A22612:422
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.
If this be right understand, there is no hurt in it. For it desireth that we may be made worthy to offer prayers and supplications, and unbloody sacrifices for the people. It calleth the very prayers unbloody hosts or sacrifices. Likewise as a little after it saith, Yet we offer unto the this reasonable & unbloody honour. For they expound it foolishly, who soever had rather expound this place for a reasonable host, & apply it to the body of Christ: when the canon speaketh of the hole service of the Mass. And Paul useth this word, (reasonable honour) against y• work wrought, meaning by it the service of the mind, that ⟨image 194⟩is to say, fear, invocation, thanks giving. But where our adversaries defend the application of the ceremony for the delivering of souls out of Purgatory, by the reason whereof, they get infinite lucre and money) they have no testimonies, nor commandments out of the scriptures.1 And it is no small sin to ordain such ceremonies or services in the church without the commandment of god, or any example of the scripture, and to apply unto dead men the supper of the lord, which was ordained for a remembrance, and to be preached among quick men. This is to abuse the name of god, against the second commandment / for first it is injury and dishonour to the gospel / a man to think that the ceremony by virtue of the work that is wrought without faith, is a sacrifice reconciling god, and satisfying for since. It is, I say, an horrible & abominable saying, that the work of the priest is of as much strength as is the death of Christ. Secondarily, sin and death can not be overcome but by faith in Christ as Paul teacheth / we justified by faith,2 have peace, ergo the pain of Purgatory can not be overcome by the applying of another mans work.
If this be ryght vnderstāde, there is no hurte in it. For it desyrethe that we maye be made worthy to offre prayers and supplicatiōs, and vnbloudy sacrificꝭ for the people. It calleth the very prayers vnbloudy hostꝭ or sacrificꝭ. Likewise as a lytle after it sayth, Yet we offre vnto the this reasonable & vnbloudy honour. For they expounde it folyshelye, who soeuer had rather expounde this place for a reasonable hoste, & applye it to the body of Christ: whan the canon speakethe of the hole seruice of the Masse. And Paule vsethe this worde, (reasonable honour) agaīst y worke wrought, meanynge by it the seruice of the mynde, that