A22612:75
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.
Thus they made men believe that the profession of such religion was far better then baptism / and that the Monkish life was more meritorious then the life of rulers / yea than the life of pastors and of such like / which served their vocation and calling in the commandment of god / without feigned & cloaked religions. None of these things can be denied for they be apparent in their own books▪ what was after don in Monasteries In old time they were schools of holy scripture and of other disciplines which are profitable to the church / & from thence were taken pastors & bishops. Now it is another thing. It needeth not to rehearse things known. In old time they cam together to learn / now they feign that it is a kind of living ordained to deserve forgiveness ⟨p. 25⟩of since & justification / yea they preach that it is a state of perfection / and they prefer it far above all other kinds of living ordained of god. We have rehearsed these things laying on odiously nothing more than truth / to the intent that the doctrine of our men might be the better understand concerning this matter. First of those that contract matrimony / thus they teach with us / that it is lawful to all men which are not mete to live unmarried / to contract matrimony / for vows can not take away the ordinance and commandment of god.1 But this is the commandment of god / that every man have his wife for the avoidance of fornication.2 Nor the commandment only / but also the creation and ordinance of god / compelleth them to marry which without the singular work of god / be not excepted / according to that text.3 It is not good to a man to be alone / therefore they do not commit any sin / which obey this commandment and ordinance of god. What can be objected against these things? let men extol the obligation and bond of the vow as much as them lust / yet they shall not bring to pass / that the vow may take away the commandment of god. The very Canon laws teach that the authority and right of the superior is excepted in every vow. Wherefore much less these vows be any thing worth / sith they be against the commandment of god. Also if the bond of vow should (as they say) have no causes wherefore it might