A07405:225
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.
Also the Barbarous people were well pleased with the worshipping of Saints. Afterwards ⟨p. 45⟩when it was once received too reverence or honour them,1 namely, the saints with Images and peculiar temples after the Heathenish manner: the custom increased by the imitation of those in great authority. And by little and little it came to so great ungodliness, that this worshipping of Saints in these later days differed nothing at all from the manifest Idolatry of the Ethnics in times past.2 For, they now called upon S. Anne, S. George, and others, none otherwise then the Ethnics did upon Juno, Mars or Hercules. They ran to their Images, and the Bishops with great authority confirmed that same [Greek or Hebrew] Idolomaniam mad worshipping of Idols, yea and their doctors and learned men commended them for so doing. And in such kind of worshippings consisted the whole sum of religion.3 But all this while, touching invocation upon Christ, & touching faith in him, there was great silence amongst them.
Also the Barbarous people were wel pleased with the worshipping of Sainctes. Afterwardes ⟨p. 45⟩when it was once receaued too reuerence or honor them,1 namely, the saincts with Images and peculiar temples after the Heathenishe manner: the custome increased by the imitation of those in greate autority. And by litle and little it came to so great vngodlinesse, that this woorshipping of Sainctes in these later dayes differed nothing at all from the manifest Idolatry of the Ethnickes in tymes past.2 For, they nowe called vppon S. Anne, S. George, and others, none otherwyse then the Ethnicks did vpon Iuno, Mars or Hercules. They ranne to theyr Images, and the Bishops with greate autority confirmed that same 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Idolomaniam mad woorshipping of Idols, yea and theyr doctors and learned men commended them for so dooing. And in such kinde of worshippinges consisted the whole sūme of religion.