A22612:374
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.
because it doth merit justification, more then wedlock: we than plainly with open voice say against them. For we be justified neither for cause of virginity, neither for cause of wedlock, but freely for Christs sake, when •e believe that for his sake we have god good and gracious to us.
because it doth merite iustification, more then •edlocke: we than playnly with open voyce say agaynst them. For we be iustified neyther for cause of virginitie, neyther for cause of wedlocke, but freelye for Christis sake, whan •e beleue that for his sake we haue god good and gracious to vs.
Here peradventure our adversaries shall cry out, that after the manner of Joviniane wedlock is of us made equal to virginity. But we will not for these rebukes and reviling words caste away the truth of the righteousness of faith, which we have before declared. And yet we do not make virginity equal to matrimony. For likewise as one gift is better then another, as prophecy is better then eloquence / eloquence is better then carpenters craft: so virginity is a more excellent gift then wedlock. And yet as an Orator is not more righteous before god for cause of hꝭ eloquence then a carpenter because of his carpentry: so likewise a virgin meriteth no more justification with her virginity, then a wife doth with the works appertaining to a wife / but every one in their gift ought to serve faithfully▪ and to think that by faith for Christs sake they obtain remission of sins, and by faith be reputed righteous before god. And neither ⟨image 171⟩Christ nor Paul do praise virginity therefore, because it doth justify: but because it is less cumbered and hath fewer cares belonging to it / and is less letted with domesticall occupations and businesses, in praying, in teaching, in doing service to god. Therefore saith Paul.1