A06491:332
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.
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.
How be it we desyre a counsayll for this intent. That our Churche myght be hearde, & that oure doctrine myght come abroad freely to the light, wherwith your whoredome in the Papacye ⟨image 87⟩myght be spyed and condemned, and that euery man that there by is seduced, myght be with vs conuerted to the holy Churche, and increased with vs in the same. But here haue, ye not the pose wyth your God the deuill. But ye Flyttermyse, Molles, Nightrauens, and nyght Owles, whiche can not abyde the lyght, lette & defende with al power & crafte, that it come not there to, that the truth myght come to light, be heard and handled.
Notwithstanding, God goeth forward still and bringeth the light as broad, yea to more ye let it, to more it doth increase. That at the last ye shall be fain to suffer it with all shame and damage. And how much that such your fugitive, astonied desperate, eschewing of the light, doth fear us or animate you, let your own conscience and heart declare unto you:
Notwithstanding, God goeth forwarde still and bryngeth the light as broade, yea to more ye lette it, to more it doth increase. That at the laste ye shal be fayne to suffer it with al shame and damage. And howe muche that such your fugitiue, astonyed desperat, eschewinge of the light, doth feare vs or animate you, let your owne cōsciēce and hert declare vnto you: