A22612:278
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.
For Solomon speaketh no whit of confession, but he giveth a moral lesson and instruction to an householder, that he should use that which is his own, and forbear from that which is an other mans / and he biddeth him to look diligently unto his own things, but yet in such wise, that his mind being occupied and set all upon the desire of gathering goods, he do not caste away, the fear of god, or faith, or the love of the word of god. But our adversaries do marvellously transform and change the words of scripture, into what soever sentences or meanings it liketh them selves / ⟨image 121⟩here unto them, this word (know) betokeneth to here confessions. The face betokeneth not the outward conversation, but the secretes and privities of conscience. And cattail signifieth men. Forsooth a goodly and a proper interpretation, and seemly for such despisers of the studies of eloquence. But if any man list by a similitude to translate this instruction from the household keeper, and to apply it unto a pastor or curate of the church, then doubtless, he ought by the face to understand the outward conversation. This shall be a more apt & a more agreeable similitude. But let us pass over these things / some times there is mention made of confession in the psalms / as Dixi confite• or aduersum me iniustitiam meam domino et tu remisisti iniquitatem peccati mei .i. I said I will confess and knowledge against my self my wickedness unto the lord, and thou haste forgiven the wickedness of my sin. Such manner confession of sin which is made unto god is the very right contrition. For when confession is made unto god, it must needs be done with the heart, and not only with the mouth, so as is done of the players in interludes. Such manner confession therefore is contrition, in which we feeling & perceiving the wrath of god, do confess that god is wroth not with out just cause, and that he can not be pacified with our works. And yet nevertheless we seek mercy of god, for his promise sake. Such manner confession is this confession of the prophete. Tibi soli peccavi. &c. To the alone have I sinned, that thou mayest be justified & mayst overcome when thou shalt judge, that is to say I knowledge my self to be a sinner, and to ⟨image 121⟩have deserved everlasting wrath, neither can I set my righteousness nor my merits against thy wrath.