A22612:210
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.
We do not here raise up vain prating about the word: But we strive about a great thing (that is to we•e) whereof godly minds ought to conceive sure and undoubted hope of salvation, whether good works may set consciences at peace and quietness? Whether they ought to think, that eternal life is so gotten if they do set their good works against the judgement of god, or else they ought to think that through mercy for Christs sake they be reputed righteous, & do obtain eternal life? These things do come into controversy, which only the conscience do discuss and judge: it can not have any strong and sure consolation. But we have declared evidently enough. ⟨image 88⟩that good works do not satisfy the law of god but that they have need of mercy, & that by faith we be accepted with god for Christs sake, also that good works do not set the con science at rest and peace. Of all these things it followeth, that we ought to think, that for Christs sake through mercy, and not for the law, they that be justified, do obtain eternal life.1 What shall we say then as touching the name of reward? First if we should say, that eternal life is called a reward, because it is due to them that be justified by reason of the promise: we should not speak any thing amiss. For these gifts be ordered among them selves, as Augustine sayeth. Dona sua coronat deus in nobis .i. God crowneth & rewardeth his own gifts in us. But the scripture calleth eternal life a reward, not because it is due for our works: but because it doth recompense the affections and works, albeit yet it is given for another cause. Likewise as the inheritance cometh to the good mans son of the house not for his own works or service: and yet nevertheless it is a reward and recompense of the works and service of the son. It is sufficient therefore that the name of reward doth for this cause agree to eternal life, be cause eternal life doth recompense good works and afflictions. Eternal life therefore is not a reward, because our works be sufficient, or because it is due for works: but consecutively, because although it be due for another cause, yet nevertheless it doth recompense good works and afflictions. ❧
We do nat here rayse vp vayne pratyng about the worde: But we stryue about a greate thīg (that is to we•e) wherof godly myndes ought to conceyue sure and vndoubted hope of saluation, whether good workes maye set consciences at peace and quyetnes? Whether they ought to thynke, that eternall lyfe is so gottē if they do set theyr good workes agaynste the iudgement of god, orels they ought to thynke that through mercy for Christes sake they be reputed ryghtous, & do obtayne eternall lyfe? These thyngꝭ do come into controuersie, whiche onle the cōscience do discusse and iudge: it can nat haue any stronge and sure consolation. But we haue declared euidētly ynough.