A22612:181
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.
Fourthly. Christ ceaseth not to be a mediator still after that we be renewed.1 For they err which say that he meriteth only the first grace, and that we then by our own fulfilling of the law do please and deserve everlasting life. The mediator Christ tarrieth still, and we must always think that for him we have god pacified although we be unworthy as Paul sayeth. By him we have an enter to god through faith. For our fulfilling of the law as we said is unclean sith our nature is horribly corrupted. Therefore the Psalm sayeth Blessed be they whose since be forgiven. Wherefore we have need of remission of since yea even when we have good works. But that remission is always purchased by faith, so Christ remaineth a bishop and mediator. go that fulfilling of the law pleaseth not of it self. But because we conceive Christ by faith and feel that we have god pacified not for the law but for Christ.
Fourthly. Christe ceaseth nat to be a mediatour styll after that we be renewed.1 For they erre which say that he meriteth only the fyrst grace, and that we thē by our owne fulfyllyng of the lawe do please and deserue euerlastyng lyfe. The mediatour Christe taryeth styll, and we must alwaies thynke yt for him we haue god pacifyed although we be vnworthy as Paule sayeth. By hym we haue an entre to god thorugh fayth. For our fulfyllyng of the lawe as we sayde is vnclene sythe our nature is horriblely corrupted. Therfore the Psalme sayeth Blessed be they whose synnes be forgyuen. Wherfore we haue nede of remission of synnes yea euen when we haue good workꝭ. But that remission is alwayes purchased by faythe, so Christe remayneth a byshop and mediatour. go that fulfyllyng of the lawe pleaseth nat of it selfe. But because we cōceiue Christ by fayth and fele that we haue god pacified nat for the lawe but for Christe.
- 1The .4. reason.