THE NET OF FAITH


by Peter Chelčický

translated by Rev. Enrico Molnár


Table of Contents




Title Page
Introduction
Abbreviations
Czech Pronunciation
Notes About the Translation
Notes About the Transcription
Notable Quotations


PART  I


A HISTORICAL STUDY OF PETER CHELČICKÝ:
HIS LIFE, WORK, AND PHILOSOPHY


Chapter 1 −  What is the Net of Faith?
Chapter 2 −  Peter Chelčický, The Setting In Time
Chapter 3 −  Peter Chelčický, His Life
Chapter 4 −  Peter Chelčický and the Hussite Reformation, the Parting of the Ways

The Estrangement from the Táborites
The Estrangement from the Utraquists

Chapter 5 −  Peter Chelčický, His Philosophy

The Donation of Constantine
The State
The Church
Christian Socialism and Communism
Pacifism
Chelčický’s Style


PART  II


TRANSLATION OF THE NET OF FAITH, BOOK ONE:
THE CORRUPTION OF THE CHURCH, CAUSED BY ITS
FUSION AND CONFUSION WITH TEMPORAL POWER


Foreword – Prefaced to the Vilémov Edition of 1521
Section 1, The Allegory of the Miraculous Fishing, Chapters 1 to 5
Section 2, The Perfect and Exemplary Apostolic Church, Chapters 6 to 12
Section 3, Refutation of the Claims of the Council of Basel, Chapters 13 to 23

The Donation of Constantine (14)
The Pope's Guilt in the Donation (15-18)
The Emperor's Guilt in the Donation, with Wyclif's Arguments (19-23)

Section 4, The Church and State Ought to Be Separated, Chapters 24 to 26
Section 5, The Origins of State and Christian Sovereignty, Chapters 27 to 29
Section 6, The Spiritual and Secular Powers, Chapters 30 to 39

The Evils of Secular Power, with Wyclf's Arguments (32-38)
The Evils of Spiritual Power (39)

Section 7, Refutation of Augustine's Arguments on Warfare, Chapters 40 to 41
Section 8, Commentary on Romans 13:1-2, Chapters 42 to 55
Section 9, Commentary on Romans 13:3-4, Chapters 56 to 67
Section 10, Refutation of the Arguments of Giles Charlier, Chapters 68 to 72
Section 11, Refutation of the Arguments of Albertus Magnus, Chapters 73 to 76
Section 12, Return to the Arguments of Giles Charlier, Chapters 77 to 80
Section 13, Military Service and War Contrary to the Law of Christ, Chapters 81 to 85
Section 14, Commentary on Romans 13:5-8, Chapters 86 to 91
Section 15, Commentary on 1 Timothy 2:1-3, Chapters 92 to 94
Section 16, Summary Concerning Secular Authority, Chapter 95


BIBLIOGRAPHY


Original Works of Peter Chelčický
Editions of The Net of Faith
Critical Editions of Chelčický’s Other Works
Literature About Chelčický
The Czech Reformation
Christian Attitudes to War
Other Material




List of Illustrations


Peter Chelčický – A Symbolical Pen Drawing
Peter Chelčický Conversing with the Doctors of the University of Prague
A Printed Page from the 1521 Edition of The Net of Faith
Peter Chelčický and His Life
A Miniature Drawing from the Book Hortus Deliciarum
Frontispiece Illustration of the 1521 Edition of The Net of Faith
The First Page of the Manuscript About the Three Estates by Peter Chelčický
A Statue of Peter Chelčický by Professor Jan Straka of Prague