A22612:312
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 mans traditions in the church.
Of mans traditions in the churche.
IN the .xv. article, they receive the first part, in which we say that those rites and ceremonies in the church are to be observed, which may be observed with out any sin, and which help to the keeping of tranquillity and good order in the church. The second part they utterly condemn, in which we say, that mans traditions instituted to appease god, to merit grace / and to satisfy for since be contrary to the gospel. Albeit in our confession concerning the choice of meats, we have spoken many things enough of traditions: yet this notwithstanding certain things shall here briefly be repeated. For although we thought, that our adversaries would for other causes defend the traditions of men: yet we did not think, that ever they would have condemned this our article / which is. That we deserve not forgiveness of sins, or grace through the observing of mens traditions. Sith therefore this article is condemned: we have an easy and a plain cause. Now our adversaries do openly play the Jews, and do openly oppress the gospel with devilish doctrines. For than doth the scripture call traditions the doctrines of devils: when it is taught, that they be services profitable to deserve remission of since, and grace. For then they endymme the gospel, they minish the benefit of Christ they annul the justice of faith. The gospel teacheth us, that we through faith for Christs sake freely receive remission of sins, and be reconciled to god. Our adversaries contrary wise make another mediator, that is to wit ⟨image 140⟩these traditions. For the traditions sake, they will obtain remission of sins, by these they will appease the wrath of god. But Christ saith openly, They honour me in vain with the commandments of men. We have herebefore largely disputed, that men be justified through faith, when they believe that they have god pacified, not for our works, but freely for Christ. This is undoubtedly the doctrine of the gospel, for Paul saith plainly to the Ephesians,1