A07407:189
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.
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.
FOR AS MVCHE as there is nothynge in this worlde more necessary and expediente for man (most godly disposed Prince)1 than the feare and also the loue of God, bearynge thereto wytnesse the wyse man, sayinge. The begynnynge of wysdome is the feare of the Lorde, nat a seruyll and a bondmans feare, which engendreth hatred and malyce rather then loue: but suche a feare as the chylde bearyng ⟨image 81⟩to his natural father, for loue feareth to do that thynge which myght displease his father, the whiche loue and feare of God, being nat only for any cō moditie or displeasure wordlye, no nor yet for any thyng which might be commodious or contrary after this presente lyfe: but to declare and shewe our selfes nat to be ingrate, and vnthankful for so great and manifolde benefytes: whiche we haue and do daylye receyue at his most plentifull and liberal hande: at the hande I say nat of a nygard, but of such •on, whiche nat only thynges cadewke and mortal (al thynges being of hꝭ goodnes) but also that thing which for oure ryght helth was most necessary, and to him most paynfull (nat against his wyl) vouched safe to gyue: ye to the bloude of his hert, that we shuld no more but loue and feare him.