A06511:34
The last will and last confession of martin Luther's faith co[n]cerming [sic] the [principal…The last wil and last confession of martyn luthers faith co[n]cerming [sic] the [principal…
The last will and last confession of martin Luther's faith co[n]cerming [sic] the [principal articles of religion which are in controversy, which he will defend & may[n]teine until his death, against the pope and the gates of hell draw[n] forth by him at the request of the princes of germany which have reformed their [sic] churches after the gospel, to be offered up at the next general council in all their names & now published before that all the world may have an evident testimony of his faith if it shall fortune him to dye before there be any such cou[n]cel, tra[n]slated out of latin beware of the pope & of his false prophets and bishops for they will come in sheep's clothing and in angels faces but yet inwardly they are ravening wolves [sic].The last wil and last confession of martyn luthers faith co[n]cerming [sic] the [principal articles of religion which are in controuersy, which he wil defend & mai[n]teine vntil his death, agaynst the pope and the gates of hell drawe[n] furth by him at the request of the princes of germany which haue reformed theier [sic] churches after the gospel, to be offred vp at the next general councel in all their names & now published before that all the world may haue an euydent testimony of his faith if it shal fortune him to dye before there be any such cou[n]cel, tra[n]slated out of latyn beware of the pope & of his false prophetes and bissopes for thei wil come in shepys clothing and in angels facys but yet inwardly thei are ravening wolnys [sic].
Wesel : D. van der Straten?, 1543
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.
And the pope hath confirmed also / all such things / as he hath done the mass and all other abomination.
And the pope hath confirmed also / all such things / as he hath done the masse and all other abhomynacyon.
Thirdly. The mass was the cause of pilgrimages / for in pilgrimages / the people have sought masses / remission of sins & the mercy or favour of god. And the mass hath been the head captain of all these things. And it is wonder that such things should be imagined / seeing it is so manifest that there is no manner of mention of pilgrimages in the word of god / and again it is evident enough that they be unprofitable for as much as we have many better things than pilgrimages / ⟨image 11⟩& finally they may be left & forsaken with out all sin / peril or danger. Why do men run from their own cites & parishes / forsake the word of god / their wives and children (which all be necessary things & commanded us by god to stick unto) and in stead of them follow and delight their selves in unprofitable / foolish / dangerous things & devilish errors / but that the devil hath procured & stirred up the pope to command & confirm such things / whereby many people might be seduced from christ & fix their hope & trust in their works? and also (which is worst of all) to commit daily Idolatry. furthermore / I say / it is no necessary thing / having no commandment of god nor no word in the scripture which counselleth men thereunto / and it is also a doubtful dangerous & a noisome thing. Wherefore in this article we ought to grant nothing nor to give no place at all / unto our adversaries. Let the common people be taught that pilgrimages be not necessary / but full of peril and danger / and than after ward / let us see where any pilgrimage shall remain or where a man shall find any.
Thirdly. The masse was the cause of pilgrimages / for in pilgrimages / the peple haue sought masses / remissiō of sinnes & the mercy or fauor of god. And the masse hath bene the head captayn of all these tgings. And it is wonder that such things shuld be imagyned / seing it is so manifest that there is no maner of mencyon of pilgrimages in the word of god / and again it is euident inough that thei be vnprofitable for as moch as we haue many better things than pilgrimages /