A15880:152
The account reckoning and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius bishop of Zuryk…The accompt rekenynge and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius byshop of Zuryk…
The account reckoning and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius bishop of Zuryk the chief town of Helvetia sent unto Charles the fifth now Emperor of Rome, holding a counsel with the most noble princes, estates and learned men of Germany assembled together at Augsburg. 1530. in the month of July. Translated out of latin by Thomas Cotsforde. And imprinted at Geneva. In April. 1555.The accompt rekenynge and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius byshop of Zuryk the chief towne of Heluetia sent vnto Charles the fyfte nowe Emperoure of Rome, holdynge a counsel wyth the moost noble princes, estates and learned men of Germany assembled together at Ausburgh. 1530. in the moneth of Iuly. Translated out of latyn by Thomas Cotsforde. And imprinted at Geneua. In April. 1555.
printed by Egidius Van der Erve, 1555
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.
¶The .x. Article.
Tenth. I believe that the office of prophecy and of preaching God's word is an holy thing, and that among all offices it is most necessary. ⟨p. 52⟩For to speak directly after the rule of scripture, we see among all people that the outward preaching of the Apostles, Evangelists, Bishops & Pastors went before faith, which faith nevertheless we attribute unto the spirit only. For (alas) we see very many which hear the outward preaching of the Gospel, but they believe not, which happeneth for lack of the spirit. Whither so ever therefore Prophets or Preachers of God's word are sent, it is a singular token of God's favour, that he will unto his elect open the knowledge of him self. And contrary wise, to whom true preachers are denied, it is a token that God's wrath hangeth over them. As we may gather of the Prophets and of the example of S. Paul, which sometime was forbidden to go to certain, and sometime called unto other. And truth it is, that both the laws them selves & the Magistrates can by nothing more presently be furthered toward the defence of public justice, than by the sincere preaching of God's word. For in vain is right and equity commanded, except it be to them, that both regard ⟨p. 53⟩it and love it. And thereunto the preachers as ministers prepare the minds, but the spirit is the worker, as author both of the preacher and of the hearer. We also acknowledge that kind of ministers, namely, which teacheth, comforteth, affrayeth, careth for, and faithfully looketh to the safeguard of the people of Christ. And also that, that baptiseth, that in the holy supper ministereth the body & blood of the Lord (for so we also figuratively call the holy bread and wine of the supper.) And further we acknowledge that sort of ministers, that visiteth the sick: that ministereth to the poor with the alms and in the name of the congregation: