A15880:164
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.
And I promise and profess (God so willing) to do the same so long as I live. Except any man by the decrees of the very holy scriptures rightly understanded can as plainly and openly (as we have done these) declare, prove and confirm the contrary. Unto us doubtless it is no less pleasant & acceptable than right and lawful to submit our writings and assertions to the holy scriptures, and to the Church by the spirit judging the same. We might have declared all these articles more plenteously and at length, but seeing the time would not suffer us, we are content with these. Which we think to be such, as men may easily pinch at (for so is the fashion now a days) but no man can be able worthily to confute and avoid them. Nevertheless if any will assay he shall (by God's grace) not escape unanswered. For than perchance we shall bring forth the residue of our artillery and ordinance, whereof we have good store and plenty behind but these are sufficient for this time.
And I promyse and professe (God so wyllyng) to do the same so longe as I lyue. Excepte any man by the decrees of the very holye scriptures ryghtlye vnderstanded can as plainly and opē ly (as we haue done these) declare, proue and confirme the contrarie. Vnto vs doutlesse it is no lesse pleasaunt & acceptable than ryght and lawful to submitte our wrytynges and assercions to the holy scriptures, and to the Churche by the spirite iudginge the same. We myght haue declared all these articles more plenteouslye and at length, but seynge the tyme wolde not suffer vs, we ar cōtent with these. Whiche we thynke to be suche, as mē maye easely pynche at (for so is the faciō now a dayes) but no man cā be able worthelye to confute and auoyde them. Neuertheles yf any wyl assaye he shall (by Goddes grace) not escape vnanswered. For than perchaūce we shall brynge forth the resydue of oure artillarie and ordenaūce, wherof we haue good store and plentye behynde but these are sufficient for this tyme.
Wherefore most prudent Emperor, and ye other princes, lords of great power, and nobles of high estate, and finally ye learned Ambassadors and heads of common wealths, I pray and beseech you all, for Christ Jesus sake the Lord and our brother: for his mercy and righteousness sake: for his judgement sake: (before which, will ye nil ye you must all come and give a reckoning of your proceedings) wherein he shall render unto every one according to their deserts: from whom no counsel is hid: which by the Prophet threateneth woo to them that say,