A22612:355
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.
We saw in a certain monastery an image of the blessed virgin Mary, which was moved properly, as though it had moved by the own self, in such wise, that it seemed with signs, either to deny petitions,1 or else to grant petitions. And yet the fabulous histories of saints which were read openly with great authority, ⟨image 159⟩do pass far the monstrous images & pictures.2 Barbara in the midst of her torments as kethe a •oone or a reward, that no man, which prayed unto her, should dye with out housell. Another of them said over the hole psalter daily, standing on the one foot. Some wise man painted a Christopher,3 that is to say, a bearer of Christ, which would signify by an allegory, that there had need to be great strength of mind in them, which should bear Christ, that is to say, which should teach the gospel, or confess and acknowledge Christ, because that such one must needs abide great jeopardies. Afterwards foolish friars taught among the people, to call and pray to Christopher, as though there had ben ones such a Polypheme (that is for to say) such a great giant in very deed. And where as saints in deed have done very great things, either profitable to the common weal, or else containing private examples, the rehearsal whereof should be very profitable both to establish the faith, and also to provoke other to follow their acts: no man sought out these things out of the true histories. Undoubtedly it is profitable to hear, how holy men did administer common weals / what chances, what jeopardies they put them selves in / how holy men did help kings in great jeopardies / how they taught the gospel / what disputations and battles they had with heretics. The examples also of mercy be profitable,4 as when we see, that Peter was pardoned the denying of his master / that Cyprian was forgiven / that he was a necromancer / when we see Augustine in his sickness proving the ⟨image 159⟩strength of faith, to affirm steadfastly, that god doth in deed hear the prayers of them that do believe. Such manner examples, which do contain either faith, or fear, or administration & governance of the common weal, it were profitable to be recited.