A22612:447
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.
Again likewise as now circumcision, or slaying of beasts in sacrifice, should be none honour or service unto god: even so the rite and custom of the Nazarians ought not now to be set forth as an honour or service, but it ought to be judged nothing else but an indifferent thing. The Monastical life therefore, which without the word of god hath ben devised, to the intent that it should be a service, wherewith to merit remission of since & justification: is not well compared and likened to the custom of the Nazarenes, which had for it the word of god, and was not given to merit remission of since, but to be an exercise as the ceremonies of the law were? The same may be said of other vows taught in the law.
Agayne lykewyse as nowe circūcision, or sleynge of beastes in sacrifice, shulde be none honour or seruice vnto god: euē so the rite and custome of the Nazarians ought not nowe to be sette forthe as an honour or seruice, but it ought to be iudged nothing els but an indifferent thynge. The Monasticall lyfe therfore, which without the worde of god hath ben deuised, to thentente that it shulde be a seruice, wherwith to merite remission of synnes & iustification: is not wel compared and lykened to the custome of the Nazareans, whiche had for it the worde of god, and was not gyuen to merite remission of synnes, but to be an exercise as the ceremonies of the lawe were? The same may be sayde of other vowes taughte in the lawe.
There be alleged also the Rechabites,* which neither had any possession, neither did drink any wine, as Jeremiah writeth in the xxxv. chapter. Then sample of the Rechabites ⟨image 208⟩agreeth full goodly (be ye sure) to our monks and friars, whose Monasteries pass in sumptuousness the palaces of kings, and which live most delicately & voluptuously. But the Rechabites in that penury of all things were yet married: Our religious men, when they have plenty of all manner delices and pleasures, do profess single life. But it were convenient and mete to interpret the examples according to the rule (that is to wit) according to the undoubted and evident scriptures, and not against the rule & scriptures. Now this is most sure and undoubted, that our observances merit not remission of since, or justification. Wherefore sith it is so, that the Rechabites be praised, it must needs be, that they did not therefore keep that manner and custom, because they thought that by it they did merit remission of since, or that the work it self was a service or honour justifying, or for which they should obtain everlasting life, and not by the mercy of god for the seed that was promised: but because they had commandment of their parents: therefore their obedience is commended, of which there is a commandment of god, which saith,