A22612:350
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.
These be the words of Gabriel: & yet every where in the books and in the sermones of our adversaries be red much more foolish things. What is to make saints granters of mercy, if this be not? They be utterly made equal to Christ, if we ought to trust, that by their merits we be saved. And where was that order instituted by god, which he speaketh of, that we ought to flee the to helps of saints? Let him bring forth an example or a commandment of the scriptures.
These be the wordes of Gabriel: & yet euery where in the bokꝭ and in the sermones of our aduersaries be red moche more folyshe thīgꝭ. What is to make sayntes graunters of mercy, if this be not? They be vtterly made egall to Christ, if we ought to truste, that by theyr merites we be saued. And where was that ordre instituted by god, whiche he speaketh of, that we oughte to flee the to helpes of sayntꝭ? Let hym brynge forth an example or a cōmaundement of the scriptures.
Peradventure they take this order by the ensample of kings courts,1 where we must make friends to entreat for us. But if the king had appointed one certain intercessor, solicitor, or maker of means: he would not that matters should be brought to him by any other than by him. So sith Christ is appointed and set to be intercessor and bishop, why do we seek other?* This form of absolution is used commonly everywhere, The passion of our lord Jesus Christ, the merits of the blessed virgin Mary, and of all saints, be to thee for ⟨image 157⟩the remission of thy since. Here is the absolution pronounced, that not only by the merits of Christ, but by the merits of other saints we be reconciled & reputed righteous. Certain of us saw a doctor of divinity dying, whom to comfort there was another divine, which was a religious man sent for, and brought. This comforter did sing none other song to him that lay in extremes, but this prayer. Mother of grace defend us from the enemy, receive us in the hour of death. Let us grant, that our blessed lady doth pray for the church: doth she also receive souls at their death? Doth she overcome death? Doth she quicken & give life? What doth Christ, if our blessed lady doth these things? which although she be most worthy of most great honours: yet she will not that her self be made equal to Christ, but she willeth rather, that we should behold and follow her examples. But experience teacheth that by the common persuasion, the blessed virgin is utterly come in to Christs stead / her men have called upon, and prayed unto / upon her grace and mercy they have trusted / by her they would pacify Christ, as though he were not a mercy giver, but only a terrible judge, and an avenger. But surely we think, that we be justified only by trust of the merits of Christ, and not by trust of the merits of the blessed virgin, or of other saints. Of other saints it was said, Every one shall receive their reward, according to their labour, that is to say, they can not among them selves give their merits one to another / so as friars and other religious men do sell the merits