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:245–260 of 294

:245p. 52

Thus much have I spoken touching Gregory. Neither will I add hereunto the Writers of later ages. For the doctrine of the Church afterwards went further ⟨p. 52⟩out of course. And the Tyranny of the Bishops of Rome increased also, when as Gregory even yet himself refused and greatly dispraised the name of the universal Bishop,¹ as certain his Epistles in his third book of Epistles do testify the same.

Thus muche haue I spoken touching Gregorie. Neyther will I adde heerevntoo the VVritres of later ages. For the doctrine of the Churche afterwardes wente further ⟨p. 52⟩out of course. And the Tyranny of the Bishoppes of Rome encreased also, when as Gregory euen yet himselfe refused and greately dispraysed the name of the vniuersall Byshoppe,¹ as certeyne his Epistles in his thirde booke of Epistles doe testifie the same.

1Name of the universal Bishop refused and dispraised by Gregory.Name of the vniuersal Bishop refused and dispraysed by Gregory.

:246p. 52

I could annex hereunto the complaints of ancient writers touching the covetousness of Bishops and the ignorance of them,¹ in times paste, which if there were no other thing, yet in this point they admonish us. That the Church ought not too be governed according too the Example and state of that time. But in the revelation of Saint John, ²

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Transcription key