Page:Complete Works of Menno Simons.djvu/708

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