prosper, Jer. 23:5. Also Isaiah says, "Be- all people. For unto you is born this day, hold, a king shall reign in righteousness, in the city of David, a Savior, which is and princes shall rule in judgment," Isa. Christ the Lord," Luke 2: 10, 11; with this 32: 1. the words of David accord, "Light is sown As Christ is king, both of all the earth for the righteous, and gladness for the upand of his believing church, as we have right in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye shown by the plain Scriptures, according righteous; and give thanks at the rememto the grace received of God, how can John brance of his holiness," Ps. 97: 11, 12. Van Leyden, now, call himself a joyous "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye king of all, who is become the joy of the lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come miserable? before his presence with singing, know ye If he would be our king, our Lord, then that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath Paul and Isaiah must stand back. Paul made us, and not we ourselves: we are his says, "For though there be that are called people, and the sheep of his pasture," Ps. gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as 100: 1-3. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: there be gods many, and lords many), but and again I say, rejoice," Phil. 4: 4. Thus to us there is but one God, the Father, of all the Scriptures admonish us that we shall whom are all things, and we in him; and rejoice in Christ, our Lord; for it is he of one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all whom the patriarch Jacob prophesied that things, and we by him," 1 Cor. 8: 5. Isaiah he would be the expected one of the people, says, "The Lord is our judge, the Lord is that is, the one for whom the people of our law-giver, the Lord is our king," Isa. God should look with great desire, as Christ 33: 22. also testifies, "Your father Abraham reBehold, as true as Christ is our judge, joiced to see my day; and he saw it, and and as sure as he is our law-giver, so sure was glad," Jn. 8: 56. is he our king. Where, now, is John Van Christ is the true Melchisedec, king of Leyden? O, abominable blasphemy against Salem, that is, the king of peace; who has God, that a man should call himself the made peace between God, the Father and joyous king of all! while it is written, O the human race, Heb. 7: 1. He is the pious Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who Isaac who by his sacrifice has reconciled art fearful, and strong, and righteous, and us with his heavenly Father; and his sacrimerciful, and the only and gracious King," fice remains worthy forever, Heb. 10: 10; 2 Mac. 1: 24; who alone art good, who 9: 12. He is the true Davtd, who has slain alone art a mighty king, who alone art the great Goliath, and has taken away the righteous, omnipotent, and eternal, who de- blasphemer of Israel, 1 Sam. 17: 49; Eccl. liverest Israel of all evil. Paul says, "I 47: 4. Yea he has caused great rejoicing, give thee charge in the sight of God, who as it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord quickeneth all things, and before Christ God is upon me (says Christ), because the Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed Lord hath anointed me to preach good tia good confession: that thou keep this dings unto the meek; he hath sent me to commandment without spot, unrebukable, bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim until the appearing of our Lord Jesus liberty to the captives, and the opening of

Page  430 430 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOIN VAN LEYDEN. the prison to them that are bound; to pro- preservation from stumbling and an help claim the acceptable year of the Lord, and from falling. He raiseth up the soul, and the day of vengeance of our God; to com- lighteneth the eyes, he giveth health, life, fort all that mourn; to appoint unto them and blessing," Eccl. 34: 16, 17. that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beau- As Christ is become our joy, so every ty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, one may judge for himself what an abomithe garment of praise for the Spirit of heav- nation it is in the sight of God, that a man iness," Isa. 61: 1-3; Luke 4: 18, 19. Be- would be that which our Savior, Christ is. hold, how clearly it is shown here that Is it not an abominination standing in the Christ is become the joy of the miserable, holy place? And what is worse yet, this in whom all pious christians rejoice, say- John Van Leyden is not satisfied with passing, Rcjoicing we will rejoice in the Lord; ing himself for the joyous king of all, who our souls shall be rejoiced in the Lord; for is become the joy of the miserable; but he he has clothed us in raiments of righteous- also claims to be the promised David of ness, and surrounded us with the mantle of whom all the prophets testify; and does righteousness, as a bride ornamented with not admit that Christ is he who was prombracelets. To this the prophet Zechariah ised. admonishes us, saying, "Rejoice greatly 0. admonishes us, saying, "Rejoice greatlyQ Of such a mind are all false prophets and daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Je- aj Of chr a d are all false prophets and rusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto That teyaveoneirhead thee; he is just, and having salvation; low- names of blasphemy, and crowns like unto ly, and riding upon an ass, and unpon a gold, by which is meant pride, as may be colt, the foal of an ass," Zech. 9: 9; Matt.seen by the Babylonian whore who was ar21: 2. And the king's prophet David, says, rayed n scarlet color, having a golden cup "Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his in her hand, full of abominations and filthipraise in the congregation of saints. Let ness of her fornication; for.she aith in her Israel rejoice in him that made him: let heart, I sit a queen, and shall see no sorthe children of Zion be joyful in their king. row, Rev. 17: 4; 18: 7. But the Lord can Let them praise his name in the dance; let not tolerate it, and says, "Babylon, the them sing praises unto him with the tim- glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the chalbrel and harp," Ps. 149 1~3 - idees' excellency, shall be as when God overbrel and harp," Ps. 149: 1-3. threw Sodoln and Gomorrah," Isa. 113: 19. Thus did all the saints of God, as did threw Sodom and Gomorrah,. 13 David, who says, "Our soul waiteth for the Therefore, shall her plagues come in one Lord; he is our help and our shield. For day, Rev. 18: 7. And not Babylon alone, our heart shall rejoice in him; because we but also all anti-christs, together with their have trusted in his holy name," Ps. 33: 20, deceit and false writings, shall be destroyed, 21. And, "Lo, this is our God; we have as Christ says, "Every plant which my waited for him, and he will save us; this is heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be the Lord; we have waited for him, we will rooted up," Matt. 15:13. be glad and rejoice in his salvation," Isa. And greater anti-christ than he is who 25: 9. By this we may see how ail the passes himself for the promised David, can saints have rejoiced in God. And how can not make his appearance, which promised we rejoice in man, as it is written, "Put not David is Christ, as the Scriptures abunyour trust in princes, nor in the son of man, dantly testify. He that hath ears to hear in whom there is no help. lis breath goeth let him hear. forth, he returneth to his earth; in that First, the prophet Hosea says, "For the very day his thoughts perish. Happy is children of Israel shall abide many days he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, without a king, and without a prince, and whose hope is in the Lord his God," Ps. without a sacrifice, and without an image, 146: 3-5; who helps the miserable, and and without and ephod, and without a terraises up the crushed. "HIe is their mighty j aphim; afterwatrd shall the children of Isprotection and strong stay, a defense from rael return and seek the Lord their God, heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a and David their king, and shall fear the

Page  431 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. 431 Lord, and his goodness in the latter days," Again, Jeremiah says, "It shall come to Hosea 3: 4, 5. pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, It is incontrovertible that this king David that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, can be none other than Christ Jesus, whom and will burst thy bonds, and strangers all must seek who want to be saved, as it is shall no more serve themselves of him: But written, Seek the Lord and ye shall live, they shall serve the Lord their God, and Amos 5: 4. Isaiah says, "Seek ye the David their king, whom I will raise up unLord while he may be found, call ye upon to them," Jer. 30: 8, 9. him while he is near," Isa. 55: 6. For this Now the commandment of the Lord is, reason David says, "I sought the Lord and "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, he heard me, and delivered me from all my and him only shalt thou serve," Matt. 4: 10. fears," Ps. 34: 5. And Christ, the wisdom Therefore this king David is none but of God says, He that findeth me findeth Christ, which the Father has raised unto the life, and shall have the pleasure of the us, saying, Yet have I set my king upon Lord. And what other king should the my holy hill of Zion. And the christian children of Israel have than Christ Jesus, church acknowledges no other king, no oththe true Melchisedec, king of Salem, which er Lord but Christ. Therefore all the saints is, King of peace? Heb. 7: 1; of whom the say, "The Lord is our defense; and the whole number of disciples have testified Holy One of Israel is our King," Ps. 89:18. thus: "Blessed be the King that cometh in Now who is the Holy One but he of whom the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, Isaiah testifies, saying, "For thus saith the and glory in the highest," Luke 19: 28; 2: 14. high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, The Jews despised this King, Christ, and whose name is Holy," Isa. 57: 16. And therefore they were blinded, yet they shall " These things saith he that is holy,... lho return and come to Christ, their King David, that hath the key of David," Rev. 3:7. as Paul testifies, saying, "That blindness Thus speaks Jeremiah concerning Babyin part is happened to Israel, until the full- lon, "Recompense her according to her ness of the gentiles be come in. And so all work; according to all that she hath done. Israel shall be saved: as it is written, do unto her; for she hath been proud There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, against the Lord, against the Holy One of and shall turn away ungodliness from Ja- Israel," Jer. 50: 29. cob. For this is my covenant unto them, Thus the Holy One of Israel is none but when I shall take away their sins," Rom. the true God and Lord, Christ Jesus; there11: 26; Isa. 59: 20. As Israel is yet to be fore none can be the King of his believing converted unto Christ, it follows incontro- church, but Christ, as the Spirit of God tesvertibly that the King David, whom Israel tifies through the prophet Micah, saying, shall seek, can be no other than Christ. "The Lord shall reign over them in mount Therefore every righteous person will un- Zion, from henceforth, even forever," Mical derstand in what terrible error those are 4: 7; who else is this Shepherd but Christ, who do not believe that by David, we should of whom was prophesied, "Behold, the understand Christ, but another man. And Lord God will come with strong hand, and of such, Christ says, "I am come in my his arm shall rule for him; behold, his reFather's name, and ye receive me not; if ward is with him, and his work before him. another shall come in his own name, him He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he ye will receive," Jn. 5: 43. But those who shall gather the lambs with his arm, and with Jerusalem, will not receive Christ, will carry them in his bosom, and shall gently also be destroyed with it; and those who, lead those that are with young," Isa. with the Pharisees, oppose Christ, and yet 40: 10, 11. think that they are enlightened, should Christ testifies of himself that he is this also be blinded with the Pharisees. Let all shepherd, for he says, "I am the good pray to God for wisdom, and they shall shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his understand that Christ is the true David, life for the sheep," Jn. 10: 11. Christ truly Luke 19: 7: Isa. 6: 10; Jn. 9: 12. pastures his sheep; he is the door to the

Page  432 432 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. sheep-fold; all who enter into the fold and nobody else, as may be plainly underthrough him, shall be saved; he shall go stood from the words of Christ, "Other in and out, and find good pasture. There- sheep I have, which are not of this fold; fore David says, "The Lord is my shep- them also I must bring, and they shall hear herd; I shall not want. He maketh me to my voice; and there shall be one fold and lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me one shepherd," Jn. 10: 16. beside the still waters," Ps. 23: 1, 2; and All the believing are the sheep of Christ the apostle Peter says, "For ye were as and there is but one fold, of which Christ is sheep going astray, but are now returned the Shepherd. From this it must follow unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your that Christ is the only Shepherd, and that souls," 1 Pet. 2:25. Further, the Lord God no one else can be the only Shepherd. For says, My servant David shall be a Prince this reason Peter calls Christ, the chief among them. Let none be offended at God Shepherd; and Paul says, "Now the God the Father, calling his Son Christ, servant, of peace, that brought again from the dead saying, "Behold my servant, whom I up- our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the hold, mine elect, in whom my soul delight- sheep through the blood of the everlasting eth," Isa. 42: 1; and at another place: "Be- covenant, make you perfect in every good hold my servant, whom I have chosen; my work to do his will," Heb. 13: 20; 1 Pet. beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased," 5: 4. Matt. 12: 18; at still another place, the Fa- Thus Christ is the only Shepherd; for all ther speaks concerning Christ, "By his the believing must hear his voice and the knowledge shall my righteous servant jas- voice of no other. From this it follows intify many," Isa. 53: 11. controvertibly, that he is also the promised Therefore this servant David is Christ; David, according to the words of the Lord, and he is the Prince of the christians. And "David my servant shall be King over who else should be a prince of the church them; and they all shall have one Shepof Christ, but Christ, as Paul testifies that herd." Besides this God says, "My servhe alone is the Prince; and as the prophet ant David shall be their Prince forever." says, " Thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though I trust that none are so ignorant (unless he thou be not the least among the thousands be mad, and accursed), as to understand of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come these words as having reference to some forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; man, that a man shall be our eternal Prince. whose goings forth have been from of old, For it is written that God alone is eternal, from everlasting," Micah 5: 2. and alone immortal, and that he dwells in The Lord further speaks through the a light to which none can come. No man same prophet, "So shall they be my peo- can be our eternal Prince; but Christ is our pie and I will be their God, and David my eternal Prince, and his kingdom is an eterservant shall be King over them; and they nal kingdom, as it is written, "Thy throne, all shall have one Shepherd," Ezek. 37: 24. 0 God, is forever," Ps. 45: 6; Heb. 1: 8. We have heretofore clearly proven by the Paul and Peter say that Christ's kingdom Scriptures that God the Father has placed is eternal; and the angel said to Mary, no other king over Zion, than his Son Jesus "The Lord God shall give him the throne Christ, and that he gave him an eternal of his father David, and he shall reign over kingdom, therefore it is needless to go over the house of Jacob, forever, and of his kingthis again; and that God the Lord says, dom there shall be no end," Luke 1: 33. "David my servant shall be King over Again the prophet says, "His seed shall them, and they all shall have one shepherd," endure forever, and his throne as the sun is also understood to be said in regard to before me. It shall be established forever Christ; for no man can be our only shep- as the moon, and as a faithful witness in herd; and although God gives "some, apos- heaven," Ps. 89: 36, 37. From this all must ties; and some, prophets; and some, evan- be convinced that our eternal Prince is none gelists; and some, pastors and teachers," but Christ, therefore our promised David is Eph. 4: 11; yet the only Shepherd is Christ, none but Christ.

Page  433 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. 433 Fourthly, it reads thus in one of the Peter also says, "God anointed Jesus of Psalms, "Then thou spakest in vision to Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with thy Holy One, and saidst, I have laid help power," Heb. 1: 8, 9; Ps. 45: 6, 7; Luke upon one that is mighty; I have exalted 4: 18; Acts 10: 38. one chosen out of the people. I have found If any one should yet be in doubts (someDavid my servant; with my holy oil have thing which is impossible, in view of such I anointed him," Ps. 89: 19, 20. Who is plain Scripture), then let him consider the this mighty one on whom God laid help, following words, "He shall cry unto me, but Christ Jesus who has all power in heav- Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock en and on earth, to whom God has submit- of my salvation. Also I will make him my ted all things and to wvhom are committed first-born, higher than the kings of the all things pertaining to the church? Matt. earth," Ps. 89: 26, 27. Christ is the first28: 18; Heb. 2: 8; Eph. 1: 22. begotten Son of God, as Paul says, God the On this Christ, the Almighty God has Father has predestinated us to be conformed laid help; for we are helped and saved by to the image of his Son, that he might be him as Christ says, "If the Son therefore the first-born among many brethren. And shall make you free, ye shall be free in- to the Hebrews, "When he bringeth in the deed," Jn. 8: 36; and Paul says, "For what first-begotten into the world, he saith, And the law could not do, in that it was weak let all the angels of God worship him," through the flesh, God sending his own Son Heb. 1: 6; Rom. 8: 29. in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, Therefore, as true as Christ is the firstcondemned sin in the flesh," Rom. 8: 3. begotten Son of God, so true he is the servChrist is the strong Samson who broke ant David whom the Father anointed with the jaw bones of the lion; he is the pious the holy oil, that is, with his Holy Ghost. David who slew the great'-Philistine with Again, the Lord says concerning his servwhom none of the Israelites dared fight; ant David, "My mercy will I keep for him he is the chosen one, whom the Father has forevermore, and my covenant shall stand chosen as his own Son, saying, "Behold, fast with him. His seed also will I make my servant whom I have chosen," Matt. to endure forever, and his throne as the 12: 18. This chosen one the Father has ex- days of heaven," Ps. 89: 28, 29. This seed alted from out the people, inasmuch as he is the children; for it further reads: If his has placed him as King of his holy mount children forsake my law. Now it is maniZion, as the Prince who shall rule his peo- fest that this should not be understood as pie; for this reason the church acknowl- having reference to the carnal children of edges him to be their head, and to be the the figurative David; for they committed most exalted of men on earth, saying, "As themselves to idolatry, and quite forsook the apple tree among the trees of the wood, the law of God. For this they were often so is my beloved among the sons. I sat punished, and, at last, cut from the olive down under his shadow with great delight, tree as unfruitful branches, Rom. 11: 21. and his fruit was sweet to my taste," Cant. Nor did the worldly kingdom of David 2: 3. Further the Lord says, "I have found remain unbroken; but it was destroyed; as my servant David; with my holy oil have I the holy patriarch Jacob, and other prophanointed him," Ps. 89: 20. ets prophesied. And to understand it as This anointed David is Christ; for he is having reference to the carnal children of the truly anointed of the Lord to whom God David, is contrary to the epistle of Paul to the Father speaks, "Thy throne, 0 God, is the Romans, as he there says, "For they are forever; a sceptre of righteousness is the not all Israel, which are of Israel. Neither, sceptre of thy kingdom; thou hast loved because they are the seed of Abraham, are righteousness, and hated iniquity; there- they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy fore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee seed be called. That is, they which are the with the oil of gladness above thy fellows;" children of the flesh, these are not the chilChrist says, "The Spirit of the Lord is up- dren of God; but the children of the promon me, because he hath anointed me." ise are counted for the seed," Rom. 9: 6-8; 91

Page  434 434 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. therefore we should not understand this A proud Uzziah may rise and appropriseed as having reference to the carnal chil- ate the glory which is not due him, but he dren, but to the spiritual seed, of which it will be smitten of God, 2 Chron. 20: 16. is written: When my servant shall have Hophni and Phinehas may for a time given his life as a sacrifice then he shall make the people transgress, and turn them have seed and live long. This seed are all from the true religion, but they shall obtain the true children of God, which are born their reward, 1 Sam. 2:12; 4: 11. Let every again, "not of corruptible seed, but of in- one take heed and remain in Christ. Sufcorruptible, by the word of God," 1 Pet. ficient of this. 1: 23. By the grace of God we will also write a Christ says, "Behold I and the children little about warfare, that christians are not which God hath given me," Heb. 2:13; and allowed to fight with the sword, that we these children of God abide in eternity, may unanimously leave the armor of David eternal joy and peace shall be upon them: to the carnal Israelites; and the sword of they shall always reign with Christ, and Zerubbabel to those who build the temple Christ their King has an eternal kingdom, of Zerubbabel in Jerusalem, which was a, and his throne shall he as the days of heav- figure of l)he and a shadowv of things conen. This psalm quite agrees with the word-s ing. For the body itself is in Christ as of the prophet Nathan, which he spoke un- Paul says, Col. 2: 9. to David promising him Solomon. As we Now we should not understand that the must not understand the words of the proph- figure of the Old Testament is so applied to et Nathan as referring to Solomon alone, the truth of the New Testament, that flesh but rather as referring to Christ (although is understood as referring to flesh; but the the words in a literal sense are spoken in figure rmust answer the tiuth; the image, the reference to Solomon), thus we should not being, and the letter, the Spirit. understand the words of the psalm as re- If we take this view of it we shall easily ferring to carnal David alone, but rather to understand with what kind of arnms christhe true David, Christ Jesus. And this the tians should fight, namely, with the word following text strongly implies, wvhich of God, which is a two edged sword, of speaks of the peace of Christ. This is our which we will, by the assistance of God, confession of the promised David. say a few words, Heb. 4:'12; Eph. 6: 17. We might, by the grace of God, write a Whereas the eternal God has raised his great deal more to show that Christ is our Son Christ, a Prophet unto us whom we promised David; but we presume that suffi- shall hear; and whereas Christ testifies of cient has been.'written for the intelligent. himself that he is our only Master, thereWe do not serve tile contentious. Let them fore it is incontrovertible that we dare not cry. Let them make unto themselves a dif- accept any other doctrine but the doctrine ferent king, yet Christ will remain the eter- of Christ. No stlrangec doctrine, which is connal King reigning in his believing church. trary to the doctrine of Christ and that He is the Lord. He will not give his glory which the apostles by the Holy Ghost have to another. He will have incense which written and taught unto us, I say, we dare shall be sanctified unto him. And whoso- accept, Deut. 18: 15; Acts 3: 22; 7: 37; ever shall make such incense unto himself, Matt. 23: 9. For there may be no strange his soul shall be rooted out from Israel, fire offered unto God. Christ will not tolEx. 5. erate the leaven of the Pharisees, Lev. 10: 1; None shall succeed in exalting himself to Matt. 16: 8. Christ and opposing truth. They may Moses had to make the cherubims of pure make a disturbance, but Moses and Aaron gold, Ex. 25: 18. "The words of the Lord will gain the victory. Jannes andJambres are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace must give way and be shamed, 2 Tim. 3: 8. of earth, purified seven times," Ps. 12: G. Korah, Dathan and Abiram may rise The Lord does not suffer his doctrine to against Moses, but they shall perish with be adulterated; he punishes all false doctheir confederates, Num. 16: 32. trine, as he spoke about Jerusalem, "Thy

Page  435 TESTIMIONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. 435 silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with captivity every thought to the obedience of water," "and I will turn my hand upon Christ. And having in a readiness to rethee and purely purge away thy dross," venge all disobedience, when your obediIsa. 1: 22, 25; thus God hates all false doc- S ence is fulfilled," 2 Cor. 10: 4-6. lie that trine; and therefore the apostles admonish is not blind will understand with what us that we shall abide in God's word alone, weapons the christian is to fight, namely, as John says, "Let that therefore abide in with the word of God, with this they should you which ye have heard from the begin- be well armored. For thus speaks the holy ning. If that which ye have heard from church: "Behold, his bed which is Solothe beginning shall remain in you, ye also mon's; threescore valiant men are about shall continue in the Son, and in the Fa- it, of the valiant of Israel; they all hold ther," 1. Jn. 2:2. Paul says that we should swords, being expert in war; every man beware of those who raise contentions and hath his sword upon his thigh because of are offended at the doctrine which he fear in the night," Cant. 3: 7, 8; that is, preached, that they should be separated. C each one is armed with the sword of the Yea, so strongly does Paul urge his doc- Spirit against all the wiles of the devil, trine that he says, "If any man preach any against all -false doctrine. Concerning other gospel unto you than that ye have Christ it is written, " Gird thy sword upon received, let him be accursed," Gal. 1: 8. thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory Thus Paul-teaches in all his epistles to be- and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride ware of a strange gospel, and to abide in j prosperously, because of truth and meekthe doctrine which is not his, but of the ness, and righteousness; and thy right hand Holy Ghost, according to the words of shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arChrist, "For it is not ye that speak, but rows are s0harp in the heart of the king's enthe Spirit of your Father which speaketh in emies; whereby the people fall under thee," you." Now the Spirit of God speaks thus Ps. 45: 3 —5. through Paul, "hMy brethren, be strong in Here the Scriptures say that Christ shall the Lord, and in the power of his might. have a sword. What sword now shall Put on the whole armor of God, that ye Christ have? This he himself tells in the may be able to stand against the wiles of "Revelation," in these words, "Rei)ent; or the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh else I will come unto thee quickly, and will andblood,but againstprincipalities,against fight against them with the sword of my powers, against the rulers of the darkness mou-th," Rev. 2: 16. of this world, against spiritual wickedness i If Christ fights his enemies with the sword in high places. Wherefore take unto you of his mouth, if he smites the earth with the the whole armor of God, that ye may be rod of his mouth, and slay the wicked with able to withstand in the evil day, and, hav- the breath of his lips; and if we are to be ing done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, conformed unto his image, how can ve, having your loins girt about wiith truth, tthen, fight our enemies with any other and having on the breastplate of righteous- seword? Does not the apostle Peter say, ness; and your feet shod with the prepara- Fi or even hereunto were ye called, because tion of the gospel of peace. Above all, Christ -also suffered for us, leaving us an taking the shield of faith, vwherewith ye example, that ye should follow his steps: shall be able to quench all the iiery darts who did not sin, neither was guile found in of the wicked; and take the hel-net of sallva- his nmouth: who, when he was reviled. retion, and the sword of the Spi-3rit vW.lic is viled not amn gain; when he suf fered he threatthe word of God," Eih.:' 0 —- 1; I Thess. ic i ed not; but conmamitted himself to him 5: 8. At anoth1er pla.e: "Ii'or tlhe x-e apos th't judgeth riiteously P Pet. 2: 21-23.; of our warfare are noAt cainal but mioghty' Matt.: 4. 21 This a ccords with the Twords through God to the pulling1 down of stroig-: of John who ays, 1that he that abides in holds; casting down imagi, na;tin, tnd Christ, twalks: Christ wal ked. Christ every high thinfg tha.t ex-alteth itself ag'ainst himself says, "Whosoevelill come after the knowledge of God, and bringing into me, let him deny himself and take up his

Page  436 436 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOIN VAN LEYDEN. cross, and follow me," Mark 8: 34; Luke unto wrath: For it is written, Vengeance is 9: 23. Again, "My sheep hear my voice mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. There-.... and they follow me," Jn. 10 27. And fore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he this is the voice of Christ, "Ye have heard thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou that it hath been said, "An eye for an eye, shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever good," Rom. 12: 17-21. And how can shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to christians fight with the implements of him the other also." war? Paul plainly says, "Let this mind be Again, "Ye have heard that it was said, in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate Phil. 2: 5. Now, Christ Jesus was minded thine enemy: But I say unto you, Love to suffer; thus, all christians must be so your enemies, bless them that curse you, minded. do good to them that hate you, and pray Christ did not suffer Peter to defend him for them which despitefully use you, and with the sword; how can a christian, then, persecute you; That ye may bethechildren defend himself with the sword? Christ of your Father which is in heaven, for he would drink the cup which the Father had maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on given him; how then, can a christian refuse the good, and sendeth rain on the just and to drink it? Matt. 26: 51; Luke 22: 50; on the unjust. For if ye love them which Mark 14: 47; Jn. 18: 11. love you what reward have ye? Do not even Or does any person expect to be saved by the publicans the same? And if ye salute other means than those which Christ has your brethren only, what do you more than taught us? Is not Christ the way, the truth, others? Do not even the publicans so? Be and the life? Is he not the door to the fold, ye therefore perfect, even as your Father so that none can enter into the fold but by which is in heaven is perfect," Matt. 5: 39, him? Jn. 10: 9; 14: 6. 43-47; Rom. 12: 20; 1 Pet. 3: 9; Luke Is he not the Shepherd of his sheep, 6: 34; 1 Pet. 1: 15. Behold this is the voice whom the sheep should follow? Is not he of Christ. All those now who are his our Lord and Prince? And who is it that sheep will hear his voice. But those who would be above his Master but he that are not his sheep will not hear his voice, as would not suffer, as he has suffered. Who Christ said unto the Pharisees, "Ye believe is it that would be above his master but he not because ye are not of my sheep." The that is not satisfied with his Master's docPharisees thought they had Moses and the -trine? Let every one take heed. It is forprophets, they also had a semblance of ho- bidden us to take up arms, Matt. 10: 24; liness; but they did not hear the voice of Jn. 13: 16; 15: 20. Christ, therefore it was all in vain. Thus Paul says," Put themlin mind to be subject it is with all those who do not submit them- to principalities and powers, to obey magisselves to the commandments of Christ. trates, to be ready to every good work, to It is not in the leaves of the tree, but in speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, the fruit. And which is the right kind of but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all fruit, Paul clearly testifies, saying, "The men," Titus 3: 1, 2. And the holy apostle fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- James says, "Be patient, therefore brethren suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the ness, temperance," Gal. 5: 22, 23. Here husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit we are not taught to take up the carnal of the earth, and hath long patience for it, sword, or to repay evil with evil. But rath- until he receive the early and latter rain. er as Paul says at another place, "Recom- Be ye also patient; stablish your heart; pense to no man evil for evil. Provide for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. things honest in the sight of all men. If it...... Take, my brethren, the prophets, be possible, as much as lieth in you, live who have sp-oen in the name of the Lord, peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, for an example of suffering, affliction, and avenge not yourselves; but rather give place A of patience. Behold, we count them happy

Page  437 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. 437 which endure. Ye have heard of the pa- to do his works, and remember the words tience of Job, and have seen the end of the of Ecclesiasticus:'Seek not out the things Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of that are too hard for thee, neither search tender mercy," Jas. 5: 7-11. If we are to the things that are above thy strength. But be longsuffering until the coming of the what is commanded thee, think thereupon Lord, then it is, surely, forbidden to fight with reverence; for it is not needful for thee inasmuch as the Lord is not yet come. to see with thine eyes the things that are in And if we are to take the prophets as an secret. Be not curious in unnecessary matexample to bear with persecution, then ters," Eccl. 3: 21-23. we must put on the apostolic armor, and For many things are shown men above the armor of David must be left behind. their understanding, and presumption has How would it comport with the word of caused many to fall, and held their underGod, that one who boasts of being a chris- standing in vanity. It would also be well tian, should lay aside the spiritual weap- for those who ask, with the disciples of the ons and take up the carnal ones, for Paul Lord, when the kingdom of Israel is to be says, "The servant of the Lord must not restored, to observe the answer of the Lord: strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to "It is not for you to know the times or the teach, patient; in meekness instructing seasons, which the Father hath put in his those that oppose themselves; if God per- own power," Acts 1: 6. But this they foradventure will give them repentance to the get, and cry: God will shortly punish and acknowledging of the truth. And that they destroy Babylon. To do this the christians may recover themselves out of the snare of must be his instruments; and this they the devil, who are taken captive by him at make the simple believe; for which reason his will," 2 Tim. 2: 24-2 6. we will adduce some Scriptures. It is true All of you who would fight with the sword that God will punish Babylon, but not by of David, and be the servants of the Lord, his christians; for thus speaks Jeremiah: consider these words, which show how a "The Lord hath raised up the spirits of servant should be minded. If he is not to the kings of the Medes; for his device is strive, how can he war? If he is to be gentle against Babylon to destroy it; because it to all men, how can he then hate them and is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance do evil unto them? If he is to be apt to of his temple." Again: "Prepare against teach, how can he lay aside the_ apostolic Iher the nations, with the kings of the Medes, weapons? If he is to teach he will need the captains thereof, and all the rulers them. If he is to instruct in meekness those thereof, and all the land of his dominion. that oppose, how can he destroy them? And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for If he is to instruct in meekness those that every purpose of the Lord shall be peroppose truth, how can he angrily punish formed against Babylon, to make the land those that do not yet acknowledge the of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitiuth? Paul says, if God peradventure will tant," Jer. 51: 11, 28, 29. give them repentance. But some will not I am aware that this was fulfilled against wait for that, and if they even do it with Babylon, in the Chaldee country, though the good intention, still they with Uzzah lay Roman Babylon shall not escape the same their hands on the ark of God. Therefore plague; but I have adduced this for the I fear that it will not be left unpunished. service of the advocates of the sword who And if they with Saul, even saved the best want to prove by this Scripture of Jeremiah, beasts of the Amalekites, for sacrifices unto that the christians shall punish Babylon, God, yet it will not please the Lord; for it while the prophet clearly testifies that God is contrary to his word. He has pleasure has done this by heathen hands, and that in obedience and not in sacrifices. it is his will that it shall be done by such, But now some say, the Lord wants to as is shown by Rev. 17: 16: "The ten horns punish Babylon, and that by his christians; which thou sawestupon the beast, these shall they must be his instruments. 0, God! It hate the whore, and shall make her desowould be well if we would leave the Lord late and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and

