A07407:105
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.
Likewise all men beholding their own unworthiness, do fly from God, thinking that in so doing they do well to go from him, because they do seem to their selves unworthy. The which error being fixed in mens minds, the gospel doth reprehend, commanding all men though they be unworthy, to come boldly unto him, trusting steadfastly on the mediator, which is the Son of God.
Lykewise all men beholdinge theyr owne vnworthynes, do flye from God, thynkyng that in so doing they do well to go from him, bicause they do seme to theyr selfes vnworthy. The whiche erroure beinge fyxed in mennes myndes, the gospel doth reprehend, commaundinge all men though they be vnworthy, to come boldlye vnto hym, trustyng stedfastly on the mediator, which is the sonne of God.
¶ AND although as I have declared a new obedience, (which is the justice, in declaration of a good conscience) is very necessary, yet for all that they which be regenerated and new borne again in Christ in a new life by Faith and inspiration of the holy Ghost, neither do nor can fulfil all that the law doth require. For in them (for all their new birth) remaineth our first and original disease: not to be set light by, breeding and causing innumerable ill affections in us. Considering then that these vices are worthy and deserve everlasting death, yea those which be new borne ⟨p. liii⟩again are not just, that is to say accepted or pleasant to god for their own proper virtues, but through mercy, and that freely: by a full trust in the mediator Christ. Also they do not merit eternal felicity by their own works and virtues: but they must be of this opinion that they be heirs of everlasting life by Christ, freely by Faith: although they have the new obedience, or the good works which consequently must follow this Faith.
¶ AND although as I haue declared a new obedience, (which is the iustice, in declaration of a good consciēce) is very necessary, yet for al that they whiche be regenerated and newe borne agayne in Christ in a newe lyfe by Faythe and inspiration of the holy Ghost, neyther do nor can fulfyll al that the lawe doth requyre. For in them (for al theyr newe byrth) remayneth our fyrst and original disease: nat to be set lyght by, bredinge and causyng innumerable ill affections in vs. Considering then that these vices are worthye and deserue euerlastinge death, ye those whiche be newe borne