The Handbook of The Militant Christian (1503) By Erasmus
Sixth Rule
- Act like Christ. - Popes and Bishops want to be called lords or masters, when Christ forbade His disciples to e called either.
Second Rule
- Act upon these promises without delay or hesitation.
The weapons of Christian Warfare
- Always be ready to attack the enemy. - 2 weapons are knowledge an prayer. - Weapons fortify the mind and keeps virtue ever before us.
Pagan Poets and Philosophers
- Erasmus calls them very good teachers of ethics. - He recommended Plato over Aristotle. - Calling him the "divinely inspired Plato".
Third Rule
- Fear is one of the real obstacles to the pursuit of virtue. - The life of men is filled from the start to end with troubles.
The purpose of the "Enchidion" was to:
- Foster the vision of a more practical Christian. - Rooted in the learning of the classics. - Based on evangelical knowledge at work in a purified soul.
Eight Rule
- God is forgiving. - HE loves everybody - He is loving Father teaching a future heir or punishing a beloved son.
A guide for spiritual living
- In this life it is necessary that we be on our guard.
Fourth Rule
- Make Christ the only goal in your life. - No saints. - No superstition. - But he doesn't look bad on those who partake on this.
First Rule
- Place great reliance on the Scriptures. - Doubt nothing in the divine promise.
Ninth Rule
- You should be a general and always look for the next assault or the enemy.
reason
- Things like a body and soul distinguishes men from beast. - Men can reason thats why they can be nice to each other. - One of the most essential elements of Christianity is the willingness to be and to act as a Christian.
Requirements For better Understanding of Holy Scripture
- To focus on those who don't stick to the literal sense. - St. Paul. - Origen. - Ambrose - Jerome - Augustine. - Read the Fathers to see what moves the inner man.
Fifth Rule
- Turn away from visible things. - Those who think wearing a blessed medal or carrying an indulgence relic are wrong. - to place the whole of religion in external ceremonies is sublime stupidity.
Seventh Rule
- We are weak humans and cannot fully fulfill these ideals. - This does not mean we should stop trying. - Meaning we should be learning about them more closely.
Bible
- read the scriptures. - Meditate day and night on the divine law. - Nothing will terrorize you, if you do this.
General Rules for Living a Christina Life (9)
- to be directed for the most part against the evil of original sin we call them: - Blindness - The flesh - and weakness.
Published in 1403
A manual of concise principles serving as a guide.