A06491:278
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.
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 ⟨image 70⟩counterfaicte kyngdome of heauen, forgettynge your catholyke faythe, baptisme and Sacrament, and became the carnal Scolers and yonge harlotts of that Leua the Archewhore (as the Comedyes say, vntyl ye old whores make agayne yong harlottes, and so furth increase and augmente the Popes ye the deuyls churche, and seduce many of the ryghte virgyns of Christe, so borne by baptisme, making them also in proces of time to Archewhores. This I suppose bespokē plaine ynough that ye & euery mā may vnderstād, what we meane. For though ye counte suche newelties amonge you for tryfles, ye which haue no god, nor regard him, neuertheles is it afore god, horryble, abhominable, Idolatry, murther, hell, and al myschyef, which God can not abyde, wherfore he wyll condēpne that Archeharlot for euer.
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.
But it is God, that through his won derfull almighty power, by you among so many abominations, & devilish whoredoms yet saveth the young babes, through baptism and some old folks, but very few that in their end have turned again to Christ, of which sort I have known a great number myself. So that for all this: The right old Church with her Baptism, and Gods word doth still remain among you. And your God the devil through so many new Idolatries with all your devilish whoredom was never able to destroy it clean.
But it is God, that through his wō derfull allmightie power, by you amonge so many abhominatiōs, & deuelyshe whoredomes yet saueth the yōge babes, through baptisme and some old folkes, but very few that in theyr ende haue turned agayne to Christe, of whiche sorte I haue knowen a greate nombre myselfe. So that for all this: The righte olde Churche with her Baptisme, and Gods worde dothe still remayne amonge you. And youre God the deuil through so many newe Idolatries with all youre deuelysshe whoredome was neuer able to destroy it cleane.
1Even as in the time of Elijah, when all (how be it they were all God's people, that is, such as were called the holy Church, and boasted that God which had brought them out of Egypt) was full of Baal, Idolatry and whoredom in all the whole land, that there was not one altar left for God. And yet for all that were reserved seven ⟨image 72⟩from thousand men, of all the multitude of thousands, among the which were the Chiefest and the best, which went all to the devil. And in the wilderness under Moses all dyed saving these two Joshua and Caleb.
1Euen as in the tyme of Elias, whē all (howe be it they were all Goddes people, that is, suche as were called the holy Churche, and boasted that God whiche had broughte them oute of Egypte) was full of Baall, Idolatrye and whoredome in all the whole lande, that there was not one aulter left for God. And yet for all that were reserued seuen ⟨image 72⟩frō thousand men, of all the multitude of thousandes, among the which were the Chyefest and the best, which went all to the deuill. And in the wildernes vnder Moses al dyede sauinge these two Iosua and Caleb.
God's work is called, Consummans and abbrevians, that he saveth a certain few by his grace. When the whole multitude in his wrath perisheth whereof S. Paul Rom. x. plenteously writteth.1
Goddes worke is called, Consummans and abbreuians, that he saueth a certein fewe by his grace. When the whole multitude in his wrath perissheth whereof S. Paule Rom. x. plenteously writteth.1
Even so did Daniel also prophesy long before.1 That under Antichrist should be a time of wrath, and such trouble as never was upon earth. And S. Paul which taketh his prophecy out of Daniel even there sayeth also.2 That God shall be displeased, & suffer to come mighty errors, because men received not the love of trueth that they might be saved.
Euē so did Daniel also propbecye longe before.1 That vnder Anthechrist shoulde be a tyme of wrath, and suche trouble as neuer was vpō earth. And S. Paull whiche taketh his prophecye out of Daniel euen there sayeth also.2 That God shalbe displeased, & suffce to come mightye erroures, because mē receyued not the loue of truethe that they might be saued.
1I pray you, let us behold our own histories, that is, The histories of the Christianity. Under Constantius the sun of Constantine was the indignation of God so great, that the heretics ⟨image 72⟩of the Arians, had taken in all the churches of the world, except twain. And notwithstanding at that time were the Bishops, and also the Arians them selves learned, wise, honest, honourable, & earnest men before the world. What should than be under the Bishop of Rome. Where as no Bishop knoweth nor exerciseth his office. But liveth Epicuryshly and hoggishly. There must needs be the very devil.
