A06491:270
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.
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.
- 1The bishop of Rome will have his mens traditions to be taken for goddes service, &c.The bysshop of Rome wyl haue his mennes tradicyons to be taken for goddes seruice, &c.
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.