A06491:16
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.
And that I return again to my purpose, To see a right Counsel I would truly be very glad, where by many matters might be redressed, and the people eased, Not that we have need of it. For our Churches are now trough God's grace, with the sincere word, and right use of the Sacraments, with knowledge of all manner of States, and right works, so illumined & set in order, that ⟨image 6⟩we for our part, care for no Counsel, neither do we look or hope for any better reformation in these Articles by the Counsel.
And that I retourne agayne to my purpose, To see a right Counsayll I woulde truely be very glad, where by many matters might be redressed, and the people eased, Not that we haue nede of it. For oure Churches are nowe trough Goddes grace, with the syncere worde, and right vse of the Sacramentes, with knoweledge of all manner of States, and righte workes, so illumined & sette in order, that ⟨image 6⟩we for oure parte, care for no Counsayll, neyther do we loke or hope for any better reformation in these Articles by the Counsayll.
But there see we in the Bishoprics every where, many Parishes void and desolate, which might cause a mans heart to break. And yet neither Bishops nor Canons care ho we the pore people do live or dye, for the which Christ nevertheless suffered death, and should not hear the same speak with them as the right shepherd with his sheep. In so much, that I am afraid, and dreadful, least he let one day an Angelical Counsel pass over Doucheland, which might utterly destroy us all, even as Sodom and Gomorrah, seeing, we are so obstinate, mocking, and jesting with the Counsel.
But there see we in the Bysshoprykes euery where, many Parysshes voyd and desolate, which myght cause a mannes herte to breake. And yet neyther Bisshops nor Chanōs care ho we the pore people do lyue or dye, for the whiche Christe neuerthelesse suffered death, and should not heare the same speake with them as the right shepeherde with hys shepe. In so muche, that I am afrayde, and dredefull, least he let one day an Angelical Counsail passe ouer Doucheland, which might vtterlye destroye vs all, euen as Sodome and Gomorre, seyng, we are so obstinate, morkyng, and gestyng with the Counsayll.