A22612:219
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 Christ saith to the pharisees (which without doubt had an extern society with the church, that is to wite, with the holy persons that were in the people of the law, for they were rulers, they sacrificed and taught) Ye be of your father the devil. So that the church, which is the true kingdom of Christ, is properly the congregation of the godly. For the wicked be ruled of the devil, and be his captives & prisoners, they be not ruled by the spirit of Christ. But what need mo words in so manifest a thing? If the church, which is truly the kingdom of Christ is distinct from the kingdom of the devil, it ensueth necessarily that wicked men, which be in the kingdom of the devil, be not the church, Although in this life because the kingdom of Christ is not yet declared and opened, they be mixed with the true church, and bear offices in the church / nor the wicked ⟨image 94⟩be not therefore of the kingdom of Christ, because the revelation & opening of the matter is not yet made. For this is alway the kingdom of Christ, which he by his spirit vivifieth, be it disclosed or hid by the cross. Likewise as Christ is the self same, which is now glorified, and which was before crucified and afflict. And to this agree the similitudes of Christ, which clearly saith, that the good seed be y• children of the kingdom,1 but the darnel be the children of the devil, the field he calleth y• world not the church. In likewise John speaketh of the hole nation of the Jews, and saith that the time shall come, y• the true Church shall be severed from that people. So that this place maketh rather against the adversaries than with them, for it showeth that the true and spiritual people be severable from the carnal people. And Christ speaketh of the image and likeness of the church, when he saith: The kingdom of heaven is like to a net, or to .10. virgins. &c. And he teacheth, that the Church is hid with the multitude of evil men, lest y• this slander or offendicle might offend good men / & also to thenten• that we should know y• the words and sacraments be of efficacy and strength, although evil men have the handling of them. And in the mean season he teacheth, that those wicked men, although they have the society of outward signs: