A22612:182
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.
1Fifthly. If we should think that after baptism ⟨image 69⟩we ought to be accepted not by faith in Christ but for our fulfilling of the law: our conscience should never be quiet but should run into desperation. For the law always accuseth sith we never satisfy the law, which thing the hole church confesseth. For Paul sayeth. Good that I would do I do not but evil that I would not do I do. He also sayeth In mind I serve the law of god but in flesh I serve the law of sin. For who sufficiently loveth or sufficiently feareth god / who patiently enough sustaineth tribulations which god putteth upon him, who doth not oft doubt whether humane things be ruled by God's providence / who doth not oft doubt whether god heareth his prayer / who doth not oft disdain and grudge that the wicked have better fortune than the godly people, and that the godly be oppressed of the ungodly, who is not angry with the judgement of god when he seemeth to caste us away / who doth satisfy his calling, who loveth his neighbour as him self who is not overthrown of his concupiscence? Of these since speaketh the psalm saying. For this every saint shall pray to thee. Lo here he sayeth that saints or holy men desire remission of since. They be more then blind which see not that the evil affections in the flesh be not since, of which Paul sayeth, The flesh lusteth against the spirit, the spirit against the flesh. The flesh distrusteth god / trusteth in things present, seeketh humane succours in distress and affliction yea against the will of god / it fleeth tribulations which by the commandment of god it oweth to suffer / it doubteth of the mercy of god. The holy spirit in mens ⟨image 70⟩tencies of the law, one solution may be given, that the law can not be done without Christ, & if any civil works be done without Christ, they please not god. Wherefore when the works be preached it is necessary to be added that faith is required, that for faith they be preached, that they be fruits and testimonies of faith. What thing can be spoken more simply and sincerely than this doctrine? For it is necessary to the knowledge of the benefits of Christ to discern the promises from the law: Ambiguous and perilous causes do engender many and sundry solutions. But in good and firm causes one or two solutions taken out of the fountains do answer all that may be objected.