Page  438 438 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. burn her with fire. For God hath put in I fore, when ye shall see Christ come in this their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree manner then you may rest assured that all and give their kingdom unto the beast, un- the enemies of God will be punished; and til the words of God shall be fulfilled." do not suppose that it shall be so before Thus it may be plainly understood from his coming again, for you will find yourthese words that the Babylonian whore selves mistaken; or else God's word must shall be destroyed, not by christians; as be false, which is impossible. Luke also also, that christians should not destroy. A says, that the Lord had received the kingTheudas may rise up and cause a distur- dom. bance, but he shall not succeed, Acts 5: 36. Of this Daniel says, "I saw in the night There may rise up a Judas Galilee and visions, and behold, one like the son of cause a riot, but he shall perish, and all his man came with the clouds of heaven, and followers shall perish and be scattered. came to the. Ancient of days, and they Let every person beware and diligently ob- brought him near before him. And there serve the Scriptures, and he shall see that was given him dominion, and glory, and a the Lord himself will destroy, at his coming kingdom, that all people, nations, and lanagain, and punish all his enemies who will guages, should serve him: his dominion is not submit to him. For Luke says, "It an everlasting dominion, which shall not came to pass, that when he was returned, pass away, and his kingdom, that which having received the kingdom, then he corm- shall not be destroyed," Dan. 7: 13, 14. manded these servants to be called unto Here observe of whom Christ receives this him, to whom he had given the money, that kingdom, that you may see what abominahe might know how much every man had ble deceit it is that some say that John Van gained by trading;" and when his servants Leyden would take the kingdom, and that had given an account, he said, "But those he who has taken it will give itunto Christ, mine enemies which would notthat I should as David gave the kingdom unto Solomon. reign over them, bring hither, and slay Further, the evangelist says, That Christ them before me," Luke 19: 15, 27. will take account with his servants, which This Scripture clearly testifies that the will not be until the day ofjudgment; Paul Lord Christ, must first come again, before says, "We must all appear before the all his enemies are punished. And how judgment seat of Christ; that every one Christ will come again he himself testifies, may receive the things done in his body, saying, "For the son of man shall come in according to that he hath done, whether it the glory of his Father, with his angels; be good or bad," 2 Cor. 5: 10. Jesus says, and then he shall reward every man accord- "That every idle word that men shall speak, ing to his works," Matt. 16: 27. Again, they shall give account thereof in the day "For as the lightening cometh out of the of judgment," Matt. 12: 36. Then the faitheast, and shineth even unto the west; so ful servants shall enter into the kingdom of shall also the coming of the son of man their Lord; then shall the wicked be punbe." "And then shall appear the sign of ished, and all whose names are not found the son of man in heaven: and then shall written in the book of life will be cast into all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they the lake of fire; for they would not confess shall see the son of man coming in the Christ to be their king, but worshipped the clouds of heaven, with power and great beast and his image, Rev. 20: 15; 13: 8. glory," Matt. 24: 27, 30; Mark 13: 26; Luke This parable some adulterate, and say, 17: 24. The two angels also testified how "The enemies of God must be destroyed Christ would come again, saying, "Ye men before the coming of Christ, and therefore of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into we will be the instruments to do so." But heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken they must come to shame; "For thus saith up from you into heaven, shall so come in the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In like manner as ye have seen him go into returning and rest shall ye be saved; in heaven," Acts 1: 11. From this it is plain quietness and in confidence shall be your to everybody how Christ shall come; there- j strength: and ye would not. But ye said,

Page  439 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. 439 No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore should not obey the truth, before whose shall ye flee; and we will ride upon the eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set swift; therefore shall they that pursue you forth, crucified among you? This only be swift," Isa. 30: 15. 0, that the advo- would I learn of you." Whether you are cates of the sword would observe these jbaptized on the sword or on the cross? words! Yea, those who would be angels to "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the root up the tares! while Christ told the par- Spirit,- are ye now made perfect by the able with a different understanding, saying, flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in "The good seed are the children of the vain? if it be yet in vain," Gal. 3: 1-4. kingdom; but the tares are the children of What avails it that you have left Egypt the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them if you again look back to Egypt, that is, is the devil, the harvest is the end of the to darkness, and leave the true light, yea, world; and the reapers are the angels," are desirous after the flesh of Egypt, that Matt. 13: 38, 39. Inasmuch as the chris- is, human doctrine, and are not satisfied tians are the good seed, how then can they with the bread from heaven? Ex. 14: 11; be the angels or reapers; or if they be the Num. 14: 2. reapers, how can they be the seed? These What does it avail that you are gone two are quite different things, the seed and away from Pharaoh, if you are slain by the reapers; its plainness is incontrovertible. Amalek on account of your disobedience; It is true that the christians are some- that is, because you fight against the will times called angels. But we cannot always of the Lord? AWhat does it profit that you understand it, when reading of angels, as have gone through the Red Sea with the meaning the believing. There are also children of Israel, if you do not enter with other angels of which it is written: "VWho Joshua and Caleb, into the promised land, maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a by firm faith in God's word? And how we flaming fire," Ps. 104: 4; 103: 20; Ileb. 1:7. are to enter into the promised land, in the With these angels Christ will come, as eternal kingdom of God, is testified to by Paul says, "The Lord Jesus shall be re- Paul and Barnabas, who taught the churchvealed from heaven with his mighty angels, es that they had to enter into the kingdom in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them through many tribulations. that know not God, and that obey not the Christ has not taken his kingdom with gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Thess. the sword, but he entered it through much 1: 7, 8. These angels will be the reapers suffering. Yet they mean to take it by the who, at the end of the world, that is, in the sword 0, blindness of man! But thus it day of judgment, will root up all tares and must be, that those who will not confess cast them into the lake of fire. Until that Christ to be their only Shepherd, -that they time the tares will be left among the good may be pastured by him, will have to eat seed; let none think that we should root of the pastures which are trampled upon; up the tares now, or that we should now and that those who will not draw the clear, separate the goats from the sheep. " When crystal water from the fount of the Savior, the son of man shall come in his glory, and will have to drink the impure water which all the holy angels with him, then shall he the false shepherds have made impure with sit upon the throne of his glory: And be- their feet. And that for the reason, because fore him shall be gathered all nations; and they have done double evil to the children he shall separate them one from another, of Israel. They have forsaken the Lord, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the the living fountain, and have made fountgoats: and he shall set the sheep on his ains of their own which appear beautiful, right hand, but the goats on the left," Matt. but they afford no water. Therefore I ad25: 31-33. monish all beloved brethren, yea, I pray These words are as clear as the sun, yet you by the mercy of God our Lord Jesus some do not understand them, so that we Christ, to give heed to the word of God, may well say unto them, "O foolish Gala- and do not forsake it; for you have seen tions, who hath bewitched you, that ye your }Master Christ, with the eye of faith,

Page  440 440 TESTIMONY AGAINST JOHN VAN LEYDEN. and you have heard his voice, saying, This For in Christ is an upright being; he is the is the true way, walk upon it, go neither to light of the world; he who follows him the right hand nor to the left. shall not walk in darkness, but have the Let every one of you guard against all light of life, Ps. 67: 1. God, the Father of strange doctrine, of the sword, of opposition our Lord Jesus Christ, be gracious unto us, and of other like things, which is nothing and enlighten us that we on earth may acshort of a fine cover, under which lies hid- knowledge his way, and his salvation den an evil serpent which has blown its among the Gentiles. venom into many. Let every one beware All you who have tasted the kindness of of it! the Lord, love him. The Lord upholds the Let every one behave himself in accord- upright. Be of good cheer, and doubt not; for the Lord will strengthen your souls, ance with the example of the divine word, fwho patient wait for his cing "The which he has received from the apostles, by Lord reigneth; let the people tremble; he faith and love. Let every one remember sitteth between the cherubim; let the earth that Christ was taught to him in no other be moved," Ps. 99: 1. This King the Jews way but through tribulation. Abide in it. scorned, and they became blind. oe iCllllyle.

Page  441 A. XI:TI D ADMONITION OR INSTRUCTION FROM TIE WORD OF GOD, HOW A CHRISTIAN SHOTJLDIBE DISPOSED; AND CONCERNING THE SHUNNING AND SEPARATION OF THE UNFAITHFUL BRETHREN AND SISTERS, EITHER DECEIVED BY HERETICAL DOCTRINE, OR LEADING A CARNAL, SHAMEFUL LIFE. BY MENNO SIMON. "For other foundation can no man lay than that ia laid, which is Jesus Chrlst," 1 Cor. 8:11. ELKHART, INDIANA: PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER. 1871. 92

