A22612:393
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.
Now remain only Eucharistical sacrifices which be called sacrifices of praise / preaching of the gospel / faith / invocation / thanks giving / confession / the afflictions of holy men yea all good works of saints. These sacrifices be not satisfactions for the doers of them or satisfactions that may be applied for other ⟨image 180⟩folk, which may merit unto them remission of since, or reconciliation by the virtue of the work wrought. For they be done of them that be already reconciled. And such manner sacrifices be the sacrifices of the new testament / as Peter teacheth in his first epistle saying. To an holy priesthood,1 that ye should offer spiritual hosts and sacrifices. Howe spiritual sacrifices be set against, as contrary not only to the sacrificing of beasts, but also to the works of men, which be offered because of the work wrought. For this word spiritual, betokeneth motions of the holy ghost in us. Paul teacheth the same, when he saith:2 Offer your bodies as a quick sacrifice, holy, and a reasonable service. But by reasonable service or honour is betokened that service, in which god is understanded, and perceived in the mind, as is done in the motions of fear and of trust towards god. Therefore it is not only set against the levitical honour or service, in which beasts were slain: but also that honour or service, in which is feigned a work to be offered, by the virtue of the work wrought. The same thing doth the epistle to the Hebrews teach, which saith:3 By him let us offer sacrifice of praise always unto god / and he addeth the interpretation, that is to wit, the fruit of lips, confessing his name. He biddeth us offer praises, that is to say, invocation thanks giving, confession or knowlegyng of his name, and other semblable things. These things be of strength, not by the virtue of the work wrought, but by the means of faith. And this teacheth this particle (by him let us offer) ⟨image 181⟩that is to say, by faith in Christ. Briefly, the service and worshipping commanded by the new testament is spiritual, that is to say, is justice of faith in the heart, and the fruits of faith. Therefore it doth abrogate the levitical sacrifices. And Christ saith: The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and truth.