A22612:453
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.
But what power the gospel doth give to bishops we have showed in our confession. They which de byshoppes now a days, do not execute the offices of bishops according to the gospel: but they be bishops according to the policy and ordinance in the canons / which we do not rebuke: But we speak of a bishop according to the rule of the gospel.* And that old division of power / into power of order, and power of jurisdiction, pleaseth us very well. The bishop therefore hath power of order, that is the ministration of the word and of sacraments. He hath also power of jurisdiction (that is to say) authority to excommunicate those that have committed open crimes / and again authority to assoil them if they will convert & desire absolution. But neither have they tyrannical power (that is to say) without any certain law / but they have a certain commandment, I mean, the undoubted word of god, which they ought to teach / and according to it to use their jurisdiction. Wherefore it followeth not, although they have some jurisdiction, that they may institute new honours and services. For ceremonies and services nothing appertain to jurisdiction. And they have a word, and a commandment, how far forth they ought to exercise their jurisdiction / which is, if any man have committed and trespassed against the word, which they have received of Christ. ⟨image 211⟩Howbeit in our confession we have added also, how far forth it is lawful for them to make traditions / that is to wit, not as necessary services, but that there might be an order in the church because of tranquility. And these ought not to bind and entangle consciences, as though they did command necessary honours and services / as Paul teacheth when he sayeth.2 Stand fast in the liberty, in which Christ hath delivered you / and be not brought again under the yoke of bondage. The use therefore of such ordinations ought to be left free (so that we avoid the offending of our brethren) least they might else be judged to be necessary services. And so did the apostles them selves / they ordained many things, which afterwards in process of time were changed. Neither did they in such wise ordain the said traditions, that it might not be lawful to change them.
But what power the gospell dothe gyue to byshoppes we haue shewed in our confession. They whiche de byshoppes nowe a dayes, do nat execute the offices of byshops according to the gospell: but they be byshoppes accordyng to the policie and ordenaunce in the canones / which we do nat rebuke: But we speke of a bysshop accordyng to the rule of the gospell.