Voss—A True Bit of Instruction. 
683 
A TRUE BIT OF INSTRUCTION SHOWING 
WHY WE ARE UNDER OBLIGATIONS TO 
PAY TAXES AND TITHES FOR THE 
PRESERVATION OF CHRISTIAN 
PEACE AND THE AVOIDANCE 
OF TROUBLE 
Written by Joannes Landtsperger, an humble servant 
of Christ, 1528 
ERNST voss 
PREFACE 
Since many in their misunderstanding of the Holy Scrip¬ 
tures or of the Word of God are complaining of being un¬ 
justly burdened by taxes and tithes, (a condition of affairs 
which has been brought about by sermons preached some 
time ago) and since because of this overburdening they are 
causing seditions and revolts against the power, which God, 
according to the teachings of Christ, Peter and Paul, has 
given to the worldly magistracy—revolts whose causes can 
be attributed mainly to a lack of foresight on the part of 
inexperienced preachers, although other troubles not here 
mentioned also contributed their share; and since things 
have come to such a pass that true preachers (at whose 
door these troubles surely cannot be laid) must become 
apprehensive and cannot feel sure of their ground, I have 
purposed writing a short admonition in my sympathy and 
love for the brethren, in order that all country pastors, who 
cannot be so well versed in these matters, may meet or 
answer unitedly the question of tithes and taxes, put to 
them by their parishioners or others, and that they in turn 
