A22612:117
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.
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⟩that our definition agreeth with the vsual and aunciēt definition. For fyrste we wyl open our intent why we vsed these wordes in thys place. Our aduersaries them selues in scoles graunt that the materiall (as they calle it) of originall synne, is concupiscence. wherfore concupiscence was nat to be omytted in the definition namely in this tyme when many do descant of it so vngodly.
❧ For sum of them dispute that original sin is not any vice or corruption in the nature of man, but only a bondage or a state of mortality which all the issue of Adam do sustain without their own proper vice, for another mans guilt and offence. More over they add that no man is damned to eternal death for sin original, and to this purpose they bring forth a similitude of the Civil law saying tha• like as of a bondwoman the issue is bond and sustain this condition or state without the vice of nature, only for the calamity of the mother, so is it of Original sin. But we, to show that this wicked opinion doth displease us, have made mention of concupiscence, naming it a sore and disease, and expounding that mans nature is borne corrupt and vicious.
❧ For sum of them dispute that original syn is nat any vice or corrupcion in the nature of man, but only a bondage or a state of mortalitie whiche all the issue of Adam do susteyne without theyr owne proper vice, for another mans gylte and offence. More ouer they adde that noman is dampned to eternall deathe for synne originall, and to this purpose they brīg forthe a similitude of the Ciuile lawe saying tha lyke as of a bondewoman the yssue is bonde and susteyne thys condycyon or state without the vice of nature, onely for the calamytie of the mother, so is it of Originall synne. But we, to shewe that this wycked opinion dothe displease vs, haue made mencyon of concupiscēce, namyng it a sore and disease, and expounding that mannes nature is borne corrupte and viciouse.