A07405:275
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.
But what do I dispute? They which describe their faulty and corrupt traditions,1 with this sophistical doctrine, do not this unfeignedly, to take away errors out of the Church, but that they might by all means defend their authority, & by their coming establish this ungodliness. For, lewd opinions do easily afresh bud again, if the very customs do remain. Wherefore needful it is that the godly should be watchful, for the devil stubbornly resisteth the Gospel, not only provoking tyrants unto cruelty, but also craftily laying snares, under a pretence of wisdom, and pouring forth pleasant persuasions, of the which to beware,2 oftentimes the holy Ghost commandeth us. As the Apostle Paul writing unto Timothy saith, That there should come dissembling spirits, cap. 4. & he saith writing unto the Colos. cap. 2. That the traditions of me shall have in them a show of wisdom. Whereby not only manifest dreams of men shall be spread abroad, such as for the most part were both they of former & later age, like as a little before the crafty dealings of pardons, were manifest, but also subtle & crafty fellows shall con ningly depaint out false doctrine & ungodly traditions, to the end they may be entertained with great joy, to the end they may be beloved ⟨p. 61⟩& retained in great estimation. For, hath not the ungodliness of Samosatenus a certain show of wisdom?3 Is not the error of Pelagius plausible too profane wits? So have these things a show of wisdom: it is profitable for peace & tranquility (say the adversaries) to retain the accustomed manners: Therefore let the more absurd or inconvenient opinions be taken away, & let better interpretations or meanings be given unto them: but the rites or customs themselves let them be retained. This kind of speech maketh a fair show when in deed they practise far otherwise.
But what doo I dispute? They which describe theyr faulty and corrupt traditiōs,1 with this sophistical doctrine, do not this vnfainedly, to take away errors out of the Churche, but that they might by al meanes defend theyr autority, & by their comming establishe this vngodlynesse. For, lewde opinions doo easely afresh bude againe, if the very customes do remaine. Wherefore needful it is that the godly should be watchful, for the deuil stubbornly resisteth the Gospel, not only prouoking tyrants vnto cruelty, but also craftely laying snares, vnder a pretence of wysedome, and powring forth pleasant perswasions, of the which to beware,