A22612:166
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.
1In like sentence writeth also Saint Austin much against the Pelagians, and in hys book de spiritu et litera he saith thus. Ideo quippe proponitur justicia legis, ꝙ qui fecerit eā, vivet in illa, ut cum quisque infirmitatem suam cognoverit non per suas vires, neque per literam ipsius legis, quod fieri non potest, sed per fidem concilians justificatorem, perueniat et faciat, et vivat in eam. Opus rectum quod qui fecerit, vivit in eo, non fit nisi in justificato. Justificatio autem ex fide impetratur. i. For therefore is the justice of the law propounded, that who doth it shall live in it, so that when ⟨image 61⟩every man shall know his own infirmity, he may attain it and do it and live in it, not by his own powers, neither by the letter of the law (which can not be done) but reconciling the justifier by faith. A right work (which who doth, shall live in it) is not done but in a justified person. And justification is purchased by faith. Here he saith clearly that the justifier is reconciled by faith, and justification is purchased by faith. And a little further he sayth. Ex lege timemus deum, ex fide speramus in deum, sed timentibus penam absconditur gratia, sub quo timore anima Laborans. &c. per fidem confugiat ad misericordiam dei, ut det quod jubet. That is to say. By the law we fear god, by faith we trust in god, but from them that fear pain, grace is hid. With which fear the soul oppressed must flee by faith to the mercy of god, that he may give the thing that he commandeth. Here Saint Augustine teacheth that by the law the hearts be made afeard but by faith they receive consolation. And he teacheth that first by faith we must purchase mercy or we go about to do the law. we will recite a little after other things also.
1In lyke sentence wryteth also Saynte Austyne moche agaynste the Pelagyans, and in hys boke de spiritu et litera he saythe thus. Ideo quippe proponitur iusticia legis, ꝙ qui fecerit eā, viuet in illa, vt cum quisque infirmitatem suam cognouerit non per suas vires, neque per literam ipsius legis, quod fieri non potest, sed per fidem concilians iustificatorem, perueniat et faciat, et viuat in eam. Opus rectum quod qui fecerit, viuit in eo, non fit nisi in iustificato. Iustificatio autem ex fide impetratur. i. For therfore is the iustyce of the lawe propowned, that who dothe it shall lyue in it, so that when ⟨image 61⟩