A07407:29
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.
☞ SO these two motions fear and faith are set forth and described in our conversion.1 The which fear, men use to call contrition: which, (believe thou verily). can never merit remission of sin. Nay except thou be propped up with faith, thy mind being oppressed and overwhelmed with tears, heaviness, & fear: than must needs run headlong to everlasting death. Even so did Saul and Judas perish for ever:2 not comforting them selves in the midst of their anguish and sorrow: with faith and knowledge of the mercy of God. And this is the sense of Paul his saying. The law causeth anger and wrath that is to say the law driveth into thy stomach and heart, horrible terrors and fear: such as the psalmist describeth. And Hezekiah also: saying. Like as a Lyon hath crushed together and broken all to powder my bones. These torments except that faith doeth comfort, and gently lift up the minds of men, looking and beholding only the promises of Christ: and so (as it were) ⟨p. xiiii⟩holdeth Christ fast should bring them into utter destruction and everlasting death. These battles.3 how huge and great they be: we may learn in the psalms: beholding how great a battle Dauyd stroke with him self when he cried. Lord do thou not correct me: nor rebuke thou me in thy fury. Have mercy and compassion on me. There is no man among the dead creatures that can remember thee, nor yet in Hell any that can praise thy name. Caste me not among the damned creatures, which do burn in horrible and everlasting hatred of thee: and curse it. Let me not be thrown into the company of thine enemies. And also psalm. 41. O my soul why art thou sad and heavy: why doest thou thus trouble me. Trust and put thy confidence in the Lord: for yet I will laud and praise him.
☞ SO these two motions feare and fayth are set forth and described in our conuersion.1 The whiche feare, men vse to call contrition: whiche, (beleue thou verelye). can neuer merite remission of sinne. Naye excepte thou be propte vp with faythe, thy mynde beynge oppressed and ouerwhelmed with teares, heuines, & feare: thā must nedes runne headlynge to euerlastynge deathe. Euen so dyd Saull and Iudas peryshe for euer: