A07407:184
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.
¶ These refutations I have now joined to the matter of justification, that they which do reason and dispute of the proper signification and meaning of this proposition (by faith we are justified) may hereby be sufficiently instructed. For I intend alway (God is my record) nothing more than to speak and declare that thing which is both true and right, voiding all manner of subtle reasoning, to instruct them which be learners how they may the better put away these crafty cavillations, which they do use in the schools.
¶ These refutations I haue nowe ioyned to the matter of iustification, that they which do reason and dispute of the propre signification and meaning of this proposition (by fayth we are iustified) may hereby be sufficiently instructed. For I entende alway (God is my recorde) nothinge more than to speake and declare that thynge which is both true and ryght, voydynge al maner of subtyl reasonynge, to instruct them whiche be learners howe they maye the better put away these crafty cauilations, whiche they do vse in the scholes.
¶ Therefore I wish and desire, that these examples may be profitable to many, both that the matter which we have ⟨image 80⟩handled and spoken of, may be the plainer, and that they which be studious of knowledge, may with the better will give them self, and their whole minds thereto. For these refutations do declare that those men which should open these controversies, being so intricate and doubtful, had need both to be learned, and also well exercised in such matters.
¶ Therfore I wysshe and desyre, that these examples may be profitable to many, both that the matter which we haue ⟨image 80⟩handeled and spoken of, may be the playner, and that they whiche be studious of knowledge, may with the better wyl gyue them selfe, and theyr whole mindꝭ therto. For these refutacions do declare that those men which shulde open these controuersies, beinge so intrycate and doubtful, had nede both to be lerned, and also wel exercised in suche matters.