A07405:244
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.
Touching that place in the book of the Maccabees, there is also a most plain answer: The trueth is not the more corrupted by the errors of things done, sayeth the man of law. And Demosthenes disputing against Aristocrats reprehending lewd examples, sayeth, Suffer us not to say that this hath been done, but that it is meet and right to be done.
Touching that place in the booke of the Machabees, there is also a moste playne aunsweare: The trueth is not the more corrupted by the errours of thinges done, sayeth the man of lawe. And Demosthenes disputing agaynst Aristocrates reprehending lewde examples, sayeth, Suffer vs not to say that this hath beene done, but that it is meet and righte to be done.
The sacrifices offered by the Levites did not take away sins from before the face of God:1 moreover there was none at all then instituted for the dead: Ergo this hath been an error in later times, too offer sacrifice for the sins of the dead, as the Jews received oftentimes other corrupt & lewd traditions amongst themselves. For the nature of men is prone unto superstitions, even in all ages.2 Therefore in as much as that example is repugnant to the scriptures it is not to be cited at all too confirm superstitions in the Church. These for the most part are the chiefest things which are cited touching Purgatory. And therefore I have here placed this disputation that it ⟨image 60⟩may the more appear that Gregory's fault or error evidently (which hath confirmed the oblation of sacrifice for the dead) is manifestly repugnant unto the Apostolical doctrine.
The sacrifices offered by the Leuites did not take away sinnes from before the face of God:1 moreouer there was none at all then instituted for the dead: Ergo this hath beene an error in later times, too offer sacrifice for the sinnes of the dead, as the Iewes receaued oftentimes other corrupt & lewde traditions amongst themselues. For the nature of men is prone vnto superstitiōs, euē in all ages.