A22612:258
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.
Therefore here be two principal parts (that is to say) contrition, and faith. And in the first chapter of Mark Christ saith: Do ye repentance and believe the gospel. 1where in the first part he rebuketh since, and in the latter part he doth comfort us, and showeth remission of since. For to believe the gospel is not that general faith, which devils also have: but it is properly ⟨image 109⟩to believe that remission of sins is freely given for Christs sake. For this is disclosed and showed in the gospel. Ye see here also two parts to be joined together, I mean contrition, when sins be rebuked. And faith when it is said, Believe ye the gospel. If any any man will say, that Christ doth comprise here also the fruits of repentance, or the hole change of life, we will not disagree to him. For this is sufficient to us, that these principal parts be named, contrition and faith. Paul commonly every where, when he describeth the conversion or renovation, maketh these two parts, mortification, and vivification, as in the second chapter to the Colossians.2 In whom ye be circumcised with circumcision not done with hand that is to wit, by laying of or putting away the body of the since of the flesh. And afterwards, In whom ye be also resuscitate by faith of the efficacy and might of god. Here be two parts. The one is ca••ing of or putting away the body of since. The other is resuscitation by faith. And these words, mortification, vivification, casting of or putting away the body of sins, & resuscitation ought not to be understand Platonically of a feigned mutation: but mortification signifieth true terrors, such as be of men which be dying. which terrors nature could not sustain, if it were not holden up and comforted by faith. So like wise casting of the body of since, he calleth that, which we commonly call contrition. For in those sorrows natural concupiscence is purged and rid out. And vivification ought, to be understanded, not a Platonical imagination, but the consolation ⟨image 110⟩which truly maintaineth life, fleeing away in contrition. There be therefore here two parts contrition and faith. For sith it is so, that the conscience can not be set at peace and rest but by faith: therefore faith only doth quicken, according to that saying. A righteous man shall live by faith.