A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…

Name: A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…
Author: Philip Melanchthon

A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Word written in Latin by that Reverend Father D. Philip Melanchthon, after the convention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Woorde written in Latine by that Reuerend Father D. Philip Melancthon, after the conuention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.

Philip Melanchthon 1497–1560London : Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vinetree by Thomas Dawson, 1580

[14], 66 [i.e. 132], [1] p. · 28k words · STC 17790 · ESTC S1632

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Of the Church, and of the Authority of the word of God. › Of DionysiusOf the Churche, and of the Auctority of the woorde of God. › Of Dionysius

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.

[ Earlier:127–141 of 294

:127p. 23

Of Dionysius

:128p. 23

There is one book which Dionysius writ touching the ecclesiastical hierarchy,¹ and it is for the history profitable, the rest containeth vain matters of knowledge. For there the ceremonies of the Sacraments are set down, and the ordinances of the Church, & it appeareth in those days, that there were mean ceremonies as yet. And especially the ordinances of the Mass are there too be considered, so that it appeareth the later popes that have bin in the church, have in their time digressed far from the ancient rule of the church. They used to recite certain Psalms,² & certain lessons cut of the Gospel, they made also Prayers for the church, & for the common weal. After this, the priest standing at the table, recited the words of Christ concerning the Lords Supper. Furthermore he distributed the sacrament unto the people, & lastly followed a giving of thanks. ⟨image 33⟩This was the ordinary manner of their mass, whereby it plainly appeareth, that the Mass was only a Communion, and that there were then no private Masses,³ but that is also to be marvelled at, that there is no mention at all made of oblation: no nor so much as the rite or manner of him that doth offer. These things specially it is profitable too observe in Dionysius, that we may oppose antiquity against those, which defend the abuses of their Masses.

There is one booke which Dionysius writt touching the ecclesiastical hierarchy,¹ and it is for the history profitable, the rest conteyneth vaine matters of knowledge. For there the ceremonies of the Sacraments are set down, and the ordinaunces of the Church, & it appeareth in those dayes, that there were mean ceremonies as yet. And especially the ordināces of the Masse are there too be cōsidered, so that it appereth the later popes that haue byn in the church, haue in their time digressed farre frō the ancient rule of the church. They vsed to recite certein Psalmes,

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A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…

Of Dionysius

Of Tertullian.

Of Cyprian.

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Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Of Dionysius

Of Tertullian.

Of Cyprian.

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