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The Schleitheim
Brotherly Union
(Brüderlich Vereinigung
etzlicher Kinder Gottes seiben Artikel betreffend . . . )
Translated and edited by John
Howard Yoder, The Legacy of Michael Sattler, Herald Press,
1973
The Cover Letter (Introduction)
May joy, peace, mercy from
our Father, through the atonement [31]
of the blood of Christ Jesus, together with the gifts of one
Spirit--who is sent by the Father to all believers to [give]
strength and consolation and constance in all tribulation until
the end, Amen, be with all who love God and all children of light,
who are scattered everywhere, wherever they might have been placed
[32] by God our Father,
wherever they might be gathered in unity of spirit in one God
and Father of us all; grace and peace of heart be with you all.
Amen.
Beloved brothers and sisters
in the Lord; first and primordially we are always concerned for
your consolation and the assurance of your conscience (which
was sometime confused), so that you might not always be separated
from us as aliens and by right almost completely excluded, [33] but that you might
turn to the true implanted members of Christ, who have been armed
through patience and the knowledge of self, and thus be again
united with us in the power of a godly Christian spirit and zeal
for God.
It is manifest with what manifold
cunning the devil has turned us aside, so that he might destroy
and cast down the work of God, which in us mercifully and graciously
has been partially begun. But the true Shepherd of our souls,
Christ, who has begun such in us, will direct and teach [34]
the same unto the end, to His glory and our salvation, Amen.
 Dear
brothers and sisters, we who have been assembled in the Lord
at Schleitheim on the Randen [35]
make known, in points and articles, unto all that love God, that
as far as we are concerned, we have been united [36]
to stand fast in the Lord as obedient children of God, sons and
daughters, who have been and shall be separated form the world
in all that we do and leave undone, and (the praise and glory
be to God alone) uncontradicted by all the brothers, completely
at peace. [37] Herein
we have sensed the unity of the Father and of our common Christ
as present with us in their Spirit. For the Lord is a Lord of
peace and not of quarreling, as Paul indicates. [38]
So that you understand at what points this occurred, you should
observe and understand [what follows]:
A very great offense has been
introduced by some false brothers among us, [39]
whereby several have turned away from the faith, thinking to
practice and observe the freedom of the Spirit and of Christ.
But such have fallen short of the truth and (to their own condemnation)[40] are given over to
the lasciviousness and license of the flesh. They have esteemed
that faith and love may do and permit everything and that nothing
can harm nor condemn them, since they are "believers."
Note well, you members [41]
of God in Christ Jesus, that faith in the heavenly Father through
Jesus Christ is not thus formed: it produces and brings forth
no such things as these false brothers and sisters practice and
teach. Guard yourselves and be warned of such people, for they
do not serve our Father, but their father, the devil.
But for you it is not so; for
they who are Christ's have crucified their flesh with all its
lusts and desires [42].
You understand me [43]
well, and [know] brothers whom we mean. Separate yourselves from
them, for they are perverted. Pray the Lord that they may have
knowledge unto repentance, and for us that we may have constance
to persevere along the path we have entered upon, unto the glory
of God and of Christ His Son. Amen. [44]
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