A07407:140
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.
❧ LET our industry and diligence provoke and stir up Christ toward us. Let learned men endeavour them selves to set forth this great cause and matter, plainly, openly, and diligently, that our posterity may have at our hands without knots or knurs, without Sophistical and devilish elusions, let them not refuse neither pain nor labour in learning thereof, nor yet no kind of punishment in professing and confessing thereof. For without learning this matter can not be made plain. And to bear the hatred and displeasure of great heads, and worldly wise men, which do resist the word, some for one cause, some for an other cause, improving and condemning this matter. it is requisite to have a manly heart and a good stomach. Good and godly men must contend and fight spiritually under the banner and standard of the Gospel, as Christ witnesseth. In this my father heavenly is glorified, if ye be my disciples bringing forth fruit bounteously. Wherefore let us ⟨image 69⟩set forth this doctrine faithfully and truly, with all simplicity and plainness making our invocation to the Lord that it would please him to give to us his holy spirit and grant us increase thereof ¶ TO this matter we will add and join certain arguments and objections wherewith the adversaries of God doth impugn this our judgement and mind.
❧ LET our industry and diligence prouoke and styrre vp Christ towarde vs. Let lerned men endeuor them selfes to set forth this great cause and matter, plainly, openly, and diligently, that our posteritie maye haue at oure handes without knottes or knorres, withoute Sophisticall and deuelysshe elusions, let them nat refuse neyther payne nor labour in lerning therof, nor yet no kinde of punishment in professing and confessing therof. For without lerninge thys matter can not be made playne. And to beare the hatred and displesure of great heades, and wordly wyse men, which do resist the word, some for one cause, some for an other cause, improuing and condempning this matter. it is requisite to haue a manly herte and a good stomake. Good and godly men must contende and fyght spiritually vnder the banner and standerd of the Gospel, as Christ witnesseth. In this my father heuenly is glorified, if ye be my disciples bringing forth fruite bounteously. Wherfore lette vs ⟨image 69⟩set forthe this doctryne faythfullye and truly, with al simplicitie and plainnesse making our inuocation to the Lord that it wold please him to gyue to vs his holy spirite and graunt vs increase therof ¶ TO this matter we wyll adde and ioyne certayne argumentes and obiections wherwith the aduersaries of God doth impunge this our iudgemente and mynde.