A22612:303
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.
☞ Of the number and use of the ❧ sacraments. ❧
☞ Of the numbre and vse of the ❧ sacramentes. ❧
IN the .xiij. article, our adversaries do allow, that we do say the sacraments not only to be signs or tokens of profession among men, as certain men do feign: but rather to be signs and testimonies of the will of god towards us, by which god moveth and stirreth hearts to believe. But here they bid us also to account seven sacraments. We think that men ought to beware, that the things & ceremonies instituted in the scriptures be not despised, how many soever they be. Neither do we think it to make any great matter, although diverse men for cause of teaching, do number or reckon diverse ways, so that they keep well the things taught in the scripture. For the old writers have not all numbered them after one manner and fashion. If we call sacraments rites or ceremonies, which be commanded by god, & unto which is added a promise of grace: it is an easy thing to judge, which be properly sacraments▪ For rites or ceremonies instituted by men shall not after this manner properly be called sacraments. For it belongeth not to the authority of man to promise grace. wherefore signs instituted without the commandment of god, be ⟨image 136⟩not sure and undoubted tokens of grace / albeit peradventure they teach ignorant & simple persons, or else put them in remembrance of somewhat.
IN the .xiij. article, our aduersaries do allowe, that we do saye the sacramentes not only to be signes or tokens of profession amonge men, as certayn men do fayne: but rather to be signes and testimonies of the wyll of god towardes vs, by whiche god moueth and styrreth hertes to beleue. But here they byd vs also to accompte seuen sacramentes. We thynke that men oughte to beware, that the thynges & ceremonies instituted in the scriptures be not despised, howe many soeuer they be. Neyther do we thīke it to make any great matter, although diuerse men for cause of teachyng, do nombre or recken diuerse wayes, so that they kepe well the thynges taught in the scripture. For the olde wryters haue not all numbred them after one maner and facyon. If we call sacramentes rytes or ceremonies, whiche be cōmaunded by god, & vnto whiche is added a promyse of grace: it is an easye thyng to iudge, whiche be ꝓprely sacramentꝭ For rytꝭ or ceremonies īstituted by men shall not after this maner proprely be called sacramentes. For it belongeth not to the auctorite of man to promyse grace. wherfore signes instituted without the cōmaūdement of god, be