A22612:397
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.
*None of all these saith the prophet, which yet monks, friars, and sophisters do imagine and feign full shamefully that he should speak. But the very self words of the prophet declare sufficiently his meaning. For first they purpose that the name of the lord shall be great, this is done by the preaching ⟨image 182⟩of the gospel. For by it is notified & spread the name of Christ, and the mercy of the father promised in Christ is thus known. Preaching of the gospel engendereth faith in them, which receive the gospel, these call on god, these give thanks to god, these suffer afflictions in their confessing or preaching, these work weal for the glory of Christ. Thus the name of the lord is made great among the gentiles. Wherefore sacrifice and a clean oblation signify not a ceremony nakedly done, but all those sacrifices, by which the name of the lord is magnified, I mean, faith, invocation, preaching of the gospel, confession. &c. And we easily suffer him that lusteth, to comprise a ceremony, so that he understandeth not only the ceremony, neither teacheth that the ceremony is available of the own poor virtue & strength. For like as among the sacrifices of praise, that is to wit, among the praises of god, we comprise the preaching of the word: so a praise or thanks giving may be the very taking or receiving of the sou•er of the lord, but not of the own proper virtue, justifying us, or appliable to other, to the intent to purchase unto them forgiveness of since. But we shall not long hereafter declare, how a ceremony also is a sacrifice. But because Malachi speaketh of all the sacrifices of the new testament: and not only of the supper of the lord: Also because he furthereth nothing at all nor defend the pharisaical opinion of the work wrought: therefore he maketh nothing against us, but rather maketh with us. For he requireth the honourings and sacrifice of the heart, by which ⟨image 183⟩the name of the lord is magnified and made great in very deed. 2There is cited also this place out of Malachie. Et purgabit filios Levi & colabit eos quasi aurum & quasi argentum, & erunt domino offerentes sacrificia in justicia. That is to say. And he shall purge the sons of Levi, and shall strain and cleanse them, as it were gold and silver, and they shall offer to the lord sacrifices in justice.