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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
Article IV. We have been united concerning
the separation that shall take place
We have been united concerning
the separation that shall take place from the evil and the wickedness
which the devil has planted in the world, simply in this; that
we have no fellowship with them, [56]
and do not run with them in the confusion of their abominations.
So it is; since all who have not entered into the obedience of
faith and have not united themselves with God so that they will
to do His will, are a great abomination before God, therefore
nothing else can or really will grow or spring forth from them
than abominable things. Now there is nothing else in the world
and all creation than good or evil, believing and unbelieving,
darkness and light, the world and those who are [come] out of
the world, God's temple and idols. Christ and Belial, and none
will have part with the other.
To us, then, the commandment
of the Lord is also obvious, whereby He orders us to be and to
become separated from the evil one, and thus He will be our God
and we shall be His sons and daughters. [57]
Further, He admonishes us therefore
to go out from Babylon and from the earthly Egypt, that we may
not be partakers in their torment and suffering, which the Lord
will bring upon them. [58]
From all this we should learn
that everything which has not been united [59]
with our God in Christ is nothing but an abomination which we
should shun.[60] By
this are meant all popish and repopish [61]
works and idolatry, [62]
gatherings, church attendance, [63]
winehouses, guarantees and commitments of unbelief, [64]
and other things of the kind, which the world regards highly,
and yet which are carnal or flatly counter to the command of
God, after the pattern of all the iniquity which is in the world.
From all this we shall be separated and have no part with such,
for they are nothing but abominations, which cause us to be hated
before our Christ Jesus, who has freed us from the servitude
of the flesh and fitted us for the service of God and the Spirit
whom He has given us.
Thereby shall also [65]
fall away from us the [66]
diabolical weapons of violence--such as sword, armor, and the
like, and all of their use to protect friends or against enemies--by
virtue of the word of Christ: "you shall not resist evil."
[67]
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