A22612:406
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.
❧The opinions of the fathers concerning sacrifice.
❧The opinions of the fathers concernynge sacrifice.
BUT because we have declared the places of scripture, which be alleged against us, we must now make answer also concerning the old fathers.
BUT because we haue declared the places of scripture, whiche be alledged agaynst vs, we must nowe make answere also concernynge the olde fathers.
We know well enough, that the Mass is called of the old fathers a sacrifice, but their mind is not that the mass by the virtue of the work wrought doth give grace, & that it applied for other, doth merit unto them remission of since, both of the crime, and also of the punishment. Where be any such monstrous words read in the works of the old fathers? but they openly witness, that they speak of thanks giving / and therefore they call it by the greek word Eucharistia, thanks giving.1 Now we have said before, that a sacrifice Eucharistical doth not merit reconciliation, but it is done & made by them that be already reconciled. Likewise as afflictions merit not reconciliation, but than they be Eucharistical sacrifices, when they that be reconciled suffer them. And this answer in general to the sayings of the fathers, doth sufficiently defend us against our adversaries. For certain it is, that those figments and imaginations of the merit of the work wrought be read no where in the writings of the fathers. But to the intent that the hole cause may be the more clearly perceived: we also shall speak touching the use of the sacrament, those things, which be without question agreeing to the sayings of the fathers, & to scripture.