A06491:449
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.
The first commandment. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me. Thou shalt make thy no graven Image, neither any similitude that is in heaven above either in the earth beneath, or in the water, under the earth. Thou shalt not worship them neither serve them &c.
The fyrst commaundement. Thou shalt haue none other Goddes but me. Thou shalt make thy no grauen Image, neither any similitude that is in heauē aboue either in the earth beneth, or in the water, vnder the earth. Thou shalte not worship thē neither serue thē &c.
Here do I think, First that God requireth of me, and teacheth a hearty confidence in him, in all things, and it is his great earnest, that he will be my God, and so must I take him upon pain of damnation. And that my heart should not trust nor build upon any thing else, whether it be goods honour, wisdom, power, holiness or any creature. Secondarily, I do thank his infinite mercy, that he so fatherly giveth him self to me damned creature, here beneath, and offereth him ⟨image 109⟩self to me undesired, unsought for and undeserved, to be my God to care for me, and will be my comfort, defence help and strength. Notwithstanding that we pore blind creatures have sought so many manner of Gods, & yet should be fain to seek, if he did not cause him self so openly to be heard and did not offer him self unto us in our humane language, that he would be our God. Who is ever able sufficiently to thank him for this? Thirdly do I confess and knowledge my great sin and unthankfulness, that I so shamefully throughout all my life have despised, and little regarded this wholesome doctrine & excellent gift, & have so abominably with innumerable Idolatries provoked his wrath & indignation, wherefore I am sorry, & cry for mercy. Fourthly do I pray, saying: Oh my God & Lord help me through thy grace, that I may daily better learn and understand this thy commandment, & do thereafter with a hearty confidence, keep my heart, that I be no more so forgetful and unthankful, that I ⟨image 109⟩