A22612:431
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.
Of these questions we dispute. And though we have in our confession spoken many things of such manner vows, which also the canons of the popes improve and disallow: yet our adversaries bid, that all that we have brought forth, should be rejected. For these words they have used. And it is a world to see how they cavillate and trifle away our reasons / & what they bring to the defence & fortifying of their own cause. Wherefore we shall briefly over a certain few of our arguments / & run in them we shall by the way make answer, and avoid the cavillations of our adversaries. And for as much as this hole matter hath ben diligently and plenteously handled of Martin Luther,1 in his book entitled of Monastical vows, we will become here but a reporter and repeater of that book.
Of these questions we dispute. And though we haue in our cōfession spoken many thingꝭ of suche maner vowes, which also the canons of the popes improue and disallowe: yet our aduersaries byd, that al that we haue brought forthe, shulde be reiected. For these wordes they haue vsed. And it is a worlde to se howe they cauillate and tryfle away our reasons / & what they brīge to the defence & fortifieng of theyr owne cause. Wherfore we shall briefely ouer a certein fewe of our argumentꝭ / & ronne in them we shal by the way make answere, and auoyde the cauillations of our aduersaries. And for asmoche as this hole mater hath ben diligently and plentuously handeled of Martine Luther,1 in his boke entitled of Monasticall vowes, we wyll become here but a reporter and repeter of that boke.
- 1Luther
1First of all▪ this is most certain and undoubted, that it is no lawful vow, by which he that maketh the vow doth think, that he deserveth remission of since before god / or