A22612:268
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 with this commandment of god let them strengthen and sustain them selves against desperation, and against the terrors of sin and of death. And let them know that this sentence & opinion hath always remained in the church among holy and good men, sith the beginning of the world. For Peter doth clearly allege the consent of the prophets. And the writings of the apostles testify that they were of the same mind. we have also testimonies of the fathers. For Bernard saith the saw in plain and open words. Necesse est enim primo omnium credere, quod remissionem peccatorū habere nō possis ⟨image 115⟩nisi per indulgentiam dei, sed adde adhuc ut credas & hoc, quod per ipsum peccata tibi donantur. Hoc est testimonium quod perhibet spiritus sanctus in corde tuo dicens, dimissa sunt tibi peccata tua. Sic enim arbitratur apostolus gratis justificari hominem per fidem .i. For it is necessary first of all to believe that thou canst not have forgiveness of since, but by the indulgence of god: but add yet hereunto, so that thou dost believe this also, that by him thy since be forgiven thee. This is the testimony, which the holy ghost heareth in thy heart, saying, Thy since be released thee. For thus judgeth the apostle that man is freely justified by faith. These words of Bernard do wonderfully illustrate and set forth our cause, for he not only requireth in a generality, that we should believe our since to be pardoned through mercy, but biddeth us also put to a special faith, by which we may believe, that even unto our own selves sins be pardoned. And he teacheth how we may be assured of remission of since, that is to say, when by faith hearts be lifted up, and be made quiet and set at rest by the holy ghost. What do our adversaries require more? Dare they yet deny, that we obtain remission of since through faith? Or that faith is a part of penance?
And with this cōmaundement of god let them strengthen and susteyne them selues agaynst desperation, and agaynst the terrours of synne and of deathe. And let them knowe that this sentēce & opinion hath always remayned in the churche amōge holy and good men, sythe the begynnynge of the worlde. For Peter dothe clearely alledge the consent of the prophetes. And the writynges of thapostles testifie yt they were of the same mynde. we haue also testimonies of the fathers. For Barnarde sayth the sawe in playn and open wordes. Necesse est enim primo omnium credere, quod remissionem peccatorū habere nō possis ⟨image 115⟩