A07407:187
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 APOLOGY OR DEFENCE OF THE WORD of God: declaring how necessary a thing it is to be had in the hands of all persons, which do bear the name of Christ, and being called Christians, are willing to know his verity. To the mighty and victorious prince Edward by the grace of God, Dukes grace of Somerset, Lord governor of the king his highness own proper person, and Lord protector of the Realms of England and Ireland, with the rest of the kings dominions on both side the Seas.
¶ AN APOLOGY OR DEFENCE OF THE VVORDE of God: declarynge howe necessarye a thynge it is to be hadde in the handes of all persons, which do beare the name of Christe, and beinge called Christians, are wyllynge to knowe his veritie. To the myghtie and victoryous prince Edwarde by the grace of God, Dukes grace of Somersette, Lorde gouernoure of the kynge hys highnesse owne propre person, and Lord protector of the Realmes of Englande and Irelande, with the rest of the kynges dominions on bothe syde the Seas.
FOR AS MUCH as there is nothing in this world more necessary and expedient for man (most godly disposed Prince)1 than the fear and also the love of God, bearing thereto witness the wise man, saying. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, not a servile and a bondman's fear, which engendereth hatred and malice rather then love: but such a fear as the child bearing ⟨image 81⟩to his natural father, for love feareth to do that thing which might displease his father, the which love and fear of God, being not only for any commodity or displeasure worldly, no nor yet for any thing which might be commodious or contrary after this present life: but to declare and show our selves not to be ingrate, and unthankful for so great and manifold benefits: which we have and do daily receive at his most plentiful and liberal hand: at the hand I say not of a niggard, but of such •on, which not only things cadewke and mortal (all things being of hꝭ goodness) but also that thing which for our right health was most necessary, and to him most painful (not against his will) vouched safe to give: yea to the blood of his heart, that we should no more but love and fear him.