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:246–261 of 294

: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, ²there are horrible Figures expressed, which no doubt signify the ages of the Church, and do show that wicked Teachers shall forthwith swarm in the Church, and shall with Tyrannical rule oppress the trueth.

I coulde annexe herevntoo the complaints of auncient writers touching the couetuousnesse of Bishoppes and the ignoraunce of them,¹ in times paste, which if there were no other thing, yet in this pointe they admonishe vs. That the Churche oughte not too bee gouerned according too the Example and state of that tyme. But in the reuelation of Saynct Iohn, ²there are horrible Figures expressed, which no doubte signifie the ages of the Church, and doe shew that wicked Teachers shall forthwith swarm in the Churche, and shall with Tyrannicall rule oppresse the trueth.

1Testimonies of abuses in the Church of former time.
2The revelation of S. John a testimony for the Church in all ages.The reuelation of S. Iohn a testimonie for the Church in all ages.

:247p. 52

And the Histories of Councils do show how great rage hath possessed the minds of very many Bishops,¹

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