A22612:254
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.
❧We therefore to the intent to deliver godly and well disposed consciences from these cumbrous ⟨image 107⟩and endless mazes of sophisters, do make two parts of penance, that is to wit contrition and faith. If any man lusteth to add the third, I mean worthy fruits of penance (that is to say) good works following conversion: we will not say against him. And we know well enough, that this word (penitentia in latin, that is to say, repentance) among Grammarians doth betoken to mislike and disallow that thing which before we did like and allow. This property is more agreeing to contrition, rather then to faith. But we in this place to the intent to express and set forth the thing before mens eyes, do understand by penance the hole conversion in which there be two terms, mortification and vivification, which we call by the usual and accustomed names, contrition and faith. As concerning contrition we do cut away those idle, unfruitful, and endless disputations as to dispute, when we be sorry through love of god and when through fear of pain? But we say that contrition is the true fears and terrors of conscience which perceiveth & feeleth that god is angry with sin and sorroweth that it hath sinned and done amiss. And this contrition is done when by the word of god since be rebuked. For this is the sum & effect of preaching the gospel: to rebuke sins and to offer remission of sins & justice for Christs sake and also to offer the holy ghost and eternal life, and that we being regenerate and bo•ne a new should work weal and do good deeds. Thus Christ comprehendeth the sum of the gospel when he sayeth.1 To be preached in my name repentance and remission ⟨image 107⟩of since among all nations. And of these terrors and dreads speaketh the scripture, as in the psalm. Because my since & wickedness have gone over my heed,2 like a great heavy burden they have lien heavy upon me. &c. I have ben afflicted and humbled very sore. I did rose for sorrow & sighing of my heart. And in an other psalm he saith. Lord have mercy on me, for I am weak.3