A06491:259
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.
1And this point is besides the private mass, also one of the worst abominations, whose hurt & plague can not be grounded nor expressed, whereby ye have edified a new church for the ⟨image 63⟩devil, & have served him with the same, In so much that it is nothing but soul murder, and the very Molech, devourer of children, which suffereth not (as yonder Molech did) the souls of the children to be saved, although they were burned corporally, but contrariwise suffereth the body to live a short space, but the soul burneth perpetually.2 I can not for trembling recite much of the calamity of the innumerable false Idolatrous murtherysshe doctrine in Popery, this is, our new goodly Church.
1And this point is besydes the priuate masse, also one of the worste abhominations, whose hurt & plage cā not be grounded nor expressed, whereby ye haue edifyed a newe church for the ⟨image 63⟩deuyl, & haue serued hym with the same, In so much that it is nothyng but soule murther, and the very Molech, deuourer of chyldren, whiche suffreth not (as yonder Molech did) the soules of the chyldren to be saued, although they were burned corporally, but contrarywyse suffereth the bodye to lyue a short space, but the soul burneth perpetually.2 I can not for tremblynge recyte muche of the calamitie of the innumerable false Idolatrous murtherysshe doctryne in Poperye, thys is, our newe goodly Churche.
1Ninthly, who hath commanded you this froward new fang lednes in the Church, which is a spiritual kingdom, that ye set up a bodily head, naming him the most holyest: for as much as there can be none other, but a spiritual h•ade, which is Christ? This is the thy•e abomination most damnable, in your most holy, yea most hellish •we church. For the old church knoweth nothing there of, for she •bydeth by her head, even as we out she knoweth that it is the ⟨image 64⟩devils own creation, and should come, even for since sake, according as she hath declared it .ij. Thessal. ii. The man of sin, and child of perdition shall set himself in the temple of God, and show him self as God.2 Even so hath Daniel said also, that he should despise the old church and the God of his fathers, and set up another new God, & new church (that may help him to stablish his new God).3
1Nynthly, who hath cōmaunded you thys froward newe fang lednes in the Churche, which is a spirituall kyngedome, that ye set vp a bodely heade, namynge hym the moost holyest: for as muche as there can be none other, but a spiritual h•ade, which is Christ? Thys is the thy•e abhominatiō most damnable, in youre moste holye, yea mooste hellysh •we church. For the olde churche knoweth nothyng there of, for she •bydeth by her head, euen as we out she knoweth that it is the ⟨image 64⟩deuils owne creation, and shoulde come, euen for synnes sake, accordynge as she hathe declared it .ij. Thessal. ii. The man of synne, and chylde of perdicion shall sette hymselfe in the tempell of God, and shewe hym selfe as God.
Who hath now the new offallynge Church, have it the old, & we, which do abide by the right old head, and abhor the new devilish head: Or have they it, That worship the new devilish head, kiss his feet, and recey•e blessing of his two fingers, that exalt his doctrine above the word of God, and honour not the old right he•de with one knelling, yea also not o•es remember him, and his blessing, uhich he hath purchased for us with •ys hole body and blood?
Vvho hath nowe the newe offallynge Churche, haue it the olde, & we, whiche do abyde by the ryght old heade, and abhorre the newe deuelysshe heade: Or haue they it, That worshippe the newe deuelysshe heade, kysse hys fete, and recey•e blessyng of hys two fyngers, that exalte hys doctrine aboue the worde of God, and honoure not the old ryght he•de with one knelyng, yea also not o•es remēbre hym, and hys blessynge, vhich he hath purchased for vs with •ys hole body and bloude?
But this desolation is so •homynable ⟨image 64⟩and horrible, 1that to speak of it a little, helpeth nothing, And yet no Angels long is able to declare it sufficiently. That thing which God's own mouth nameth abomination, must needs be a greater abomination, than all tongues can express.
But thys desolation is so •homynable ⟨image 64⟩and horryble, 1that to speake of it a littel, helpeth nothynge, And yet no Angels longe is able to declare it sufficiently. That thynge which Goddes owne monthe nameth abhomination, must nedes be a greater abhomination, than all tonges can expresse.
1Tenthly, who hath commanded you to set up this new Idolatryer? That ye do institute worshipping of saints, Canonise saints, ordain fastings and holy days, to honour them, even as though they were gods themselves, that men do put their trust and confidence in their merits, more then in Christ himself, and in his blood and merits, whom you have set forth and declared unto us, as a judge, whom we must pacify & obtain grace of him, by his mother, and by the intercession and merits of all saints, with our holy service.
1Tenthly, who hathe commaunded you to sette vp thys newe Idolatryer? That ye do institute worshippyng of saynctes, Canonyse saynctes, ordeyne fastynges and holy dayes, to honoure them, euen as though they were goddes themselues, that men do put theyr trust and confidence in their merites, more then in Christ hymselfe, and in hys bloude and merites, whome you haue set forth and declared vnto vs, as a iudge, whome we must pacifye & obteyne grace of hym, by hys mother, and by the intercession and merites of all saynctes, with our holy seruice.
1In so much that your church in this article is become nothing else, then the churches of the heathen, which worshipped, Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Diatra, and other dead persons, ⟨image 65⟩And like as the Romans in their city of Rome did edificate a Pantheon, Even so have ye also builded a Pantheon, that is a church of all the devils. This shall ye not find in the writings of the Apostles, nor in the young Churches after them, which in times past also would not suffer the Images of fancies, so that much blood was shed for it, I omit that they should worship & pray to the saints, which only is dew to god,
1In so muche that youre churche in thys article is become nothynge elles, then the churches of the heathen, whiche worshypped, Iupiter, Iuno, Venus, Diatra, and other dead persons, ⟨image 65⟩And lyke as the Romayns in theyr citie of Rome dyd edificate a Pantheon, Euen so haue ye also buylded a Pantheon, that is a churche of al the deuyls. Thys shal ye not fynde in the writtynges of the Apostles, nor in the yonge Churches after them, which in tymes past also would not suffer the Images of fayncies, so that muche bloude was shed for it, I omitte that they shoulde worshyppe & pray to the saynctes, which onely is dew to god,
1Eleventhly, who hath commanded you to make his new joy. That ye condemn and slander matrimony, and judge it unclean & uncomely, for God's service, have ye that of the Apostles or of the primitive old church? Yes truly, for S. Paul saith .i. tim. iiij That ye should come under hypocrisy and depart and steppe a side from the faith, & old church, as a very harlot of the devil, which should receive such doctrine of the devil, and preach against matrimony, and yet live your selves in dissembling chastity, that is in all manner of uncleanliness.2
1Eleuently, who hathe cōmaunded you to make hys newe ioye. That ye condemne and sclaunder matrimony, and iudge it vncleane & vncomely, for goddes seruice, haue ye that of the Apostles or of the primatiue old church? Yes truely, for S. Paul saith .i. tim. iiij That ye should come vnder hypocrisye and departe and steppe a syde frō the faith, & old church, as a very harlot of the deuyl, whiche shoulde receyue suche doctryne of the deuyl, and preache agaynst matrimony, and yet lyue youre selues in dissemblyng chastite, that is in al maner of vnclenlynes.2
This neweltie sewe with her noble fruits, that the ground will bear you no longer. And God with his judgement hath begun to press into it, & to hallow this new holy church even into hell fire, And will not be entreated to the contrary. This know we, Thanked be God.
Thys neweltie sewe with her noble frutes, that the grounde wyl beare you no longer. And God with hys iudgement hath begōne to preasse into it, & to hallowe thys newe holy church euen into hel fyre, And wil not be intreated to the contrary. Thys knowe we, Thanked be God.
1Twelfthly, who hath commanded you to make this newness? That ye rule and war with the worldly sword and use the same for the most part, for to shed innocent blood? Have ye seen ye sharp eyed flitter mice, that the Apostles or old church subdued the world with the sword, or augmented the church by battle? whence come ye then I pray you, that boast your selves successors of the old church, & call us the new wavering Church, which notwithstanding hold with the old church, and came of the same But ye came of that run away the devils harlot your new murtherysh and lying Church.
1Twelftly, who hath commaunded you to make this newnes? That ye rule and warre with the worldly sweard and vse the same for the mooste parte, for to shede innocent bloude? Haue ye sene ye sharp eyed flitter myse, that the Apostles or old churche subdued the worlde with the sworde, or augmēted the churche by battayl? whence come ye then I praye you, that boaste your selues successours of the old church, & cal vs the newe waueryng Churche, which notwithstandyng holde with the olde churche, and came of the same But ye came of that runne away the deuyls harlott your new murtherysh and lyenge Church.
1There are yet many more of those new knacks, as purgatory, relics ⟨image 66⟩hallowing of churches, and of such swarmings, the hole decrees and decretal with other innumerable books full of clean new inventions, whereof the old Church, and the Apostles never knew. But who is able to recite all the multitude of this fond or dust, yea poison and devilish lies: This shall suffice at this present, to show, how shamefully the Papipistes, by their. H. M. lye, when they call us to new, run away. Heretical church. But that their broken edged sword, goeth through their own heart, & appeareth evidently, that they have forsaken their old Church, and her old bridegroom, and are run away from her, as an archedevils harlot, which is not only heretical, (for that word is to little and to honest for such shameful knavery) but the Antichristishe harlot, and God's enemy, yea that exalteth her self above God (even as her bridegroom would do also in heaven) the deupls last and most shameful spouse.2
1There are yet many more of those newe knackes, as purgatory, reliques ⟨image 66⟩hallowynge of churches, and of suche swarmynges, the hole decrees and decretall with other innumerable bokes full of cleane newe inuentions, whereof the olde Churche, and the Apostles neuer knewe. But who is able to recyte al the multitude of this fond or duste, yea poyson and deuelysshe lyes: Thys shal suffise at thys presēt, to shewe, howe shamefully the Papipistes, by theyr. H. M. lye, when they cal vs to newe, runne away. Heretical churche. But that theyr broken edged sworde, gothe throught theyr owne harte, & appeareth euidētly, that they haue forsaken theyr olde Church, and her olde brydegrome, and are runne away from her, as an archedeuils harlot, whiche is not onely heretycal, (for that worde is to littel and to honeste for suche shameful knauerye) but the Antichristishe harlot, and goddes enemye, yea that exalteth her selfe aboue God (euen as her brydegrome would do also in heauen) the deupls laste and most shamefull spouuse.2
But we, for as much as we eschew ⟨image 66⟩and abhor such devilishness and newness, and hold our selves again to the right old church the virgin and pure spouse of Christ. Are we undoubtedly the very old Church, without all whoredom, and newness, which remaineth hitherto unto us, and we come of the same, yea be regenerate of her, as the Galatians were of S. Paul. For we did also of late stick earnestly in the hinder part of the hellish whore the Popes new church, which we lament that we have so shamefully spent so much time & pains in the same den. But thanks and praise be to God, which of that read blasphemous harlot hath delivered us.
But we, for as much as we eschewe ⟨image 66⟩and abhorre suche deuelysshenes and newnes, and holde oure selues agayn to the ryghte olde churche the virgyn and pure spoūse of Christ. Are we vndoubtedly the very old Church, withoute all hooredome, and newnes, whiche remayneth hitherto vnto vs, and we come of the same, yea be regenerate of her, as the Galathians were of S. Paul. For we dyd also of late sticke earnestly in the hynder part of the hellysshe hoore the Popes newe churche, which we lamente that we haue so shamefully spente so muche tyme & paynes in the same denne. But thankes and prayse be to God, whiche of that reade blasphemous harlot hath delyuered vs.
If yet such newness in the Papacy were but slight newne or could be, then were they after some forte for tranquillity's sake to be suffered, like as one weareth and suffereth his new coat. But now cleaveth this devilish poison and infernal murder there on. 1That the commandment of the church, must be called holy ⟨image 67⟩God's service, good life, spiritual conversation, wherein a man deserveth grace and life (if he observe it) either wrath and death (if he do not observe it). This is of lies to make trueth of the devil God, and of hell to make heaven, And contrary wise.
Yf yet suche newnes in the Papacye were but slyghte newne or coulde be, then were they after some forte for tranquillities sake to be suffered, lyke as one weareth and suffereth his newe coate. But nowe cleaueth this deuelysshe poyson and infernall murther ther on. 1That the cōmaundement of the churche, muste be called holye ⟨image 67⟩Goddes seruice, good lyfe, spirituall conuersatiō, wherein a man deserueth grace and lyfe (yf he obserue it) either wrath and death (yf he do not obserue it). This is of lyes to make trueth of the deuyl God, and of hel to make heauen, And contrary wyse.
Therefore is the popish church so full of lies, devils Idolatry, hell, murder, and of all mischief that it swarmeth. And it is here time to hear the voice of the Angel. Apo. xviij. Come away from Babylon my people, that ye be not partakers in her since, that ye receive not of her plagues, for her since are gone up to heaven &c.1
Therfore is the popysshe church so ful of lyes, deuyls Idolatrye, hel, murther, and of all mischief that it swarmeth. And it is here tyme to heare the voyce of the Angel. Apo. xviij. Come away from Babylon my people, that ye be not partakers in her synnes, that ye receaue not of her plages, for her synnes are gone vp to heauen &c.1
1In times past, where as the painters painted the later judgement: 2they feigned hell a great dragons head with a very wide mouth, wherein in the midst of the flame stood the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, priests, mom kes, Emperor, Kings, Princes, & all manner of men and women, but no young children. I could not devise of a trueth how the Popish church ⟨image 67⟩might or could be more goodly, compendiously and playnelyer painted or described, for doubtless she is the devouring of hell, where unto she abideth the Pope himself, and devoureth all the world in the bottomless pit of hell, through the devils mouth, that is through her devilish preaching & teaching. Surely it hath not ben invented of a foolish fellow, belike out of Isaiah. v, where as he saith,3 hell gapeth & openeth her mouth marvellous wide, that their pride and boasting both her rich men & wealth with such as rejoice therein, may descend into it. But if it did chance to be made so unadvisedly or unwarily, truly then is it an Image very well happened, to set out to the simple man the popish church, to the intent that he may be ware of it, and flee from it, which hath devoured all, save the young christened children, whereof we shall entreat more here after.
1In tymes past, where as the paynters paynted the later iudgement: 2thei fayned hel a great dragōs heade with a very wyde mouth, wherein in the myddes of the flame stode the Pope, Cardinals, Bysshoppes, priestes, mō kes, Emperour, Kynges, Prynces, & all maner of men and women, but no yonge chyldren. I coulde not deuyse of a trueth howe the Popysshe church ⟨image 67⟩myght or coulde be more goodly, compendiously and playnelyer paynted or descrybed, for doubteles she is the deuourynge of hel, where vnto she abydeth the Pope hymself, and deuoureth al the world in the botomeles pit of hel, through the deuils mouthe, that is through her deuilysh preachynge & teachynge. Surely it hath not bē inuē ted of a foolysshe fellowe, bylyke oute of Esay. v, where as he sayth,
Here will and may they say, why dost thou revile us so shamefully, as a new run away Church, seeing ⟨image 68⟩we have also the Baptism. Sacrament, keys, Creed, and Gospel, as well as the old church, of the which we did descend. And thou thy self above hast granted, that even we as well as ye, proceed from the Old Church.
Here wil and may they saye, why dost thou reuile vs so shamefully, as a newe runne awaye Churche, seynge ⟨image 68⟩we haue also the Baptisme. Sacrament, keyes, Crede, and Gospell, as well as the olde churche, of the which we dyd descende. And thou thy selfe aboue hast graunted, that euen we as well as ye, procede from the Olde Churche.
I make answer, It is true, I grant that the church wherein ye sit, cometh from the old Church, as well, as we, and hath also even the same Baptism, Sacrament, keys, and text of the Bible, and the Gospel, And I will praise you yet higher, and knowledge that we, of the Church under you (not of you) have all things received, what will ye more? Are we not honest enough? Will ye not from henceforth leave us uncherked, by the name of heretics. We cannot take you for Turks nor Jews (as is above specified) which be out of the Church.
I make answer, It is true, I graunte that the churche wherein ye sitte, cometh from the olde Churche, as well, as we, and hath also euen the same Baptisme, Sacrament, keyes, and texte of the Byble, and the Gospell, And I wyl prayse you yet hyer, and knowledge that we, of the Churche vnder you (not of you) haue all thynges receyued, what wyl ye more? Are we not honeste ynough? Wyll ye not from hencefurth leaue vs vncherked, by the name of heretykes. Vve cānot take you for Turkes nor Iewes (as is aboue specifyed) whiche be oute of the Churche.
