A22612:226
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.
Which things every one do perish being consumed by use▪ and they be precepts ⟨image 98⟩and doctrines of men, having the semblance of wisdom, in superstition and humility. For this is the mind of Paul, Inasmuch as the righteousness of the heart is a spiritual thing, quickening hearts▪ and that it is certain that humane traditions do not quicken the hearts neither be the effects and works of the holy ghost, as is love of the neighbour, chastity. &c̄. nor be any instruments by which god doth move & stir hearts to believe, as by the word and the sacraments given by god, but be exercises of things nothing pertaining to the heart, and which do perish by use: it is not to be thought, that they be necessary to justice in the sight of god. And accordingly to the same sentence he sayeth.1 The kingdom of god is neither meat, nor drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy ghost. But it is no need to allege many testimonies, forasmuch as the scripture runneth full of them. And we also have gathered a great sort together in our confession, in the latter articles. And the principal point of this controversy shall be rehearsed again a little hereafter (that is to wite) whether traditions of men be honours or services necessary to righteousness in the sight of god, where we shall dispute more largely of this matter. Our adversaries do say, that universal traditions be therefore to be kept, because they be thought to have ben taught by the apostles. Oh religious and devout men. They will that the rites & ceremonies taken of the apostles, be keep and maintained, but they will not that the doctrine of the apostles be reserved and kept. It is so to be judged of those rites, as the apostles them selves do judge ⟨image 98⟩in their writings. For the apostles would not that we should think ourselves justified by such rites, or that such rites and ceremonies, be necessary to justice in the sight of god. The apostles would not lay any such burden upon consciences. They would not put righteousness and sin to stand in the observations of days, of meats, and of such like things. Yes Paul calleth such manner opinions doctrines of devils. Therefore the will and purpose of the apostles ought to be sought out of their writings. It is not enough to allege an example.