Anabaptism and Other Errors, Chapter 2
CHAP. II. The Tenets of the old ANABAPTISTS.
THE errours of the Anabaptiſts and their diviſions amongſt themſelves are ſo many,The moſt applauded Tenets of our modern Anabaptiſts, are the ſelf-ſame with what the old Anabaptiſts did invent. that to ſet them down diſtinctly in any good order, is a task which I dare not undertake: much leſſe can I give aſſurance what is common to them all and what proper to their ſeverall ſects: only that I may demonſtrate the ſame very ſpirit to breath this day in the Anabaptiſts of Britain, which inſpired their Fathers of former times in Germany, I will remark what tenets Authors of good credit aſcribe to both; hoping that this diſcovery may be a means to bring many ſimple wel-meaning people who are not yet plunged in the deeps of obſtinacy to a more accurate triall and greater ſuſpicion of their ways: when they ſhall ſee it made viſible and palpable upon undeniable evidence, that their moſt beloved tenets and practiſes which they beleeve to be full of truth and holineſſe, are no other but the ſame very ſingularities which the known event doth now convince all who without prejudice can but read unqueſtionable Hiſtories, to have been the inventions and dictates of the falſe and unclean ſpirit which acted and moved in Muncer, Becold, David George, and ſuch like abominable monſters of mankind.Their firſt and prime Tenet was a neceſſity of gathering Churches out of Churches, and of ſeparation from the beſt reformed in their time, becauſe of mixt communion.
The firſt and leading tenet of the old Anabaptiſts was a neceſſity to gather new Churches out of theſe which Luther and Zuinglius and their followers had reformed from Popery (A). It is remarkable that theſe men had never a ſtomach to trouble themſelves with any labour to make converts from Popery or prophaneneſſe, only ſo ſoon as gracious perſons had drawn any Cities or Countries out of the kingdom of Antichriſt, then they fell on and every where did much diſturb the work of the new Reformation (B).
At the beginning they diſſembled the groſſeſt of their errours, and their intention to quarrell infants baptiſm: they did only preſſe a greater meaſure of holineſſe and mortification then was ordinary (C), in this all good men went along with them: but when they began to teach that the Church behoved to conſiſt of no other members but ſuch as were not in profeſſion and aim alone, but alſo viſibly and really holy and elect, and therefore that new Churches behoved to be gathered, and that all the old any where extant behoved to be ſeparate from as mixed, and ſo corrupted ſocieties; then Luther and Zuinglius did oppoſe themſelves to this ſchiſmatick humour (D).
When they found themſelves diſappointed of the aſſiſtance of Luther and Zuinglius, and all the reſt of the orthodox Preachers, without more delay they fell upon their intended work themſelves alone, firſt by private conventicles (E), then by preaching in the open ſtreets they gathered and ſet up Churches after their own mind (F), conſiſting meerly of Saints (G), who did forbear communion in religious exerciſes with all other Churches (H), whom they avowed to be for the moſt part but worldly, carnall, and prophane Goſpellers (I), and their beſt Preachers, eſpecially Luther and Zuinglius, to be but Scribes and Phariſees, falſe Prophets, large as evill as the Pope and his Antichriſtian Prieſts (K).
Antipaedobaptiſme became at laſt their greateſt darling.For the ſtricter ingagement of the Saints and godly party their adherents, and for the clearer diſtinction of them from the prophane multitude of all other Congregations, they thought meet to put upon them the mark and character of a new Baptiſme, making them renounce their old as null, becauſe received in their infancy, and in a falſe Church. At the beginning this rebaptization was but a ſecondary and leſſe principall Doctrine among them, for Muncer himſelf was never rebaptized, neither in his own perſon did he rebaptize any (L), yet thereafter it became a more eſſentiall note of a member of their Church, and the crying down of infants baptiſm came to be a moſt principall and diſtinctive Doctrine of all in their way (M).They the authors of the prophecying and queſtioning of private men in the face of the Church.
Unto their new gathered Churches of rebaptized and dipped Saints, they did aſcribe very ample priviledges, for firſt they gave to every one of them a power of queſtioning in publick before the whole Congregation any part of their Preachers Doctrine (N). Secondly, to every one of their members they gave a power of publick preaching (O).
Women preachers are from them.This liberty they gave no leſſe to women then men: for they had among them not only preaching and prophecying women, but alſo ſome who took ſo much upon them, as to profeſſe themſelves to be the Chriſt and Meſſias to all of their own ſexe (P).
Thirdly,Their Paſtors muſt renounce all former ordination, & take their full call of new, muſt come from the hands of their people. to their particular Churches they gave power of electing and ordaining ſuch of their own Prophets whom they thought fitteſt to be Paſtors to the reſt: whoever was not elected and ordained, whoever had not their full calling from the people alone, and did not renounce what ever ordination they had from any other, to them were no Paſtors at all. Upon this ground among others they refuſed to hear any of the Miniſters of the reformed Churches, becauſe they did not renounce their former ordination and calling to the Miniſtery, that they might take it again from the hands of their new gathered and ſeparate Congregations (Q).They required no letters in their Preachers.
Fourthly, in their Paſtors they required no ſecular learning (R), yea to them all ſecular learning was abominable, they did burn all books but the Bible as impediments and hurtfull inſtruments to the Miniſtery of the Goſpel (S).
Fiftly, they required their illiterate Paſtors to work with their own hands for their livings (T). Merchandize or any other Calling wherein there was no perſonall and handy labour to them was unlawfull (V).
Sixtly, they cried down all tythes (X), The crying down of tythes, and all ſet ſtipends is from them.yea all ſet ſtipends for any Church Officer (Y). But it would be conſidered that they did avow it was as unlawfull to pay any ſet rent, or yearly duty to any Landlord as a ſtipend to a Miniſter (Z).
Seventhly,Independency of congregations and the peoples power in Church cenſures is their invention. unto their ſingle Congregations they gave a ſupreme and independent power to judge in all Eccleſiaſticall cauſes; not only judicially to pronounce all queſtions about their Paſtors Doctrine, but alſo to proceed to the higheſt cenſure of excommunication, as well againſt their Paſtors as others when they found cauſe (AA). Their excommunications of one another were ſo frequent and for ſo light cauſes,The Seekers who deny all Churches are their diſciples. that ſundry of them fell to the opinion and practice of thoſe whom we call Seekers, they ſerved God ſingle and alone, without the ſociety of any Church, finding no Churches on earth with whom they could agree (BB).
The Anabaptiſts uſurpation upon the authority of the Church, did quickly lead them to the ſame practice upon the State: as they took upon them to deprive their Paſtors, and exempt themſelves from all Eccleſiaſtick juriſdiction of Church Synods, ſo likewise they broke in peeces the yoke of all civill ſubjection to Magiſtrates, Princes, Parliaments, or any temporall judicatories. At firſt they denied the power of the Magiſtrate in matters of Religion alone,Firſt they cried down the Magiſtrates power in matters of Religion. aſſerting a liberty only for their conſcience, that it might be free from the controll of all ſuperiour power; they eſteemed every Law of the Magiſtrate in matters of Religion to be unlawfull,Next in all matters even civill. and the ſmalleſt penalty to be a Moſaicall compulſion of the conſcience, and a true perſecution (CC). But forthwith they went on to deny the Magiſtrates power abſolutely in all things whether Eccleſiaſtick or civill, crying down his very calling and office, how well ſo ever regulate, as an unjuſt tyranny. Together with the Magiſtrate they condemne all Judicatories, all wars,Yet they took to themſelves an abſolute civill power, firſt over all them in their own Churches. all defence, all oathes (DD).
For all this they permitted not that ſword which they had ſtricken out of the hand of others to ly long upon the ground, but immediately they plucked it up themſelves. At firſt they exerciſed their uſurped Magiſtracy only upon the perſons within their own Congregations, judging all their cauſes as well Civill as Eccleſiaſtick, proceeding herein to capitall ſentences and executions as they found the crimes of their members to require (EE).Next over all Princes and people in the whole world.
This exerciſe of juſtice was ſo agreeable to their humour, that quickly they thought meet to extend it much beyond the limits of their own Congregations, they did anon proclaim their right not only to deny but to take away with their ſword all the Princes and Magiſtrates of the earth as Tyrants (FF). And becauſe theſe few perſons who were Magiſtrates had not blood enough to quench the thirſt of that cruell ſpirit which led them, they went one ſtep further, proclaiming a Commiſſion they had from heaven to kill not only all the Magiſtrates, but alſo all the wicked people of the whole earth (GG): And how many Nations and Languages came within this compaſſe you may judge by the narrow circle within which they incloſed all the godly; no more were Saints and to be ſaved, then joyned to their Churches and received their Anabaptiſme, all the reſt to them were wicked and to be cut off (HH).The were ſtrong millenaries.
To this very dangerous practice they were led by another principle, Muncer among his other Enthuſiaſms did bring forth to his followers the dream of Chriſts viſible and ovtward Kingdome upon earth (II), confirming it by the ſame Scriptures which our late Chiliaſts bring for the ſame fancy, albeit a little refined. Upon this ground he built many of his groſſeſt practices, for he gave out that then the time of that kingdome was come (KK): that the Saints, the members of the Anabaptiſtick Churches were the members thereof; that it was the will of God they ſhould take and kill all who were oppoſite thereto, that they had a juſt right to enter in poſſeſſion of the ſpoyl of Chriſts Enemies, and to enjoy all their lands and goods as the Iſraelites did thoſe of the curſed Canaanites (LL).They made adulteries and murders lawfull.
To theſe dreams of Muncer, John Becold and his fellow Prophets at Munſter made ſome Additions; That in this viſible kingdome there behoved to be a King over the Saints (MM); That this King was to rule according to the revelations of the Spirit; That all diſobedience to his voyce was to be vindicate by preſent death (NN). Among the reſt of King Becolds commands this was one, That the Polygamy of the old Teſtament ſhould be renewed, that every man might marry ſo many wives as he pleaſed (OO): Alſo the Law of Divorce was brought back, giving leave to a man upon his meer will without any fault alledged, and without the cognizance of any Judge to put away his wife (PP); yea to kill any of his wives, whether publickly, as himſelf did in the open Market place (QQ), or privately, as their next King did in a wood of Freezland (RR).
