Page:Complete Works of Menno Simons.djvu/376

76 confess that we are the apostolic Christian church, and that they are the deceiving, carnal sects.

But that sectarians are raised amonstamongst [sic] us, and not amongst them, is also a strong proof that we are the church, and that they are not. For Paul says, "There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you," 1 Cor. 11: 19. John says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us," 1 John 2: 19.

Say, beloved, why should Satan beguile these with heresies, who are already heretics and his adherents? But those that turn to the Lord, such he beguiles and seeks to devour them, Gen. 3: 15; 1 Pet. 5: 8.

Answer. In my opinion it would be well for him not to ridicule these things, but to closely observe the word of the Lord. Before God, the literal teaching does not avail; but before him, avails action in power and truth. If they should say that this would cause a disturbance, then I would ask what kind of protectors and shepherds they are, if they neglect the will and word of God on account of the disturbance of the world. Let all the right minded judge this according to the Scriptures, Matt. 10.

Answer. I think this is posuimus mendacium spem nostram, to make lies our refuge. For he says, the contrary is true of many churches; yet he can point to only one, of the many kingdoms, principalities, cities, and towns, who is banned, namely, at London, England. I have never, in all my life time heard of a more ridiculous assertion. How manifestly does the great Lord turn their wisdom to foolishness and their understanding to nothing, 1 Cor. 1.

Yet the blind, ignorant world does not see it. Reader, reflect, and see if these are not the mockers of which Peter and Jude prophesy, 2 Pet. 3: 3; Jude 8. The whole German nation or people, nay, all countries, are so replete with ungodliness, abominations, and wickedness that we should stand dumb-founded. Yea, that the righteous, who fear the Lord, are as scarce as the grapes of a vintage which has been diligently gleaned, and in which few are left to pluck and use, as the prophet laments, Mich.Mic. [sic] 7: 1; and out of so many hundreds of thousands, he points to one who was banned at London, that it may be said that they practice the ban, and thus that they thus may give a semblance to their disobedience.

I think that they act so awkwardly, that the whole world must see that it is nothing but hypocrisy, falsehood, and deceit. O, Lord, how long will this mockery be endured! But to his writing that if the church should lose her name on account of an error, that then, also, our bodies would lose its name on account of a blemish or wound, I would reply: If this was the only error in their church, then there would yet be hopes of a reformation; but their failures and short-comings are so numerous, that they would better be compared to a dead body, than to a body that has but one blemish or wound, as he pretends to say.

I think that in this instance the cunning of the fox which destroys God's vineyard (which he, in his writing imputes to us) is plainly discernible here. For how cunningly they flee from one latibulo (hiding-place) to another, lest they be caught, may, alas, be clearly educed from this frivolous excuse of the ban.