A07407:166
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.
☞ An other.
Ill works do condemn us. Ergo. Good works do save us.
Ill workes do condempne vs. Ergo. Good workes do saue vs.
¶ I do deny your consequent, affirming that it is no right contrariety. For ill works are thoroughly evil: our good works are not thoroughly good, being both corrupt and unperfect. Example. Dauyd hath many good works, and yet he hath many vicious affections, as sometime in doubting of the goodness of God. The which darkness a great heap of vices doth accompany: as to be without care of God: to have confidence in thine own wisdom and justice, to be without the fear and love of God: not to be in Faith so ardent as he ought to be. I do know men which have made their boast, that with this argument they have broken down the walls of thꝭ opinion of justification. But how foolish & childish a thing it is, there is none which hath either eyes to see, or ears to hear, but can perceive, and judge this matter.
¶ I do deny your cōsequent, affyrminge that it is no ryghte contrarietie. For yll woorkes are thorowly euyll: oure good workes are nat thorowly good, beynge bothe corrupte and vnperfect. Example. Dauyd hath many good workes, and yet he hath many vicious affections, as somt•me in doubting of the goodnes of God. The which darknes a greate heape of vices doth accompany: as to be without care of God: to haue confidence in thyne owne wysdome and iustice, to be without the feare and loue of God: nat to be in Fayth so ardent as he ought to be. I do knowe men whiche haue made theyr bost, that with this argument they haue broken down the walles of thꝭ opiniō of iustificatiō. But how folish & childish a thīg it is, ther is none which hath eyther eyes to se, or eares to heare, but can perceyue, and iudge this matter.