A22612:184
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.
And he did that work only to the end to exercise his faith and to provoke other by his ensample and confession to believe. Sith good works ought after this sort ensue faith: men that ⟨image 71⟩can not believe and determine in their hearts that they be freely pardoned for Christs sake▪ do use works far an other way. These persons when they see the works of saints and holy persons, they judge after a worldly fashion that the saints by tho works have deserved forgiveness of since and that for tho works they be accounted righteous before God. Therefore they follow them, and think that by like works they deserve remission of since, they go about to pacify the ire of God and trust that for such works they shall be accounted righteous. These wicked opinions in works we damn.1 First because they obscure the glory of Christ when men do propound to god these works as a price & ransom. Thus the honour due to only Christ is given to our works.2 Secondly, because that notwithstanding all their good works yet the conscience findeth no peace in them, but heaping works upon works in true troubles at last despaireth, for when it findeth no work clean enough, the law always accuseth and engendereth ire. Thirdly. Such never attain to the knowledge of god when the conscience fleeing the ire of god can not obtain peace nor be assured that God heareth them.3 But when faith cometh which believeth that we be freely justified: she dare call upon God and feeleth that she is hard and she attaineth to the true knowledge of God. For in the world sticketh always a wicked opinion of works.* The Gentiles had sacrifices which they toke of the fathers, whose works they follow but their faith they hold not, but imagined that tho works were a satisfaction ⟨image 71⟩and price to reconcile God unto them. The people of the law followed sacrifices with this opinion that for tho works they should pacify God even for the self work. In which thing we see how vehemently the prophets chide the people as.