This alſo was a Law of that Kingdom,Robberies alſo. that beſide the falling upon all the goods of all the wicked world as a moſt lawfull ſpoyl, there behoved to be a liberty to make uſe of all that belonged to any of the Saints; That all things among them behoved to be common (SS), yet ſo that the King and his Courtiers might lawfully live in plenty, while all the other Saints in that their new Jeruſalem were ſtarving with exceſſive penury (TT).
It is viſible whither Satan intends to lead proud hypocrites;Their hypocriſie ended in the open practice of crimes extremely contrary to their profeſſions. theſe men who in their own eyes were ſo holy Saints as they behoved in the tenderneſſe of their conſcience to ſeparate from the beſt reformed Churches, theſe men who talked of nothing but mortification of the fleſh, who counted it unlawfull to defend their life by the ſword, or to exerciſe the meaneſt Magiſtracy, or to have any propriety in the ſmalleſt portion of goods, or to know their own wives after they were conceived (VV); in a ſhort time they came to preach and practice as very lawfull and warrantable, to make themſelves abſolute Kings and Monarchs of the whole earth, to live and die in as many adulteries and inceſts as they pleaſed, in as great plenty of wealth as by any ſecret theft or open robbery they were able to catch.
Their abominable unclearneſſe.It could hardly be imagined that the Devil himſelf had been able to lead any reaſonable creatures into ſo grievous errors, did we not know to how much groſſer theſe ſame horrible hypocrites who upon the profeſſion of their own holineſs refuſed cōmunion with all other men, had been led away by that evill ſpirit; divers of them not being content with the adulteries of Polygamy, have looſed the bonds of all matrimony, yea of all naturall relations (XX); telling us, as in the former Chapter was remarked, that among the Saints there ought to be no difference of husband and wife, Father and daughter, brother and ſiſter, that ſuch differences were only for imperfect worldlings: So ſoon as a woman turned Anabaptiſt, they made her company with her own husband unlawfull, but with all men of her own Religion lawfull upon divers wicked grounds (XX 2). Farther, that the ſhame which nature has imprinted in the heart of the moſt barbarous Pagans to cover their nakedneſſe muſt be caſt away (YY), and thereafter that all kinde of inceſtuous commixtions are not only lawfull, but alſo that they are the very acts of holineſſe and mortification (ZZ). Theſe be the profound myſteries which the Anabaptiſts have brought into the world, this is the fruit of their quatriduall faſtings, of their extatick prayers, of their heavenly raptures and revelations.
They deny both old and new TeſtamentTheſe might have ſeemed the very quinteſſence of all imaginable abſurdities, if the enemy of all truth had not given us in the ſame miſerable hypocrites a further experiment of his skill in ſeducing: they tell us therefore yet of rarer novelties, of new more excellent lights which they have brought out of heaven (AAA). Having caſt away firſt the old Teſtament as removed by the Goſpel, and then the Goſpel it ſelf as a ſhadow, put away by the greater light of their new Prophets (BBB); theſe impediments of holy Scripture being fully removed, the new perfect Doctrine which they bring us is firſt that there is not any created ſpirit;They deny angels, and devils, and ſouls. that Angels and Devils are not ſubſtances, but meer qualities (CCC); that the ſpirits of men are but terreſtriall vapour, like the life of beaſts periſhing with the body (DDD).They deny heaven and hell, & eternall life.
Secondly, that there is no ſuch thing as heaven or hell, as life or death eternall (EEE), that all the reſurrection and glory to be expected are in this life (FFF).
Thirdly,They caſt away all the ordinances of God. that the greateſt happineſſe poſſible is to caſt away and give over all ſuch ſervices as the Scripture preſcribes, to put away Baptiſme, the Lords Supper, and Preaching of the word, (GGG), to follow the directions of the new great Prophet David George.
Fourthly, that this David George was the only ſpirituall Chriſt,David George to them was ſpirituall Chriſt much more excellent then Chriſt crucified. that Jeſus and his Apoſtles and all their Doctrine were but carnall (HHH); that David George was to judge the world (III); that the irremiſſible tranſgreſſion was only a wrong againſt him; that whoever would maintain Jeſus Chriſt to be equall with him, or the Goſpel of the Apoſtles to be like unto his Doctrine, did ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt and was certainly damned (KKK). The abſurdities of the worſt Hereticks of old, the calumnies invented by Pagans againſt the ancient Chriſtians were nothing ſo horrible, though all had been true, as theſe Doctrines and practiſes whereof the unqueſtionable teſtimonies of grave Writers make many of the old Anabaptiſts moſt certainly guilty.
