A22612:285
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 the bishops of Rome regard this thing but lightly, which sith they them selves bear the keys, may (be ye sure) when they list, open heaven unto them selves. We do speak of the judgements of men, and of the close and secrete hearts of all nations, which doubtless at this time do require that these matters might be in such wise known, ordered, and determined that good minds might be healed, and delivered from doubtfulness. For what shall come of it, if it fortune ones that these hatreds conceived in mens hearts against you do burst out, thou mayst by thy wisdom easily judge. But with this benefit ye may bind all nations unto you (which all wise men do judge to be an high and a very great benefit) if ye will heal the doubtful & wavering consciences. We have not spoken these things to this purpose, that we do doubt of our confession. For we know certainly, that it is true, godly, and profitable to good consciences. But it is a thing likely, that there be every where many men, which doubt of no small matters, and yet do not here any mete teachers, which may heal their consciences.
For the byshoppes of Rome regarde this thynge but lyghtly, which syth they them selfes beare the kayes, may (be ye sure) whan they lyste, open heuen vnto them selues. We do speake of the iudgementes of men, and of the close and secrete hertes of all nations, whiche doubtles at this tyme do require yt these matters might be in suche wyse knowen, ordered, and determined that good myndes myghte be healed, and delyuered from doubtefulnes. For what shall come of it, if it fortune ones that these hatredes cōceyued in mennes hertes agaynst you do brast out, thou mayst by thy wysedome easely iudge. But with this benefite ye maye bynde all nations vnto you (whiche all wyse men do iudge to be an hygh and a very greate benefite) if ye wyll heale the doubtefull & waueryng cōsciences. We haue not spoken these thynges to this purpose, that we do doubt of our confession. For we knowe certaynly, that it is true, godly, and profitable to good consciences. But it is a thyng lykely, that there be euerye where many men, whiche doubte of no smal matters, and yet do not here any mete teachers, whiche may heale theyr cōsciences.
But let us return again to our purpose, The scriptures alleged of our adversaries do speak nothing at all of canonical satisfactions, & of the opinions of school men: for as much as it is evidently known, that these things have sprung up and begun but of late time. wherefore it is nothing else but pure falsehood and lying, that they do wrest & apply scriptures unto those their opinions.