A07405:191
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Word written in Latin by that Reverend Father D. Philip Melanchthon, after the convention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Woorde written in Latine by that Reuerend Father D. Philip Melancthon, after the conuention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.
London : Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vinetree by Thomas Dawson, 1580
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.
Therefore Augustine handleth this question learnedly in his book De spiritu & litera, and affirmeth that Paul also speaketh universally touching moral things, when he denieth us to be just by the law: and also denieth man to be able to satisfy & fulfil the law. Rom. cap. 8.
Therefore Augustine handleth this question learnedly in his booke De spiritu & litera, and affirmeth that Paule also speaketh vniuersally touching moral thinges, when he denyeth vs to be iust by the lawe: and also denyeth man to be able to satisfie & f•lfill the law. Rom. cap. 8.
This admonition of Augustine, and this place of his, to have in remembrance, it shall very much avail us: For because seeing that reason cannot sufficiently discern the hugeness of Original sin and of our natural corruption, it easily slideth away unto those opinions, namely, That it thinketh a man may be able to fulfil the law, and too be just for the works sake. So contrariwise The righteousness of faith is obscured, and true spiritual exercises are cast of from us, namely, True invocation, which ought too stay or rest upon the only mercy of God. Like as we are now derided of our adversaries, which will needs seem wiser then we, and cry out against us, that we do foolishly exaggerate or increase our own infirmity, and fondly pluck away justification from works, when notwithstanding, reason understandeth ⟨p. 37⟩righteousness is meant none other matter,1 but obedience, according to the law.
This admonition of Augustyne, and this place of his, to haue in remembrance, it shal very much auayle vs: For bycause seeing that reason cannot sufficiently discerne the hugenesse of Original sinne and of our natural corruption, it easily slydeth away vntoo those opinions, namely, That it thinketh a man may be able to fulfil the lawe, and too be iust for the woorkes sake. So contrariwyse The righteousnesse of faith is obscured, and true spirituall exercises are cast of from vs, namely, Trne inuocation, which ought too stay or rest vppon the onely mercy of God. Lyke as wee are nowe derided of our adnersaries, which will needes seeme wyser then wee, and crye out against vs, that wee doo foolishly exaggerate or encrease our owne infirmity, and fondly plucke away iustification from woorkes, when notwithstanding, reason vnderstandeth