A06491:167
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.
Part › Part 3 › Of the Church.Part › Part 3 › Of the Churche.
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.
Of the Church.
Of the Churche.
We grant not unto them, that they are the church, for they are not the Church, neither will we hear, what soever they command, or forbid under the name of the church. For thanks be to God, a child of seven years old knoweth what the church is, 1namely the holy believing, and the sheep that hear their shepherds voice. For thus pray the children, I believe one holy catholic church. This holiness standeth not in surplices, shaven crowns, long gowns and other of their ceremonies by them, above the holy Scripture, invented, but in the word of God, and in right faith.
Vve graunte not vnto them, that they are the churche, for they are not the Churche, neyther wyll we heare, what soeuer they commaunde, or forbidde vnder the name of the churche. For thankes be to God, a chylde of seuen yeres olde knoweth what the churche is, 1namely the holy beleuyng, and the shepe that heare theyr shepeherdes voyce. For thus pray the childrē, I beleue one holy catholyke churche. This holynes standeth not in surplices, shauen crounes, longe gownes and other of their ceremonyes by thē, aboue the holy Scripture, inuented, but in the word of God, and in ryghte faythe.
- 1Church