A07407:183
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.
¶ To the second part I answer, that the right and chiefest signification of Grace, is to be taken respectively, signifying the favour or mercy, or free acceptation for Christ, with the which free acceptation is joined the gift of the holy Ghost, which is the most proper and right interpretation of this vocable Grace. And therefore they which expound by Grace we are just, that is, for the virtues which be in us we are just, they make an exposition clean contrary to Paul, taking away from our sight the true comfort and consolation of our sick mynde• ••d consciences. If when we do make our invocation and prayer: we do behold our own self, thinking that the ••we shall come to God: when we are f•ll of godly virtues, we must not look for the kingdom of Heaven before we do see these great virtues and perfectness in us. Truly our minds would abhor our impurity and filthiness, and despair of the help of God. And the more that our minds are vexed and ⟨p. lxxix⟩troubled,1 the more they do ponder and consider their own uncleanness & weakness of nature. Paul therefore because he doth perceive that we can not bring me rites worthy salvation unto God: therefore he doth set forth Grace, that is free pardon and acceptation for Christ sake. Therefore, although thou canst not bring worthiness, and come worthily to Christ let not for all that to come boldly in with a sure confidence in our mediator Christ having him therefore as Paul sayeth our Bishop: let us draw near to the throne and merciful seat of his Grace.
¶ To the seconde part I answere, that the ryght and chiefest signification of Grace, is to be taken respectiuely, signifieng the fauor or mercy, or free acceptation for Christ, with the which free acceptation is ioyned the gyft of the holy Ghost, which is the moost propre and right interpretation of this vocable Grace. And therfore they which expoūde by Grace we are iust, that is, for the vertues which be in vs we are iust, they make an exposition cleane contrary to Paul, takinge away from our syght the true comfort and consolation of our sycke mynde• ••d consciences. If when we do make our inuocation and prayer: we do beholde our owne selfe, thinking that the we shall come to God: when we are fll of godly vertues, we muste nat loke for the kingdome of Heuen before we do se these great vertues and perfectnes in vs. Truly our myndes wolde abhorre our impurytie and fylthynesse, and dispayre of the helpe of God. And the more that our myndes are vexed and