A22612:44
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.
1Our teachers be falsely accused that they prohibit / and forbid good works. For their writings which go abroad / of the .x. commandments / and other of like matter do witness / that they have taught profitably of all kinds of living & offices / as what kinds of living & what works do please god / in every calling. Of which things preachers heretofore spake but little only they magnified and did set forth childish / and unnecessary works / as certain holy days / certain fastings / fraternities / guilds or brotherhoods / pilgrimages / worshippings of saints / rosaries / entering into religion / and such other like. Our adversaries through our monition do now unlearn / & leave this gear / so that they preach not these unprofitable works so much as they did before. Furthermore they begin to make mention of faith / of the which now this great while / hath been marvellous silence / all though they cease not to obscure and darken the doctrine of faith / in that they leave mens consciences in a doubt bidding them purchase remission of since with works. But they teach not / that through Christ / by only faith we may be sure to have remission of sin. For as much therefore / as the doctrine of faith (which ought to be the chiefest and ⟨p. 11⟩principal in the church) hath lien so long unknown (as we must all needs confess that of the righteousness of faith / most deep and profound silence hath been in preachings / & that only the doctrine of works hath been exercised and conversant in churches) therefore (I say) our teachers have warned & monished the churches of faith / in this wise as followeth / first that our works can not reconcile god unto us / or deserve remission of since and grace / and justification but this we get only by faith / believing that only for Christs sake / we be received into favour / who only is set forth / and purposed unto us a mediator & a mercy stock by whom the father is reconciled / and his favour gotten again. Therefore he that trusteth to deserve favour / or grace / with works: despiseth the merit & grace of Christ / and seeketh a way and cumming to God with mans power / without Christ / where as Christ said of himself. I am the way / the truth / and the life. This doctrine of faith is every where treated in Paul as to the Eph. 2.