A06491:303
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.
1For whatsoever steppeth a side from the word of God (which only is the way) as he sayeth, I am the way, the truth and the life,2 appear it as good and fair as it may. So is it notwithstanding doubtless, error, lies, and death. For it is without the word of God, that is without the way, truth and life. And what need should we have of the word, if we without the same could find ways for our selves?3 For the word is only the lantern of our feet, and ⟨image 77⟩the light of our paths, which lighteth in the dark places of the word, as S. Peter sayeth.4 As that keepeth not the same always before his eyes whither can he go else, than in darkness. So that light is in darkness to the intent that we should guide our selves thereafter in darkness.
1For whatsoeuer steppeth a syde frō the worde of God (whiche onely is the waye) as he sayeth, I am the waye, the truthe and the lyfe,2 appeare it as good and fayre as it maye. So is it notwhitstanding doubtles, errour, lyes, and death. For it is without the word of God, that is withoute the waye, truthe and lyfe. And what nede shoulde we haue of the worde, yf we withoute the same coulde fynde wayes for oure selues?3 For the worde is onely the lanterne of oure fete, and ⟨image 77⟩the lyght of oure pathes, which lighteth in the darke places of the worde, as S. Peter sayeth.4 As that kepeth not the same alwayes before his eyes whither can he go elles, than in darkenes. So that light is in darkenes to thintent that we shoulde guyde oure selues therafter in darkenes.