But that which herein I moſt admire is,Many people were ready to ſeal with their bloud all theſe abominations. that ever poore people could be brought to beleeve ſo firmly the former abſurdities as to ſuffer moſt willingly all extremities and exceeding chearfully to offer their very life for the worſt of them (LLL); ſo long as their Maſter David did require ſuch ſeals and teſtimonies to his Doctrine. Thereafter indeed he changed that principle of ſuffering for the truth, and permitted his followers not only to diſſemble their own Religion, but alſo to joyn without any ſcruple in any profeſſion, in any religious exerciſe of any people among whom they lived: for he taught them that God was content with the heart alone, and gave liberty for all men to imploy their body and the whole outward man in the ſervice of the falſeſt Religion, rather then he ſhould ſuffer the ſmalleſt inconvenience.The monſter David George did live and die in plenty and peace.
The other object of my admiration is, the infinite patience of God who ſuffered the Father of ſuch monſters to lead his life in eaſe and ſecurity, to go on in peace and plenty with a great ſhew both of Religion and vertue, and the good opinion of his neighbours to his old age and dying day (MMM). Such ſnares does the Lord in his wiſdome rain down on the wicked world, that they who never loved the truth may be intangled irrecoverably in the bonds of error.
The beſt of the Anabaptiſts have very groſſe errours.I grant many of the old Anabaptiſts were farre from embracing divers of the fore-mentioned abominations, yet it cannot be denied but the beſt of them did caſt open their heart to more foul errours, then any Proteſtant Church could ever allow of; Take me the Mennoniſts themſelves (the ill beſt of all who have carried the name of Anabaptiſts) although they anathematize the Georgian Hereſie, yet they approve ſo farre of the Monaſterians that they do much excuſe all their wicked practices, and put no doubt of their Saintſhip and acceptation with God, notwithſtanding of all the crimes which the world charges upon them (NNN).
The Mennoniſts deny originall ſinne.Generally they deny originall ſin, for all of them diſpute ſo paſſionately againſt the baptiſm of infants, that many before they be aware do drive themſelves into the gulf of Pelagianiſme, denying all originall corruption, and making infants without all iniquity, that ſo to them baptiſm may be in vain; for to what purpoſe is waſhing to thoſe who are not defiled (OOO)?
In the points of election, redemption, grace free-will, perſeverance, juſtification, perfection they are groſter then either the Arminians or Jeſuits.From hence they are carried not only to the poſſibility, but the facility of fulfilling all Gods Commandements, avowing that among them divers men become perfect without all ſin, who ought not to crave from God a remiſſion of any tranſgreſſion, becauſe there is none (PPP): this brings on juſtification by inherent righteouſneſſe (QQQ): Alſo the Doctrine of freewill, of the great power of nature without ſpeciall grace to act much towards ſalvation, and of the abſolute power of the will to reject the moſt efficacious grace, and to apoſtatize totally and finally from all grace received (RRR); being come this length they ſtep eaſily over to the univerſality of Chriſts redemption (SSS), and ſo to the intention of God to ſave all and every one without any previous, eternall, immutable Decree of election or reprobation (TTT). In all theſe conceits of Pelagius, the moſt ſober of the old Engliſh Anabaptiſts were much groſſer then the abſurdeſt either of the Jeſuits or Arminians, as may be ſeen in the late Tractates of Robinſon and Ainſworth againſt them.
They are yet more abſurd.This Pelagianiſm brings them on to the late Atheiſme of Vorſtius, and the madneſſe of Manes againſt the Divine eſſence and nature: alſo to the old and late Antitrinitarian Hereſie of Photinus, Arius, Socinus, Swenckfeldius and others, againſt the three Perſons of the Godhead, againſt both the natures of Chriſt and his Prieſtly Office.
They make God to be of a mutable nature,They deny the omnipreſence of God. and ſo not of an abſolute ſimplicity, but to have ſome compoſition, yea ſomthing of a body alſo: in his eſſence not to be infinite nor omnipreſent (VVV).
For the three Perſons,They deny the Trinity, they deny the truth of Chriſts Divinity (XXX), and all the ſubſiſtence of the holy Ghoſt (YYY). As for the price of Chriſts death, they count it not of an infinite value, nor his blood, being but of a meer creature, to be properly ſatiſfactory to the Divine Juſtice (ZZZ): They make him a Saviour not by way of any proper redemption,And the truth of Chriſts humanity. but by the example of his holineſſe and the impetration of his prayers. Neither do they permit him to enjoy without injury his humane nature: they deny that he took any fleſh of the Virgin Mary, but they make his body to be created without all conſanguinity with the firſt Adam, denying really that he was either the ſeed of Abraham, or the ſon of David, or the ſon of Mary (AAAA).They refuſe all conſequences from Scripture.
When in their debates againſt the baptiſm of infants they are ſtraited with conſequences from the circumciſion of infants, and the promiſes of the Covenant made with Abraham, and his children; many of them do run out ſo far as to deny all ſcripturall conſequences: refuſing with the Jeſuit Veron in their reaſonings all deductions though never ſo neceſſary and clear, requiring for every thing they will admit, expreſſe and ſyllabicall Scriptures (BBBB).They refuſe reaſoning from the old Teſtament.
