The writings of the Dutch Anabaptist leader: believers' baptism, the separated Church, discipline and nonresistance; the Radical Reformation in its own words.
Edition: Internet Archive · archive.org
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From the opening: Menno Simon's Renunciation of the Church of Rome
My Readek,
I write to yon the truth in Christ, and lie not. In the year 1524, being then in my twenty-eighth year, I nndertook the dnties of a priest in my father's village, called Pingjnm, in Friesland. Two other persons of about my age, also officiated in the same station. The one was my pastor, and was well learned in part; the other succeeded me; both had read the scriptiu'es partially; but I had not touched them during my life, for I feared, if I should read them they would mislead me. Behold! such a stupid preacher was I, for nearly two years.
In the tu-st year thereafter a thought occurred to me, as often as I liandled the bread and wine in the mass, that they were not the Hesh and blood of the Lord. I thought that it was the suggestion of the devil, that he might lead me off from my faith. I confessed it often — sighed and prayed, yet I could not be freed from this thought.
Those two aforementioned young men and myself spent our time daily in playing, di-inking, and all manner of frivolous diversions, alas! as it is the fashion and way of such useless people; and when we were to treat a little of scriptm-e, I could not speak a word with them without being scoffed at; for I did not know what I asserted. Thus concealed was the word of God to my understanding.
At length I resolved that I would examine the New Testament attentively. I had not
proceeded far therein, ere I discovered that we were deceived. My conscience, which was troubled on account of the sacramental bread, aforementioned, was soon greatly relieved, without any human aid or advice; though I was encoiu'aged by Luther in the belief, that human authority cannot bind to eternal death.
Through the illumination and grace of the Lord, I continued daily to examine the scrip tm-es, and was soon considered by some, thoiigh undeservedly, as being an evangelical preacher. Every one sought my company, the world loved me and had my affections, yet it was said that I preached the word of God, and was a line man.
Afterwards it happened, before I had ever 1 heard of the existence of brethren, that a Godfearing, pious man, named Sicke Snyder, was beheaded at Leeuwarden, for being rebaptized. It sounded strange to me, to hear a second baptism spoken of. I examined the scriptures assiduously and meditated on them earnestly, but could find nothing in them concerning infant baptism. After I had discovered this, I…
Contents (263 sections)
- Opening
- Translated from the Original
- Published by John F. Funk & Brother
- Published by John F. Funk & Brother (continued)
- Menno Simon's Renunciation of the Church of Rome
- Menno Simon's Renunciation of the Church of Rome (continued)
- Menno Simon's Renunciation of the Church of Rome (continued)
- Menno Simon's Renunciation of the Church of Rome (continued)
- Menno Simon's Renunciation of the Church of Rome (continued)
- Died and Was Buried
- An Account of the Severe Persecutions, &c
- Briefly Compiled from the Word of God
- Translated from the Dutch into the English Language
- Preface
- Sincere and True Repentance
- Sincere and True Repentance (continued)
- Sincere I nd True Repentance
- Sincere and True Repentance
- Sincere and True Repentance (continued)
- A Supplication to the Magistracy
- A Supplication to the Magistracy (continued)
- A Supplication to the Magistracy (continued)
- A Supplication to the Magistracy (continued)
- Counter Arguments with Their Replications
- An Admonition Addressed to the Scorners of the Word
- The Lord's Holy Supper
- The Corruption of the Holy Supper
- The Doctrine of the Preachers
- The Doctrine of the Preachers (continued)
- The Doctrine of the Preachers (continued)
- The Doctrine of the Preachers (continued)
- The Doctrine of the Preachers (continued)
- The Conduct of Preachers
- The Conduct of Preachers (continued)
- The Conduct of Preachers (continued)
- The Conduct of Preachers (continued)
- The Conduct of Preachers (continued)
- The Conduct of Preachers (continued)
- Counter Arguments of Babylon and
- Babylon and Its Builders, with Their Replications
- Its Builders, with Their Replication
- Counter Arguments of Babylon and
- Its Builders, with Their Replication
- Counter Arguments of Babylon and
- Its Builders, with Their Replication
- Counter Arguments of Babylon and
- Its Builders, with Their Replication
- Counter Arguments of Babylon
