A22612:83
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.
Undoubtedly after the gospel / and after God's law no jurisdiction belongeth to bishops (that is to say) to them to whom is committed the ministration of the word and of the sacraments / save only this power to remit and lose sins / and also to discern and judge doctrines / and to reject a doctrine contrary to the gospel / and to exclude and shit out from the communion of the church wicked men / whose wickedness is known / and this must be with the word / without mans violence. In these things the congregations / or churches owe of duty / and be by the law of god bounden to submit them selves and to show obedience / according to that saying of Christ who heareth you heareth me.1 But when they teach or ordain any thing against the gospel: then the congregations have a commandment of god prohibiting obedience. As this beware of false prophets / and Paul to the Galatians.2 If an angel from heaven would preach or show any other gospel / accursed be he.3 Also to the Corinthians / we can nothing do against the truth / but for the truth. Also in another place he sayeth / Power is given to us for edification and not for destruction.4 So also do the canon laws command. 2. D. 7. cap. Sacerdotes et cap. Oves. And.5 S Austin against the epistle of Petilian sayeth. If catholic by shops be deceived any where by chance / and think any thing against the canonical scriptures of god / we ought not to consent unto them. ⟨image 32⟩If bishops have any other power or jurisdiction as in cognizance of plea or in determining of certain causes / as of matrimony or of tithes: they have it by mans law / wherein when the ordinaries fail to do their duties / because either they will not / or can not / princes be compelled (yea whether they will or not) to see the law ministered to their subjects for peace to be hod amongest them.6 Moreover it is disputed whether bishops / or pastors have right and authority to ordain ceremonies in the church and to make laws of meats / of holy days / and degrees of ministers or orders. &c. They that imagine this authority to be in bishops / allege and bring for them this testimony and authority of scripture.