A06491:293
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.
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.
- 1Papists.Papistes.
1For, seeing they offer them selves something to abate, desiring the same also of us, they do testify: That they regard as much, Mans doctrine, as Gods word. It lieth not in God him self to abate or change his own word. For he can not deny and alter him self. And his word abideth for ever. Wherefore whosoever should undertake to abate or alter it, the same must needs have a higher Power and authority then God him self. For he would not have altered Moses law, if he had not before by his word promised to alter it. Wherefore also no man will enterprise the same then the Antichrist, as Daniel. xij. & S. Paul do say.