A07407:149
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.
Afterward he doth give us knowledge of a promise, which promise is depending of an other thing, ⟨image 72⟩than of the worthiness of our works, what a trouble and vexation would it be to our consciences: if we should think that the pardon of god should depend on the pureness and worthy dignity of our forgiveness & pardon to other which have offended us: For be they never so well made friends, those which were at variance, yet remaineth some scar & grudge of the old displeasure. Therefore it is necessary some other cause & way of remission of our sin to be sought, and so to keep the true sense and mind of the Gospel concerning the free forgiveness of sin. There is also such an other saying in Daniel. The first part whereof pertaineth to penance or repentance, as this. Love and embrace justice, help the miserable wrongfully oppressed, and defend the church against tyrants and persecutors. The second part containeth the promise, as this. And thy sins shall be forgiven, thou shalt be healed and made whole of thy infirmities. Repentance must needs be, and yet our forgiveness and pardon must be freely given and received by Faith. For if the promise should be none otherwise a promise than we are worthy depending on our worthiness, then it should be made void and no promise, as Rom. viii.
Afterward he doth giue vs knowledge of a promyse, which promyse is dependinge of an other thynge, ⟨image 72⟩than of the worthynesse of our workes, what a trouble and vexacion wold it be to our consciences: if we shuld thyncke that the pardon of god shoulde depende on the purenes and worthy dignitee of our forgiuenesse & pardon to other whiche haue offended vs: For be they neuer so well made frendes, those which were at variaunce, yet remayneth some scarre & grudge of ye old displeasure. Therfore it is necessary some other cause & waye of remission of our sin to be sought, and so to kepe the true sence and mynde of ye Gospel concerning the free forgiuenes of sinne. There is also such an other saienge in Daniel. The fyrst part whereof perteynethe to pennance or repentance, as this. Loue and enbrace iustyce, helpe the miserable wrōgfully oppressed, and defend the church against tyrantes and persecutours. The seconde part conteyneth the promise, as this. And thy sinnes shalbe forgiuen, thou shalt be heled and made whole of thy infyrmities. Repentaunce must nedes be, and yet our forgiuenes and pardon must be frely giuen and receyued by Faythe. For if the promise shulde be none otherwise a promise than we are worthy depending on oure worthynes, then it shulde be made voide and no promise, as