Page:Complete Works of Menno Simons.djvu/36

24 wisdom. But you, through the counsel and instigation of the learned, by your inhuman, and cruel mandates, liave changed, de- stroyed and corrupted these, as if the al- mighty and eternal word should yield to your command and authority ; and as though the divine ordinances of the Son of God might be changed into a more suitable form, and to a better purpose tlu'ough the wisdom of men. O presumption of all pre- sumption! O folly of all follies! AVhy ex- alt thyself, O earth and dust ! Acknowledge Christ Jesus, your chief Lord, who, of God, is made to you a Prince and Judge. "The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord's," saith David, '"but the earth hath he given to the children of men," Ps. 115: 16. I have no doubt, that if any weie to rise up against the emperor or king, and enter into his kingdom and government, he would not be borne with patiently, nor go unpunished; how much less then, will a poor, fleshly mor- tal go unpunished, who rises up against the Almighty Emperor, and King, Christ Jesus, to detlirone him from the seat of his divine majesty, and to rob him of his sceptre, and the crown of his glory, as though Christ Jesus, the eternal wisdom of God, was un- reasonable and unfit for the heavenly gov- ernment. Reflect what became of those hauglity and proud hearts from the begin- ning, wlio desired to place their seats unto the throne of God.

Therefore, humble yourselves under the miglity liand of God, as Peter teaches. Take as an example, the great and prosperous king Nebuchadnezzar, and observe how grievously God punished him, on account of his pride; and how, after being punished, he turned to wisdom, feared the Almighty, highly praised his wonderful and glorious works, and his great and adorable name." Beloved Sirs, awake, and mend youv ways, for it does not become the creature to rise up against the Creator. Christ alone will be the head of his chiu-ch, the Teacher in liis school; and he alone, the King who will judge his kingdom; not with the doctrines and commands of men, nor with slaying and murdering, but with his Holy Spirit,; power, grace and word.

Therefore, we pray you, O ye gi'eat ones of the earth, whom we, through the mercy of God, acknowledge in all temporal things, as oru- gracious lords, that you would re- ceive the eternal, Almiglity King, Cluist Jesus, as the only Savior, Lord and sover- eign of our poor souls, even as he was or- dained by his Father; and that you would attend to the duties of 3^our office and tem- poral government, to which you have been called; for we with all our hearts, desire to render unto "Cresar, the things which are Cjiesar's; and unto God the things which are God's," Matt. 22: 21. Be pleased also to consider this, our doctrine and instruc- tion, concerning baptism, the Lord's supper, and the shunning of Babylonian deeds; and compare them well with the word of the Lord. AVe hojie, through the grace of God, that you will find, in truth, that we believe and teach nothing but that which the true oracle of the Lord has commanded us, and the holy apostles have taught and confu-med ; to this end, may the great Lord grant you his grace, Amen.

Christ, after his resiu-rection, commanded his apostles, saying, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, liaptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Amen," Matt. 28: 19. 20.

Here we have the Lord's command concerning baptism, when and how, after the ordinance of God, it shall be administered and received; nam el}', that the gospel must first be preached, and then those baptized who believe therein, as Christ says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth