A06491:268
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.
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
Thereof prophesied Peter,1 where as he speaketh of you such new Prophets & churches .ij. Pet. ij. They speak swelling words of vanity, & they entice through lusts in the voluptuousness ⟨image 70⟩of the flesh, them that were clean escaped, but now are wrapped in errors, They promise them liberty, remission & Pardon, where as they them selves are the bond servants of corruption.
Thereof prophecyed Peter,1 where as he speaketh of you such newe Prophetes & churches .ij. Pet. ij. They speake swelling wordes of vanitie, & thei entyse through lustes in the voluptuousnes ⟨image 70⟩of the fleshe, thē that were cleane escaped, but nowe are wrapped in errours, They promise thē liberte, remission & Pardon, where as they them selues are the bonde seruauntes of corruption.
Item, They were escaped from the filthiness of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and of the saviour Jesus Christ. And are yet tangled again therein and overcome. And so is the later end worse with them then the beginning. It were better for them, not to have known the way of righteousness, then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment, that was given unto them. It is happened unto them according to the true Proverb. The dog is turned to his own vomit again. The sow that was washed in her swimming is turned again to her wallowing in the mire.
Item, They were escaped from the fylthines of the worlde, through the knowlege of the Lorde and of the sauyor Iesu Christ. And are yet tangled agayne therin and ouercome. And so is the later ende worse with them then the beginnynge. It were better for them, not to haue knowen the waye of rightuousnes, then after they haue knowne it to turne from the holy commaundement, that was geuen vnto them. It is happened vnto them according to the true Prouerbe. The dogge is turned to his owne vomet agayne. The sowe that was wasshed in her swymmynge is turned agayne to her wallowinge in the myre.
This are ye, and so have I ben also. There have ye your new, of falling & run away church plain enough described, and clear enough set out ⟨image 71⟩before your eyes. For we knowledge not only. That ye with us are come out of the right Church, and have swymmed with us in baptism and are washed through the Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as S. Peter here sayeth. But say also that ye are in the Church, and also abide therein. Yea verily, that ye therein sit and rule as saint Paul prophecieth.1 That the cursed Antichrist shall sit in the Temple of God (and not in a horse stable) &c.
This are ye, and so haue I ben also. There haue ye youre newe, of fallinge & runne awaye church playne ynough described, and cleare ynough set oute ⟨image 71⟩before your eyes. For we knowlegs not onely. That ye with vs are come oute of the right Churche, and haue swymmed with vs in bapfisme and are wasshed through the Bloude of oure Lorde and Sauioure Iesu Christ as S. Peter here sayeth. But saye also that ye are in the Churche, and also abyde therin. Yea verely, that ye therin sitte and rule as saynete Paule prophecieth.1 That the cursed Antichriste shall sitte in the Tempell of God (and not in a horse stable) &c.
But of the Church, or members of the Church, are ye no more. But in that holy Church of God, do ye execte this your new of falling Church, the whorehouse of the devil and innumerable whore domes and Idolatries or Novelties, whereby ye seduce, the Christened and redeemed souls with you. And devour them through hells mouth in the bottomless pit of hell, with innumerable flocks. To the horrible pitifulness and disquietness of heart, of all them that with spiritual eyes see and ⟨image 71⟩know the same.
But of the Churche, or membres of the Churche, are ye no more. But in that holy Churche of God, do ye execte this youre newe of fallinge Churche, the whorehouse of the deuill and innumerable whore domes and Idolatryes or Newelties, whereby ye seduce, the Christened and redemed soules with you. And deuoure them through helles mouthe in the botomles pytte of hell, with innumerable flockes. To the harrible pitiefulnes and disquietnes of harte, of all them that with spirituall eyes see and ⟨image 71⟩knowe the same.
