A07405:39
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.
Secondly after that we have declared which is the true Church,1 let us now add thereunto that this true Church, which is but small, and a company of holy ones, doth retain the true doctrine of the Gospel, or the articles of the faith, like as S. Paul calleth the same The seat of trueth. But this self same true church hath her doctrine, sometime more, and sometime less pure & manifest. She hath also in her many weak and feeble members, as the Apostles were the church,2 but yet they understood not (before the resurrection of Christ) what should be the kingdom of Christ. For Peter (after the holy Ghost was given) did yet suppose that the rites and ceremonies of the law was needful to be used: but when he was admonished from heaven, he then knew that the kingdom of Christ was not a Judaical policy, but spiritual and continual worshipping of God.
Secondly after that wee haue declared which is the true Churche,1 let vs nowe adde therevnto that this true Church, which is but small, and a cōpany of holy ones, doth retein the true doctrine of the Gospel, or the articles of the faith, like as S. Paule calleth the same The seate of trueth. But this selfe same true church hath her doctrine, sometime more, and sometime lesse pure & manifest. She hath also in her many weake and feeble members, as the Apostles were the church,2 but yet they vnderstood not (before the resurrectiō of Christ) what should bee the kingdome of Christ. For Peter (after the holy Ghoste was geuen) did yet suppose that the rites and ceremonies of the lawe was needefull to be vsed: but when he was admonished frō heauen, he then knew that the kingdome of Christ was not a Iudaicall pollicy, but spirituall and continual woorshipping of God.
- 1More touching the true church •t retaineth the doctrine of the Gospel.More touching the true church •t retayneth the doctrine of the Gospel.