A07407:104
The justification of man by faith onlyThe iustification of man by faith only
The justification of man by faith only: made and written by Philip Melanchthon. and translated out of the Latin in to this our mother tongue by Nicholas Less of London An apology or defence of the word of God, declaring what a necessary thing it is, to be in all mens hands, the want where of is the only cause of all ungodliness committed through the whole earth, made by the said Nicholas LessThe iustification of man by faith only: made and vvritten by Phylyp Melanchton. and translated out of the Latyn in to this oure mother tonge by Nicholas Lesse of London An apologie or defence of the worde of God, declaringe what a necessary thynge it is, to be in all mennes handes, the want wher of is the only cause of al vngodlienes committed thorowe the whole earth, made by the sayde Nicholas Lesse
Imprinted at London : In Fleet street at the sign of the George next to Saint Dunstones church by William Powell, in the year of our Lord God .M.CCCCC.XLVIII. the .XI. day of October 1548Imprinted at London : In Flete strete at the signe of the George next to Saynt Dunstones church by VVilliam Powell, in the yere of oure Lorde God .M.CCCCC.XLVIII. the .XI. daye of October 1548
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.
☞ IT is necessary therefore that men be taught to understand and perceive both of these doubts. For the hypocrites (so feeble and weak is their nature) d• stand much in their own conceit regarding and setting much by they• own virtues, thinking that they b• strong enough of them self, making the natural vicious inclination of the flesh no sin or very small: do think them selves without sin, that they be able of their own strength to perform the law of God, and worthy to obtain the life everlasting for their own deserts and merits. This is the mind not only of Hypocrites, but also of those which in their judgements do follow their own blind reasons and phantasies. Such was the reasoning of Plato and of Tully of the immortality of souls, saying that those souls which departed forth of the bodies most purist having least part of the dregs and filthiness ⟨p. lii⟩of the bodies did fly up to the air. Contrary wise: those souls, which departing, were full of all filthy lusts and foul desires of the fleshly bodies, did continue still on the earth being about the sepulchres and graves where their bodies were laid and buried. Is not all one matter that our religious fathers, boasting and setting un of their merits seemeth for to do Do they any thing else than Plato or Tully. Although that the reason of man by his own light and knowledge of him self can none otherwise judge, yet the word of God doth testify, that no man can satisfy the law, accusing all men, and setting before us our mediator, the only son of God. It is necessary therefore that those proud, arrogant, and careless stomachs of Hypocrites be rebuked, as much as it is requisite, that the fearful consciences and weak minds are to be comforted with the true comfort not to mistrust the mercy of God (for that he hateth) but to have a steadfast Faith: and to learn how the life, manners, & works may please God. Peter: when he was in the boat, being afraid, said: go from me Lord, for I am a sinner. Though that Peter being in great fear did not mark what he said his self, yet as it ⟨image 53⟩doeth happen often times unawares to a man being suddenly moved, he did simply declare with his mouth what his heart thought. For he fled from God, beholding and considering his own unworthiness.