A22612:441
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.
It is therefore evident, that the saying of Christ is evil applied to monastical life,1 onles peradventure this part of Christs saying do agree well unto it, that they shall receive an hundred fold as much in this life. For very many be made religious men, not for the gospels sake: but for the bellies sake, and for love of ease / which in stead of their own slender patrimony and livelihood, do find great riches. But as all the life of religious men is full of simulation and hypocrisy: even so under a false pretence and colour they allege the testimonies of scripture, so that they commit double sin (that is to were) they both deceive men, and also they deceive them under the pretence of God's name.
It is therfore euident, that the sayeng of Christe is euyll applyed to monasticall lyfe,1 onles peraduenture thys parte of Christes sayeng do agre well vnto it, that they shal receyue an hūdreth folde as muche in this lyfe. For very many be made religious men, nat for the gospels sake: but for the bellyes sake, and for loue of ease / whiche in stede of theyr owne slendre patrimony and lyuelod, do fynde great ryches. But as al the lyfe of religious men is full of simulation and hypochrisye: euen so vnder a false pretence and coulour they alledge the testimonies of scripture, so that they committe double synne (that is to were) they both deceiue men, and also they deceiue them vnder the pretence of goddes name.
- 1Mat 19 Ma• 10
There is another place also alleged of perfection. Si uis perfectus esse. &c. 1If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that ever thou haste, and give to pore folk, and come and follow me. This place hath troubled many men which have imagined, that perfection is to caste away possessions and property of things. Let us suffer the philosophers to praise Aristippus,