When they finde that this poor ſhift does not the deed, they ariſe a little higher, and deny that any thing from circumciſion can conclude us, the Books of the old Teſtament being now cut off from being any more a rule of faith or manners to Chriſtians (CCCC): I do not ſpeak of thoſe who proceed to reject all Scripture, and in place both of Law and Goſpel ſet up their own dreams and revelations for divine and infallible verities.The Covenant with Abraham they make carnall.
Upon the ſame argument they come to two other abſurdities, for firſt they change the nature of the new Covenant of grace with Abraham and his ſeed, making all the promiſes thereof to be of things carnall and temporall (DDDD); and when this ſhift is not ſufficient to elude our arguments, they come to a ſecond,They exclude all infants from the covenant of grace. whereby they exclude all infants from the Covenant of grace, and any intereſt in Chriſt or his promiſes: making no difference between the children of Pagans and Chriſtians of godly and ungodly, duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page taking from both all the ordinances and means of ſalvation, and yet putting both in the ſtate of ſalvation without Chriſt, by vertue of their own naturall inherent originall righteouſneſſe.
The Teſtimonies of the ſecond Chapter.
(A) Bullinger p. 17. At the firſt they aimed chiefly at ſeparation, to have a ſeparate Church of their own: wherefore who ever aſſented unto that ſeparation and who did leave the Popiſh, the Proteſtant and all other Churches, that they might live in the new ſociety of the Anabaptiſts, which they did call the true and acceptable Chriſtian Church, thoſe the chief leaders of the Sect did receive into their Church by Anabaptiſme in ſign of their ſeparation.
(B) Vide ſupra Cap. 1. Alſo Clopenburgs Preface p. 5. However after the trouble of Munſter, the Anabaptiſts have caſten away corporall arms, and by them troubles not Common-wealths, yet they do not permit the purer reformed Churches to be builded without dayly combats.
(C) Bullinger lib. 1. p. 11. In their ſeparate Congregations they did cry mightily againſt pride, againſt gluttony and drunkenneſſe, blaſphemy and other crimes: they led a life in appearance ſpirituall, they ſighed oft and did not laugh; in reproofs they were vehement, they ſpoke excellently; by this means they purchaſed admiration and authority to themſelves among ſimple and pious people who did ſpeak thus. Let other men ſay of the Anabaptiſts what they pleaſe, I do ſee nothing in them but gravity, I do hear nothing but that we ſhould not ſwear nor do wrong to any, but live piouſly and ſoberly: ſo I ſee no evill in them. Ibid. p. 52. The moſt part of the Anabaptiſts and at the beginning theſe of Munſter themſelves were lowly and humble, farre from all greatneſſe and ſplendour: for they did inveigh againſt all pride and magnificence, alſo againſt the power and ſword of the Magiſtrate, riches and honour were to them droſſe and dung; they did ſpeak nothing but of mortification of the old man, and renewing of the ſpirit, of a life ſeparate and dedicated to God, the world and all things therein they did altogether contemne.
(D) Vide ſupra Cap. 1. Alſo Hortenſius p. 13. The Anabaptiſts avowed that in their Church all were Saints and now wicked. Alſo Sleidan lib. 10. p. 274. they ſay that none muſt be tolerate in the Church who is not truly a good Chriſtian.
(E) Sleidan l. 10. p. 269. At firſt the Anabaptiſts did do their buſineſſe privately and ſecretly in the City, none was admitted to their meetings who was not of their ſect, neither did their Leaders profeſſe openly their opinions but taught them in the night, when others were ſleeping then were they about their myſteries.
(F) Bullinger l. 1. p. 11. They began boldly to plead their cauſe, they profeſſed openly and diſtinctly that they would maintain their cauſe not only by words but by their blood, ſo every where in the City they began boldly to rebaptize.
(G) Vide ſupra Cap. 1. alſo Bullinger p. 26. The fourth ſect of the Anabaptiſts conſiſts of the holy Brethren who are pure and free from ſin, with whom all the Anabaptiſts in generall do ſome way partake, they ſay that the Church is holy and without blemiſh, that they are members of the Church who abide in Chriſt, and are pure without ſin; ſome of this ſect do omit that Petition of the Lords prayer, Forgive us our ſins, conceiving themſelves to be pure and to have no more need of remiſſion of ſins. ibid. p. 2. All that are of their Church are to be accounted elect and the children of God, and all who follow not their way are to be accounted wicked.
(H) Vide ſupra.
(I) Bullinger p. 18. They eſteem themſelves the only true Church which is accepted by Chriſt, they teach that whoever by Anabaptiſm is received into their Church muſt have no communion with any Proteſtant Church or with any other Chriſtians whoſoever: becauſe the Proteſtant Churches are no more true Churches then the Popiſh, which they prove thus. In their Churches there is evident & clear amendment of life, but in theſe Churches that are called Proteſtant, though ſomthing be preached out of the Goſpel, yet no mans life is amended, and the whole people remain impenitent and ſubject to ſinnes and vices, now it is not lawful to have any communion with ſo impure a people.
