to "behave themselves as it becometh women that profess godliness through good works," 1 Tim. ii.; that their chaste conversation may win the wicked, 1 Pet. iii.; men to deal gently with their servants, Ephe. vi. Coloss. iii.; to bring up their children in the nurture and doctrine of the Lord, Ephe. vi. Deut. iv.; servants to be faithful, true, and obedient to their masters, Ephe. vi. Coloss. iii. 1 Pet. ii.; that they may do worship to the word of God in all things, 1 Timo. vi. Tit. ii. And if we thus behave ourselves, every one in his calling, then shall it come to pass, that even they which now blaspheme us as evil-doers shall at the last be ashamed of their part, and convert from their own evil ways to the true faith and living which is taught in the word of God; to whom, for his infinite grace and gifts thereof, be honour and praise now and evermore. Amen. FINIS. A Shorte Re Capitulation or Abrigement of Erasmus Enchiridion brefely com prehendinge the summe and con tentes thereof very profit able and necessary to be rede of all trew Christen men. Drawne out by M. Coverdale, Anno. 1545. Timo. vi. Suffer afflictions as goode and fe- Job vii. Syeng the lyffe of man, ys but EPHES. VI. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. And put on the armour of God, that ye may stand stedfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. For ye must not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rule, against power, and worldly rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, for heavenly things. II. COR. X. Let not your weapons pertaining to this battle be carnal things, but mighty in God, able to cast down strong holds and overthrow the imagination of man, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity all understanding to the obedience of Christ our Lord and God. [This Treatise, as the title expresses, is an abridgement of a small work of Erasmus, entitled, "Enchiridion militis Christiani, saluberrimis præceptis refertum, authore D. Erasmo Roterodamo, cui accessit nova mireque utilis Præfatio;" but divested of much of its controversial and learned matter, and retaining all which is most spiritual and practical in the original. This edition is printed from a copy of Bishop Coverdale's work belonging to the Library of Sion College, London.] THE SUM OF THE PROLOGUE. adversity own children ance. THE preface, prologue, or long epistle, written to the right virtuous and sage Father, Paulus Wolzius', (whom Almighty God even now this last year hath delivered out of this wretched world,) declareth evidently, that though some men have even married themselves to the vain pastimes and pleasures of the world, yet God through adversity God through (as his accustomed manner is) nurtureth and teacheth his calleth his own, chasteneth them, and calleth them to a christian life, to repentTo the furtherance whereof, like as every one of us is bound to bestow all his labour and study, so is not he to be cast away, that being weak and frail, not only desireth to be virtuous, but also is fervent in learning the way of godliness; whereof they are the best teachers, that, avoiding the tediousness of huge and great volumes, do instruct men rather to live godly, than to waste their hours in long and vain disputations. For how few soever they be that give themselves to sound doctrine, yet the fear of God, the fruit whereof is eternal salvation, appertaineth unto all men. Neither doth any man attain so nigh unto wisdom, as he who is most that is in love withal, and appeareth not so much learned learned. himself, as he is studious to allure all others (yea, as well friend as foe, as well Turk as Christian,) to godliness; and is not himself overcome with evil, but rather overcometh evil with good. For as it is a christian man's part to save, and not to destroy, so hath the same right true and effectual divinity subdued more people in times past to the kingdom of Christ, than any other artillery, weapon, or ordnance of war. Yea, like as our most cruel enemies may be mollified and won with benefits and kindness, when we seek nothing so much as their health; even so, in seeking their destruction, we may sooner turn into Turks ourselves, than that we shall cause them to become christian men. [1 The following is the inscription of the dedication referred to: "Reverendo in Christo Patri ac D. D. Paulo Volsio religiosissi: Abbati Monasterii, quod vulgo dicitur Curia-Hagonis, D. Erasmus Rotero."] and best The corruptness of the world. tines. Now to consider the corruption of this world, and how far it is out of frame; the darkness, the troublous ruffling, the great tyranny, avarice, and iniquity thereof unpunished; how cold men are in charity, and how greatly given to ambition and lucre; who, lamenting the same, doth not see thousands of occasions for us all to take better hold of Christ's doctrine, and to have recourse thereunto? SpeOur Philis cially considering, that the cruel Philistines prevail so greatly, and cease not, even now in our time, to stop it up, wringing and wresting it to their filthy purposes; yea, babbling and carping so sore against it, that from fear men dare not drink the living water thereof, but must be fain to take such corrupt liquor as come out of their all-to broken cisterns, even earthly things for heavenly, pelfary of men's inventions instead of God's holy commandments: which trifles yet shall easily of themselves vanish away, if the light of faith be so kindled in our minds, that we lose not the rule and pattern of Christ's love and charity. And doubtless, it shall further the gospel most notably, if they that teach it do excel in the knowledge and life thereof; and if princes, establishing no laws for their own pleasure, delight more to reform their people with mercy than with cruelty, rather to defend them than to oppress them. As for princes, they should without doubt use less oppressing of their people, less warring one against another, and less shedding of blood, if bishops and priests that be about them were not readier to flatter them, than they are sincerely to instruct them in Christ's doctrine; which as it manifestly rebuketh covetous Pharisees, hypocrites, and proud rich folks, so doth it openly teach us to do good, and to be meek and gentle of mind even to our enemies. Now though princes make many laws, whereof Christ is not the author, yet as they are to be obeyed when they command that which is just and right, so is it best to suffer them, even The common when they be evil. As touching the common people, though Priests. Princes. people. their estate be low, their understanding gross and weak, and they of devil bound to obey; yet forasmuch as they pertain to the mystical body of Christ, they must be nourished, forborne, and cherished after a fatherly manner, until they wax more strong in Christ. For every one is not like perfect in the kingdom of God. Wherefore he |