1I pray you, let vs behold oure owne hittories, that is, The histories of the Christianite. Vnder Constantius the sonne of Constantyn was the indignatiō of God so great, that the heretikes ⟨image 72⟩of the Arrians, had taken in all the churches of the world, excepte twa•n. And notwithstondinge at that tyme were the Bysshoppes, and also the Arrians them selues learned, wyse, honest, honourable, & earnest men before the world. Vvhat shoulde than be vnder the Bysshoppe of Rome. Vvhere as no Bysshoppe knoweth nor exercy seth his office. But lyueth Epicuryshly and hoggysshly. There must nedes be the very deuill.
Wherefore the miserable, blind, hardened Popish ashes, much less understand, What Church or God is then a Cow or Sow understandeth. The church is a high, deep, hidden thing, that no man may know her nor see. But only, must be taken & believed by the Baptism, Sacrament, and word, Mans doctrine, Ceremonies, Shaven Crowns, long gowns Bishops bats, & the hole popish rabblement doth lead far wide from it, even into the very hell. I omit that it should signify the Church. For to the church pertain also naked Children, ⟨image 73⟩man, woman, Ploughman & Citizen, which have neither shaven crowns Bishops hats, nor yet mass garments upon them.
Vvherefore the miserable, blynde, hardened Popyshe asshes, muche lesse vnderstande, Vvhat Churche or God is then a Cowe or Sowe vnderstandeth. The church is a hygh, depe, hydden thinge, that noman may know her nor see. But onely, must be taken & beleued by the Baptisme, Sacramente, and worde, Mans doctrine, Ceremonies, Shauen Crounes, longe gounes Bysshops battes, & the hole popyshe rablement doth leade farre wyde from it, euē into the very holl. I omitte that it shoulde signifie the Churche. For to the churche pertayne also naked Children, ⟨image 73⟩man, woman, Ploweman & Citegen, whiche haue neither shauen crounes Bysshoppes hattes, nor yet masse garmentes vpon them.
1Here might the papists peradventure desire, yea they will have it by compulsion. That such new Articles of their new Church, should besides the old Articles of the old Church be observed or suffered, if not they would have us to be heretics, and tyd out of the way. For the Popish Ass, is such a dull Ass, that he neither can nor will learn to discern between God's word and mans traditions. But keepeth both like.
1HEre myght the papystes paraduēture desyre, yea they will haue it by compulsion. That suche newe Articles of their newe Churche, shoulde besydes the olde Articles of the olde Churche be obserued or suffered, yf not they woulde haue vs to be heretikes, and tyd out of the waye. For the Popysshe Asse, is suche a dull Asse, that he neither can nor will learne to discerne betwene Goddes worde and mans traditions. But kepeth bothe lyke.
This do they declare thereby. That they now often have intended, to make with us an accord or agreement and made as though they would something abate, and that we should also abate some what, to the intent that both together might be stablished show be it they never minded the same earnestly. But only to rent us away and to trouble us.)
This do they declare thereby. That they nowe often haue intended, to make with vs an accorde or agreemēt and made as thoughe they woulde somethinge abate, and that we shoulde also abate som what, to thintēt that bothe to gether mighte be stablysshed showe be it they neuer mynded the same earnestly. But onely to rente vs away and to trouble vs.)
1Nevertheless men may see so much therein how that they have set them selves above God as the Antichristifshe blasphemers, Thinking that that the doctrine should be right as long as they will. And when they will no more that then it should no more be right. For they would have the authority, somewhat to abate thereof or not, at their pleasures. And even as they give it or take it, even so should we receive it. Offering us such an abominable filthnes, shameless, with out any semblance, very openly. Whereby they them selves declare, that they have no more a subtle devil, that rideth them ⟨image 74⟩as they had a certain hundred years a gone. But the comprehensible Tulpyn, Clubbish devil, that can colour him self no more for iniquity.
1Neuertheles men may see so muche therin howe that they haue sette them selues aboue God as the Antichristifshe blasphemours, Thinkynge that that the doctrine shoulde be right as longe as they will. And when they will no more that then it shoulde no more be right. For they woulde haue the authorite, somwhat to abate thereof or not, at their pleasures. And euen as they geue it or take it, euen so shoulde we receyue it. Offringe vs suche an abhominable filthnes, shameles, with oute any semblaunce, very openly. Whereby they them selues declare, that they haue no more a subtill deuill, that rydeth them ⟨image 74⟩as they had a certein hundreth yares a goue. But the cōprehēsible Tulpyn, Clubbyshe deuill, that can couloure hym selfe no more for iniquitie.