Page  442

Page  443 A IIND ADMONITION. Menno Simon wishes all trute brethren and sisters in Jesus Christ the grace and peace of God our heavenl^y Father, through Jesus Christ his Son, our Lord, who loved us, and cleansed us of our sins by his blood. To him be glory, now and forever, Amen. Hear, believe, and fulfill God's word, and you shall have everlasting life. Do not judge until you have perused and well understood this. SINCERELYbelovedchildrenin ChristJesus, he taught nothing but the word of his Fayou are aware with what diligence, nay, ther, Jn. 7. In the same manner with those how sincerely I have of late admonished who are begotten of the living, saving word most of you, according to the word of the of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ; they are, Lord, by many Scriptures, flowing from a by virtue of their new birth, so conformed loving, inclined and moved Spirit, as you unto Christ, so like unto him, so really imyourselves have witnessed, I, who seek planted into him, so converted into his nothing (of which God is my witness) but heavenly nature, that they do not teach nor alone the salvation of your souls; teaching believe any doctrine but that which connothing, desiring nothing, admonishing you forms unto the doctrine of Christ; do not to nothing but alone that your most holy make use of any religious ceremonies but faith and works may be powerful and fruit- Christ's ceremonies, which he has taught ful before God; and that your life and walk and commanded in his holy gospel; for how may be found before God, before his an- can the natural branches bear fruit differgels, and before all the world, holy, pure, ent from that of the vine itself of which they sober, chaste, temperate, humble, gentle, budded forth? Jn. 15. kind, mild, merciful, righteous, unblamable, As there is nothing found in Christ Jesus in conformity with, and obedient to the but solely the holiness, wisdom, brightness, gospel of Christ, a shining light, that in all righteousness, power, love, peace, mercy, your doings you may express Christ Jesus and truth of the Almighty Father, thus you whom you have put on, if you have right- have in the same manner partaken of his ly put him on, as I trust; and thus show in being and goodness, because you with him your life his divine and heavenly image are regenerated and renewed of the same after which you are created, Col. 3; Eph. 4. Father. You know that I do not desire your Behold, brethren, such regenerated and money, silver, and carnal gifts, although I godly minded, live unblamably, even acmay be blamed of it by the infamous, lying cording to the measure of the rule of the world. I beseech all of you, and would I holy gospel of Jesus Christ and his aposwith much solicitation, anxiety, tribulation, ties. Therefore he kisses them as his besighing, weeping, and pains, teach you loved, chosen ones, with the mouth of his such faith, love, spirit, conscience and walk peace, Cant. 1, and calls them his church, that you can stand before the righteous his bride, flesh of his flesh, and bone of his judgment of God, and that in Christ Jesus. bone, of which he begets, with inexpressiI do not doubt, most beloved brethren, ble pleasure, by his powerful seed, his holy that you well know (if you be born with word, the children of God, the children of the Christ, of God the Father of the heavenly promise, the children of righteousness, the seed of the divine word), that you must be children of truth, and the children of life eterconformed unto Christ in mind, spirit, cour- nal. But of the Babylonian, Sodomitic,whorage and will, both in doctrine and life, as ing,adulterous,idolatrous,bloody,unbelievChrist Jesus is conformed unto the nature and ing, blind and unclean whore with which they image of his blessed, heavenly Father, to have,for centnries,lived in adultery by theuse which he was so conformed that he did of wood, stone, gold, silver, bread, wine, nothing but that his Father did, Jn. 5; that false doctrine, and of the very vain, ac

Page  444 444 A KIND ADMONITION. cursed works of their own hands, contrary arise with Christ into newness of life, Rom. to Jesus Christ and his holy word, he will 6; they are spiritually circumcised with the never beget them, Rev. 17; 18. circumcision of Christ, Col. 2; they put on Therefore I admonish all our beloved Christ Jesus; they show by the washing of brethren and sisters in the Lord, so pre- regeneration that they are born again; for cious as is Christ Jesus to you, never to let it is a washing of the new birth, Tit. 3. it go out of your mind, but ever to remem- These regenerated ones use the true Supber for what purpose you are called, taught, per; for they proclaim the death of Christ and baptized. Remember the covenant of until his coming again, 1 Cor. 11; their the most high God, that into which you vol- pleasure is in the church of the righteous, untarily entered; into which you have volun- their works are nothing-but brotherly love, tarily desired and accepted, being taught one heart, one soul, one spirit. Yea, one by the word of God, and operated upon by undivided body, fruitful, serving, and comthe Holy Spirit; and remember that accord- mon in Christ Jesus, which are symbolized ing to the doctrine of Paul, you have volun- by the outward cup, and the outward bread, tarily buried in baptism, all your avarice, 1 Cor. 10. uncleanness, pride, hatred, envy, abuse of These regenerated ones shun all false the sacramental signs, idolatry, gluttony, doctrine, all idolatry, all improper usage drunkenness, sensuality, falsehood, deceit, of the sacramental signs in the church or &c., and that you are arisen with Christ, out of the church; they seek only the true Jesus, into newness of life, Rom. 6, if you teachers who are unblamable both in docare rightly arisen with him; which new life trine and in life; the true religion, as taught is nothing else but righteousness, unblama- and expressed in Christ's word, namely, bleness, love, mercifulness, humility, long- the dying unto the flesh, Rom. 12; Gal. 5; suffering, peace, truth, yea, the whole, gen- the service of the afflicted, Matt.. 15; the tle life which is taught by the gospel, and visiting of the widows and orphans; as was found in Christ Jesus. James says, They seek to keep themselves 0, brethren, how far are some of us, alas, unblemished and unspotted from the world, yet distant from the evangelical life which Jas. 1. These regenerated ones bear the is of God! Notwithstanding that they stay cross of Christ with gladness of heart, so out of the other churches, and are outward- established in Christ Jesus that they can ly baptized in water, they yet are carnal not be separated from the eternal truth and and devilish minded in all things, think- love of God, by false doctrine, nor by horing perhaps, that christianity consists of rible torments, ever remembering their outward baptism and the non-attendance Lord's word, where he says, "Whosoever of the church. No, beloved, no! I tell you, therefore shall confess me before men, him as truly as the Lord lives, before God avails will I confess also before my Father which no outward baptism, nor staying away is in heaven," Matt. 10: 32. from the churches, nor supper, nor being All their thoughts are chaste, gentle, persecuted, if we do not obey the command- peaceful, heavenly and of the Holy Spirit; ments of God, 1 Cor. 7; if our faith does all their words are wisdom, truth, doctrine, not manifest itself in love, and the new admonition in grace, well seasoned, the creature, as also Christ Jesus says, "Verily, words of God and words spoken at the verily, I say unto you, except a man be right time. They are spirit, and they are born again, he can not see the kingdom of life. In short, all their works are love, God," Jn. 3: 3. At another place he says, j mercifulness, righteousness, piety, and are (' Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be con- done in the fear of the Lord. verted and become as little children, ye Behold, brethren, this is the true nature shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven," and mind of the children of God, who are Matt. 18: 3. But the regenerated and con- by grace converted in their hearts and with verted, that is the believing, are rightly Christ born of God the Father. Therefore baptized in accordance with God's word; I beseech you as my sincerely beloved for they bury their sins in baptism, and brethren, by the grace of God, nay I com

Page  445 A KIND ADMONITION. 445 mand you with holy Paul, by the Lord or any one else, for God's word applies to Jesus Christ, who at his coming will judge all flesh, without respect of person, Acts the living and the dead, diligently to ob- 10: 34; Rom. 2: 11; Gal. 2; Eph. 6; Col. 3, serve each other unto salvation, in all be- if he or she do not heed the admonitions of coming ways teaching, instructing, admon- the brethren, which is given with sorrow, ishing, reproving, threatening and consoling tears and a compassionate spirit of love, each dther as occasion requires, not other- but continue in their Jewish doctrine, namewise than in accordance with the word of ly, of sword, kingdom, polygamy or the God, and in unfeigned love, that we may like deceit; again, in the doctrine of the inall grow up in God, and become united in famous confession, of shamelessness in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of exposing their persons, and the like God, into one perfect man, and according unnatural, inhuman actions; again in the to the measure of the gift of Jesus Christ, doctrine which is opposed to the cross of Eph. 4: 7. Christ, such as that uncleanness is pure to Therefore take heed. If you see your the pure, and thus having communion in brother sin, then pass not by him, as one fruitless works, as the hearing of the preachthat does not prize his soul; but if his fall ers of the world, infant baptism, the worldbe curable, from that moment endeavor to ly supper, and the like abominations. raise him up by gentle admonition and Again, continue in drunkenness, avarice, brotherly instruction, before you eat, drink, adultery, fornication, unbecoming words, sleep or do any thing else, as one who ar- &c., with such have nothing to do, nor eat dently desires his salvation, lest your poor, with them, as Paul has taught and comerring brother harden and corrupt in his fall, manded us in plain words, 1 Cor. 5. and perish in his sin. But if he affectionately receive the admoDo not act so unfaithfully as you have nitions of his faithful brethren, if he confess hitherto done, as not to make the trans- his fall, if he be sorry, promise reformation, gressions of your dying brother or sister show signs of penitence, and acknowledge known to those within the church before his transgression, then, no matter how he those without; but rather exhort them, and has transgressed, receive him as a returnseek by prayer, by words, and by actions ing, beloved brother or sister, but beware, to convert him from the error of his way, to lest he mock his God; for the acceptation save his soul and thus to stop the multiply- of brethren does not avail if we be not acing of his transgressions, Jas. 5. Takeheed, cepted of God. Beware, I say, lest his brethren, take heed! that you allow no de- hearing the admonitions, his sorrow, his famer among you, as Moses taught, Lev. 19, promise of reformation, and his penitence no double, lying, roguish, nor backbiting be not sincere before God; for he searches tongue; and do not consent, lest you fall into the hearts and reins, and he knows all inthe wrath of God. Let every one take heed, ward feignedness and thoughts of men, Jer. how,where, when andwhathe speaks, lesthis 17; Jn. 2; Rom. 8. tongue blaspheme his God and his neigh- If his hearing the admonitions, his sorbor; but always remember the words of row, promise and penitence are not sincere Ecclesiasticus, "Honor and shame is in and from his heart, but merely indifferent, talk, and the tongue of man is his fall," feigned, spiritless, hypocritical,just because Eccl. 5: 13. he does not want to be outwardly thrown But brethren, if those of years of under- out of the communion of the brethren, he is standing who were with us, by the urging still cut off by Christ, and is a hypocrite in of the Spirit, baptized in the most holy the sight of God. Nor will he be looked body of Jesus Christ, which is the church, upon nor judged by God as being any again withdraw themselves from the body thing else. For God the righteous Judge or church of Christ, actuated either by false does not judge according to the outward doctre o ine or vain, carnal life, no matter appearance, but solely according to the inwhether it be father or mother, sister or ward intentions of the heart. brother, husband or wife, son or daughter, Say, beloved, inasmuch as this is the

