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:268–283 of 294

:268p. 59

I am sorry too see that certain excellent wits,¹ do together conspire with the ungodly of our age, and are as very firebrands, to inflame Christian Kings unto cruelty, and to the stablishment of ungodliness. That is a virtue worthily befitting mighty personages and excellent men, chiefly too bestow their industry and whole power, and authority in setting forth the praise and glory of God.² This ought to be the purposed scope wherein all men ought too bestow their time and travel, that every one in his place or calling so much as in him lieth, bestow some diligence towards the preservation and conservation of the Heavenly word of GOD. As for other abject Parasites which set forth taunting and reproachful books, I will not as here speak of them, which are of that sort of flatterers, such as Dionysius Siculus Fostered in his Court which toke ⟨p. 59⟩up the Tyrants spittle from the ground, and licking it with their tongues, declared abroad that it was more sweeter than that same Nectar. I return now unto those wise men of our time, of whom some feigning too be of the true religion, after that they see absurd superstitions of former times can not be excused, they apply more smoother interpretations, unto their alleged rites and decrees, because they may covertly establish ungodliness by reserving still customs and corrupt decrees.

I am sory too see that certayne excellent wittes,¹ do togither conspire with the vngodly of our age, and are as very firebrandes, to inflame Chrstian Kinges vntoo cruelty, and to the stablishment of vngodlynesse. That is a vertue woorthely befitting mighty personnages and excellent men, chiefly too bestowe their industry and whole power, and autority in setting foorth the prayse and glory of God.² This ought to bee the purposed scope wherein al men ought too bestowe their tyme and trauel, that euery one in his place or calling so much as in him lyeth, bestowe some diligence towardes the preseruation and conseruation of the Heauenly worde of GOD. As for other abiect Parasytes which set foorth taunting and reprochefull bookes, I will not as heere speake of them, which are of that sorte of flatterers, such as Dionysius Siculus Fostered in his Courte which toke

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Reformers309

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Westminster Assembly24

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