Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chronology 1521–1528
- Bibliographical note
- 1 Thomas Müntzer, The Prague Protest
- 2 Thomas Müntzer, Sermon to the Princes (or An Exposition of the Second Chapter of Daniel)
- 3 Andreas Karlstadt, Letter from the Community of Orlamunde to the People of Allstedt
- 4 Conrad Grebel, Letter to Thomas Müntzer
- 5 Andreas Karlstadt, Whether One Should Proceed Slowly
- 6 Thomas Müntzer, A Highly Provoked Defense
- 7 Felix Manz, Protest and Defense
- 8 Anonymous, To the Assembly of the Common Peasantry
- 9 Hans Denck, On the Law of God
- 10 Hans Hut, On the Mystery of Baptism
- 11 Michael Sattler, The Schleitheim Articles
- 12 Balthasar Hubmaier, On the Sword
- 13 Hans Hergot, On the New Transformation of the Christian Life
- Appendices: Programs of the Peasants' War
- Biographical notes
- Index of subjects
- Index of proper names
- Index of biblical references
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
7 - Felix Manz, Protest and Defense
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chronology 1521–1528
- Bibliographical note
- 1 Thomas Müntzer, The Prague Protest
- 2 Thomas Müntzer, Sermon to the Princes (or An Exposition of the Second Chapter of Daniel)
- 3 Andreas Karlstadt, Letter from the Community of Orlamunde to the People of Allstedt
- 4 Conrad Grebel, Letter to Thomas Müntzer
- 5 Andreas Karlstadt, Whether One Should Proceed Slowly
- 6 Thomas Müntzer, A Highly Provoked Defense
- 7 Felix Manz, Protest and Defense
- 8 Anonymous, To the Assembly of the Common Peasantry
- 9 Hans Denck, On the Law of God
- 10 Hans Hut, On the Mystery of Baptism
- 11 Michael Sattler, The Schleitheim Articles
- 12 Balthasar Hubmaier, On the Sword
- 13 Hans Hergot, On the New Transformation of the Christian Life
- Appendices: Programs of the Peasants' War
- Biographical notes
- Index of subjects
- Index of proper names
- Index of biblical references
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
Summary
Zurich, before 17 January 1525
Wise, prudent, merciful, dear lords and brothers.
In your wisdom you certainly know how much strange talk is going around. Some maintain that a newborn child, as soon as it comes from the mother's womb, is to be baptized, and that this can be proved from holy Scripture. Others believe on the basis of the divine word that infant baptism is bad, false, and that (rather than being true) it was contrived by and grew out of the Antichrist, the pope, and his followers. Among those holding the latter belief, I too have been charged by some people with being a rebel and inhuman. But I have been accused too quickly and unjustly, and the accusation cannot be shown to have any truth. All those with whom I have had anything to do will testify that I have nowhere engaged in any rebellion, nor anywhere, in any way, taught or told them anything that has brought or can bring rebellion. For this reason I am accused unfairly. Since I am thus charged — even though untruthfully — I have thought it necessary that I now deliver to you, my merciful, dear lords a justification and explanation of my faith.
I would certainly have thought that, should you be presented with the truth, you would respect it. Your shepherds [the Zurich clergy] have repeatedly maintained [their interest in a disputation], and they have always negotiated with me on the following basis, namely that one should let Scripture speak, and that we should neither add to it nor delete anything from it.
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- Information
- The Radical Reformation , pp. 95 - 100Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1991