A07407:156
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.
¶ Wherefore notwithstanding that repentance is required at our hand, we may not think that the condition of our worthiness is to be admitted.
¶ Wherfore natwithstanding that repentaunce is requyred at our hande, we maye nat thynke that the condicion of oure worthynes is to be admitted.
❧ But clean contrary, repentance and trust of our own merits, are repugnant and of contrary effects, and end, as it is written. He that rejoiceth, let him rejoice in the Lord. Thou wilt say to me again. Wherefore is it called a reward I say that although that life everlasting is given freely for Christ sake: yea after that it is given, it doth recompense our labours and troubles. I will make the to understand it more plainly. This is the manner of speaking of the Law. He shall give to every man after his works. Also their reward shall be plentiful in Heaven. The scripture speaketh after the manner of the Law, concerning justice, as though it should be of our worthiness, and likewise of Faith as though it were our virtues, saying the reward is given to our virtues. But for all that, the Gospel teacheth us, that we are not just ⟨image 75⟩for our worthiness: but by free acceptation, and that by faith the benefits of Christ are to be received, not for the worthiness of faith, because it is a virtue: but because it doth depend of an other which is Christ. This is the most right and plain answer, that can be made, without any Sophistical cavillation.
❧ But clene contrary, repentance and trust of our owne merites, are repugnāt and of contrary effectes, and ende, as it is written. He that reioyseth, let hym reioyse in the Lorde. Thou wylt say to me agayne. Wherfore is it called a rewarde I say that although that lyfe euerlasting is gyuen frely for Christ sake: yea after that it is gyuen, it doth recompence our labours and troubles. I wyl make the to vnderstande it more playnly. This is the maner of speakyng of the Lawe. He shall gyue to euery man after his workes. Also theyr rewarde shalbe plentiful in Heuen. The scripture speketh after the maner of the Lawe, concerning iustice, as though it shulde be of our worthynes, and likewise of Faith as though it were our vertues, saying the rewarde is gyuen to our vertues. But for all that, the Gospel teacheth vs, that we are nat iust