A22612:394
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.
1For such worshippers would the father have to worship him God is a spirit & they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth. This text clearly condemneth the opinions of all such sacrifices, which they feign to be of strength by the reason of the work wrought. And it teacheth also, that we must worship in spirit, y• is to say, with motions of the heart and faith. Therefore the prophets also in the old testament condemn the opinion of the people, which they had of the work wrought, and do teach righteousness & sacrifices of the spirit. For thus saith the prophet Jeremiah.2 I have not spoken with your fathers nor I have not given them commandment in that day when I brought them out of Egypt, of any sacrifices: But this word I commanded them, saying, Hear and obey my words, and I will be your god. &c. After what fashion should we think, that the Jews did hearken & receive this sermon, which seemeth to be clean repugnant and contrary to the law of Moses? For this was undoubtedly known, that god had given commandment to the fathers of diverse manner sacrifices. But Jeremiah condemneth the opinion, which they had of sacrifices. This opinion god did never teeth them, y• is to wit, that those sacrifices should pacify him by the work wrought. He addeth ⟨image 181⟩also faith, that god had commanded it, when he saith, Hearken me, that is to say, believe me, that I am your god, that I will so be known, when I do show mercy, and wham I do help, and y• I have no need of your sacrifices, trust surely, that I will be god a justifier, a saviour, not for your works sake: but for my word, and my promise sake, desire & look for help of me truly and from your hearts.
1For suche worshyppers wolde the father haue to worshyp hym God is a spirite & they that •orshyp hym, muste worshyp hym in spirite and truthe. This texte clerely condempneth the opinions of all suche sacrifices, whiche they fayne to be of strengthe by the reason of the worke wrought. And it teacheth also, that we muste worshyp in spirite, y is to say, with motions of the herte and faythe. Therfore the prophetꝭ also in the olde testament cōdempne the opinion of the people, whiche they had of the worke wrought, and do teache ryghtuousnes & sacrifices of the spirite. For thus sayth the prophete Hieremie.