A22612:72
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 vows of monastical or religious persons. ❧
❧ Of the vowes of monasticall or religious persons. ❧
IF a man would call to remembrance what was the state of Abbeys or Monasteries / how many things were done daily in the self Monasteries contrary to the canonical laws: he shall the better perceive & understand what is taught with us of the monastical vows. In S. Austin's time the abbeys or monasteries were free Colleges or companies to enter and depart at will. Afterward when godly conversation was corrupt / vows were added everywhere even as it were a bond or prison devised for restitution of godly conversation and discipline. Many other observances beside vows were added by process of time. And these bonds were caste upon the necks of many before lawful and convenient age / contrary to the canonical laws. Many fell into this kind of living through error / which though they were of sufficient age / yet they could not judge their own strength and power. they that were so trapped were compelled to abide still / yea though the canons were so beneficial to them that they might have ben delivered. And this happened also more in Monasteries of women than of men / not withstanding that the weak sex or kind ought more to have ben spared. This rigour & straitness displeased many good men before this time which saw maids & young men to be thrust down into Monasteries for a living. They saw how unhappily that purpose did prosper / what slanders it brought forth / what snares it ⟨image 26⟩caste upon consciences / They were sorry that the authority of the law Canon was utterly neglected and despised in a thing most perilous To these evils was added such a persuasion of vows / wherewith / yea the Monks & religious men them selves (as is well known) have ben in time past discontent / if any were any thing more wise or of better wit and judgement then other / they taught (I say) vows to be equal with baptism / & that they by that kind of living deserved remission of since & righteousness before god / yea they added that the Monkish life not only deserved righteousness before god / but also a more & a greater thing because it kept not only the precepts / but also the counsels of the gospel.