A06491:450
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 second commandment. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
The seconde commaundement. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lorde thy God in vayne. For the Lorde will not hold hym gyltelesse that taketh his name in vayne.
First, I do learn, that I must keep the name of God Glorious, Holy and clean that I shall not swear, curse or lye thereby, that I shall not be ⟨image 110⟩proud seeking mine own honour & name, but that I shall humbly worship adore, praise and boast his name. And let all this be mine honour and rejoicing, that he is my God, and that I am his poor creature, and unworthy servant. Secondarily, I do thank him of his glorious gift, that he hath revealed and given me his name, that I may boast of his name, and be called a servant or Creature of God, &c. That his name is my refuge, as a sure hold (as Solomon sayeth) to the which the Righteous doth fly, and is saved and defended. Thirdly, I do confess & knowledge mine abominable & grievous since, which I have committed against this commandment, from my youth where as I have not only left worshipping, boasting and honouring of his name, but also have ben unthankful for such gifts, & have abused the same to all manner of ungraciousness, with swearing lying, deceiving. &c. Wherefore I am sorry, and desire grace and mercy &c. Fourthly, I do pray for help and strength, that I may from hence forth ⟨image 110⟩learn this commandment, and keep my self from such shameful unthankfulness, abuse & since, against his holy name, but that I may be found thankful, and in the true fear and honour of his name.