Page  446 446 A KIND ADMONITION. case, what does it avail to go by the mere Brethren and sisters this separation or name of a christian brother if he have not ban, so earnestly taught and commanded the inward, evangelical faith, love, and un- in the Scriptures by Christ Jesus and his blamable life of a true brother of Jesus holy apostles was instituted to be practiced Christ? for these causes and reasons, first: For Or what does it avail to partake of the false doctrine, Matt. 7; 16; Rom. 16; 2 Tim. Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ with 2; 1 Tim. 6; Tit. 3; Phil. 3; 2 Jn. 1; again, the brethren if we have not the true symbol- for sinful, carnal life, Matt. 18; 1 Cor. 5; 2 ized fruits of this Supper, namely, the love Thess. 3; 2 Tim. 3; again, that we should of the brethren, and the peaceable unity of admonish them (understand, those that faith in Christ Jesus? Or does it avail any- will be admonished), Matt. 18; Tit. 3. thing outwardly to converse in the corn- Therefore take heed, and watch your own munion of the brethren, if we are not in- soul, lest you despise the word of God in wardly in the communion of our beloved this necessary matter of separation, and Lord Jesus Christ? transgress his ordinances; but that you in Therefore, brethren, none is cut off by us, every respect practice upon and uphold it or ejected from the communion of the breth- with divine wisdom, discretion, gentleness ren (judge rightly) but those who have al- and prudence, in the case of those who have ready ejected themselves either by false gone aside from the evangelical doctrine or doctrine, or by a blamable life, from Christ life; not with austerity, nor with cruelty, and his communion. For we do not wish but rather with gentleness, reluctance, and to eject any, but to accept them; not to cut with sorrow and pity for the diseased memthem off, but to restore them; not to reject, bers who are not cured, in whose case pains but to win them back; not to afflict, but to and labor avail nothing, who should be console them; not to condemn, but to save cut off with theo knife of the divine word, them. For this is the true nature of a chris- lest the others be corrupted, and lest the tian brother. Whosoever renounces evil, abominable scurvy is imparted to the other be it false doctrine or vain life, and con- sheep. Yea it should be done in such a forms himself to the gospel of Jesus Christ, manner that the erring sister or brother unto which he is baptized neither shall nor may be made ashamed at heart, and thus can be ejected or cut off by any of the be won, as was said above. And in case brethren. there be any moving of the Spirit, any But those whom we cannot raise up and spark of life, or any fear of God in such admonish unto repentance by tears, threat- sister or brother, their heart will surely ening, reproving, or by any other chris- quake and tremble; for by the admonition tian services and divine means, we should of the word of God, and by the testimony reluctantly separate from us, sincerely de- of his own conscience he will acknowledge ploring the fall and damnation of such err- that he has cut himself off from the coming brethren, lest we also be deceived and munion of Jesus Christ, by his vain, carnal led astray by such false doctrine which life, and that he has again entered into the eats about itself like a cancer, 2 Tim. 2; lest communion of the devil; and that therefore we corrupt our flesh which is inclined to his lot and part shall not be with the blessed evil, by the contagion; and that we may souls in heaven, but with the damned in thus obey the word of God which com- hell unto eternity, unless lie convert himself. mands us to do so; and that thus the sepa- May God, the merciful Father, save all rated brother or sister, whom we can not his chosen children who have entered into convert by gentle services, may, by means his holy covenant and communion, from of the separation, be shamed unto repent- such a fearful fall, obduracy, and separaance, 2 Thess. 2, and acknowledge to what tion, Amen. he has come and from what he is fallen. All the apostate sisters and brethren who Thus the ban is a great work of love, not- are offended at and angry with us on acwithstanding it is looked upon by the un- I count of this open doctrine and practice of intelligent as an act of hatred. i the christian ban or separation, will be of

Page  447 A KIND ADMONITION. 447 fended more and more; for whosoever is Well, dear brethren in the Lord, you who impure will be rendered still more impure, are baptized by one Spirit into one body, as the Holy Spirit of the prophecies teach- and have voluntarily entered into the comes, Rev. 22. For the word of God is unto munion of Jesus Christ, and also you who the reformation, righteousness, and life of are of a good mind, inasmuch as you must the pious and godly; but unto the lost it is shun the apostatic in accordance with the unto offense, unrighteousness and death. word of God, therefore, take heed, that What! be angry with us because we obey while you shun them as diseased, foul and Scripture in this respect? Let them rather useless members, unfit for the body of be angry with themselves; for they dare Christ, you yourselves may be found to be teach and live contrary to the command- sound, fit, and fruitful members in Christ ment of God. If they want to renounce Jesus; and that while you shun them as their heresy, and reform their ungodly life, children of darkness and of death, you the heavenly doctrine of our beloved Lord yourselves may be children of the light and Jesus Christ will not offend them nor make of eternal life, that the righteous sentence them worse, but rather urge, affright and of God may not be pronounced against you; convert them. take heed, lest you who shun others on acIf they, by their apostatic, refractory and count of their evil doing, secretly commit carnal hatred, are so deprived of grace and worse things in the sight of God. Take the knowledge of God, and become worse heed, lest you adjudge others of what you and worse, so that they see death in the yourselves are guilty, Rom. 2. Behold, eternal life, and darkness in the heavenly brethren, thus the ban or separation should light of divine truth, then we can claim to be practiced in the house of the Lord, that be clear before God and his holy angels, is, in God's church; nor have they any othfrom their sins, obduracy, and eternal death er weapon unto eternity. Of this I would if we do toward them that which the have written more but defer it to some othLord's word has commanded us in regard er time, if it please God. to this matter. Therefore we desire not to Now, beloved brethren, take heed, take have communion with them, nor lot nor heed, brethren, this I advise you that there part, unto eternity, so long as they do not may never be any thoughts in your hearts sincerely renounce their false doctrine and otherwise than such as are pure, holy, reform their miserable, accursed, earthly, chaste, heavenly, and of the Holy Spirit. carnal, and devilish life, to the praise of the "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they Lord. But in case true penitence is found shall see God," Matt. 5: S. "The mouth of in them, in good faith, as before God who the righteous speaketh wisdom and his sees all things, then we say, welcome be- tongue talketh of judgment," Ps. 37: 30. loved brethren, welcome, beloved sisters, Let all thy words be as a sworn oath before and we sincerely rejoice at the sincere con- God and before the world, Matt. 5; Jas. 5. version of such brethren and sisters. Yea, Let all your actions be wrought of God by we rejoice as one is rejoiced at the restora- God, and in God, Jn. 3. Measure all your tion of an only Son who was dangerously thoughts, words and actions by the rule of ill as at the restoration of a lost sheep or the divine word, that the ungodly defamer penny; and as at the reappearance of a son who so diligently watches all your words who was given up as lost, Matt. 18; Luke 15. and actions may find nothing which he can Behold, brethren, therefore I will leave truly cast up to you, whereby he can accuse every apostate brother to consider why, or blame you, as Paul taught and requested and wherefore, with what kind of spirit, and the church, in some instances, Eph. 4; 1 with what intention this separation or ban Tim. 3; Tit. 2. was so diligently practiced, first by Christ It is also the nature of those who are in Jesus and his apostles and afterward by us God, not to sin, as John says, " Whosoever who are again placed in their doctrine and abideth in him (God) sinneth not: whosopractice of all christian doings, as may be ever sinneth hath not seen him, neither easily deduced from the alleged Scriptures. known him. Little children, let no man

Page  448 448 A KIND ADMONITION. deceive you: he that doeth righteousness, heavenly Jerusalem, Heb. 12; the spiritual is righteous, even as he is righteous. He Israel of God, Gal. 6; we are of divine that committeth sin is of the devil; for the mind and nature; we are delivered from the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this sentence of the law, Isa. 9, Gal. 5; 1 Tim. purpose the Son of God was manifested, 3; yea from hell, sin, devil, and eternal that he might destroy the works of the death, Eph. 2; then we have Christ Jesus devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not forever blessed; his word, life, flesh, blood, commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him: cross, suffering, bitter death, burial, resurand he cannot sin, because he is of God, 1 rection, ascension, kingdom and eternal Jn. 3: 6-9. Therefore I implore and pray joy, with him, received as a gift from God you to consider well the nature of the new the Father, Rom. 8. But in case we be not birth, and examine what it is in reality, born again (understand, those of undernamely, the divine nature, and the divine standing age), then we have not such promimage; of whom it is, that it is of God; from ises. whence it is-from heaven; and what is ob- Therefore, sincerely beloved brethren, tained by it-life eternal. For without the partakers of the heavenly calling through new birth it is merely the nature of earthly Christ Jesus; "Humble yourselves thereAdam, sin, evil, blindness, transgression, fore under the mighty hand of God," 1 Pet. devil and eternal death (I speak in regard 5: 6, and sincerely deny yourselves. Fear to those of mature years), whatever we do; God in all your thoughts, words and works, but in whomsoever the new birth is, there love and serve God and your neighbor; is also everything godly, wisdom, goodness, love God above all things created, and your light, righteousness, truth, peace, Spirit, neighbor as yourselves, Matt. 22. Let all Christ, God and life eternal. Therefore the your meditations be in the law of the Lord, eternal Truth, Christ Jesus, says in plain Ps. 1. Keep God's word; I repeat it, brethwords, that we must repent and be born ren, keep the word of God which has been again, if we would enter into the kingdom so often taught you in love, both verbally of heaven, Matt. 18; Jn. 3. For the first and in writing. birth is of the earth, earthly, and inclined Let your ardent prayer at all times go to the earth; but the second birth is of up to God, for all men; for emperors, kings, heaven, and is heavenly, and inclined to lords, princes, judges, and for all those heaven, Jn. 3. that is to say, the birth of that are placed in authority, that God may earth makes earthly minded and the birth so direct their hearts that we, if it be his of heaven makes heavenly minded. blessed will, may lead a peaceable and If this good and perfect gift of the new godly life, 1 Tim. 2: 2. birth be given us of the Father of light, by Be not envious in your hearts and not grace, then we become the chosen children inconsiderate in your talking about others, of God, Jn. 1; Eph. 1; then we are the true whether he be a slanderer, traitor, persecusisters and brethren of Christ, Luke 8; then tor, priest or monk, no matter who he be; we are conformed unto Christ, Rom. 8; then for they shall receive their reward from we are created after the image of God, Col. God. But ever remember the longsuffering 3; Eph. 4;'then we have the sign Tau on of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, as also, our foreheads; then the kingdom of God is that we were all foolish and unbelieving, ours, Luke 18; then we are the bride of erring, serving divers lusts and desires; we Christ, Jn. 3, the church of Christ, Eph. 5, were also naturally, children of the wrath, the body of Christ, 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 1. Col. the same as they are. Willingly obey all 1; then Christ dwells in our hearts, Eph. 3; human ordinances if they be not against then we are led by the Holy Ghost, Rom. 8; the ordinances of God, 1 Pet. 2. Beliberal we are the chosen generation, the royal in rendering assistance to all the children priesthood, the holy, begotten people, of God. Receive each other without murwhich is God's own, 1 Pet. 2; then we are muring, 1 Pet. 4. Let each one work with his the temple of the Lord, 1 Cor. 3; 6; 2 Cor. own hands, and eat his own bread, if pos6; the spiritual Mount Zion, and the new sible, 2 Thess. 3. Shun all manner of idle

Page  449 A JLETTER. 449 ness and worldly pomp. Take faithful care "Be patient in tribulation," Rom. 12: 12. of each other by admonitions, Heb. 10, as Prepare your hearts for the cross of Christ, I have verbally admonished you to do be- so that when it comes you may not be terrifore, and now again in this epistle. I fled with the cowardly. Wash the feet of your beloved brethren No more at present, but watch closely all and sisters who are come to you from a the days of your lives, the unexpected comdistance, tired. Be rot ashamed to do the ing of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, who work of the Lord, but humble yourselves has made us such dear creatures, boughtus with Christ, before your brethren's feet, that with his precious blood, graciously called, all humility, according to the divine nature, enlightened and regenerated us, and who may be found in you, Jn. 13; 1 Tim. 5. will crown us with the crown of glory, array Above all pray for your poor humble us in the garment of unblamableness, and servant, whose life is sought with all dili- give us the gift of eternal life. To him be gence, that God, the gracious Father, may eternal praise and glory, now and forever, strengthen him with his Holy Spirit, and Amen. save him from the hands of those who so Ponder, holy brethren, upon every word unjustly seek his life, if it be his fatherly which I have written unto you; read it atwill, and if it be not his will, that he may tentively; reflect upon it diligently, underthen give him in all tribulation, torture, stand it rightly, judge spiritually, and live oppression and death, such heart, mind, up to it divinely. O, brethren, thenmy adwisdom and strength, that he may steadily monition and writing, and your perusal fulfill the glorious work of God, which is and hearing shall be fruitful. begun in us, by the Holy Ghost, to the I pray you with holy Paul, by the grace praise of the Lord. of God, not to suppress this admonition, O, beloved brethren, fulfill my desire, and nor to lay it away, but to read it to all finish, as obedient children of God that faithful brethren and sisters in the Lord; which I have faithfully taught, admonished as also to all the apostates who are not and written unto you from the word of God, entirely given up, that they may be won to your eternal salvation, that you may back. Yea, not alone to these, but to all also be partakers of the glorious crown, men in or out of the church, who may dehope and joy, in the day of the coming of sire to hear it. The grace of our beloved Christ, 1 Thess. 2. "Not slothful in busi- Lord Jesus Christ be with all true brethren ness; fervent in spirit," Rom. 12: 11. Bless and sisters, Amen. God in all his works toward us, and pray Again, pray for me and for all your servhim to guide your way, and let all your ants in the Lord. counsel be in him, Tob. 4. Walk fearlessly Beware of all doctine nd wors whi in the commandments of the Lord. Go not in thecommandments of the gLord.f Chonot are not conformable to the gospel of Christ. in any manner beyond the gospel of Christ, Beware. Gal. 1. Be firm in the way of the Lord. I Overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil May grace and peace remain with all the by the most holy faith which is in you, 1 true children of God, and fellow-laborers of Jn. 5. Joyfully serve each other, "In pa- the promise, in the kingdom of Christ. tience possess ye your souls," Luke 21: 19. MENNO SIMON. A LETTE I. MOST beloved in Christ Jesus. Grace from our beloved brethren, that you can and peace. Dear, faithful sister in the Lord. hardly acquiesce in the desire and prayer My inmost soul is grieved in your behalf. of the afflicted and pastorless church in reMore so than I can write; for I understand gard to your beloved husband. I cannot 93

Page  450 450 A LETTER. severely reprove you for your action if I has gifted our beloved brother with his dilook at it in a carnal, and not in a spiritual vine knowledge, has enlightened him with light. I also understand from the words of his Holy Spirit and gifted him with speech Lenart and Helmicht, that you hoped that and wisdom, so that the brethren are Lenart would be excused from serving, by pleased with him, sincerely love him and me. Most beloved sister in Christ Jesus, I desire his talent; and if you, for the sake trust that I, by the grace of God, sincerely of your flesh and blood should oppose this love you with divine love in God; and that and not acquiesce therein, would seem to I am prepared to serve you and all pious me as being nothing else than that if you people, even, with my blood if so required. should see your brethren in imminent danBut, beloved sister, who am I that I should ger of life, should see them in fire or water, resist the Holy Spirit? You are aware that suffering, want and misery, you would not not I, but the church, has called him to assist them at your own peril. Dear sister, this service, unknown to me. As the love your brethren as Christ Jesus has loved church so imploringly desires him; and as us. If, for the sake of your brethren, you he perhaps can not conscientiously deny should be deprived of your property, rethem, how could I then oppose it? as I can member that Christ has, for a time, left the find nothing in Lenart for which I could glory of his Almighty Father and the comscripturally oppose his being called. Dear pany of angels, that we might obtain an sister, I am sorry that I can not aid you in eternal inheritance in heaven. So long as this matter; for the sorrow and fear of your we live we shall have enough of the necesflesh pierces my heart as often as I think saries of life, if we fear God, depart from of it; but above all, we must act in love evil and do righteously. to God and our brethren. You are called Yea, sister, be of good cheer. The eterof the Lord, and by the operation of your nal Truth has promised us salvation if we faith you have committed yourself to the seek the kingdom of God and his righteousservice of Jesus Christ and of your brethren ness. The necessaries of life will be proas long as you live; and I trust that you vided for us. If then you are solicitous for will willingly fulfill it even at the risk of your husband's flesh, remember and believe money, possessions and life. You certain- that our life is measured by spans; that ly comprehend how needful it is. There- life and death are in the hands of the Lord; fore, be mindful of the days of your en- that not a hair falls from our heads withlightenment, and obediently and resigned- out the will of our Father. He protects us ly fulfill that which, willingly and without as the apple of his eye. constraint, you have promised the Most Elias, David, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach High. and Abednego, Peter and Paul, have all 0, beloved sister, look- at the abandon- evaded the hands of the tyrant, and none ment and misery of your beloved brethren. could injure a single hair of their heads so The spiritual fathers are become betrayers long as the appointed day and hour was of souls; the watchmen, blind leaders, and not come. For so long as the Lord has the shepherds, wolves. The walls of Jeru- more pleasure in our life than in our death, salem are laid waste; the stones of the they cannot injure us; but when our death sanctuary are trampled upon at the corners is more pleasing to the Lord than our life, of every street. Great is the plague of we can not escape from their hands. 0, Israel. With Jeremiah and Ezra we may beloved sister, if our beloved brother should well bitterly sigh and weep, and let our not serve our brethren, yet he has years tears flow over our cheeks, nay, our inmost ago, already committed himself to danger soul must be grieved at the need of our be- of death, tribulation, misery, scorn, perseloved brethren, when we take to heart the cution, anxiety, robbery, water, fire and very great hungering and thirsting of many sword; and if he had not committed himpious hearts, the accursed deceiving of evil self to the cross by baptism, nay, if he spirits, and dissensions, sects and all like could pass through all cities, countries, and evils. Inasmuch, then, as the merciful Lord nations unmolested, you know not at what

Page  451 PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES OF MENNO SIMON. 451 moment he would have to put off the taber- be to you; for by this only, sure and imnacle of clay and appear before his God. mutable rule must all christian actions be Therefore, beloved, faithful sister, be strong measured and judged. Behold, worthy, in the Lord; be of good cheer; commend faithful sister, as the church calls our beyourself to the Most high God, who holds loved brother to the office and service, I canheaven and earth in his hand; who has not conscientiously interfere; or else I given you and your husband body and should love flesh, your flesh, more than soul; who has called you in the word of his Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior, and my grace; who has purchased and delivered sincerely beloved brethren. you with the blood of his blessede Son; who May the Almighty, merciful Father act has washed, sanctified and cleansed you in this measure according to his divine with his Holy Spirit. His mercy is above pleasure, and guide the heart of my beall his works; he knows your going out loved sister so as to be resigned to his holy and coming in; your setting down and will. I sincerely thank my beloved sister rising up. Yea, you were before him be- for the gift of your love you have sent me. fore you were formed in your mother's The Lord repay you the heavenly riches of womb; he it is who searches the hearts and eternal glory. My consort greets you with reins; he knows what our brethren seek. the peace of tile Lord. Tlhe Lord Jesus Beloved sister strengthen your husband, and Christ be forever with my most beloved do not weaken him; for it is required of us friend and sister, Amen. that if we love God we should also love our Your brother in the Lord, brethren. In short, prove yourself to be to Mj ENNO SIMON. your neighbor what Christ has proven to A. D. 1553. PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES OF MENNO SIMON. THE following is an extract from Book 16 in search of Menno, unexpectedly met him of the Ondergangh der Tyrannen, en Jaer- as he was going along on the canal, in a lycksche Geschiedenisse (Downfall of the Ty- small boat. The traitor kept silent until rants, and Annual Events) by Peter Jansz Menno had passed them some distance, and Twisck, Pages 1074 and 1075, in which it is had leaped ashore in order to escape with shown how wonderfully the Lord preserved less peril. Then the traitor cried out, "BeMenno Simon, from the cunning artifices of hold, the bird has escaped!" The officer his opponents, as in his divine zeal for the chastized him-called him a villian, and truth, he exhorted all men to true repentance demanded why he did not tell of it in time; and regeneration. to which the traitor replied, "I could not The daughter of Menno Simon, a praise- speak; for my tongue was bound." The worthy woman, in our presence related the lords were so displeased at this that the following incident: A certain traitor had traitor, according to his promise, had to agreed, without fail for a certain sum of forfeit his own head. It is worthy of conmoney, to deliver the person of Menno or sideration, how wonderfully God, in this his head intothe hands of his enemies, ex- and in other like instances preserves his pecting to apprehend him in one of their people, and especially how fearfully he meetings; but it so happened that he was punishes the tyrants. not able to accomplish his object, for when- Menno had to suffer so many dangers, ever he arrived at the place where he sought perils and so much misery, that in the memto spy him out, Menno in a providential ory of the oldest persons it is almost indemanner escaped. scribable, and afterwards died a natural At another time this same traitor, in com- death; notwithstanding he often with great pany with an officer or police, as they were zeal and resolution preached, conversed,

