A22612:205
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.
In courts, and in the judgements of men, right or duty is for the most part certain & undoubted, but the mercy of the Judge is uncertain. But here in the sight of god the thing is far otherwise, for mercy hath the plain and evident commandment of god, for the gospel is that same commandment, which biddeth us believe that ⟨image 85⟩god is willing to forgive, and to save us for Christs sake, according to that saying of Christ. God hath not sent his son into the world, to judge the world: but that the world should be saved by him, whosoever believeth in him is not judged. As often times therefore as mention is […] of mercy, it is to be understood that faith is required. And this faith maketh the •••erence betwixt them that shall be saved, & them that shall be damned, between them that •e worthy▪ and them that be unworthy. For eternal life is promised to them, that be justified. And faith justifieth whensoever men do receive it. And we ought to labour and strive, all our live long, that we may get and establish this faith, for thꝭ faith (as we have said before) is won in repentance, & not in them, which walk after the flesh▪ And it ought to increase all our life long among jeopardies and temptations. And whosoever have gotten this faith, those be borne again that they may work well, and that they may do the law. Therefore likewise as we require repentance through out all our life time: so we do also require good works, all though our works be not such, that for them eternal life is due, likewise as Christ said in like sentence. When ye have done all things, say we be unprofitable servants. 1And Bernard sayeth right well thus. It is necessary first to believe, that thou canst not have remission of since, but by the only indulgence and pardon of god. Secondarily, that thou canst have no manner good work at all onles it also be freely given unto y•. And a little after he saith. Let no man therefore beguile him self, for if he will consider well, he shall find with out doubt, that he is not able to go ⟨image 86⟩forth, with ten thousand, against him which cometh to him with twenty thousand. &c. We therefore to the intent that consciences should retain a sure and undoubted consolation and hope: