A22612:57
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.
¶ Of the Mass.
¶ Of the Masse.
Our churches be falsely accused that they utterly destroy / and take away the Mass for the Mass is retained and hold still with us / and is celebrate with high reverence. Also the usual and customable ceremonies all most all / are observed and kept saving that ⟨p. 17⟩among the latin songs be mixed here & there Germane songs / which be added to teach the people. For ceremonies serve to teach the unexpert & rude people / and that the entreating or handling of the word of god may stir up some men to the true fear / faith and prayer. And not only Paul commandeth to use in the Church a tongue which the people do perceive and understand / but also it is so constitute and ordained by mans law.
OUr churches be falsely accused that they vtterly destroy / and take away the Masse for the Masse is retayned and holde styll with vs / and is celebrate with hygh reuerence. Also the vsuall and customable ceremonies all moste all / are obserued and kepte sauynge that ⟨p. 17⟩amonge the laten songes be mixed here & there Germane sōgꝭ / which be added to teach the people. For ceremonies serue to teach the vnexpert & rude people / and that the intreatinge or handlinge of the worde of god may stirre vppe some men to the true feare / faythe and prayer. And nat allonly Paule commaundeth to vse in the Churche a tonge which the people do perceyue and vnderstonde / but also it is so constitute and ordeyned by mans lawe.
The people be accustomed to use the sacrament together / if any be apt thereto / and that also doth augment and increase the reverence and the religion of public ceremonies / for none be admitted and allowed to receive the sacrament / but such as be examined before. They be also monished & warned of the dignity and use of the sacrament how great comfort it bringeth to fearful and trembling consciences / to them ent that they may learn to believe: and give credence to god / and to look for a things that good is of god / and to ask all thing that good is of god. This honour delighteth god / such use of the sacrament doth nourish love and reverence towards god / therefore it appeareth not that the Masses be done more religiously with our adversaries than with us. It is undoubtedly & evidently known also that this hath been a common & a very grievous complaint of all good men a long season / that the Masses have been shamefully abused and applied to lucre / and every man seeth how wide this abuse doth appear in all