A22612:257
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.
How the power of the keys doth administer and show forth the Gospel by absolution,1 which is the true voice of the gospel. So we also do comprehend absolution, when we do speak of faith. For faith cometh by hearing, as Paul saith. For when the gospel is heard, when the absolution is herd, the con science is lifted up, and gathereth comfort. And because god doth truly quicken by the word: the keys do verily remit since in the sight of god, according to that text, who soever heareth you, heareth me. Wherefore credence is to be given to the words of him that assoileth, none otherwise than to a voice soū ding from heaven. And absolution may properly be called the sacrament of penance, as the best learned also of the school divines do speak. In the mean season this faith in temptations is many manner ways nourished, by the sentences of the gospel, and by the use of the sacraments. For these be signs of the new testament (that is to say) signs and tokens of the remission of since. They do offer therefore remission of since, as the words ⟨image 109⟩of the supper of the lord do evidently witness, which be these. This is my body, which is given for you. 2This is the cup of the new testament. &c. So faith is conceived and established by absolution, by hearing of the gospel, by use of the sacraments: to the intent that it do not take a fall, whiles it wrestleth with the terrors of sin & death. This instruction and doctrine of penance is plain and clear, & augmenteth the dignity of the power of the keys, and of the sacraments, & setteth forth the benefit of Christ, and teacheth us to use Christ a mediator and a propitiator. But because the confutation doth condemn us for that we have put these two parts of penance: it is to be showed, that the scripture doth put these principal parties in repentance, or in the conversion of a sinner. For Christ saith:3 Come unto me all ye which labour and be laden: and I shall refresh you. Here be two members. Labour, and burden (which is the first member or part) do signify contrition, and the dreads and terrors of sin. To come to Christ (which is the second member) is to believe, that for Christs sake since be forgiven, for when we believe, our hearts be quickened with the holy ghost by the word of Christ.