A06491:421
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.
First when I feel, that through strange deeds or thoughts, I am be come cold, and unlusty to prayer, even as the flesh, and the devil are always ready to let and hinder prayer. I take my book of Psalms, get me into my chamber, or if the day & time so require into the church to the congregation, and begin mouthely by my self, ⟨image 99⟩to say the Ten commandments, the Creed, and after as the time doth serve me, certain sayings of Christ, Paul, or Psalms, even as the children do.
FYrst whan I fele, that through straung dedes or thoughtes, I am be come colde, and vnlusty to prayer, euen as the fleshe, and the deuyl are alwaies ready to lette and hynder prayer. I take my boke of Psalmes, get me into my chābre, or yf the day & time so requyre into the churche to the congregation, and begynne mouthely by my selfe, ⟨image 99⟩to saye the Tenne commaundementes, the Crede, and after as the tyme doth serue me, certayne sayenges of Christe, Paule, or Psalmes, euen as the chyldren do.
Therefore is it good, that the prayer be used for the first work in the morning, and for the last in the evening. And that a man beware with all diligence of these false deceivable thoughts, which say, Tarry a little within this hour will I pray, I must do this or that before, for by such cogitations and thoughts, cometh a man from prayer upon works, which do hold and compass him in such wise, that nothing is done in prayer that day.
Therfore is it good, that the prayer be vsed for the fyrste worke in the mornynge, and for the last in the euenynge. And that a man beware with all diligence of these false deceyuable thoughtes, whiche saye, Tarye a littel within thys houre wyl I pray, I must do thys or that before, for by suche cogitations and thoughtes, commeth a man from prayer vpon workes, whiche do holde and compasse hym in such wyse, that nothynge is done in prayer that daye.