A06491:264
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.
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.
But this say we, that ye do not abide by it, and become the run away, departing whorish church, (as the Prophets use to call it) which ⟨image 68⟩abideth not in the Church, whereof she is borne and nourished, ye run out of the same Church, and from the right husband or bridegroom (as Hoseas saith of the people of Israel) to the devil Baal, Molech, Astaroth, understand ye not this. I will tell it you.
But thys saye we, that ye do not abyde by it, and become the runne awaye, departynge hourysh churche, (as the Prophetes vse to cal it) which ⟨image 68⟩abydeth not in the Churche, whereof she is borne and nourysshed, ye runne oute of the same Churche, and from the ryght husbande or bridegrome (as Hoseas sayth of the people of Israel) to the deuyll Baall, Molech, Astaroth, vnderstande ye not thys. I wyll tell it you.
1Ye are all undoubtedly baptised in the right baptism of the old church as we specially in childhood, and whatsoever so baptised, liveth and dyeth, until in the seventh or eight year, before it have understanding of the whorish Church, of the Romish Bishop, that is surely saved, whereof we doubt nothing, but wha• it cometh to age, and heareth your lying preachings, of your devilish novelties, believeth and followeth the same, Than becometh it a devilish harlot with you, and falleth away from his baptism and bridegroom (as hath chanced unto me with other) buildeth and trusteth upon his own works, even as ye hooremongera, in your whorehouses and devils ⟨image 69⟩Churches preach, notwithstanding that it was baptised, to trust & build only upon his only dear bridegroom, and •ure Lord Jesus Christ, which hath given him selves for us.
1Ye are all vndoubtedly baptised in the ryght baptisme of the olde church as we specially in chyldhode, and whatsoeuer so baptised, liueth and dyeth, vntyl in the seuenthe or eyghte yere, before it haue vnderstandynge of the hoorysshe Churche, of the Romyshe Bysshop, that is surely saued, whereof we doubte nothinge, but wha• it cometh to age, and heareth your lyenge preachynges, of youre deuelysh newelties, beleueth and followeth the same, Than becometh it a deuelysshe harlot with you, and falleth awaye from hys baptisme and brydegrome (as hath chaunched vnto me wyth other) buyldeth and trusteth vpon hys owne workes, euen as ye hooremongera, in your hoorehouses and deuils ⟨image 69⟩Churches preache, notwithstondyng that it was baptised, to trust & buylde onely vpon hys onely deare brydegrome, and •ure Lorde Iesus Christe, whiche hath geuen hym selues for vs.
And it goeth even like, as if an honest young fellow, should bring up a poor young, beggerysshe, comfortless maid, for to be his spouse in time to come, & make himself sure with her, and she should keep her self chaste and honest, until she were man able. And as then turn her eyes, and beheld other fellows, that should like her better, wax hoot and be set on fire upon them, and forsake her heartily beloved & true bridegroom, which had delivered, nourished, kept, brought up, clothed, decked, trimmed, & kept her gay, and suffer her self of every man to be made an harlot.
And it goeth euen lyke, as yf an honest yonge fellowe, shoulde bryng vp a poore youge, beggerysshe, comfortles mayde, for to be his spounse in tyme to come, & make hymself sure with her, and she should kepe her selfe chast and honest, vntylshe were man able. And as then tourne her eyes, and behelde other fellowes, that should lyke her better, waxe hoote and be set on fyre vpon them, and forsake her hertely beloued & true brydegrome, whiche had delyuered, nourysshed, kepte, brought vp, clothed, decked, trymed, & kepte her gaye, and suffre her selfe of euery man to be made an harlot.
This harlot which before was a pure virgin, & dear spouse, is now a divorced run away aduontresse, a house whore, a chamber whore, a keep whore, which in the house in mistress, ⟨image 69⟩and hath the keys, beds, kitchen, cellar, and all things in her power so abominable, that in comparison of her, the commune free harlots heggehoores, feldwhoores, landwhores, campwhores, be in a manner holy. For this is the right archewhore, and properly a devils whore.
Thys harlot whiche before was a pure virgyn, & deare spouuse, is nowe adeuorced runne awaye aduontresse, a house whore, a chāber whore, a kepe whore, whiche in the house in maystres, ⟨image 69⟩and hath the keyes, beddes, kytchen, celler, and al thynges in her power so abhominable, that in comparyson of her, the cōmune free harloties heggehoores, feldwhoores, landwhores, campwhores, be in a maner holy. For thys is the right archewhore, and properly a deuils whore.
Of such whores speaketh Oseas,1 and yet more roughly, and almost to rough, the Prophet Ezech. Cap. xxiii. which ye may read,2 if ye will know what manner of harlot your church is For such a whore do I mean, when I name you an offallyng, run away harlot, which in your youth were baptised right Christians, in our dear Lord, and did live certain years, as the old Church. Afterwards wham ye waxed great, and came to understanding (even as I my self with all other did also) ye saw and heard the goodly ceremonies of the Popish church, besides that, the advantage, honour, & authority, which shine & glister therein, yea the superstitious, holiness, and solemn Gods service, and ⟨image 70⟩counterfeit kingdom of heaven, forgetting your catholic faith, baptism and Sacrament, and became the carnal Scholars and young harlots of that Leva the Archewhore (as the Comedies say, until ye old whores make again young harlots, and so forth increase and augment the Popes yea the devils church, and seduce many of the right virgins of Christ, so borne by baptism, making them also in process of time to Archewhores. This I suppose bespoken plain enough that ye & every man may understand, what we mean. For though ye count such novelties among you for trifles, ye which have no god, nor regard him, nevertheless is it afore god, horrible, abominable, Idolatry, murder, hell, and all mischief, which God can not abide, wherefore he will condemn that Archeharlot for ever.
Of suche whores speaketh Oseas,1 and yet more roughly, and almoste to rough, the Prophet Ezech. Cap. xxiii. whiche ye may reade,2 yf ye wyl know what maner of harlot your churche is For suche a whore do I meane, when I name you an offallyng, runne away harlot, whiche in youre youthe were baptised right Christians, in our deare Lorde, and dyd lyue certen yeres, as the olde Churche. Afterwardes whā ye waxed great, and came to vnderstandyng (euen as I my selfe with all other dyd also) ye sawe and hearde the goodly ceremonies of the Popysh churche, besydes that, the auauntage, honour, & authorite, which shine & glyster therin, yea the supersticious, holynes, and solempne Gods seruyce, and
