A22612:85
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.
And they think that the righteousness of the new testament can not be with out these things. Of this occasion came those burdens / that certain meats do defile and pollute the conscience / and that it is deadly sin to omit and leave unsaid canonical hours / that fastings deserve remission of since / and that they be necessary to the righteousness of the new testament / that sin in a case reserved can not be forgiven without the authority of the reserver / where as in very deed the canons them selves speak only of the reservation of the canonical pain / and not of the reservation of sin. From whens I pray you / & of whom have the bishops their power and authority to lay these traditions upon the church to vex or grieve their consciences? For every man may see open authorities and clear testimonies / which prohibit the making of such traditions either to deserve remission of since / or as necessary to the righteousness of the new testament or to salvation.1 First Paul to the Colossians saith / Let no man judge you in meat / drink / part of the holy day. &c. Also if ye be dead with Christ from the elements of the world / why as living in the world do ye keep decrees / touch not / taste not. &c. which be commandments ⟨image 33⟩and doctrines of men / and have a presence and a colour of wisdom. Also to Lite,2 he prohibiteth traditions apertlye / war•ynge that they be not attending to the Judaical •a•es / and to commandments of men / which turn from the truth. And Christ speaking of them that require traditions saith in this wise / Let them alone / they are blind guides of the blind / 3and he improveth such honours / laying / All plants / which the father of heaven did not plant / shall be plucked up by the roots. It bishops have authority to one-rate and lade churches with infinite traditions and to snare the consciences / why doth scripture so often prohibit to make / and to hear traditions? why doth it call them doctrines of devils? Did the holy ghost warn those things before in vain? wherefore it must needs consequently ensue / that sith ordinances instituted as things necessary / or with an opinion to deserve remission of sin / be contrary to the gospel: that it is not lawful for any bishop to institute or require such honours.