A07407:164
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.
Works which be against the law of God, are sin. Ergo. Good works are justice.
Workes which be againste the lawe of God, are sinne. Ergo. Good workes are iustice.
☞ This consequent must be true (say they) for they be contraries: bad works and good works. And the knowledge of ⟨p. lxxvi⟩the one contrary,1 is the knowledge and declaration of that other. Wherefore it followeth that by good works men are justified, for as much as good works be justice.
☞ This consequent must be true (saye they) for they be contraries: bad workes and good workes. And the knowlege of ⟨p. lxxvi⟩the one contrary,1 is the knowledge and declaration of that other. Wherefore it foloweth that by good workes men are iustified, for as much as good workes be iustice.
- 1Contrari o• eadem est disciplina.
☞ This is very light and easy to be answered. It is true as they say, if that good works were a perfect obedience. But because they be far from a perfect obedience, you may soon perceive that the argument is not good, because they be not right contrary For naughty works are right nought in deed: but our good works, are not perfectly good works, for as much as they have much filthiness and corruption in them, where with they be corrupted. As by example. Pomponius Atticus: was both modest and just to the Citizens. But he doubteth of the governance and provision of god: he is without the fear of God, which marreth the rest of his virtues.