I Do offer and present unto thee (gentle Reader) here published in Print, this little treatise, 1first written by that famous and godly learned Doctor in Christs School, Martin Luther, in the Germane or Dutch tongue, for his own Countrymen: afterwards translated into Latin, by a learned man, named Justus Jonas, that it might be common to moe then it was before: now also though plainly, yet faithfully turned into English, for the benefit and commodity of this our Israel, by one most studiously careful, 2and zealously desirous of thy profit. This excellent Preface will lead thee as a Lantern of light to the better understanding of that most precious, most fruitful and profitable Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans, which when thou canst well and wisely understand, ⟨image 3⟩first it will make thee ready armed, well furnished and instructed to withstand and answer all the popish Romanists (Cods greatest adversaries, and enemies to his Gospel) who stoutly maintain and defend that mans works do merit and deserve salvation, and so present us just and righteous before God: Secondly it will teach thee a Christian life and conversation: namely how thou oughtest to bring forth the worthy fruits of Faith, which alone doth justify us before God, because it is (as it were) the hand whereby we apprehend and take hold fast of the merits of Christs blessed Passion to be ours. Other branches of doctrine and manners there be in that notable Epistle good store. Use and peruse this prologue, and then it will lighten thine understanding very much in this weighty matter of our salvation in this chief and principal point of Christian religion: 3to wit, whether we be justified by the works of the Law, or by the mercy of God only, for the mediation of his son, who was made a slain sacrifice upon the Cross for us most wretched and miserable sinners. After that thou doest fully and perfectly attain to the true meaning of it, I doubt not but thou wilt (by the help ⟨image 3⟩of Gods holy spirit working mightily in thee) persevere and continue faithful unto the end, in this doctrine of faith taught here by the Apostle. Only be strong in the Lord, 4fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience: then surely this godly doctrine will prepare thy hart in a strong defence, that the fiery darts of the Devils Ministers by errors and falsehood shall not wound thee.
I Doo offer and present vnto thee (gentle Reader) here published in Print, this litle treatise, 1first written by that famous and godly learned Doctor in Christes Schoole, Martin Luther, in the Germane or Duche tongue, for his owne Countreymen: afterwards translated into Latine, by a learned man, named Iustus Ionas, that it might be common to moe then it was before: now also though plainly, yet faithfully turned into Englishe, for the benefite and commoditie of this our Israell, by one most studiously carefull, 2and zelously desirous of thy profite. This excellent Preface wyll leade thee as a Lanterne of light to the better vnderstanding of that most precious, most fruitfull and profitable Epistle of S. Paul to the Romanes, which when thou canst well and wisely vnderstand, ⟨image 3⟩first it wyll make thee ready armed, well furnished and instructed to withstand and answeare all the popish Romanistes (Cods greatest aduersaries, and enemies to his Gospell) who stoutly mainteyne and defend that mans woorkes doo merite and deserue saluation, and so present vs iust and righteous before God: Secondly it wyll teache thee a Christian life and conuersation: namely howe thou oughtest to bring foorth the woorthy fruites of Fayth, which alone doth iustifie vs before God, because it is (as it were) the hand wherby we apprehend and take hold fast of the merits of Christes blessed Passion to be ours. Other branches of doctrine and manners there be in that notable Epistle good store. Ʋse and peruse this prologue, and then it willighten thine vnderstanding very much in this weighty matter of our saluatiō in this chiefe and principal poynt of Christian religion: 3to wyt, whether we be iustified by the workes of the Law, or by the mercy of God only, for the mediation of his sonne, who was made a slaine sacrifice vpō the Crosse for vs most wretched and miserable sinners. After that thou doest fully and perfitly attaine to the true meanyng of it, I doubt not but thou wilt (by the helpe ⟨image 3⟩of Gods holy spirite woorking mightily in thee) perseuere and continue faithful vnto the ende, in this doctrine of faith taught here by the Apostle. Only be strong in the Lord, 4fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience: then surely this godly doctrine wyll prepare thy hart in a strong defence, that the fierie dartes of the Dyuels Ministers by errours and falshood shal not wounde thee.
- 1Aristotle say• that a good thing, the more comm• it is made, the better it is.Aristotle say• that a good thyng, the more comm• it is made, the better it is.
- 2The use of this Preface.The vse of this Preface.
- 3This high myterie of our salvation dou•ed of, and de••ed by the Papists.This high myterie of our saluation dou•ed of, and de••ed by the Papistes.
- 41. Timoth. 1.19
