A07405:281
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 whereas some men desirous of concord do daily look for,1 that councils should be called by Bishops, and that they hope these shall heal up the wounds of the Church, or redress enormities in the same, they are far deceived. For the Bishops of Rome, & their champions, confederate with them will never stint from warring against Christ, which that I may so think, I am not only moved by mans conjectures, which are many and no slender causes: I am, thoroughly moved with the sayings of Christ: Furthermore by the examples of all ages. For Christ denieth, that blasphemers shall be saved, which contrary to their own conscience strive against the trueth, defend open Idolatry, & imbrue themselves in the blood of the godly ones. No doubt, fury is always accompanied with blasphemies, and murder: like as the histories of Cain, Pharaoh, Saul, and the children of Israel do witness the same. And God himself threateneth blindness unto blasphemers, as the Psalm sayeth, Let their eyes be darkened. Therefore, daily do they increase their torments, and they with ungodly leagues do bind Princes, unto themselves. Neither do they only openly swarm abroad, but primly lay snares for the lives of godly Princes. ⟨p. 63⟩Is it not to be supposed, that these will admit moderate or godly councils? And other whiles we have proved very many which have feigned a moderation, and yet in very deed have wrought nothing so, but that they might catch their vantage how too subvert us, if they had once ensnared us: and so extinguish all kind of good doctrine.2 I do know there are a few certain persons in the world more soundly living in the societies of our enemies, which do lament the wilful boldness of some Princes, and mighty personages: but the opinions and meanings of these men, are shut out as coming from scholars. These, when they are so, it is the point of a godly mind, & of one which thinketh of his souls health,3 and of the glory of Christ, too seek forth, which is the true Church, that he may hereunto adjoin himself, that he may be a member of this society, and of the flock of Christ, as Christ himself sayeth, He that is not with me, is against me. Again let him know that the Church consisteth not in the power of Tyrants, and persecutors of Christ, and in them which do either help forwards, or allow of their cruelty.