A22612:179
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.
*Thirdly. Only that thing justifieth before god which pacifieth the conscience. For so long as the conscience fleeth the judgement of god, and is angry with god, we be not right wise nor vivified. But only faith pacifieth the conscience, according to this of Paul. Justified by faith we have peace. Also, The righteous man shall live by faith, that is to say, by faith he vanquisheth the fears of death by faith he is sustained and conceiveth joy and life. And this bringeth faith, not because it is a worthy work of it self, but only because it reviveth the offered promise, nothing regarding the own proper worthiness. Only therefore faith justifieth and good works do please by reason of faith. what can the adversaries bring against this reason? what can they invent against the manifest truth? For the Minor is most certain that our works can not pacify the conscience, sith god judgeth and reproveth us and showeth unto us our uncleanness. And that the scripture doth oftentimes inculcate & drive into our heads. As the Psalme. Non intres in judicium cu• seruo tuo, quia non justificavitur in conspectu tuo […]. ⟨image 68⟩that is to say. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for no living creature shall be justified in thy sight. Here he quite taketh away from all, yea and from the saints and servants of god the glory of justice if god did not pardon but would judge and detect their hearts. For where as in other places the Psalmist doth glory of his own righteousness: he speaketh of his quarrel or cause against the persecutors of the word of god, and not of his personal cleanness, and he desireth that the quarrel and glory of god may be defended. As in the seventh Psalm. Judica me domine secundum justiciam meam. &c. i. Judge me lord according to my righteousness. And in another place. Judge (O lord) my cause. But on the other part he teacheth that no man can sustain the judgement of god if he observeth our since. For thus he sayeth.2 Si iniquitates obseruaveris domine, domine quis sustinebi•. If thou wouldest mark (o lord) the iniquities of men, who can (o lord) endure? And Job sayeth. V•rebar omnia opera mea .i. I feared all my works.3