The Confession of the Faith of the Germans

For it belongeth not to man, namely in the affrays of sin, to decree, & determine of the will of god without some assured word of god, that he will cease to be angry. Therefore sith here is a promise put, it appeareth sufficiently, that faith is required, for a promise can not be received but by faith. If thꝭ faith should depend upon the condition of works, then were remission uncertain. Therefore such manner faith is required which doth trust on the mercy of the word of god, and not upon our own works. And where he saith. Redeem thy since by justice: and by alms deeds. It is as much as if he had said, Redeem thy since by repentance. For by penance or repentance the guilt is taken away. Neither is it to be reasoned here of, that god doth forgive for works following but he forgiveth because of his promise, such persons ⟨image 80⟩as do receive hꝭ promise. We have showed plainly, that in the oration of Daniel faith is required, wherefore they do injury to this place, who so ever do conclude thereof that remission of since cometh for our own works, and not by faith for Christs sake. It is a philosophical point, in the sermon of Daniel to require nothing but an exhortation of governing his Empire weal, and it is a pharisaical point, to feign unto it, that for that self work remission of since doth come. But thus it cometh to pass works naturally do run into mens eyes, for mans reason neither perceiveth, neither considereth faith, and therefore it dreameth that those works deserve remission of since. This opinion naturally cleaveth in the minds of men, and can not be shaken of, oneles we be other wise taught by the word of god. We ought to call our selves back from this carnal opinion to the gospel and to the promise of mercy, in which is freely exhibited remission of since for Christs sake. So in all places of penance, faith is r••uisite. For it were most high injury against Christ to seek remission of since without Christ. Some men do interpret Daniel to speak of remission of pain, when he saith. Redeem thy since with alms. Admit it were taken so, yet Daniel should make nothing against us, how be it, it is no doubt, but that he speaketh of the remission of the sin. For the remission of punishment is sought in vain, onles the hart first by faith hath received remission of the sin.

For it belongeth nat to man, namely in the affrayes of synne, to decre, & determyne of the wille of god without some assured worde of god, that he wyll cease to be angry. Therfore syth here is a promyse put, it appereth sufficiently, that faythe is requyred, for a promise cā nat be receyued but by fayth. Yf thꝭ fayth shuld depende vpon the cōdition of workes, then were remissyon vncertayne. Therfore such maner fayth is required which dothe trust on the mercy of the worde of god, and nat vpon our owne workes. And where he sayth. Redeme thy synnes by iustyce: and by almes deades. It is as moche as if he had sayde, Redeme thy synnes by repentaunce. For by penaū ce or repentaunce the gylte is taken awaye. Neyther is it to be reasoned here of, that god dothe forgyue for workes folowynge but he forgyueth because of hys promyse, suche persones