A22612:299
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 Gregory speaketh of restitution, that it is false penance,1 if satisfaction be not made to them, whose goods we hold unjustly. For that man doth not truly sorrow that he hath stolen, or that he hath done extortion: which doth yet steal or commit extortion. For so long is he a these, or an extortioner and robber, whiles he is an unjust possessor of another mans thing. That civil satisfaction is necessary▪ because it is written: He that hath stolen, let him not steal from henceforth. Chrysostom also saith, In the heart contrition,2 in the mouth confession, in the hole work humility. This maketh nothing at all against us▪ Good works ought to follow repentance. Penance or repentance ought to be not a feigning, but a change of the hole life in to better. Also the fathers do write, that it is sufficient, if that open or solemn penance (whereof the canons of satisfactions were made) be done ones in the life. By which thing it may be well perceived, that they thought those canons not to be necessary to the remission of sins. For besides that solemn penance, they will at other times also penance to be done of•e, where the canons of satisfactions were no• ⟨image 134⟩required. The devisers and chief workmasters of the confutation do write, that it is not to be suffered, that satisfactions should be taken away, contrary to the express gospel. We therefore hitherto have showed how that those canonical satisfactions, that is to say▪ works not due to be done for the recompensation of eternal pain, have not for the maintenance of them any warrant or commandment of the gospel. The thing it self showeth, if the works of satisfactions be works not due: wherefore they allege the express gospel. For if the gospel did command pains to be recompensed by such manner works, than were they works of duty. But they do so speak, to the intent to beguile simple and unlearned persons, and they allege authorities and testimonies, which speak of works due, where as they in their satisfactions do prescribe works not due. Yea moreover they them selves do grant in schools, that satisfactions may be refused without any sin. Wherefore they do here untruly write, that by the express gospel we be compelled to receive those canonical satisfactions.