A22612:290
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.
so that with the residue of works, which they call works of supererogation, he may make satisfaction for his offences & sins. Here they feign, that men may so work and fulfil the law of god, that they may also do more than the law doth require. But the scripture everywhere doth cry, that we be far of from that perfection, which the law requireth. But these fellows do imagine, that the law of god is contented with outward or civil justice, they see not that it requireth the true love of god with all our hearts. &c. and that it condemneth all concupiscence in nature. Wherefore no man doth so much as the law requireth. It is a foolish thing therefore to feign, that we may do more than the law requireth. For though we may do these outward works, not commanded in the law of god: yet that is a vain & wicked assurance, to think that we have satisfied and fulfilled the law of god. Moreover, true prayers, true alms deeds, & true fasts be required by the commandment of god. And where they be requisite by the commandment of god, they may not be left undone without sin. On the other part those works, which be not commanded by the law of god, but have a certain form and fashion, by the appointment of man, be works of mens ⟨image 128⟩traditions, of which Christ saith: They worship me in vain, with the commandments and traditions of men. As for example. Certain […] instituted and ordained,1 not to the subduing of the flesh, but to the intent that by the work an honour might be rendered to god (as master Duns saith) and eternal death redeemed. Also a certain number of prayers, a certain manner and quantity of alms deeds, when they be done to that entente, that such manner or quantity should be a service and obsequy to god, even by the reason of the very work that is wrought▪ giving honour unto god, and redeeming everlasting death. For they say, that these, even of them selves do make satisfaction. For they teach that they be of strength and available, even in those persons also, which be in deadly sin. Now these things that follow be further a way from the commandments of god,2 I mean pilgrimages / and of them there is great variety / one man maketh his journey in complete harness, another goeth his pilgrimage bare footed.