A07405:7
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.
¶ To the Right Honourable Edward, Earle of Rutland, Lord Roos, of Hamelake, of Beauvoir, and of Trusbuz, my singular good Lord & noble Maecenas, long life with increase of honour, and the perfruition of eternal Beatitude, in Jesus Christ our Lord & Saviour, for ever.
¶ To the Right Honorable Edwarde, Earle of Rutlande, Lorde Roos, of Hamelake, of Beauuoyr, and of Trusbuz, my singuler good Lord & noble Mecoenas, long life with encrease of honour, and the perfruition of eternall Beatitude, in Iesus Christe our Lord & Sauiour, for euer.
GODS holy spirit in the xii. chapter of the Revelation of S. John the Divine, (Right Honourable) describeth unto us, two notable mysteries: The one, A woman clothed with the Sun, having the Moon under her feet, upon her head, a Crown of xii. starr•s, and being with child, cried travelling in birth, and was pained ready to be delivered: The other, A great read Dragon, having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads: his tayl• drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven, and cast ⟨image 3⟩them to the earth, and he stood before the woman which was ready too be delivered, to devour her child, when she had brought it forth. &c. By the woman is prefigurate the most blessed estate of that chaste chosen Church of God environed with the light of doctrine Prophetical and Evangelical, who treading (as it were) under feet the moon of mans inconstancy, or rather mans vain and wavering imaginations and devises, is crowned with the crown of constant truth & adorned with the xii. stars of eternal blessedness: & travelling with spiritual fruits, as, True knowledge of God, Faith, Fear, Love of God, true invocation, &c. being pained with adversities & calamities in this world; crieth with the Patriarchs, Prophets, Governors, Apostles, Teachers & such like, to be delivered out of and from all worldly wretchedness, to enjoy the promised sweet joys of everlasting blessedness. But such & so extreme is & hath bin the hatred of the old enemy Satan that red Dragon (by the heads of his malignant church) that is by impiety, idolatry, & infidelity, and by the Horns that is by violency,