Page:Complete Works of Menno Simons.djvu/378

78 commenced first with the ungodly, who were inspired with the spirit of the devil, which is envious of all good things; and will be unto the end. For the anti-church has generally existed, from the beginning, side by side with the Christian church, and is the most numerous; and till the deluge, it is spoken of, in the Scriptures as the "children of men," Gen. 6: 2; John 8: 44. But from the flood until the circumcision of Abraham they are called Gentiles. After the time of the circumcision they are called Gentiles or uncircumcised, Gen. 17: 11; Rom. 15: 9.

They did not know the true and living God, but they worshipped and served the handiwork of men, wood, stone, silver, and golden gods, besides, dragons, serpents, oxen, fire, the sun, moon, &c., until the apostles preached the gospel unto all the world, and gathered a church unto Christ, Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Rom. 10: 17; Col. 1: 23, which church has been in the meantime so destroyed by anti-Christ, that the greatest number have degenerated into open Gentiles and idolaters, although, in appearance they call themselves Christians; for they bend their knees to rods and blocks, and require the assistance of the artificer. Others, and these are the best minded of them, seek consolation and their salvation in-wrought ceremonies, water, bread, wine, and absolutions; so that we are forced to say that they are the church of the impenitent, and the church of anti-Christ.

In the third place, it should be observed that the Christian church is of God, as Paul says, "For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one," Heb. 2: 11. For as Christ Jesus, who is the true Savior, is of God, nay, God's only begotten and firstborn Son, so also are all those who, in sincerity of heart, believe his word, and are actuated by his Spirit. John says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," John 1: 12, 13.

Again, "Every one that loveth, is born of God," 1 John 4: 7. On the other hand it should be observed that the church of anti-Christ is of the evil one, as the Lord said unto the Pharisees, "Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it," John 8: 44. "He that committeth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning," 1 John 3: 8.

Reader, observe. By these words the spirit of truth has already judged all liars, blood-shedders, avaricious, perjurers, adulterers, drunkards, pompous, idolators together with all the unrighteous that they are of the devil; that is, that they are the devil's community. Nevertheless they boast that they are the church of Christ, as also the Pharisees boasted that they were Abraham's seed and children, John 8: 39–44.

In the fourth place it should be observed that the church of Christ is begotten of sincere, pious preachers and Christians, who are actuated by the Spirit of Christ; and who are, as Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, Paul, John, &c., unblamable in doctrine and life; who, in pure and faithful love, seek the salvation of their neighbors, and who can, in sincerity, say with Paul, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ," 1 Cor. 11: 1; who preach the word in the power of the Spirit; who are shining lights before all men; and who with all their strength strive with their received talent, and may make a great gain to the treasure of the Lord, Phil. 2: 15; Matt. 5: 16. For it was God's way and will from the beginning, to proclaim the doctrine of repentance through pious and unblamable servants, as has been sufficiently shown above under the head of the "Calling of the Preachers."

On the other hand it should be observed that the church of anti-Christ is brought forth by faithless preachers, who are actuated by the spirit of anti-Christ; who with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram seek the applause of the people. Num. 16: 2, who with Balaam seek inordinate gain, Num. 22: 24; and who with the prophets of Jezebel seek choice victuals. Who, with Hananiah flatter the people, Jer. 28: 11; who, with the false prophets preach Peace, Ezek. 13: 16; who