A22612:80
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 power of the church.
Of the power of the churche.
Great disputations have ben of the power of bishops / in which many men have confusedly mingled together the power of the church / and the power of the sword. Of this confusion great battles / great unquietness have proceeded / whiles bishops b•arynge themselves bold upon the power of the keys / not only have institute and begun new honours of god / & not only have burdened consciences with reservation of cases and with violent excommunications and cursings / but also have translated and removed the kingdoms of the world / and gone about to take away the empire from the emperors. Well disposed and learned men have reproved these vices in the church long sithen. Therefore our preachers to the intent to comfort consciences: were constrained to show the difference of the ecclesiastical power / and of the power of the sword / & have taught that either of them because of God's commandment is to be had in great reverence and honour / as high benefits of god upon earth.* And thus our learned men think / this is their opinion / that the power of the keys / or the power of bishops according to the gospel / is a power or commandment of god to preach the gospel / to remit / and retain / lose / and bind since / and to minister sacraments. For with that commandment Christ sendeth forth his apostles / 2saying as my father hath ⟨p. 29⟩sent me / even so I send you. Take the holy ghost / whose since ye remit they be remitted / & whose since ye hold still they be holden still. Also in the gospel of Mark he saith. Go preach the gospel to every creature. &c̄.3 This power is put in execution only by teaching or preaching the gospel / and by ministering the sacraments either to a multitudeꝭ or else to one man by him self according to his vocation and calling / for here be granted not corporal things / but eternal things / as eternal righteousness / the holy ghost / eternal life. These things can not chance or come but by ministration of the word and of the sacraments / as Paul saith.