Page  452 452 PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES OF MENNO SIMON. disputed with, and reproved the priests of hundred, or several hundred guilders to any Baal, and opposed his opponents openly one who should discover to or deliver him in their presence, so that a number of his into the hands of his enemies, yet God prefellow-laborers did not remain faithful un- served him from all the designs and cunning der these severe persecutions. devices of his enemies, so that it truly is as Among other incidents it happened (which he wrote in a letter to the wife of Leonard I have received as creditable), that Mlenno Bouwensz in which he says, "If you regard came into the priest's church in Eenigen- the life of your husband, think and believe, burgh, a village in the north of Holland, that our lives are but as a hand breadth; after the pastor had performed his services, that both life and death are in the hands of and conversed with him in Latin about dif- the Lord; that not a hair shall fall from ferent papistic superstitions, with great our heads without our heavenly Father's boldness, fluency and profoundness, upon notice; he preserves us as the apple of his which the priest or pastor was greatly sur- eye. Elias, Elisha, David, Daniel, Shadprised, and after he was through with his rach, Meshach, and Abednego, Peter and papal services, he had a long conversation Paul, all escaped the hands of the tyrants, with Menno. Menno often conversed with and no one could injure a hair of them, as the priests, and at one time with no little long as their day and hour had not come, boldness, unknown, entered a cloister, con- for as long as the mercifal Lord has more versed with the Superior, pointed him to I repentance, showed h im his great foy and pleasure in our lives than in our death they repentance, showed him his great folly and \ such like things. I shall not be permitted to injure us, but Although his name, and a description of when the Lord shall be more pleased to rehis clothing, person, &c., was nailed to the move us, then we will not escape their church doors, with the certain promise of a hands." NOTE 1.-It is due to the reader, at the conclusion of this wor~k, to say that in the translation of the writings of Mlienno Simon upon the "Incarnation of Christ," the publishers h7ave taken the liberty to condense and abridge some parts thereof and also, here and there, to leave out such parts as they considered of no importance in the illustration and explanation of t7he subject, and which were not edifying to the reader. Bat in no case have they perverted the meaning or purpose of the author. Throughout the entire work they have labored, with the translator and reviewer, conscientiously to give the true sentiments of the writer, that they mDight be able to present to the reader, as true and faithful a translation as possible, and they hope that the blessing of God may rest upon their efforts, and that a generous public will throwo the vmianftle of charity upon any errors that in any way may have crept into the wroik. TITE PUBLISTIES. NOTE 2.-~I have carefully read and compared with the original -iolland, the entire works of Menno Simon, herewith presented to the public, and do hereby bear testimony that this is a true and faithful translation of th7e same. JosEPHI SUTTrERS.

Page  453 INDEX, TO PART II. A PAGE..- PAGE. A kind admonition, concerning shunAccusations against Menno,...........94 ning and separation,..........441 A very humble supplication of the poor, A Letter,.............................450 despised christians,...........107 A letter of consolation to an afflicted ^'widow,.. ^........^11 Baptism, concerning,...................39 Rhenanus, Cyprian, Erasmus,ZuA complaint or apology of the despisedenanus,pranramus,Zuchristians and exiled strangers,.115 inglius, Bucer, OecolampadiA scriptural explanation of Excommu- Lther, and others, on in nic~a,,I tion,.123 Ba fant,. 49 nication,......................123...................... Associate not with an apostate after Ban, Excommunication or Separation,..69 sepaBaptism,....... 189, 268 separation....................136... An incontrovertible confession founded n the water,.........200 on the Holy Script. 139 No remission of sins through,....201 on the Holy Scriptures,........ 139 A confession of Triune, Eternal and egenerated in early days,......20 tA confession d of te, Srn and But one in the water pleasing to true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,....... 179 183.....204 HoyGhs,............9, 183 How the apostles practiced it-in An explanation of christian baptism in water,...... the water....189 ~the water,.'222 the water,......................89........... Apostles teach baptism as Christ taughtppled only to te believing,...227 it,.21 0 Ban Infant,.. 269 it,............................S10......................... A letter of caution on discord,........231 B an, s ould hu a nd an wife shun A clear confession, concerning Justifica- Ban tion, Preachers, Baptism, &c., 257 Banned, should we greet one that is...277 tion, Preachers, Baptism, &c.,.2579 ~chris~tian,..........n se cs my de Are we allowed to show any char______ iity, love and mercy to the2?.....278 with an apostate,............... 279 Are we allowed to deal with the?.279 Can have no apostate as a regu- Are we allowed to travel with the?. 280 larcustomer,...................ib -Who should be,................. ib A thorough answer to Zylis and Lem- Ba a wok of love..... mekes concerning Excommuni-.........44 cation,........................283 C A humble and christian Justification, Calling, Preachers,.....................17 replication, &c.,.............297 Concerning Baptism,......... 39 A scriptural demonstration of the In- Church of Christ and anti-christ, how to carnation of Jesus Christ,......325 distinguish,...................77 An admonition to the Preachers and -Six signs by which both churches how they should be minded,... 340 may be known,.............81, 83 A plain and pointed reply to the anti- Concerning some accusations against us,. 94 christian doctrine of Martin Confession of the learned concerning Micron,.................... 351 Christ,..............97 Articles, thirty-one presented to the Conclusion,........................... 105 reader,.......................371 Complaint or apology,................117 An epistle to Martin Micron,...........403 Confession of the Incarnation,.........147 Affirmation,...........................411 Confutation, reply to the points of deA humble prayer to the reader,.......422 fense of John A'Lasco, on the A convincing proof, that Jesus Christ is Incarnation,..................154 the true, spiritual David, &c.,..425 Confession of the Triune God,..... 179, 183

Page  454 454 INDEX, TO PART II. PAGE. PAGE. Christian Baptism,....................195 How Christ is the Son of God, is also Children, Little, have apeculiarpromise, 226 the son of Abraham and David, Confession of Justification, &c.,...... 261 &c.,..........................89 Conclusion to Justification, Baptism,&c., 275 How the divine word, in the fullness of.-...To questions and answers,.......280 time according to the Script- - To a humble defense,............322 ures, was made flesh,.......... 96 -To admonition to preachers,.....348 ~- To unscriptural confessions,.....380 Confession, Micron's,..................388 Incarnation, Menno's confession of,....147 Concerning the two natures in Christ,...391 Scriptural references upon,.......168 Conclusion to reply to Martin Micron,..399 — Conclusion of,..................177 Christ is Kintgo of kings, cornvincing 9Israelites received their remission of proof,...... 425 sins through the promise,......201 r........................ Incarnation, Confession of............330 D Thirty-one Articles on..........371 Doctrine of the church of Christ and — Forty-five Unscriptural confesanti christ,............... 83 sions, of......................379 Description of a true preacher,.........120 Inconsistencies, Fourteen,..............381 Difference between willful sin, and error,.277 J Discussion, How the English came into with us,................. 05 John A'Lasco, Reply to concerning the -- Between Herman and Myself,....356 Incarnation,.........143 — Partial narration of, by Micron,.. 359 Justification,...........................261 -~~Micron's confession during our John Van Leyden, Testimony against,.427 second,.......................364 L Deliverances of Menno Simon,.........451 Letter addressed to an afflicted widow,. 113 E -Of Caution on discord,...........231 Excommunication, Ban or Separation,..69 -Another,.........................232 Scriptural explanation of,........123 From Menno Simon to Margaret, -— Not to shun before,..............136 wife of Rein Edes,............401 Questions and answers......... 276 Leyden, John Van, Testimony against,. 427 Error, difference between willful sin and,.277 Letter........................... 450 F M Fourteen inconsistencies which must re- Menno Simon's confession of the Incarsult and follow from the foun- nation,................... 147 dation and doctrine of our op- -Salutation,.............. 190 ponents,................. 381 Reasons for teaching and writing..233 Foundation and faith of our opponents Martin Micron, Reply to.............355 concerning Christ Jesus, &c.,.. 383 -Confession, in his narrative, that Faith and doctrine in Jesus Christ,.....384 Christ is the on of God and G.man, 3..............88 — An epistle to,.........4....03 Gellius Faber, Reply to,.................1 Menno Simon, Summary punishment to Genesis 3: 15,................. 386 those who would injure him,...419 God the Father is the true Father of the ~Willing to enter into discussion,..423 whole Christ his Son,3......393 -Providential deliverances of,.... How to distinguish between the church Our confession,.147 of Christ, and anti-christ,......7 Oaths,272, 409 Hearing the Preachers,.:..............264 Holy Supper, The Lord's,..............270 P Husband and wife, should they shun Preface, Reply to Gellius Faber,.........3 each other on account of the Preachers, Their Calling,..............17 ban,..........................276 - Description of a true,........... 120 How the English came into discussion Preface to the reply to John A'Lasco,..141 with us,................... 355 — To the Triune God,..............181 Herman, Discussion with,..............356 I To Menno Simon's Salutation,... 191 How and what Micron confessed during — To Justification, Baptism, &c.,... 259 our second discussion,.........364 Preachers, Hearing the,................264

Page  455 INDEX, TO PART II. 455 PAGE. PAGE. Preface to Justification, &c.,...........98 Salutation, Menno Simon's..........190 To the Incarnation,........... 326 Supper of the preachers,...............271 -To reply to Martin Micron,......352 Swearing, Oaths,.................272, 409 Punishment to those who would injure Shunning, Is it a command?...........276 Menno,.......................419 Shunning and separation,.............441 Prayer to the reader,.................422 The Lord's Supper,.....................64 Questions and answers on Shunning,...276 The Confutation,......................154 R - Teachings of the holy apostles concernReply to Gellius Faber,.................1 ing baptism in the water,.....200 -__ To John A'Lasco, on the Incar- 1 The reason Menno Simon does not cease nation,.......................138 teaching and writing,. 233 - To Zylis and Lemmekes,........283 The Lord's Holy Supper,..............270 -To Martin Micron,..311 The Supper of the preachers,...........271 S, The Swearing of Oaths,.......... 272 To the reader,.........................298 Supper, The Lord's,....................64 Thirty-one articles presented to the Separation, Ban or Excommunication,..69 reader, &c.................. 371 Signs, six by which the church of The foundation and faith of our oppoChrist and anti-christ may be nents concerning Christ Jesus,..383 known,.....................81, 83 Testimony against John Van Leyden,..427 Shunning does not apply to necessary dealings,.....................135 W Separation, Not to shun before,.......136 Warfare,.............................434 Scriptures, A clear confession of,......143 Scriptural references upon the Incarna- tion......................... 168 Zylis and Lemmekes, reply to,.........283 Ib-^^:..._'...., I"'"".

Page  [unnumbered]

Page  [unnumbered]

Page  [unnumbered]