(K) Ibid. They ſay that ſince the times of Chriſt and his Apoſtles the word of God has not been purely preached, but that now they were two true Prophets ariſen by whom the truth was to be reſtored to the world, John Becold of Leyden King of the new Jeruſalem, and David George of Delph; that there were alſo two wicked and falſe Prophets, the Pope of Rome, and Luther, who was many ways more peſtiferous then … Pope.
(L) Bullinger p. 2. At that time Muncer himſelf as they ſay did not rebaptize, his Diſciples began to rebaptize before himſelf, he himſelf was firſt rebaptized with his own bloud.
(N) Bullinger p. 109. We are compelled ſay they to ſtand beſide and hold our peace whether the Preacher ſpeak right or wrong, thus the Doctrine depends not from Chriſt and his Spirit; if any man come into a Proteſtant Church and hear but one ſpeak this is ſo far contrary to Pauls Doctrine, that ſuch a company may not be taken for a true and ſpirituall Church.
(O) Ib. p. 108. They ſay that Paul by the Spirit of God has ordained that all Chriſtians, not Miniſters alone ſhould prophecy, that is, preach.
(P) Vide ſupra. …lſo Clopenburg. p. 342. If we behold their practice they do not exclude women, which may be ſeen in the Books ſet out by their Churches: for example, in that Book they publiſhed the year 1570. this Treatiſe ſay they is publiſhed by the Brethren and Siſters of the Church of Zirickſea who have not medled with the controverſie, for the procuring of love, peace, and concord among all who are ſo marvellouſly divided, whether Fleimes, or Frizons, or neutrals.
(Q) Bullinger p. 87. The Anabaptiſts in defence of their ſeparation alledge againſt the perſons of the Miniſters, that they are not lawfully called, the calling of their own Miniſters they count lawfull, becauſe they are called and ſent by their own Churches, but our Miniſters calling they count unlawfull becauſe by the Magiſtrate, ſo they ſay that themſelves are ſent of God, but that we are ſent by men, that is, by the world.
(R) Hortenſius p. 12. In ſo great a multitude of men it was thought there was not ſo much as one who had any letters, the moſt part could neither reade nor write. Ibid. p. 31. Let the Preachers lay down their offices and ſet in their places twelve ſimple men that never learned any letters, command them to recite unto my people my word, thereafter truſting in my ſpirit, let them expone my word without the help or Lecture of any other writs.
(S) Vide ſupra.
(T) Bullinger p. 103. They ſay that the Miniſters are idle, this is common to them with many others who think that there is no labour but that which is done with the hands by a ſpade, axe, or ſuch inſtruments. Ibid. p. 18. They challenge the Miniſters that they work not, but are ſervants to their body.
(V) Heresbachius p. 43. Let none be exerciſed in Merchandize or Trade.
(X) Bullinger p. 39. Since the Magiſtrate has decreed that the tythes and yearly rents are juſtly due, ſuch debts by Divine right ought to be payed ſincerely & honeſtly: ſome of the Anabaptiſts convinced by clear teſtimonies of Scripture grant that every one who is obliged ought to pay tythes, yearly rent, and other debts.
(Y) Bullinger p. 108. They profeſſe openly that Preachers who take any ſtipend are not the true Miniſters of God, nor can teach the truth.
(Z) Heresbachius p. 42. The fourth of King Becolds Laws was that no man ſhould either crave or pay any yearly rent.
(AA) Clopenburg p. 341. They do beleeve that Eccleſiaſtick Juriſdiction is in the body of the whole Church, they do exagitate and ſcorn the practice of our Churches as Judaicall, and they will have gone to be excluded from the Church in judging, but only the ſinner that is to be judged. This is Anabaptiſtick Anarchy, whereby they command all perſons, even women not excluded, to ſit in the ſeat of the Eccleſiaſtick Judicatory; except onelyonly the ſinner who is to be judged.
(BB) Hiſtoria Davidis Georgii p. 109. Some of the Hophmaniſts d…d ſeparate themſelves from the communion of all Churches, and lived themſelves alone as neutrals.
(CC) Bullinger p. 19. That Magiſtrates ought not to meddle with any cauſes of Religion or faith, that no man ought to be compelled by force or authority unto the faith. Ibid. p. 242. They ſtirre up the Magiſtrate that in caſes that belong to the ſoul they may compell men by their Laws and Edicts to come unto Eccleſiaſtick meetings; it cannot be denied but by this means faith and the conſcience are forced, Chriſtian liberty is taken away and a Moſaick compulſion is put in its place.
(DD) Bullinger p. 18. That a Chriſtian ought not to be a Magiſtrate, that Chriſtians ought not to reſiſt them that offer violence, and ſo have no uſe of any Judicatories. Hortenſius p. 13. All Magiſtrates are to be put down, it is neceſſary to oppoſe Magiſtracy with all our might.
(EE) Hortenſius p. 13. The Anabaptiſts increaſing much every where did exerciſe Juriſdiction among themſelves in private houſes, they puniſhed their own members even unto death.
(FF) Hortenſius p 13. Though the Apoſtles had not the right of the ſword, yet unto their followers now, God hath given power to take away the prophane Magiſtrate by the ſword as they thought meet. Bullinger p. 3. They taught that God had revealed to them that all Princes and Nobles were to be caſt down, that God had given to them the ſword of Gedeon againſt all Tyrants to ſet at liberty the people of God, and to ſet up the new Kingdome of Chriſt upon earth.
