A22612:242
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 yet here they be in hand with a most weighty matter and with the chief and principal place of all the gospel, I mean, concerning forgiveness of since. All this hole ⟨image 105⟩doctrine concerning these questions which I have rehearsed: among our adversaries is full of errors and hypocrisy, and defaceth obscureth and endymmeth the benefit of Christ, the power of the keys, and the justice of faith. These things be done in the first act or part of the play. But what when they be come unto confession? What infinite and great business is there in that endless rehearsal, numbering and reckoning up of since? Which nevertheless for a great part is spent and consumed in mans traditions and laws. And because that the good and devout minds might be the more vexed: they feign and imagine that this rehearsal and just reckoning of the since is commanded by God's law. And though they do exact and require this rehearsal of all the since under the pretence of the law of god: yet in the mean season of absolution which is in deed of the law of god they speak full slenderly and full coldly. They feign that the selfe sacrament, Ex opere operato, that is to say, even of the very work that is wrought giveth and conferreth grace without any good motion of the user. But of faith who receiveth the absolution and con forteth the conscience: is made no mention not all. This is even according to the proverb. Ante mysteria discedere. that is to say, to depart before the mysteries are begun. Now resteth and remaineth the third act or part of the play which is of satisfactions. And thꝭ act hath very confuse disputations. They feign that everlasting pains be changed into the pains of purgatory and that part of these, be released by the power of the keys ⟨image 106⟩and part they teach to be redeemed with satisfactions. They add moreover that satisfactions must be works of supererogation, and them they set and put in most foolish observances, which have not the commandment of god to bear them, as in pilgrimages, rosaries, and like observations, which be maintained by no commandment of god. Furthermore likewise as· they redeem Purgatory with satisfactions: so hath there ben a craft devised of redeeming satisfactions, which hath ben a very gainful & profitable craft and hath brought in much lucre.
And yet here they be in hande with a moste wayghty matter and with the chief and principall place of all the gospell, I meane, cō cernyng forgyuenes of synnes. All thys hole