A07407:138
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.
¶ THIS is the mind of the Devil to work such crafts for us when he perceiveth that we make light of sin, flattering our own affections, giving to them the bridle and rein at large, whereby Faith is extinguished. For Faith which asketh remission of sin can not be in them which have their delight in sin, not being sorry, nor repenting them selves as witnesseth this saying. Where shall God dwell. In a contrite heart which feareth my words. They will not be delivered from sin, which willingly delighteth therein. The teaching of John warneth us from whens sin cometh how great an enemy we have, declaring what is the entente and purpose of our adversary: that we may learn to practice Faith, and that Christ, in us may overcome this great and cruel enemy.
¶ THIS is the mynde of the Deuyl to worke suche craftes for vs when he perceiueth that we make light of sinne, flattering our owne affections, giuinge to them the brydle and reyne at large, wherby Fayth is extinguished. For Faythe which asketh remission of sinne can nat be in them whiche haue theyr delyte in sinne, nat being sory, nor repenting thē selfes as witnesseth this saying. Where shal God dwel. In a contrite hert which fearethe my wordes. They wyl nat be deliuered from sinne, which wyllyngly delyteth therin. The teachinge of Iohn warneth vs from whens sinne commeth howe great an enmy we haue, declaring what is the entente and purpose of oure aduersary: that we may learne to practice Fayth, and that Christe, in vs maye ouercome this great and cruel enmy.
¶ Hitherto have I declared to you the whole sum of the teachings of the prophets, and the doctrine of the Gospel, concerning justification or Grace, concerning our reconciliation, concerning Faith and good Works. Wherefore for as much as this is plain and open, having no darkness or perplexity, without Sophistical cavillations, when it speaketh of the motions and stirrings which ⟨image 68⟩be known to virtuous minds in the church of God, containing no manner of foolish questions, but setting forth the glory of Christ, and making open the great infirmity and weakness of man, being in all points agreeable to the scripture, both of the old and new Testament, and for as much (I say) as in all ages in the church, all godly disposed people do find by experience this consolation and comfort to be true, most necessary and expedient. I marvel greatly that our adversaries be so blind, that they can not find in their heart to allow it, and much more that they be full of fury and madness, that with tooth and nail they do openly resist it. But the Devil is in the cause, which divers ways doth pour in errors into mans mind, to the intent that the glory of Christ might be obscured & made dark ❧ LET godly men therefore pray that it would please the Lord to preserve his own word and Gospel, that he do not suffer it to be forsaken, and put out of the way, that it would please him to govern us with his light, and that in setting and showing forth his truth and verity unto all men, the foul dark clouds which the Devil hath brought in, may by the bright clearness of his