A22612:454
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.
For they did not disagree from their own writings, in which they labour very greatly that this opinion should not oppress the church, that humane rites and ceremonies be necessary services. This is the simple and plain manner of interpreting traditions (that is to wit) to know that they be no necessary services, and yet that we observe and keep them, when we see opportunity, without superstition to avoid the offending of our brethren. And this hath ben the mind of many right conning and excellent men in the church. Neither we see what can be brought against it. For this is undoubted, that the sentence of Christe. Qui uos audit me audit. 1that is to say. Whosoever heareth you heareth me / doth not speak of ⟨image 211⟩traditions / but it maketh most against traditions. For it is no commandment, but a witness given to the apostles, that we should give credence to them of another mans word. For Christ would confirm and strength us (as need was to do) that we should know, that the word taught by men was of force and strength / and that we should not need to seek for any other word from heaven, but it can not be understood of traditions. For Christ requireth that they should so teach: that he might be heard / for he sayeth (he heareth me) He will therefore, that his word, & his voice be heard, and not human traditions. So the saying that maketh most for us, and containeth most grave consolation and doctrine: these Asses do wrest and apply to most trifling things / I mean to the choice and diversity of meats, variety of clothing, and semblable things. They allege also / thꝭ text. Obedite prepositis uestris. Obey your rulers. This sentence requireth obedience towards the gospel.2 For it doth not establish a kingdom to the bishops with out the gospel. Neither ought bishops to make traditions against the gospel, or to interpret their traditions against the gospel. For when they do so, we be forbidden to obey them / according to that saying / if any man teach any other gospel: accursed be he.3
For they dyd nat disagre from theyr owne writyngꝭ, in whiche they labour very greatly that this opiniō shulde nat oppresse the church, that humayne rytes and ceremonies be necessary seruices. This is the simple and playne maner of interpretynge traditions (that is to wete) to knowe that they be no necessary seruices, and yet that we obserue and kepe them, when we se opportunitie, without superstition to auoyde the offēdyng of our bretherne. And this hath ben the mynde of many ryght connynge and excellent men in the churche. Neyther we se what can be brought agaynste it. For this is vndoubted, that the sentence of Christe. Qui uos audit me audit.