A22612:194
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.
For good works in holy men and women as we said before be justices of the law which be accepted because of the faith and not because they satisfy the law. Men then be justified by faith ⟨image 78⟩and works not because of the works but by cause of the faith which yet good works must needs follow. For James speaketh of tho works which follow faith, as he witnesseth when he sayeth faith helpeth his works, so we must take, The doers of the law shall be justified, that is to say, they which believe and have good fruits be pronounced righteous. For the law is satisfied if we believe and it pleaseth because of the faith, and not because the works do satisfy the law. Thus we see that in these sentences is no inconvenience, but the adversaries deprave and corrupt them adding their own glosses. For it is not said that works deserve remission, or that men for their works be accepted and reputed righteous before god, & not for Christ, and that the works do pacify the hearts and overcum their of god, and that works need not mercy. None of all these things sayeth saint James which yet the adversaries ascribe to his words. ☞ ❧
For good workes in holy men and women as we sayde before be iusticies of the lawe whiche be accepted bycause of the faythe and nat bycause they satisfye the lawe. Men then be iustified by faythe ⟨image 78⟩and workes nat bycause of the workes but by cause of the faythe whiche yet good workes muste nedes folowe. For Iames speaketh of tho workes whiche folowe faythe, as he wytnesseth when he sayeth fayth helpeth his workes, so we muste take, The doers of the lawe shall be iustified, that is to saye, they whiche beleue and haue good frutes be pronounced ryghtwyse. For the lawe is satisfied if we beleue and it pleaseth bycause of the faythe, and nat bycause the workes do satisfye the lawe. Thus we se that in these sentencies is no inconuenience, but the aduersaries depraue and corrupt them addyng theyr owne gloses. For it is nat sayde that workes deserue remission, or that men for theyr workes be accepted and reputed ryghtwyse before god, & nat for Christ, and that the workes do pacify the hartes and ouercum theyre of god, and that workes nede nat mercie. None of all these thynges sayeth saynt Iames whiche yet the aduersaryes asscribe to his wordes. ☞ ❧