A07405:203
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.
For surely our adversaries bring not with them unto these conflicts,1 a good conscience and a zeal in searching forth the trueth, but they bring with them private hate towards us, contempt of the Gospel, & a care to maintain their own force and authority. What the people should or ought to believe touching Christ, or how and in what manner the churches should be instructed, they judge nothing pertaineth unto them: and partly nowadays exercise better invectives or sycophancies, such as Cochelus Wicelius & the like: partly they are Tyran•es, and Champions of Tyrances, which for the opinion of wisdom or virtue, do govern the Councils of Popes Kings, and Princes, when indeed they are Homines [Greek or Hebrew] godless persons of no religion, which altogether suppose that true religion is as fa•ling stories, and for this cause do wonderfully please themselves, ⟨image 48⟩that they dare [Greek or Hebrew], far against the thunder.2 As the fellow in the comical writer affirmeth. Yea & yet such will be ready to speak their opinions in Synods or Councils, touching the glory of Christ, whose name they think to be Fabulous.
For surely our aduersaries bring not with them vnto these conflictes,1 a good conscience and a zeale in searching foorth the trueth, but they bring with them priuate hate towardes vs, contempt of the Gospel, & a care to mainteine theyr owne force and autoritye. What the people should or ought to beleue touching Christe, or howe and in what maner the churches should be instructed, they iudge nothing pertayneth vnto them: and partly nowadaies exercise better inuec•iues or sycophancies, such as Cochelus Wicelius & the like: partly they are Tyran•es, and Champions of Tyrances, which for the opinion of wisedome or vertue, doe gouerne the Councels of Popes Kinges, and Princes, when indeede they are Homines 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 godlesse persons of no religion, which altogether suppose that true religion is as faling stories, and for this cause doe woonderfully please themselues,