A22612:315
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.
No tradition hath ben instituted by the holy fathers, for this intent, that it should merit forgiveness of since: but they have ben instituted for cause of good order to be had in ⟨image 141⟩the church, and for cause of tranquility. And though any man would institute certain works to deserve remission of since or righteousness: how shall he know that those works please god, when he hath no testimony or witness of the word of god? Howe shall he make men assured of the will of god, without the commandment and word of god? Doth not god everywhere in the prophets forbid to institute any peculiar manner of honour or service without his commandment? In Ezekiel it is written thus.1 In the precepts of your fathers do ye not walk, neither do ye keep their judgements, ne be ye polluted with the idols of them, I am your lord god▪ walk in my precepts, and keep my judgements, and work ye them. If it be lawful for men to institute worshippings or service, and by the said services they merit grace▪ than shall the honouring & service of all nations be to be allowed / than the honours instituted by Jeroboam, & other without the law, shall be to be approved. For what difference is there? if it hath ben lawful for us to institute services profitable to merit grace or justice: why was not the same thing lawful to the gentiles, and to the children of Israel? But therefore were the honours of the Gentiles and of the Israelites disallowed, because they thought them selves by the said honours to merit remission of sins and justice, and did not know the justice of faith. Finally, whereby be we made sure, that honours or services instituted by men, without the commandment of god do justify? For of the will & pleasure of god, nothing can be affirmed without the word of god. What if god doth not accept ⟨image 141⟩ne allow these services? Howe than do our adversaries affirm, that they justify, sith this thing can not be affirmed without the word & testimony of god? And Paul saith,2 that all that is not of faith is sin. But sith it is so that these observances have no testimony of the word of god, the conscience must needs doubt, whether they please god and be acceptable to him or no.