A06491:331
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.
We for our part did never desire a Counsel for to reform our Church. For God the holy Ghost hath by his holy word hallowed our Church Long a god, yea rather swept away from it all Popish whoredom and Idolatry, that we have all things (praised be God) pure and holy, The word pure, the Baptism pure, the Sacrament pure, the •eyes pure, and all what soever belongeth to the church have we pure and holy, without all mans tradition, addition, and filthiness. The life (as above declared) goeth not fully thereafter, as we would fain see and wish she, where upon the Prophets and Apostles them selves also complain. But that pertaineth yonder where, as we shall be like unto the Angels.
We for oure parte did neuer desyre a Counsayll for to refourme oure Churche. For God the holy Ghoost hath by his huly worde halowed oure Churche Longe a god, yea rather swepte away from it all Popysshe whoredome and Idolatrie, that we haue all thinges (praysed be God) pure and holy, The worde pure, the Baptisme pure, the Sacrament pure, the •eyes pure, and all what soeuer belongeth to the church haue we pure and holy, without all mans tradition, addition, and fylthynes. The lyfe (as aboue declared) goeth not fully thereafter, as we would fayne see and wys she, where vpon the Prophetes and Apostles them selues also complayne. But that perteyneth yonder wher, as we shall be lyke vnto the Aungels.
How be it we desire a counsel for this intent. That our Church might be heard, & that our doctrine might come abroad freely to the light, wherewith your whoredom in the Papacy ⟨image 87⟩might be spied and condemned, and that every man that there by is seduced, might be with us converted to the holy Church, and increased with us in the same. But here have, ye not the pose with your God the devil. But ye Flyttermyse, Molls, Nightravens, and night Owls, which can not abide the light, let & defend with all power & craft, that it come not there to, that the truth might come to light, be heard and handled.