A07407:111
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.
❧ CHRIST also biddeth his holy ones to call for remission of sin with these words, and forgive us our debts &c. commanding them also to say: We §vi.be unprofitable servants. Also the 129 psalm. If thou wouldest mark & observe our iniquities (good Lord). Lord what man should be able to withstand them: he knowledged that he was burdened with sin, yet for all that he persuaded him self that he was pleasant and acceptable to God by mercy, and so did trust and look after help and health, saying these words. My soul hath stand fast and continued in his word, that is to say, by the heavenly promise I do sustain and hold up my self. I do go to no creature but to him: I look for health of none but of him: I do rest altogether in him, trusting in his goodness that he will save me. Also. Psalm. 18. Who doeth §vii.know mine offences and faults? from my secret and privy hid filthiness make me clean. It doeth appear not only by this place of the Scripture, but also by many other places of the said prophet, that he spake not these words in his own person only, but in the name of all saints, faithful and Godly men. Nay those men their own selves whom he calleth the servants of God, sanctified by the ⟨p. lv⟩holy Ghost, replenished with excellent gifts continuing in exercise of Faith, having governance and rule over great matters (As Abraham, Joseph, Moses Samuel, David, Isaiah) all together with one voice they do cry (I say) these words. What man doth know all our offences: from our secrete and privy vices make us pure and clean, good lord. Wherefore the arrogant and proud boldness of the hypocrites, is much to be detested, which do boast and crack that they do deserve eternal felicity by their own merits and works, and as they do say, both worthily and of duty.
❧ CHRIST also biddeth his holye ones to cal for remission of sinne with these wordes, and forgiue vs our dettes &c. commaunding them also to say: We §vi.be vnprofitable seruantes. Also the 129 psalm̄. If thou woldest marke & obserue our iniquities (good Lord). Lord what man shulde be able to withstande them: he knowledged that he was burdened with sinne, yet for all that he persuaded him self that he was pleasant and acceptable to God by mercy, and so did truste and loke after helpe and helth, sayinge these wordes. My soule hath stande fast and continued in his worde, that is to say, by the heuenly promise I do susteyn and hold vp my selfe. I do go to no creature but to him: I loke for helth of none but of him: I do rest altogither in hym, trustinge in his goodnes that he wyll saue me. Also.