A06491:243
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.
1First ye do not abide by the first old baptism, for ye have of new invented many other baptisms. And teach that the first baptism, through sin be lost, and that man must make satisfaction by his own works. And specially, that by monkery a man becometh as pure, as if he come out of the baptism ⟨image 59⟩of Christ. Whereby ye have filled the world with Churches and Cloisters.
1Fyrst ye do not abyde by the fyrst old baptisme, for ye haue of newe inuented many other baptismes. And teache that the fyrst baptisme, through synne be lost, and that man must make satisfaction by his owne workes. And specially, that by mōkery a mā becometh as pure, as yf he come oute of the baptisme ⟨image 59⟩of Christe. Vvhereby ye haue filled the worlde with Churches and Cloysters.
1And thy point, Satisfaction is the beginning and occasion, door and entrance into all abomination of Popery, like as in the Church, Baptism is the beginning and entrance to all grace and remission of since. For where as baptism is not, there helpeth nothing Sacrament, keys nor any other thing, if the Satisfaction had not ben enterprysed, than should not, Pardon, Pilgrimage, Fraternity, Mass, Purgatory, monkery, Minsters, and the most part of all abomination, have ben invented, and the Papacy should not have ben so large and fat. Therefore have they well named the same a Baptism in their Church, that hath wrought so many Baptisms, Sacraments and remissions of since, yea also high holiness, that is the same their own righteousness, and work holiness, whereof we have written not a little. Who hath commanded ⟨image 60⟩you or where is it written? Where do ye find in the old Church, that ye may invent such baptisms and holinesses? Who is here an heretic and new church.
1And thie poynt, Satisfaction is the begynnynge and occasion, dore and entraunce into all abhomination of Popery, lyke as in the Churche, Baptisme is the begynnynge and entraunce to all grace and remission of synnes. For where as baptisme is not, there helpeth nothinge Sacrament, keyes nor any other thinge, yf the Satisfaction had not ben enterprysed, than should not, Pardō, Pilgrymage, Fraternite, Masse, Purgatory, monkerye, Mynsters, and the moost parte of all abhomination, haue ben inuented, and the Papacye shoulde not haue ben so large and fatte. Therefore haue they wel named the same a Baptisme in their Churche, that hath wrought so many Baptismes, Sacramentes and remissions of synnes, yea also hygh holynes, that is the same theire owne righteousnes, and worke holynes, wherof we haue writtē not a lyttell. Vvho hath cōmaunded ⟨image 60⟩you or where is it written? Where do ye fynde in the olde Churche, that ye maye inuente suche baptismes and holynesses? Who is here an heretike and newe churche.
1Secondarily, have ye driven your Pardons throughout all the whole world as a baptism, yea as a flood that washeth away since. In so much that there is no corner in the world wherein your Pardons have not ben sold & given. And all the world is full of Bulls & writings. Who hath commanded you? or where is it written? Where do ye find it in the old church that ye may stablish such a new baptism and washing away of since? who is here the heretical new church. Are ye not it even the whorish church of the devil.
1Secondarely, haue ye dryuen your Pardons throughout all the whole world as a baptisme, yea as a floud that wassheth awaye synnes. In so muche that ther is no corner in the world wherein your Pardons haue not ben solde & geuen. And all the worlde is full of Bulles & writtynges. Vvho hath cō maunded you? or where is it written? Vvhere do ye fynd it in the old church that ye maye stablysshe suche a newe baptisme and wasshinge away of synnes? who is here the hereticall newe church. Are ye not it euē the hooryshe church of the deuill.
1Thirdly, have ye driven the holy water & […], not only in all churches but also in every corner as a cleansing (or baptism) of sin, and have also taught great witchcraft therein. As dist• […] A•uam sale showeth: Who hath commanded you this. Where is it ⟨image 60⟩written. Where do ye find it in the old church, or institutions of the Apostles. Who is here the new affallig church.
1Thyrdely, haue ye drynen the holywater & 〈…〉, not onely in all churches but also in euery corner as a clensynge (or baptisme) of synne, and haue also taught great witchecrafte therein. As dist• 〈…〉 A•uam sale sheweth: Vvho hath comaunded you this. Vvher is it ⟨image 60⟩writtē. Vvher do ye fynd it in the old church, or institutiōs of the Apostles. Vvho is here the new affallig church.
1Fourthly have ye instituted Pilgrimages for to merit Pardon, or forgiveness of since, which for as much it is done without the office of the keys, through your own merits, is also a new other Baptism, or cleansing of since. Who hath commanded you where is it written. Where do ye find it in the old church, that ye should institute such new remission or baptism. Who is here the new run away Church.
1Fourthely haue ye instituted Pilgremages for to merite Pardō, or fergeuenes of synnes, which for as much it is done withoute the office of the keyes, through your owne merites, is also a newe other Baptisme, or clensyng of synnes. Vvho hath cōmaunded you wher is it writtē. Vvhere do ye fynde it in the olde church, that ye should institute such new remissiō or bapti•me. Vvho is here the newe runne awaye Churche.
