A07407:148
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.
¶ IF I had in me all Faith,1 and not ⟨image 71⟩love, I am nothing. Which is thus to be answered, as before is said. I confess that love is necessary, but the love of God can not be, nor be acceptable, except first by Faith we do receive remission of sin, & imputation of justice. Every man may invent and devise of their own brain a love of God, but the very love of god, which is a perfect love must be referred to the wrestling of the mind and to the true motions in our invocations and perils. Some men there be which do doubt whether God doeth pass or regard mans necessity and causes, whether that either prosperity or adversity doeth chance and happen by fortune, without any provision and governance of God, or nay. Some men feeling and perceiving in them self the anger and wrath of God, doeth in their afflictions & troubles fall down despairing & railing against the judgment of God. Of these great storms and bitter showers of the mind, preacheth the heavenly voice, comforting the minds of men in the midst of the great waves & surges of their troubles with the promise of the Gospel. When the mind of man doth comfort and lift up him self with this Faith kowledginge the mercy of god, then followeth love. It is necessary ⟨p. lxxi⟩therefore that Faith doeth go before which asketh remission of sin. The which faith doth not lean and depend of our worthiness or deservings. Therefore though that love doth follow, it is not consequent: that for that love we be justified, but for Christ sake only. Men commonly do expound this word love of the love of god and of our neighbour, therefore I have answered as touching the love of god. But Paul in this place speaketh not of the love of god but of the love of our neighbour, which much less can merit remission of sin: Forgive and thou shalt be forgiven. Ergo.2 By our forgiveness & remission to other, we merit to us our justification. These words be exhorting to repentance, as be many such like in the prophets, as Isaiah the .i. Cap. Cease and leave you of from doing evil and learn to do good. Then shall your since be wiped from you. The first part of this is a precept of repentance. The second part containeth a promise.3