A22612:41
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.
The principal articles of the faith.The principall artycles of the faythe.
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.
1Of free will they teach that mans will hath some liberty to work civil & outward righteousness / and to chose out things subject unto reason / but it hath not might without the holy ghost to do the righteousness of god / or spiritual righteousness. •or a man left to the power of his own soul (whom Paul calleth animalem hominem) perceiveth not the things that be of the spirit of god but this righteousness is framed and made in the hearts / when the holy ghost ⟨p. 10⟩is conceived by the word. This sayeth Austin with like words in his third book of hypognosticon.2 We grant (saith S. Austin) that every man having reasonable judgement hath free will not that he is able in things pertaining to god without god / ether to begin or at the lest way / to make an end / but only in the works of this present life / aswell good as evil. In good works (I say) which do issue forth of the goodness of nature / as to will to labour in the field / to will to eat and drink / to will to have a friend to will to have clothing / to will to make a house / to will to marry a wife / to nourish beasts / to learn a craft of diverse good things / to will whatsoever good thing appertaineth to this present life / of the which things none hath being without the governance of god / yea of him / and by him they be / and began to be. Evil works (I say) as to will to honour an Image or Idol / to do manslaughter. & c̄.
1Of fre wyl they teache that mans wyll hath some libertie to worke ciuile & outwarde rightwysnes / and to chose out thinges subiecte vnto reason / but it hath nat myght without the holy goste to do the ryghtwisnes of god / or spiritual ryghtuousnes. •or a man lefte to the power of his owne soule (whō Paule calleth animalem hominem) perceyueth not the thynges that be of the spirite of god but this ryghtwisnes is framed and made in the hartes / whē the holy gost ⟨p. 10⟩is cōceyued by the worde. This sayeth Austyne with lyke wordes ī his thyrde boke of hypognosticon.