A22612:228
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.
Moreover certain men in the east parties called Audians (which were so called of the author of their opinion) because of this decree of the apostles did contend,1 that Easter was to be kept with the Jews. Epiphanius confuting them commendeth the decree, & saith, that it containeth nothing dissonant or ⟨image 99⟩disagreeing from the faith, or from the ecclesiastical rule, & he disprayseth the Audianes, because they do not understand the words a right, and he expoundeth it according to the same sense that we do interpret it (that is to say) not that the apostles did mean that it did greatly force, what time Easter were kept, but because the chief brethren were converted of the Jews, which kept their own custom: they would that the residue should follow the example of them, because of concord and unity to be had. And the apostles did wisely admonish the reader, that they neither toke away the Evangelical liberty, neither yet did bind consciences to any necessity. For they do add, that it is not to be regarded, although there be a default made in right reckoning of the time.
Moreouer certeyne men in the easte parties called Audians (whiche were so called of the author of theyr opinion) bicause of this decre of the apostels dyd contende,1 that Easter was to be kepte with the Iewes. Epiphanius cō futynge them cōmendeth the decree, & saythe, that it conteyneth nothynge dissonau•nte or ⟨image 99⟩disagreinge from the fayth, or from the ecclesiasticall rule, & he disprayseth the Audianes, bicause they do not vnderstande the wordes a ryght, and he expouneth it accordynge to the same sense that we do interprete it (that is to saye) not that the apostels dyd meane that it dyd greately force, what tyme Easter were kept, but bicause the chief brethern were conuerted of the Iewes, whiche kepte theyr owne custome: they wolde that the resydue shulde folowe thexample of them, bicause of concorde and vnitie to be had. And the apostels dyd wysely admonyshe the reder, yt they neyther toke away the Euangelicall libertie, neyther yet dyd bynde consciences to any necessitie. For they do adde, that it is not to be regarded, although there be a defalte made in ryght rekenyng of the tyme.