A22612:265
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.
Our adversaries when they speak of faith & say that it goeth before repentance, they mean faith not this which justifieth▪ but that which in a generality believeth that god is, and that there be pains ordained for wicked men. &c̄. But we over & besides that faith do require, that every man should believe his since to be forgiven him for Christs sake. About this special faith we strive and do set it against the opinion which biddeth to trust not in the promise of Christ, but in the work wrought of contrition, of confession and of satisfactions. &c̄. This faith doth so follow and ensue the terrors, that it doth over come them, and setteth the conscience at quietness and rest. This faith delivereth us from terrors and doth create and engender peace, joy, and a new life in the heart. This faith we do defend to be truly necessary to the remission of since. Therefore we put it among the parts of repentance or of conversion. ⟨image 113⟩Neither doth the church of Christ think any otherwise although our adversaries do say the contrary.1 And first of all we do ask our adversaries whether to receive absolution be a part of penance or repentance or else no? Now if they do separate it from confession (as they be very subtle in distinctions) we can not see, what confession availeth without absolution. But if they do not separate the receiving of absolution from confession: they must needs think, that faith is a part of penance. For absolution is not received: but by faith. And that absolution is not received but by faith, it may be proved by Paul, which teacheth that the promise can not be received but by faith.2 Howe absolution is the promise of the remission of since. Therefore it doth necessarily require faith. And we do not see, how he can be said to receive absolution, which doth not assent and agree to it. And what other thing is it, not to agree to the absolution: then to accuse god of a lye? If the barte doth doubt, it thinketh, that those things be uncertain & vain which god doth promise. Therefore it is written in the epistle of Johan whosoever believeth not god maketh him a liar because he doth not believe in the testimony which god hath witnessed of his son.3