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 Gregory Romanus.Of the Churche, and of the Auctority of the woorde of God. › Of Gregory Romanus.

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:224–239 of 294

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Therefore although after Gregory's time greater darkness ensued,¹ yet notwithstanding these errors at that time remained in the Church. A false persuasion brought in by Monkery: Of works devised without the commandment of God: praying unto Saints, and the oblation of the body of Christ for the dead. These errors afterwards haled with them great ruin of GODS Church. Therefore the state of Gregory's time may not be a sufficient rule too reform the Church, which thing the more evident that it may appear, I will first recite more manifest faults in Gregory, and afterwards I will dispute upon a few things pertaining to the Lords supper.

Therefore although after Gregories tyme greater darkenesse ensewed,¹ yet notwithstanding these errours at that tyme remained in the Churche. A false perswasion brought in by Monkery: Of woorkes deuysed without the commaundement of God: praying vntoo Sainctes, and the oblation of the body of Christ for the dead. These errors afterwards haled with them greate ruyne of GODS Churche. Therefore the state of Gregories tyme may not bee a sufficient rule too reforme the Churche, which thing the more euident that it may appeare, I wil firste recite more manifest faultes in Gregory, and afterwardes I wil dispute vpon a fewe things pertayning to the Lordes supper.

1Errors in Gregories time.

:225p. 46

Gregory in Libro 3. Epistol. in that his Epistle unto the Bishop of Catanea in Cilicia giveth charge that Subdeacons or Deacons should not use the company of their ⟨p. 46⟩wives,¹ which they had married before they were ordered. When as in deed the people Siculi before their time had observed the manner of the Grecians, and did not forbid the husbands to use the company of their wives. This fault is here now sufficiently manifest. For no godly person can allow the separation or divorce of lawful matrimony. He telleth that there was one called Speciosus which had rather leave and forgo his function of being Subdeacon,

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