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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 VI. We have been united as follows
concerning the sword.
We have been united as follows
concerning the sword. The sword is an ordering of God outside
the perfection of Christ. It punishes and kills the wicked and
guards and protects the good. In the law the sword is established
[74] over the wicked
for punishment and for death and the secular rulers are established
to wield the same.
But within the perfection of
Christ only the ban is used for the admonition and exclusion
of the one who has sinned, without the death of the flesh, [75] simply the warning
and the command to sin no more.
Now many, who do not understand
Christ's will for us, will ask; whether a Christian may or should
use the sword against the wicked for the protection and defense
of the good, or for the sake of love.
The answer is unanimously revealed:
Christ teaches and commands us to learn from Him, for He is meek
and lowly of heart and thus we shall find rest for our souls.
[76] Now Christ says
to the woman who was taken in adultery, [77]
not that she should be stoned according to the law of His
Father (and yet He says, "What the Father commanded me,
that I do") [78]
but with mercy and forgiveness and the warning to sin no more,
says: "Go, sin no more." Exactly thus should we also
proceed, according to the rule of the ban.
Second, is asked concerning the
sword: whether a Christian shall pass sentence in disputes and
strife about worldly matters, such as the unbelievers have with
one another. The answer: Christ did not wish to decide or pass
judgement between brother and brother concerning inheritance,
but refused to do so. [79]
So should we also do.
Third, is asked concerning the
sword: whether the Christian should be a magistrate if he is
chosen thereto. This is answered thus: Christ was to be made
King, but He fled and did not discern the ordinance of His Father
[80]. Thus we should
also do as He did and follow after Him, and we shall not walk
in darkness. For He Himself says: "Whoever would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
[81] He Himself further
forbids the violence of the sword when He says: "The princes
of this world lord it over them etc., but among you it shall
not be so." [82]
Further Paul says, "Whom God has foreknown, the same he
has also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,"
etc. [83] Peter also
says: "Christ has suffered (not ruled) and has left us an
example, that you should follow after in his steps." [84]
Lastly, one can see in the following
points that it does not befit a Christian to be a magistrate:
the rule of the government is according to the flesh, that of
the Christians according to the spirit. Their houses and dwelling
remain in this world, that of the Christians is in heaven. Their
citizenship is in this world, that of the Christians is in heaven.
[85] The weapons of
their battle and warfare are carnal and only against the flesh,
but the weapons of Christians are spiritual, against the fortification
of the devil. The worldly are armed with steel and iron, but
Christians are armed with the armor of God, with truth, righteousness,
peace, faith, salvation, and with the Word of God. In sum: as
Christ our Head is minded, so also must be minded the members
of the body of Christ through Him, so that there be no division
in the body, through which it would be destroyed.[86]
Since then Christ is as is written of Him, so must His members
also be the same, so that His body may remain whole and unified
for its own advancement and upbuilding. For any kingdom which
is divided within itself will be destroyed. [87]
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