A22612:272
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.
These things we do judge to be clear & evident enough to godly consciences. And hereof ⟨image 118⟩they shall plainly perceive the cause why we did heretofore hold opinion & profess, that men be justified by faith, and not by love. For we must plead against the wrath of god not our love or our works, nor trust in our love and works, but Christ the mediator and we must first receive the promise of remission of since, or ever we work the law.
These thynges we do iudge to be clere & euident ynough to godly cōsciences. And herof ⟨image 118⟩they shall playnely ꝑceyue the cause why we dyd heretofore holde opinion & professe, that men be iustified by fayth, and not by loue. For we muste plede agaynst the wrathe of god not our loue or our workes, nor truste in our loue and workes, but Christe the mediator and we muste fyrste receyue the promyse of remission of synnes, or euer we worke the lawe.
1Finally. When shall the conscience be set at rest, if we do receive remission of since, because we love, or work the law? For the law will always accuse us, because we never satisfy the law of god, according to the saying of saint Paul, Lex iram operatur. The law worketh wrath. Chrysostom asketh the question concerning penance, whereby we be assured that our since be forgiven us, our adversaries also in the sentences do ask the question concerning the same thing. This can not be declared, neither consciences can not be made quiet, onles they know that it is the commandment of god, and the very gospel, that they should be assured, that for Christs sake since be freely forgiven, and that they should not doubt, but that they be freely forgiven unto them selves.2 If any man doth doubt, he (as John saith) accuseth the divine promise of a lye. This certainty and assurance of faith we teach is required in the gospel. But our adversaries leave mens consciences uncertain, and in a doubtfulness. Now consciences do work nothing by faith when they do continually doubt, whether they have remission. Howe can they in this doubtfulness call upon god? Howe can they persuade them selves, & be assured that they be heard?