A07405:255
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.
These testimonies touching the faults of ancient writers,1 (although I have overpassed many absurdities) I have not gathered to that end that somewhat of their true praises might be thereby diminished. For I believe the most part of them in those points, were both godly and excellent men, and certain ⟨image 62⟩of them no doubt have well deserved, to be well thought of. But yet they themselves would not that their own words should be preferred before the doctrine of Christ. Moreover even these our adversaries which object unto us the authority of the fathers,2 do also abuse very much the testimonies of them. Although in those days the seeds of errors were first sown abroad, yet so pernicious abuses had not as yet crept into the Church. There was at the beginning a certain manner of calling upon Saints: But afterwards how much wickedness followed? Therefore the declamation of Nazianzen is not too be cited, for so much as that Age of his was ignorant of this new devised Idolatry.
These testimonies touching the faultes of auncient writers,1 (although I haue ouerpassed many absurdities) I haue not gathered to that ende that somewhat of their true prayses might bee thereby diminished. For I beleeue the most part of them in those pointes, were both godly and excellent men, and cer•eyne ⟨image 62⟩of them no doubt haue well deserued, to be well thought of. But yet they themselues woulde not that theyr owne wordes should be preferred before the doctrine of Christ. Moreouer euen these our aduersaries wc obiecte vnto vs the autority of ye fathers,2 do also abuse very much the testimonies of thē. Although in those dayes the seedes of errours were first sowen abroade, yet so pernicious abuses had not as yet crept intoo the Churche. There was at the beginning a certayn maner of calling vpon Sayntes: But afterwardes how muche wickednesse followed? Therefore the declamation of Nazianzen is not too bee cited, for so muche as that Age of his was ignoraunte of this newe deuised Idolatry.