The Confession of the Faith of the Germans

So it is evident that we require good works, yea we add also, that it is impossible to severe the love of god (though it be little) from faith. For by Christ we approach to the father and after the receipt of remission of since we be assured that we have god, that is to say, that we be regarded of god, we make invocation, we give thanks, we fear, we love, as Johan teacheth in the first epistle. we love hym (quod he) because he first loved us, meaning, because he gave for us his son and remitted our since. Thus he signifieth that faith goeth before, and love followeth. Also the faith of which we speak, •s declared in penance .i. it is conceived in •eares of the conscience which feeleth the wrath ⟨image 65⟩of god kindled against our since and seeketh remission of since and a gayle delivery from sin. And in such fears and other afflictions this faith oweth to increase and be confirmed. wherefore it can not be in them which live after their flesh which delight in their lusts and obey them. Therefore Paul sayeth There is no condemnation now to these which be in Christ Jesus which walk not after their flesh but after the spirit. Also, we be detours not to the flesh that we should live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye. But if in spirit ye mortify the acts of the body ye shall live. Wherefore this faith which receiveth remission of since in the troubled and affrayed heart and fleeing sin, dwelleth not in them which follow their lusts, nor standeth not with deadly sin. Out of these effects or operations of faith the adversaries pick out one and that is love▪ and teach that it justifieth. Thus it manifestly appeareth that they only teach the law. They reach not first that we receive remission of since by faith. They teach not of the mediator Christ, that for Christ we have God our good lord, but for our own love. And yet what manner of love that is, they tell not, nor can not tell. They brag & glory that they fulfil the law where as this glory is properly due to Christ, and they lay the affia• ̄ce of their own works to the judgement of god, for they say that they deserve grace & eternall lyfe de condigno .i. of their own worthiness. This is utterly a wicked and a vain affiance.

So it is euidēt that we requyre good workes, yea we adde also, that it is impossible to seuere the loue of god (though it be lytle) from faythe. For by Christe we approche to the father and after the receite of remissiō of synnes we be assured that we haue god, that is to say, that we be regarded of god, we make inuocacion, we gyue thankes, we feare, we loue, as Iohan teacheth in the fyrst epystle. we loue hym (quod he) because he fyrst loued vs, meanyng, because he gaue for vs his son and remitted our synnes. Thus he signifyeth that fayth goeth before, and loue foloweth. Also the fayth of whiche we speake, s declared in penaunce .i. it is conceyued in eares of the cōsciēce which feleth the wrath