(GG) Hiſtoria Davidis Georgii p. 11. The Battenburgicks avowed that peace and grace was removed from the earth after the time that the gracious offer made by Becold was refuſed, henceforth the refuſers were to be killed with the ſword.
(HH) Bullinger p. 2. all of their ſociety were to be counted elect and children of God, all others were to be counted wicked and to be killed.
(III) Hortenſius p. 13. Before the laſt day Chriſt was to have a temporall Kingdom upon the earth, here only the Saints ſhould bear rule, all Princes being cut off by the ſword, and that now this Kingdome was begun in the Anabaptiſts. Guy du Brez p. 5. They preached their dreams as divine oracles, to wit, that there ſhould come a new world wherein dwelled righteouſneſſe, and for this cauſe it was neceſſary to root out of the earth all the wicked, with all Princes and infidell Magiſtrates, all that was not of their ſect and faction they called infidels.
(KK) Hiſtoria Davidis p. 9. The Monaſterians did affirm that the time wherein the Saints were to be afflicted was come to an end, that the time of the Harveſt was now come wherein God would revenge and deliver his people, and put their enemies under their feet.
(LL) Hortenſius p. 14. To ſpoyl the Temples they counted it lawfull, ſaying, that the Jews of old had done the like, when under the command of Moſes they went away l…aden with the ſpoyls of the Egyptians. Alſo Bullinger p. 61. At this time ſome lofty ſpirits promiſe great things to themſelves before the laſt day, as the Jews of old did abuſe the fair promiſes of the Prophets, all which they underſtood carnally and according to the letter.
(MM) Hortenſius p. 31. O Becold, the Father gives to thee the ſword, and cals thee to be King, that thou maiſt reign in Sion, &c.
(NN) Hortenſius p. 30. The King ſaid that he was appointed of God to be King to take …ay … men by the ſword, that he was to go throrow the world, and to execute with death all that did not beleeve.
(OO) Hortenſius p. 37. Commonly the men had five wives, many ſixe, ſome ſeven or eight.
(PP) Sleidan l. 10. p. 274. The complaints that were brought to the King for the moſt part concerned Divorces, theſe were moſt frequent, ſo that ſome who had lived together till old age, were put aſunder.
(QQ) Vide ſupra Cap. 1.
(RR) Vide ſupra Cap. 1.
(SS) Heresbachius p. 43. Let no man have any proper goods, but let all be brought and laid down at the feet of the Preachers, after the example of the ancient Chriſtians.
(TT) Heresbachius p. 152. The Famine in Munſter was equall to that of Jeruſalem, for the Soldiers ſearching the houſes for prey, did finde the legges and arms of the young children ſalted for food, yet the King, and Rotman, and Knipperdolling, had good enough proviſion.
(VV) Hortenſius p. 37. Their Law was to accompany with their wives while they had conceived.
(XX) Hiſtoria Davidis p. 28. Theſe Saints were exempted from all laws of Matrimony, of bloud and affinity: the difference of Father, Mother, Brother, Siſter among them doth ceaſe and evaniſh.
(XX 2) Bullinger p. 37. They did perſwade the women that they did ſin grievouſly if they kept company with their own husbands who remained Pagans and were not yet rebaptized, but that they ſinned not in keeping company with any Anabaptiſts, becauſe among all them was a ſpirituall matrimony.
(YY) Hiſtoria Davidis Georgii p. 43. Shame was contracted through ſin, and now is to be laid aſide, ſo by faith in Chriſt all that ſhame for the ſecrets of nature is to be caſt away.
(ZZ) Ibid. p. 28, 29. The words are ſo abominable that I cannot tranſlate them.
(AAA) Hiſtoria Davidis p. 36. David Georgius went to glory of his myſteries as if they had never entred in the minde either of men or Angels, but had been reſerved to the laſt times: that with their new light the old Doctrines of the Prophets and the Apoſtles were to be darkned, as the ſtarres are put out by the brightneſſe of the riſing Sun.
(BBB) Vide ſupra AAA.
(CCC) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 52. The tenet of the Catholick Church concerning Angels and Devils, that they are inviſible ſpirits created of God in their own diſtinct ſubſtances ſeparate from men, is nugatorious: that the Angels are only qualities and motions which God inſpires into men, that the Devils are nothing but only boggles in the night to terrifie men ariſing from mens imaginations.
(DDD) Bullinger as I remember aſcribes this to ſome of the Anabaptiſts.
(EEE) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 52. That heaven and hell, Chriſts laſt comming and Judgement, life eternall, &c. are no where to be expected, but within a man. Ibid. p. 51. The place of eternall happineſſe ſhall not be above us in the heaven, but upon the earth. Ibid. p. 50. In the laſt judgement there ſhall be no other change in the heaven and in the earth then we ſee dayly; what the Apoſtle ſpeaks of ſuch a change, is to be referred to the manners and mindes of men, not unto the outward elements.
