A15880:253
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.
Blasphemy is more heinous than is sin alone, for all blasphemy is sin,1 ⟨p. 102⟩but all sin is not blasphemy. For truth it is that blasphemy compriseth in it self both sin, and also a murmur, grudge, reviling, evil speaking, slander & reproach of god & godliness, but it is alway coupled with ignorance and unbelief, and proceedeth not of such obstinate malice as continueth to the end of the life, as doth the sin against the holy ghost. In this sin of blasphemy S. Paul offended before his conversion unto the faith of Christ Jesus.2 For thus he speaketh of him self: Before, I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor and a tyrant, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Lo, here is it plain and evident, that this blasphemy though it be a great offence, yet it is remissible and forgivable, and is not excluded from grace and mercy, because it proceedeth of ignorance and not of knowledge, nor of obstinate malice that doth endure to the lives end. Neither is it the sin unto death, and therefore we may lawfully pray for such blasphemers.3 As S. John sayeth: If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death, let him ask, and he shall ⟨p. 103⟩give him life.
Blasphemie is more heinouse thā is synne alone, for al blasphemie is syn,1 ⟨p. 102⟩but all synne is not blasphemie. For truth it is that blasphemie cōpriseth in it selfe both synne, and also a murmure, grudge, reuylynge, euel speakīg, sclaūder & reproche of god & godlynes, but it is alwaye coupled wyth ignoraunce and vnbelefe, and procedeth not of suche obstinate malice as continueth to the ende of the lyfe, as doth the synne against the holy goost. In thys synne of blasphemie S. Paule offended before hys conuersion vnto the fayth of Christ Iesu.