A06491:315
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.
1But our adversaries, devil, Papists, sects, and all the world, they be bold and unshamefast, and dare foolishly proclaim, for great holiness, here is God, we are Gods church Ministers, Prophets, and Apostles, like as all false Prophets have done always. But lowliness and fear in God's word hath always ben the right token of true holy church, boldness & presumptuousness in mans imagination hath ben the right token of the devil, as it may also plainly be perceived in the papistical decrees.
1But oure aduersaryes, deuyl, Papiltes, seetes, and al the worlde, they be bolde and vnshamefast, and dare folyshely proclayme, for great holynes, here is God, we are Gods church Ministers, Prophetes, and Apostles, lyke as al false Prophetes haue done alwayes. But lowlynes and feare in Goddes worde hath alwayes ben the ryght token of true holy church, boldnes & presumptuousnes in mās imagnation hath ben the ryght token of the deuyl, as it may also playnely be perceyued in the papistical decrees.
- 1Nature of false Prophets.Nature of false Prophetes.
This is spoken of the doctrine, which must be pure & sincere, namely the dear blessed, holy, and only word of God, without any addition. But the life, which daily must frame purify & sanctified it self, after the doctrine ⟨image 81⟩is not yet all pure or holy, whilst this worms, bag flesh and blood liveth. 1Nevertheless, whilst he is a purifying or sanctifying and still forth suffereth himself to be healed, by the Samaritan, and doth not destroy himself further more and more in uncleanliness, It shall be graciously, for the words sake, through the which he suffereth him self to be cleansed, remitted, freely and clearly forgiven, and not imputed unto him, and must be called clean. For thereby becometh not the holy catholic church a harlot or unholy, whilst she cleaveth purely and surely to the word (which is her holiness) and abideth in the same. Ye are clean saith Christ.