A22612:292
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.
1But our adversaries do object that vengeance or punishment is necessary to repentance, because Augustine sayeth / that repentance is a vengeance punishing. &c̄. Likewise as in other places, as oftentimes as works ⟨image 129⟩be commanded, our adversaries do interpret those works to be satisfactions & pacifications: so here because there is mention made of punishment, they detort and wrest it to satisfaction.2 But Augustine in this place did not mean, that sorrow in repentance is the price for which remission of since is due. For he knew well enough that the death of Christ is a sacrifice for all our since / whatsoever therefore is alleged of vengeance, or of punishments, it ought always so to be understanded, that it overthrow not free remission of since, ne that it deface not the merit of Christ / neither that it lead men away from faith and trust in Christ, to the trust in works. But we do grant, that there is vengeance or punishment in penance or repentance, not as a price: but vengeance is formaliter (as school men speak) in repentance because the regeneration it self is made by perpetual mortification of our oldness. There be troubles or fears, there be also other affections which be angry with sins: and yet is it not they which purchase us remission of our since. Yea if faith should not be put unto these sorrows: they should bring eternal death. Let it be thought a proper saying of M. Duns, that penitencia is called as a man would say penetenentia .i. an holding of punishment, so that punishment be not understanded to be the price, for which remission is due. And Augustine also doth not speak of the pains or punishments which the keys do remit. wherefore this saying is not well applied to satisfactions. He speaketh of the true pains that is to wit of the fears and very sorrows ⟨image 130⟩of the mind, which •e in repentance. And yet for all this we do not exclude outward vexation and punishing of the flesh. For this doth willingly of the own accord follow the true sorrows of the mind. And our adversaries be far deceived, i• they do judge the papistical or canonical satisfactions to •e more truly a pain, then be the true troules / fears and sorrows in the heart.