1Fifthly, have ye erected fraternities innumerable. In so much that ye have also filled the world with Bulls and letters, & all for Pardon & remission of since, & deservings. Which only is the office of the holy Baptism and sacrament. Who hath commanded you. Where is it written? Where do ye find it in the old Church, that ye have authority to induce such new remissions or merit? And who can rehearse, how many manners of new ⟨image 61⟩fashions ye have invented, to forgive sin for money or proper deservings. Who is here the new Church, with new doctrines and Sacraments, whereof neither Christ, Apostles, Scripture, nor yet the old church have any thing known.
1Fyftely, haue ye erected fraternities innumerable. In so much that ye haue also filled the worlde with Bulles and lettres, & all for Pardon & remission of synnes, & deseruynges. Vvhich onely is the office of the holy Baptisme and sacrament. Vvho hath commaunded you. Vvhere is it written? Vvhere do ye fynde it in the olde Church, that ye haue authorite to induce suche newe remissions or merite? And who can reherse, howe many maners of newe ⟨image 61⟩fasshions ye haue inuented, to forgeue synne for money or propre deseruynges. Vvho is here the newe Churche, with newe doctrines and Sacramentes, whereof neyther Christ, Apostles, Scripture, nor yet the old church haue any thinge knowen.
1Sixthly, who will rehearse all the abominable newellies which ye have invented in the high worthy holy Sacrament of the body & blood of Christ. Who hath commanded you. Where is it written, where do ye find it in the old church. That first may take and rob this Sacrament from the universal church, and leave only the one kind, & appropriate the hole only to the Priests.
1Sixthely, who will reherse al the abhominable newellies which ye haue inuented in the hygh worthy holy Sacramēt of the body & bloude of Christ. Vvho hath cōmaunded you. Vvhere is it written, where do ye fynde it in the olde church. That fyrste maye take and robbe this Sacrament from the vniuersall church, and leaue onely the one kynde, & appropriate the hole onely to the Priestes.
Secondarily, also the same only kind, not to teach and increase faith but to change it into a work of obedience of the Church.
Secondarely, also the same onely kynde, not to teache and increase faith but to chaunge it into a worke of obedience of the Churche.
Thirdly. The ho•e sacrament (if it else as than be a sacrament) not in the remembrance of Christ, of him openly to preach, and to give him thanks for his passion. But to sell it unto the ⟨image 61⟩other for a Priest offer, and proper deserving of a wicked person, and to make the souls in purgatory partakers thereof, and to alter it most abominably and blasphemously for all temporal necessities, even as a heathen service of Idols yea as a shameful juggling, Whereby ye have stilled & defaced, the remembrance of Christ (for the which Christ did institute it)
Thyrdly. The ho•e sacrament (yf it elles as than be a sacramēt) not in the remēbraunce of Christe, of hym openly to preache, and to geue hym thankes for his passion. But to selle it vnto the ⟨image 61⟩other for a Priest offer, and propre deseruinge of a wicked person, and to make the soules in purgatory partakers thereof, and to alter it moost abhominably and blasphemously for all temporall necessities, euen as a heathē seruice of Idolles yea as a shamefull iuglynge, Vvhereby ye haue stilled & defaced, the remembraunce of Christe (for the whiche Christ did institute it)
And notwithstanding that ye were else, so pure a church, as the Apostles church, & yet much purer. Nevertheless doth this only abominable, horrible piece which by the counsel of the devil ye have invented of new, make you a new of falling heretical church, yea an earthy whore of the devil, & a school of hell. For this part is so abominable, groundless & evil, that in this life, no tongue can express, nor no heart comprehend it, until the later day appear.
And notwithstādinge that ye were elles, so pure a church, as the Apostles church, & yet much purer. Neuertheles doth this onely abhominable, horrible pece whiche by the counsayll of the deuil ye haue inuēted of new, make you a new of falling hereticall church, yea an earthy whoor of the deuil, & a scoole of hell. For this parte is so abhominable, groundeles & euill, that in this lyfe, no tonge can expresse, nor no harte cōprehende it, vntil the later daye appeare.
Read, gather and heap all the mischief together. Whatsoever the devil with you all against us can imagine & lye a thousand times as much intre to it, yet for all that will it not be a ⟨image 62⟩small chip in comparison of this great beam•, where on not one, but doubtless all the devils, with all the Craftyest knaves, in six hundred years have builded. This is one of the right points: 1Which Christ calleth an abomination to the holy place. Wherefore not only we should & must flee from you, as from the great wrath of God. But also heaven & earth trembleth, & abhorreth such a den of thieves, for this piece doth not only cause no church to remain. But also maketh thereof the foulest doug•hill of the devil, that is in earth.
