A22612:335
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 works.
❧ Of workes.
IN the .xx. article,1 they put these words expressly, that they do reject and disallow our saying, that men do not merit forgiveness of since by good works. This article they do say openly and plainly, that they do reject & disallow. What is to be said in a matter so manifest? Here the workmasters of the confutation do openly show and declare, with what spirit they be moved and led. For what is more certain & undoubted in the church, than that forgiveness of sins cometh freely for Christs sake / & that Christ is the mercy stock for our since, & not our works, as Peter saith,2 To him all the prophets bear witness, that in his name, all they that believe in him, do receive remission of since. To this church of the prophets let us assent and agree, rather than to these ungracious writers of the confutation, which so boldly without shame blaspheme Christ. For although there have ben certain writers, which have thought, that after the remission ⟨image 152⟩of since, men be righteous in the sight of god, not by faith, but by the self works: yet did they never think this, that the remission of since doth come for our works sake, and not freely for Christs sake. Therefore this blasphemy is not to be suffered, that the honour of Christ be given & translated to our works. These divines be ashamed of nothing, if they dare pronounce such manner sentence in the Church. And we do not doubt, but that the Emperors majesty, and the most part of the princes, would in no wise leave this place remaining in the confutation, if they were admonished. ❧ ❧