A15880:61
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.
We which preach the Gospel in cities, towns and villages, of christen fellowship O Charles noble Emperor consecrated & holy appointed to equity and righteousness, have long desirously looked-for when a reckoning of our faith, which both we have & profess, should be required of us. And while we stand thus in a readiness, it is said, rather of common brute, then of any sure and certain message or tidings, that many already have prepared and furnished the order, sum and form of their faith and religion, which they may speedily present unto you. And here are we in great doubt and perplexity, for on the one part the love of truth and great desire of common quietness pricketh us forward to do the same our selves, that we see other do: And on the other side, shortness of time affrayeth us, Partly, for that we must do all things to hastily, & pass them over to lightly, because of your great haste, (for so the rumour goeth that you will make haste from thence.) And partly, because we which are preachers of God's word in ⟨p. 2⟩cities, towns and villages are placed farther abroad, than we can in so short a time assemble and take advisement, what were most mete to writ unto your highness. Wherefore seeing that we have already seen the confession of the faith of other, yea and also the confutation of their adversaries (which nevertheless seemed to be prepared before any thing (touching that) was demanded of them) I thought it was not unmeet if I also privately without the hindrance of my countryfolk should forthwith declare a reason and reckoning of my faith. For although other matters require soft and easy haste, yet in this thing quick speed is to be made, lest (the matter slothfully passed over) we should fall in danger other of suspicious silence, or else of presumptuous negligence. Lo therefore (O most mighty Emperor) here I offer unto your majesty the sum of my faith on this condition, that I may also witness thereby my self to commit and suffer the judgement not only of these articles, but also of all other which I have heretofore at any time written, or by the goodness of God hereafter ⟨p. 3⟩