A06491:125
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.
These had no need of repentance, for what should they repent? seeing in evil thoughts they did not consent? what should they confess, why lest they did abhor words? Wherefore should they satisfy, seeing they were not guilty of the deed? So that they also might sell unto other poor Sinners, their righteousness which was more then requisite. Such Saints were also the Pharisees and Scribes in Christs time.
These had no nede of repentaunce, for what shoulde they repente? seynge in euyl thoughtes they dyd not consente? what shoulde they confesse, why lest they dyd abhorre wordes? Vvherfore shoulde they satisfye, seynge they were not giltye of the dede? So that they also myght sel vnto other poore Synners, th•yr ryghteousnes whiche was more then requisite. Such Sayntes were also the Pharisees and Scrib•s in Christes tyme.
1Here cometh the fiery Angel S. John, the right Preacher of penance, and striketh with a thunder bolt together in one heap, saying: Repent. Now think they, we have repented all ready. These do think, we have no need of repentance.2 But John saith, Repent both, for ye are false repenters, than are these false saints, and have both need of remission of since, for as much as ye both do not yet know, what the right sin is, I omit that ye should repent it or eschew it. There is none good of you, ye are full of unbelief, blindness, and ⟨image 29⟩ignorance of God, and his will. For there is he manifestly of whose plentifulness all we must receive grace for grace, and no man without him can be righteous before God.3 Therefore if ye will repent, repent truly. For your penance is in vain. And ye Hypocrites that have no need of repentance, ye progeny of vipers, who hath certified you that ye should escape from the wrath of God to come?