A22612:116
The Confession of the Faith of the Germans
The confession of the faith of the Germans exhibited to the most victorious Emperor Charles the. v. in the Council or assemble holden at Augusta the year of our Lord. 1530. To which is added the apology of Melanchthon who defendeth with reasons invincible the aforesaid confession translated by Richard Taverner at the commaundeme[n]t of his master Thomas Cromwell chief Secretary to the kings grace.The confessyon of the fayth of the Germaynes exhibited to the moste victorious Emperour Charles the. v. in the Councell or assemble holden at Augusta the yere of our Lorde. 1530. To which is added the apologie of Melancthon who defendeth with reasons inuincible the aforesayde confesyon translated by Rycharde Tauerner at the commaundeme[n]t of his master Thomas Cromwel chefe Secretarie to the kynges grace.
Imprinted at London : In fletestrete, by me Robert Redman, dwelling at the sign of the George next to saint Dunstones Churche, 1536Imprynted at London : In fletestrete, by me Robert Redman, dwellynge at the sygne of the George nexte to saynt Dunstones Churche, 1536
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
This place witnesseth that we pluck from them which be borne according to the carnal nature not only acts but also the powers and gifts of performing dread and hope towards god. For we say that they which be thus borne have concupiscence, nor can not perform the true fear and trust towards god. what can be here reproved? Truly unto good men we judge that we be sufficiently purged. For the latin description is of like sentence, detracting from nature the power that is to say the gifts and strength of performing fear and trust towards god, detracting also acts in persons of the age of discretion. And when we name concupiscence, we understand not only acts or fruits, but a perpetual inclination of nature. ❧
This place witnesseth that we plucke from them whiche be borne accordyng to the carnal nature nat only actes but also the powers and gyftes of performyng drede and hope towardes god. For we say that they whiche be thus borne haue concupiscence, nor can nat perfourme the trewe feare and trust towardes god. what can be here reproued? Truly vnto good men we iudge that we be sufficiently purged. For the latine description is of lyke sentence, detractyng from nature the power that is to say the gyftes and strengthe of perfourmyng feare and truste towardes god, detractyng also actes in persons of the age of dyscretion. And when we name concupiscence, we vnderstande nat only actes or frutes, but a perpetuall inclinacyon of nature. ❧
But here after we shall show with more words ⟨image 42⟩that our definition agreeth with the usual and ancient definition. For first we will open our intent why we used these words in this place. Our adversaries them selves in schools grant that the material (as they call it) of original sin, is concupiscence. wherefore concupiscence was not to be omitted in the definition namely in this time when many do descant of it so ungodly.
But here after we shal shewe with more wordes ⟨image 42⟩