A06491:124
The chief and principal articles of the Christen faith to hold against the Pope,…The chiefe and pryncypall articles of the Christen faythe to holde againste the Pope,…
The chief and principal articles of the Christen faith to hold against the Pope, and all papists, and the gates of hell, with other three very profitable and necessary books the names or titles, whereof are contain in the leaf next following. Made by Doctor Marten Luther. To the reader. In this book shall you find Christian reader the right probation of the right old catholic Church, and of the new false Church, whereby either of them is to be known. Read and judge.The chiefe and pryncypall articles of the Christen faythe to holde againste the Pope, and al papistes, and the gates of hell, with other thre very profitable and necessary bokes the names or tyttels, whereof are conteyne in the leafe next followynge. Made by Doctor Marten Luther. To the reader. In thys boke shal you fynde Christian reader the ryght probation of the righte olde catholyke Churche, and of the newe false Churche, whereby eyther of them is to be knowen. Reade and iudge.
printed by S. Mierdman for Gwalter Lynne, 1548
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1Now if there ware any, that did not think them selves guilty of such actual since, in thought, word or deed. Even as I and such other frekes and priests in cloisters and minsters would be, which with fasting, watching, praying, saying of mass, hard raiment and couches &c, defended our selves against evil thoughts, and would be holy with earnest and by force or violence, and yet the Original evil wherein we be borne, sometime in sleep did (as also S. Augustine and Jerome with other knowledge and confess) according to his kind: yet did every man hold of other, that some were so holy, as we taught, that they were without sin and full of good works. Insomuch that we thereupon, did part and sell unto other of our good works, and the overplus, more than was necessary unto us, for to obtain salvation. This is true, & there are seals writings & examples enough in hand.
1Nowe yf there ware any, that dyd not thincke them selues gilty of suche actuall synnes, in thoughte, worde or dede. Euen as I and suche other frekes and priestes in cloysters and mynsters would be, which with fastynge, wachynge, praynge, saynge of masse, harde rayment and couches &c, defended oure selues agaynst euyl thoughtes, and woulde be holy with earnest and by force or violence, and yet the Original euyll wherein we be borne, sometyme in slepe did (as also S. Augustyn and Ierome with other knowledge and confesse) accordynge to hys kynde: yet dyd euery man holde of other, that some were so holy, as we taught, that they were without synne and ful of good workes. Insomuche that we therevpon, dyd parte and sell vnto other of oure good workes, and the ouerplus, more than was necessary vnto vs, for to obtayne saluation. Thys is true, & there are sealles writtynges & examples ynough in hande.
- 1Good works & righteousness sold which was overp•us.Good workes & ryghteousnes sold whiche was ouerp•us.