Complete Theological Works

DEAR READER,

WE are here again presenting to You the Works of Menno Simons, just as they were previously collected and put together by certain Lovers of Truth; yet through great diligence and effort, we have also added the following small pieces, namely: his departure from the Papacy original: "Pausdom." This refers to Menno Simons' formal renunciation of his Catholic priesthood in 1536., just as it was published by himself in the year 1554, in order to clear himself of the slander that he supposedly had fellowship with the Munsterite Erratic Spirits original: "Munsterse Dwaelgeesten." These were radical Anabaptists who took over the city of Münster in 1534-35; Menno Simons spent much of his life distancing his peaceful movement from their revolutionary violence. and Rioters, as You can see in the Preface of this aforementioned small Treatise: Which aim of vindication he has pursued throughout these fine Works, as You may also notice on folios 54, 258, 327, 333, 448, 497, 502, and in the entire Treatise which he wrote against the great blasphemer Jan van L. Jan van Leyden, the self-proclaimed "King" of the radical Münsterite kingdom.: Secondly, an additional 6 edifying Letters, of which three have never been in Print before now: Thirdly, another Admonition on how a Christian ought to behave toward Brothers who are tainted by a carnal Life or false Doctrine This refers to the practice of "shunning" or "the ban," a key part of early Mennonite discipline., and have included herewith an account of God’s wonderful protection over Menno, and his holy boldness in rebuking and avoiding Popish original: "Paepsche." A common 17th-century term for Catholic. superstition; as well as an accurate description of his persecution, and the place where he, having last preached, died and was buried: All of which You will be able to find more clearly in the Register of Additions, attached here at the back: We have also expanded and improved the two previous Registers Indexes, and furthermore enriched them with two new Registers, one of Scripture passages, the other of Authors: We have also once again set his Portrait original: "Afbeeldtsel." This likely refers to the famous engraved portrait of Menno Simons often found in these editions. before Your eyes, as we have been able to have it produced based on the tradition of previous Portraits. Further, we have nothing to say, benevolent Reader, except that we wished to fill the scarcity of copies of the previous Printing with this one, and through the neatness of Letter-spelling, and otherwise, have sought to improve it as much as was in our power. Fare well, and judge without partiality.