A07405:261
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.
I know there may many things differing and disagreeing from our opinions,1 be gathered out of the Ancient writers: And every man for his own purpose borroweth there as seemeth to him commodious, so as The Bees gather honey, and the Spiders suck poison out of the self same flowers. But be it far from Ecclesiastical Judgements to use Sycophancies, or better, invectives, I do not appeal unto all writers, but unto the best, as Ambrose Augustine, and so far forth as others agree with these, which seeing themselves now and then too have spoken things repugnant, ⟨image 64⟩they shall here pardon us if we reprehend certain things in them. To the end we would follow the manifest and true meaning of the word of GOD, and that we would not depart or start from the Symbols or Creeds: But hold still firmly that which they both beheld and desired too retain, but yet now and then could not expound the same. For it is nothing at all too be doubted, that this kind of Doctrine, which we profess, is the self same true consent and agreement of The Catholic Church of Christ, as the Symbols, the more sincere Councils, and the better learned Fathers do show the same effectually. These things do I answer unto the more discreeter sort of Readers, which object unto us the authority of the Church or of the Fathers.2
I know there may many things differing and disagreeing from our opinions,1 be gathered out of the Auncient writers: And euerie man for his owne purpose borroweth ther as seemeth to him commodious, so as The Bees gather hony, and the Spiders sucke poyson out of the selfe same flowers. But be it farre from Ecclesiastical Iudgements to vse Sycophāsies, or better, inuectiues, I doe not appele vnto all writers, but vnto the best, as Ambrose Augustine, and so farre foorth as others agree with these, which seyng themselues now and then too haue spoken thinges repugnaunt, ⟨image 64⟩they shall heere pardon vs if wee reprehende certaine thinges in them. To the ende we woulde followe the manifest and true meaning of the woorde of GOD, and that wee woulde not departe or starte from the Symbolles or Creedes: But holde still firmely that which they both behelde and desired too retaine, but yet nowe and then coulde not expounde the same. For it is nothing at all too bee doubted, that this kynde of Doctrine, which wee professe, is the selfe same true consent and agreement of The Catholike Churche of Christe, as the Symbolles, the more sincere Councelles, and the better learned Fathers doe shewe the same effectually. These thinges doe I aunsweare vntoo the more discreeter sorte of Readers, which obiecte vntoo vs the autority of the Churche or of the Fathers.