Reade, gather and heape all the mischief to gether. Vvhatsoeuer the deuil with you all agaynst vs cā imagine & lye a thousande tymes as muche intre to it, yet for all that will it not be a ⟨image 62⟩smal chippe in cōparyson of this great beam•, where on not one, but douteles all the deuills, with all the Craftyest k•aues, in sixe hundreth yeres haue buylded. This is one of the right poyntes: 1Vvhiche Christ calleth an abhominatiō to the holy place. Vvherfor not onely we should & must flee frō you, as frō the great wrath of God. But also heauē & earth trēbleth, & abhorret such a denne of theues, for this pece doth not onely cause no church to remayn. But also maketh thereof the foulest doug•hill of the deuil, that is in earth.
The Turk, Tatterues and Jews be nothing like, so evil a den of murderers, as the Popish church is in this one point. For they only deny Christ, & turn their back towards him. But these take him here before the, spit at him, scorn him, blaspheme slander, defame & martyr him, & play a more horrible passion with him then was done unto him corporally by the Jews. He go your ways now boast your selves the holy church from the which we be fallen. The devil abide ⟨image 62⟩with you in such a church, & all such as hold w•h you in that trade, God save us from it, even as he hath graciously plucked us away from it, wherefore be laud and praise unto him for ever.
The Turke, Tatterues and Iewes be nothing lyke, so euill a dēne of murtherers, as the Popyshe churche is in this one point. For they onely denye Christ, & tourne their backe towardes hym. But these take hym here before the, spitte at hym, scorne hym, blaspheme slaunder, defame & marter hym, & playe a more horrible passiō with hym then was done vnto hym corporaly by the Iewes. He go your wayes nowe boaste your selues the holy church frō the which we be fallē. The deuil abyde ⟨image 62⟩with you in such a church, & all suche as hold w•h you in that trade, God saue vs frō it, euen as he hath graciousely pluckte vs away from it, wherfore be laude and prayse vnto hym for euer.
Seventhly, who hath commanded you to make this neweltie? That ye have made new keys and wrought two false warthes, wherewith ye do not forgive sin, nor yet withhold it, as the old keys do with us, And in the universal old church. But ye do institute of new sin, and murder, whereas else be none in your run away, and murtherysshe church, whereby with importable and innumerable laws, ye entangle and bind the Christen consciences, ye threaten and kill, for eating, drinking, clothing places, days, and such like outward things, which Christ hath given free. Colloss. ij. and the old Church hath kept without any sin or fear.1 Besides this, ye put down Kings and Princes, as though ye were God your selves. Howe is here falling away, or new church? The ⟨image 63⟩devil abide with you in this blasphemous, murtheryshe, sinful, and dā nable peace we be come again to the old church, lauded & praised be god.
Seuently, who hath commaunded you to make this neweltie? That ye haue made new keyes and wrought two false warthes, wherewith ye do not forgeue synne, nor yet withhold it, as the olde keyes do with vs, And in the vniuersal olde churche. But ye do institute of newe synne, and murther, whereas elles be none in your runne awaye, and murtherysshe church, whereby with importable and innumerable lawes, ye entangle and bynde the Christen consciences, ye treathen and kyll, for eatynge, drynkyng, clothyng places, dayes, and such lyke outwarde thynges, whiche Christe hath geuen free. Colloss. ij. and the olde Churche hath kepte without any synne or feare.1 Besydes thys, ye put downe Kynges and Prynces, as though ye were God youre selues. Howe is here fallynge awaye, or newe churche? The ⟨image 63⟩deuyll abyde with you in thys blasphemous, murtheryshe, synful, and dā nable peace we be come agayne to the olde church, lauded & praysed be god.
Eighthly, who hath commanded you, over and above the manner of the old Church, and contrary to the commandment of christ, to preach other wise than he hath commanded? Matth. xxviij. Go & teach them to observe what soever I commandeth you.1 He saith not whatsoever seemeth to you right & good Johā. xiiij. The holy ghost shall teach you all things, & bring to your remembrance, whatsoever I have told you.2
Eyghtly, who hath commaunded you, ouer and aboue the maner of the olde Churche, and contrary to the cō maundemēt of christ, to preache other wyse thā he hath cōmaunded? Matth. xxviij. Go & teache thē to obserue what soeuer I cōmaūdeth you.1 He sayth not whatsoeuer semeth to you right & good Iohā. xiiij. The holy goost shall teache you al thynges, & bring to your remē braūce, whatsoeuer I haue tolde you.2
1But ye have filled all churches and schools so full of your dregs & dung that is mans doctrine & lies, and arrayed all places so foul with your vomit & filthiness, that (as Isaiah sayeth) no more room is left, and yet ye will be called the church.
1But ye haue filled al churches and schooles so ful of your dregges & dōg that is mannes doctrine & lyes, and arayed al places so foul with your vomite & filthynes, that (as Esay sayeth) no more roume is lefte, and yet ye will be called the churche.
