A06491:422
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.
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.
And albeit that some works may be fall, which be as good as prayer, or better, specially when necessity doth require them, as there goeth a Proverb under the name of Saint Jerome, Every work of the faithful is a prayer. And another Proverb, he that laboureth or worketh truly, prayeth double. Which must be spoken ⟨image 99⟩out of this ground, That a faithful man in his labour doth fear and honour God, and thinketh on his commandments, so that he will do wrong to no man, nor steal, nor circumvent or deceive any man, And such cogitations make doubtless of his work a prayer, and besides that a sacrifice of praise.
And albeit that some workes may be fall, whiche be as good as prayer, or better, specyally whan necessitye doth requyre them, as there goeth a Prouerbe vnder the name of Saynte Ierome, Euery worke of the faythful is a prayer. And another Prouerbe, he that laboureth or worketh truely, prayeth double. Whiche must be spoken ⟨image 99⟩out of thys ground, That a faithful man in hys labour doth feare and honour God, and thynketh on his cō maundementes, so that he wyll do wronge to no man, nor steale, nor circumuent or deceyue any man, And suche cogitations make doubteles of hys worke a prayer, and besydes that a sacrifyce of prayse.