A06491:54
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 Purgatory with all the pomp of God's service & purchase of the same to be counted for a mere diabolical illusion. For it is also against the Chief and principal Article, ⟨image 12⟩that only Christ, and not mans works must help the Souls. Besides that also we have no charge nor commandment given unto us concerning the dead. Wherefore it may well be left, and omitted although it were neither heresy error nor Idolatry. 1The Papists allege here Austin & certain Fathers, that should have written of the Purgatory, thin king that we do not see, for what purpose, or to what intent they use such sayings. S. Austen doth not writ, that there is a purgatory, neither hath he any Scripture moving him thereto: but he doth leave it in dubitation, whether there be any or not & saith, That his mother desired, That she might be remembered at the altar or Sacrament. Now all these things are nothing but mans devotion, of one simple person alone, which make no Article of our faith, for that belongeth only to God.
Therfore is Purgatorye with all the pomp of Goddes seruice & pourchace of the same to be counted for a mere diabolicall illusion. For it is also against the Chiefe and principal Article, ⟨image 12⟩that onely Christe, and not mānes workes must helpe the Soules. Besydes that also we haue no charge nor cōmandement geuen vnto vs concernynge the deade. Vvherfore it maye well be left, and omitted althoughe it were neyther heresye errour nor Idolatrye. 1The Papistes alledge here Austyne & certayne Fathers, that should haue written of the Purgatorye, thin king that we do not see, for what purpose, or to what intent they vse suche sayenges. S. Austen doth not writte, that there is a purgatorie, neither hath he any Scripture mouynge him therto: but he doth leaue it in dubitation, whether there be any or not & sayth, That his mother desyred, That she might be remembred at the aulter or Sacrament. Nowe all these thinges are nothinge but mannes deuotion, of one symple person alone, which make no Article of our faith, for that belongeth onely to God.
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