- A Christian and Affectionate Exhortation
- Affectionate Exhortation to All in Authority
- A Christian and Affectionate
- Exhortation to All in Authority
- A Christian, and Affectionate
- Exhortation to All in Authority
- A Christian and Affectionate
- Exhortation to All Est Authority
- A Christian and Affectionate
- Exhortation to All in Authority
- A Christian and Affectionate
- Exhortation to All in Authority
- A Christian and Affectionate
- Exhortation to All in Authority
- Appeal to the Learned
- Appeal to the Common People
- Appeal to the Common People (continued)
- Appeal to the Common People (continued)
- Appeal to Corrupt Sects
- Appeal to Corrupt Sects (continued)
- Appeal to Corrupt Sects (continued)
- Appeal to Corrupt Sects (continued)
- Appeal to Corrupt Sects (continued)
- Church of the Lord, Grace and Peace
- And Church of the Lord
- To the Bride, Kingdom, State, &c
- Conclusion of This Book
- Conclusion of This Book (continued)
- Conclusion of This Book (continued)
- Carefully Revised, and More Formally Presented, in the Year 1556
- The True Christian Faith
- The Papistic Belief
- The Lutheran Belief
- The Belief of the English or Zuinglians
- The True Christian Belief
- Abraham's Faith and Obedience
- Faith and Fidelity of Moses
- The Faith of Caleb and Joshua
- The Belief of the Pious King Josiah
- The Faith of the Centurion of Capernaum
- The Faith of Zaccheus, the Publican
- The Murderer's Faith
- Faith of the Sinful Woman
- Faith of the Woman of Canaan'
- Faith of the Woman of Canaan' (continued)
- M (continued)
- To the Christian Reader
- Diligently Revised and Enlarged
- Word of the Lord, of the New Birth
- An Exhortation to the Dispersed
- Dispersed and Unknown Children of God
- And Unknown Children of God
- An Exhortation to the Dispersed, &c
- Word of God and His Testimony
- The Cross of Christ
- The Cross of Christ (continued)
- The Cross of Christ (continued)
- The Cross of Christ (continued)
- Death and the Devil
- Explained by Way of Supplication
- Explained by Way of Supplication (continued)
- Explained by Way of Supplication (continued)
- From the Word of God, concerning the
- New or Heavenly Birth
- The Spiritual Resurrection
- The Spiritual Resurrection (continued)
- The Spiritual Resurrection (continued)
- The Spiritual Resurrection (continued)
- The Spiritual Resurrection (continued)
- The Spiritual Resurrection (continued)
- The Spiritual Resurrection (continued)
- Or an Account of
- Christian Peace Without Respect to Party
- True Apostolic Separation or Excommunication
- True Apostolic Separation or Excommunication (continued)
- True Apostolic Separation or Excommunication (continued)
- Conclusion and Exhortation to All the Pious
- Pious, Virtuous and Godly Life
- The Education of Children
- Education of Children
- Education of Children (continued)
- Education of Children (continued)
- Letters Written by Menno Simon
- Letters by Menno Simon
- Letters by Menno Simon (continued)
- Preface (continued)
- Preface (continued)
- Reply to a Publication " i
- In Their Unrighteousness and Corruption
- Secoistid Ipjlie t
- Reply to a Publication
- Reply to Gellius Faber
- Reply to Gellius Faber (continued)
- Of the Mission or Calling of the Preachers
- Of the Mission or Calling of the Preachers (continued)
- Of the Mission or Calling of the Preachers (continued)
- Of the Mission or Calling of the Preachers (continued)
- Of the Mission or Calling of the Preachers (continued)
- Of the Mission or Calling of the Preachers (continued)
- Excommunication, Ban or Separation
- Concerning the Church, and an Instructive Comparison We May Distinguish Between the…
- The Signs by Which Both Churches May Be Kj(own
- The True Signs by Which the Church or Christ May Be Known
- The True Signs by "Which the Church of Anti-Christ May Be Known
- The True Signs by "Which the Church of Anti-Christ May Be Known (continued)
- Concerning Some Accusations against Us
- The Confession of the Learned concerning Christ
- May Be Heard and Seen
- Of the Poor, Despised Christians
- A Very Humble Supplication
- Of the Poor, Despised Christians
- A Very Humble Supplication
- A Letter of Consolation
- A Letter of Consolation, Addressed to an Afflicted Widow
- A Brief Complaint or Apology
- A Brief Complaint or Apology (continued)
- A Brief Complaint Oe Apology
- Description of a True Preacher
- Description of a True Preacher (continued)
- Treatise or
- For the Benefit of All Pious and God Fearing Children
- A Scriptural Explanation
- A Scriptural Explanation (continued)
- A'lasco against Us
- Part First
- Reply to John A'lasco
- Reply to John A'lasco (continued)
- Reply to John A'lasco (continued)
