A22612:235
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.
1The .xj. article of receiving absolution in the church, they do allow. But as concerning confession, they add a correction, that is to wit, that the constitution is to be observed of the chapitre, Omnis utrius• sexus. &c. that both confession should be made yearly, and though all the since can not be reckoned up by number, yet that diligence is to be given to gather them all to mind, & those which may be brought to remembrance▪ to be showed and rehearsed. Of this hole article we shall speak hereafter more plenteously, when we shall declare our hole sentence touching penance. This is evidently known, that we have so set forth, declared, and garnished with praises the benefit of absolution, and the power and authority of the keys, that many afflicted & troubled consciences by the doctrine of our preachers have taken comfort, after that they have heard say, that it was the commandment of god, yea moreover the very voice of the gospel, that we should believe, and trust to the absolution, and steadfastly decree with our selves, that remission of since is freely given to us for Christs sake, and that we should think, that by this faith we be verily reconciled to god. This sentence hath lift up and comforted many godly minds, and in the beginning brought unto Martin Luther, very great commendation among all good men, when he showed sure & strong consolation to consciences: because before that time, the hole power and strength of consolation was oppressed with the doctrines of works, when Sophisters, and friars did teach nothing at all of faith and of remission of ⟨image 102⟩since. But as concerning the time, doubtless in our churches very many men do often times in the year use these •wo sacraments▪ absolution, and the supper of the lord. And they that teach of the dignity and the fruits of the sacraments, do speak in such sort, that they do exhort and provoke the people to use the sacraments often times. For there be many things so written by our men concerning this thing, that our adversaries (if any be good men among them) do undoubtedly approve and commend them. There is also denounced excommunication to wicked persons and despisers of the sacraments.2