A22612:399
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.
And the type or figure doth aptly express, not only the ceremony, but also the preaching of the gospel.1 In the book of Numeri there be put three parts of that daily sacrifice, that is to say, the burning of the lamb▪ libation, & oblation of flour. The law had pictures or shadows of things to come. Therefore in this spectacle and figure Christ and the hole honour and service of the new testament is painted. The burning of the lamb, signifieth the death of Christ. Libation betokeneth, that everywhere throughout the world▪ ⟨image 184⟩[…] ⟨image 184⟩[…] ⟨image 185⟩those that believe be sprinkled with the blood of the lamb, that is to say, by the preaching of the gospel, be sanctified (as Peter speaketh) into the sanctification of spirit▪ in to obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. The oblation of flour, signifieth faith, invocation, and thanks giving in the hearts. Therefore as in the old testament we see the shadow: so in the new testament the thing signified is to be sought out, and not another figure is sufficient to sacrifice. Wherefore although the ceremony is the memorial of Christs death: yet nevertheless it alone is not the continual sacrifice, but the very remembrance is the continual and daily sacrifice (that is to wit) the preaching of the gospel, and faith, which doth truly believe, that god is to us reconciled by the death of Christ. There is required libation (that is to say) the effect of the preaching, that we by the gospel, being aspersed with the blood of Christ, might be sanctified, being mortified and quickened. There be also required oblations (that is to say) giving of thanks, confessions, and afflictions. So than (this pharisaical opinion of the work wrought set apart) let us understand, that there is signified a spiritual worship, and a continual sacrifice of the heart, because in the new testament not the shadow, but the body of good things, I mean, the holy ghost, mortification, and vivification ought to be required. By these things it appeareth that the continual and daily sacrifice maketh nothing against us, but rather for us. We require all the parts signified by continual sacrifice.