(FFF) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 50. The ſecond comming of Chriſt ſhall not be ſeen with bodily eyes, but ſpiritually it is even now performed within in the minde.
(GGG) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 44. In this time of perfection all outward worſhip, all rites and Sacraments muſt ceaſe and evaniſh.
(HHH) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 43. Many of theſe things were exhibit in Chriſt Jeſus and his Apoſtolick Church, but only according to the letter and the body, not according to the ſpirit who at that time was not exhibit.
(III) Apocalypſis in Davide Georgio. He avowed that he had abſolute authority to condemne and to quicken, and that in the laſt day he was to judge the twelve Tribes of Iſrael.
(KKK) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 45. Whoſoever will reject ſo clear a light of truth, ſo powerfully manifeſting it ſelf in the miniſtery of David George, by adhering too much unto the imperfect ſtate of the Prophets and Apoſtles Doctrine, ſhall ſin as much as they of old who preferred Abraham to Chriſt, and the Law to the Goſpel, and properly this is the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt, which could not be committed in former ages, when this ſo great light was not yet revealed.
(LLL) Vide ſupra.
(MMM) Vide ſupra.
(NNN) Heresbachius Preface. Menno in his Book of fundamentalls ſpeaking of the Anabaptiſts of Munſter, I doubt not, ſaith he, but theſe our beloved Brethren, who lately did ſin a little againſt God by defending their faith with Arms, are in the favour of God.
(OOO) Clopenburg p. 123. The Anabaptiſts contradict this truth, and do aſcribe unto infants in their firſt birth without any regeneration the purity of innocency wherein they do pleaſe their Creator; affirming alſo that onelyonly by actuall ſinne men become ſinners. p. 131. They ſay that Adam did obtain not onelyonly to himſelf but to his whole poſterity propitiation and remiſſion of ſins, ſo that none of Adams poſterity is born in ſin or guiltineſſe of eternall death, but all men are born partakers of the grace of God in Chriſt. Alſo Bullinger p. 26. Theſe men did not acknowledge originall ſin and affirmed that infants were born pure from ſin.
(PPP) Vide ſupra.
(QQQ) Bullinger p. 117. In the great article of juſtification by faith and not by works, the Anabaptiſts do groſly erre. Alſo Clopenburg p, 158. The Anabaptiſts ſay that in the matter of juſtification faith and works are ſo ſtrictly joyned that the one without the other is nothing; ſo that good works are neceſſary means of obtaining juſtification.
(RRR) Clopenburg p. 124. Concerning free-will the Anabaptiſts teach that Adam in the ſtate of corruption was not ſo evill, but that he was able by the uſe of reaſon left to him by God, to hear and to receive the promiſe of redemption offered to him in Chriſt; yea, that Adam did really make uſe of that liberty and power for the uſe of his reſtitution; that the poſterity of Adam did keep that ſame free-will which is placed in the uſe of reaſon, not only for the diſcerning, but for the free chooſing of good and evill. Ibid. p. 198. VntoUnto this Tenet another Heterodoxy is conjoyned concerning the uncertainty of the Saints perſeverance: for the Anabaptiſts affirm plainly, that the truly faithfull children of God may become the unfaithfull children of the Devill, and loſe their ſalvation.
(SSS) Clopenburg p. 131. cited before.
(TTT) Ibid. p. 155. They do deſtroy the eternall election of ſingle perſons to ſalvation, which they ſay is only done when the faithfull embrace the benefits of Chriſt, and do faithfully keep them; that there is no eternall election or decree to give ſalvation unto certain perſons, but that which is made with conſideration of faith, and chiefly of perſeverance in faith.
(VVV) Clopenburg p. 18. cited before. Ibid. p. 37. They deny the immutable immortall Deity of Chriſt.
(XXX) Clopenburg p. 56. Their Tenet here in blaſphemous, that while Chriſt did die in the fleſh the very Deity of Chriſt did ſuffer end die.
(YYY) Clopenburg p. 10. cited before. Alſo p. 12. cited before, Alſo Bullinger. p. 62. Among the abominable Anabaptiſts, Michael Servetus has the firſt place, his blaſphemies againſt the holy Trinity were abominable.
(ZZZ) Clopenburg p. 145. I will not in this place refute their latent Socinianiſme, whereby they make Chriſt only an exemplary Saviour.
(AAAA) Clopenburg p. 83. cited before.
(BBBB) Bullinger l. 3. p. 119. They ſay that they will hear the word of God, but the interpretation and the words of the Miniſters upon it they cannot take for the word of God, neither will they hear or receive it.
(CCCC) Bullinger p. 74. Among the abominable. Anabaptiſts we place theſe who reject the old Teſtament, and who receive me the Teſtimonies that are brought thence for the clearing and confirming of the Doctrines of our Chriſtian faith, or for the refuting of Errors, ſaying that the old Teſtament is now abrogate.
(DDDD) Clopenburg p. 235. The Anabaptiſts covered that the Covenant made with Abraham ſealed by Circumciſion does not belong any thing to the Church in the new Teſtament, for they make the Covenant it ſelf as carnall as circumciſion.