A06491:17
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.
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.
Besides these necessary Church matters, are there also in the lay state innumerable great faults, which had need of redress. There is discord between Princes, and States, Usury and covetousness are broken in, even ⟨image 6⟩as a mighty flood, and counted even lawful and decent, wilfulness, uncleanliness, presumption excess in apparel, in eating, playing, bragging, with all manner of ungodliness and iniquity, disobedience of the subjects, family, and workmen, the enhancing of all occupations and also of husbandmen (and who can recite it all) have so prevailed, that with ten councils and twenty Convocations it will not be brought again to the right trade.
Besydes these necessary Churche matters, are there also in the laye state innumerable great faultes, whiche had nede of redresse. There is discorde betwene Prynces, and States, Vsury and couetousnes are broken in, euē ⟨image 6⟩