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.