A07405:273
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.
If malapert wits may have liberty to devise glosses & false interpretations after their own mind,1 what shall then come to pass? Manifest is the Idolatry in worshipping of saints, in using masses for the dead. And yet notwithstā ding these glosses do they allege for the retaining of customs & traditions, which of themselves are corrupt & faulty. So within a while after, peradventure they will excuse the very superstitions of Egypt. Be it far from the church therefore, to retain this ungodly & pernicious sophistry, which is a protestation clean contrary to their doing. And kind of worshipping god, not instituted by the express word of god, of it self is vile & corrupt, yea although a man imagine what gloss soever he will. As the praying unto Saints of it self is corrupt, ⟨p. 60⟩and vile,2 and vile, because it is not ordained by GOD: yea and again it is corrupt and vile for this cause, for that this self some custom, yea though a man think it other wise, doth attribute honour unto Saints which is properly due unto GOD, as every man may hear the same.
If malapert wits may haue liberty to deuise gloses & false interpretations after their owne mind,1 what shal then come to passe? Manifest is the Idolatry in worshipping of sainctes, in vsing masses for the dead. And yet notwithstā ding these gloses do they alledge for the retaining of customes & traditions, which of themselues are corrupt & faulty. So within a while after, peraduēture they wil excuse the very superstitions of Egypt. Be it far from the church therfore, to retaine this vngodly & pernicious sophistry, which is a protestation cleane contrary to their dooing. And kinde of worshipping god, not instituted by the expresse worde of god, of it self is vile & corrupt, yea although a man imagine what glose soeuer hee wil. As the praying vntoo Sainctes of it selfe is corrupt, ⟨p. 60⟩and vile,2 and vile, bicause it is not ordained by GOD: yea and againe it is corrupt and vile for this cause, for that this selfe some custome, yea though a man thinke it other wise, dooth attribute honour vntoo Sainctes which is properly due vnto GOD, as euery man may heare the same.