A07405:193
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…
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.
London : Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vinetree by Thomas Dawson, 1580
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.
But the doctrine of the Gospel,1 touching sin, also, touching righteousness of faith is a secrete and peculiar wisdom of the true Church, which even a very few of the writers have known, and the sounder part of them have acknowledged the fame, some more obscurely, some more manifestly. The Scotists, and such others,2 have altogether overwhelmed this doctrine. Therefore after that God hath again now revealed these things in our days, let us diligently defend and maintain this doctrine now manifested.
But the doctrine of the Gospell,1 touching sinne, also, touching righteousnesse of fayth is a secrete and peculiar wisedome of the true Churche, which euen a very fewe of the wryters haue knowen, and the sounder parte of thē haue acknowledged the fame, some more obscurely, som more manifestly. The Scotists, and such others,2 haue altogither ouerwhelmed this doctrine. Therefore after that God hath againe nowe reuealed these thinges in our dayes, let vs diligently defend and mainteine this doctrine nowe manifested.
- 1The doctrine of the Gospel what it is.
- 2Scotistae subtle desputers, This Scotus lined about the year. 1298.Scotistae subtil desputers, This Scotus lined about the yeere. 1298.
Furthermore why do not our adversaries again consider, how absurd a thing it is, too say, that Christ hath delivered us only from the Ceremonies of the law? Again, if our deliverance pertain only unto Ceremonial things, it profited not the fathers, before Moses, any thing at all. And it is needful, that we believe, that our deliverance from the law pertaineth unto the universal Church, from the beginning, unto the end of the world. These things are more amply disputed upon in his little book De Spiritu & litera.