- Part Second
- Menno Simon's Confession
- Of the Incarnation
- Menno Simon's Confession
- Of the Incarnation
- Menno Simon's Confession
- Of the Incarnation
- Part Third
- Part Third (continued)
- Scriptural References upon the Foregoing Subject
- Scriptural References upon the Foregoing Subject (continued)
- God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
- Triune, Eternal, and True God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
- Eternal and True
- Eternal and True (continued)
- A Confession of the Triune, &c
- In What Manner It Was Commanded by Christ Jesus, and How It Was Taught and Practiced by…
- Menno Simon's Salutation
- Teachings of the Holy Apostles Concerning Baptism IX the Water
- Teachings of the Holy Apostles Concerning Baptism IX the Water (continued)
- Teachings of the Holy Apostles Concerning Baptism IX the Water (continued)
- How the Holy Apostles Practiced Baptism in the Water
- A Letter of Caution on Discord
- Written by Himself
- Does Not Cease Teaching and Writing
- Menno's Reasons for Teaching and Writing
- Menno's Reasons for Teaching and Writing (continued)
- Menno's Reasons for Teaching and Writing (continued)
- Upon the Word of God
- Confession of the Poor, Afflicted Christians
- Hearing the Preachers
- The Supper of the Preachers
- The Swearing of Oaths
- The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth
- The Swearing of Oaths (continued)
- The Swearing of Oaths (continued)
- The Swearing of Oaths (continued)
- Questions and Answers
- Question 5. Are we allowed to show the banned any charity, love and mercy?
- Question 8. "Who, according to Scripture, should be banned or excommunicated?
- Unseasoned and Bitter Words of
- Bai, Separation or Shunning
- Reply to Zylis and Lemmekes
- Reply to Zylis and Lemmekes (continued)
- Justification, Km Replication
- A Humble and Christian Defense
- A Humble and Christian Defense (continued)
- A Humble and Christian Defense (continued)
- Brief and Clear Confession
- How Both the Teachers and the Church of Christ Should Be Minded According to the…
- A True Confession
- And His Fellowlaborers at Emden
- Confession of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ
- Should Be Shunned, According to the Testimony of the Scriptures
- An Admonition to the Preachers
- An Admonition to the Preachers (continued)
- Very Plain and Pointed Reply
- The Holy, Divine Scriptures
- How the English Came into Discussion with Us
- Reply to Martin Micron
- Discussion Between Herman and Myself
- How Partially Micron Narrated Our First Discussion; How Silent He Is on the Principal…
- How and What Micron Confessed During Our Second Discussion, and How Unfaithfully He Has…
- Thirty-One Articles and Differences, Presented to the Reader, to Show That Micron Says…
- Explanations, False Glozings, Adulterated and Garbled Scriptures, Presented to the Reader…
- Fourteen Inconsistencies, Which Must Result and Follow From the Foundation and Doctrine…
- The Foundation and Faith
- The Son of God, Together with Their Proper Contents, Fruits, End, and Promise
- Of Gen. 3:15, "I Will Put Enmity Between Thee and the Woman, and Between Thy Seed and Her…
- Micron's Confession, in His Narrative, That Christ Is the Son of
- How Christ, the Son of God, Is Also the Son of Abraham and David, According
- Concerning the Two Natures in Christ, How It Should Be Rightly Understood
- Contradicts in Many Places, and Says That It Is Not So
- How the Divine Word, in the Fullness of Time, According to the Scriptures, Was Made Flesh
- Very Sincere Epistle
- Epistle to Martin Micron
- Epistle to Martin Micron (continued)
- A Humble Prayer to the Reader
- A Humble Prayer to the Reader (continued)
- A Humble Prayer to the Reader (continued)
- Testimony against John Van Leyden
- Testimony against John Van Leyden (continued)
- Admonition or Instruction
- A Kind Admonition
- Providential Deliverances of Menno Simon
- Providential Deliverances of Menno Simon (continued)
- Providential Deliverances of Menno Simon (continued)
How to cite it
- Chicago
- Menno Simons. The Complete Works of Menno Simons. Translated by John Funk (publisher). Internet Archive, 1539–1561; translation 1871. https://archive.org/details/completeworksofm00menn
- MLA
- Menno Simons. The Complete Works of Menno Simons. Translated by John Funk (publisher), Internet Archive, 1539–1561; translation 1871. https://archive.org/details/completeworksofm00menn
- APA
- Menno Simons (1539–1561; translation 1871). The Complete Works of Menno Simons (John Funk (publisher), Trans.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/completeworksofm00menn
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