A06491:78
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 can the Church be never better governed and maintained. Than that we all live under one head Christ. And that the Bishops like in office (although they be unlike in gifts) earnestly agree and hold together, in unity of doctrine, Faith, Sacraments, Prayers, and works of love. According to the writing of S. Jerome. That the Priests of Alexandria together & in commune did govern the Churches, As the Apostles did also. And after them all Bishops in the whole Christianity, until the time that the Pope did exalt his head above all.
Therfore can the Churche be neuer better gouerned and mayntayned. Than that we all lyue vnder one heade Christe. And that the Bysshoppes lyke in office (although they be vnlyke in gyftes) earnestly agree and holde together, in vnitie of doctrine, Faythe, Sacramētes, Prayers, and workes of loue. According to the writtinge of S. Ierome. That the Priestes of Alexandria together & in cōmune did gouerne the Churches, As the Apostles did also. And after them all Bysshoppes in the whole Christianite, vntill the tyme that the Pope did exalte his heade aboue all.
1This part showeth evidently, that he is the right Antichrist, which hath set & exalted him self, above and against Christ, whilst he will not suffer the Christians to be saved, without his jurisdiction which notwithstanding is vain, not ordained of God, nor commanded, This is called properly to set him self above God, & against ⟨image 19⟩God, as saint Paul saith. Such things doth neither Turk nor Tatter, be they never so great enemies to the Christians. But permit to believe in Christ, whosoever will, taking bodily tribute & obedience of the Christians.
1This part sheweth euidētly, that he is the right Antichrist, which hath set & exalted hym selfe, aboue and agaynst Christe, whylest he will not suffer the Christiās to be saued, withoute his iurisdiction whiche notwithstondinge is vayne, not ordeyned of God, nor commaunded, This is called properly to sette hym selfe aboue God, & agaynst