A22612:370
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.
In such wise he willeth them to be chaste, that yet they may use the remedy, which god hath ordained. Like wise as he will that we so maintain our life, if we do use meat and drink. And Gerson witnesseth, y• there have ben many good men, which have endeavoured them selves to tame their body, & yet it hath little availed them. Therefore Ambrose saith very well,1 Only virginity is the thing, which may be counselled, but can not be commanded, it is a thing more of wish or desire than of commandment. If any man will object here,2 that Christ doth praise them, which do geld them selves for the kingdom of heaven▪ let him also consider ⟨image 167⟩this, that he praiseth such manner men, which have the gift of continence. And therefore he added, Qui potest capere capiat. He that may take, let him take.3 For unclean & filthy continence doth not please Christ. we also do praise true continence. But we do now dispute of the law, and of them, which have not the gift of continency. The thing ought to be left free, there ought no bonds or snares to be caste upon the weak persons by this law.
In suche wyse he wylleth them to be chaste, that yet they maye vse the remedy, whiche god hath ordeyned. Lyke wyse as he wyll that we so mainteine our lyfe, if we do vse meate and drynke. And Gerson witnessethe, y• there haue ben many good men, whiche haue endeuoured them selues to tame theyr bodye, & yet it hath lytle auayled them. Therfore Ambrose saythe very well,1 Onelye virginitie is the thynge, whiche may be counsaylled, but can not be cōmaūded, it is a thing more of wysshe or desyre thā of cōmaūdemēt. If any mā wyll obiecte here,2 that Christ doth prayse them, whiche do gelde them selues for the kyngdome of heuen let hym also cōsidre