A13257:130
A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the…A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the…
A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the seas: with an exhortation to the reformation of the Church. Perused and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the seas: with an exhortation to the reformation of the Churche. Perused and allowed accordinge to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by Henry Wykes for Lucas Harrison, 1568
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.
We believe that this plain and free confession, which is made only to God, either privately, betwixt God and the offender, or openly in the Church, when the general confession of sin is recited, doeth suffice: and that it is not necessary, to obtain remission of since, by confessing our offences, 1with whispering in a Priests ear, or by hearing his absolution, while he layeth his hands upon our heads: For of such manner of repentance, there is found in the holy scriptures, neither any commandment, ne yet example. David protested saying, I acknowledged 2my sin unto thee neither hid I mine iniquity from thee, I thought, I would confess against my self, my wickedness unto the Lord, and thou diddest remit the punishment of my sin. The Lord also ⟨image 81⟩teaching us to pray, and eke to confess our iniquities, said. Thus shall ye pray: Our father, which art in heaven. &c. 3Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. It is therefore necessary, that we confess our faults, and that we reconcile 4our selves to our brother, if we have offended him: Of the which kind of confession, James the Apostle speaketh, saying: Acknowledge your since 5one to another. How be it, if any 6man being oppressed, with the burden and temptation of doubtful sin, would ask counsel, and seek comfort privately, either of the minister of the church, or any other learned in the Laws of God, we disallow it not: In like manner we greatly commend, that 7general and public confession of sins, which is accustomed to be rehearsed (as we said before) in the Church and holy assemblies.
Wée beleue that this plain and frée confessiō, which is made onely to God, either priuately, betwixte God and the offendour, or openly in the Churche, when the generall confession of synne is recited, dooeth suffice: and that it is not necessarie, to obtaine remission of synnes, by confessyng our offences,