A07407:3
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 MIGHTY AND VICTORIOUS PRINCE Edward by the grace of God duke of Somerset, Lord governor most fortunate of the King his highness own proper person, and Lord Protector of the Realms of England and Ireland, with the rest of the King his dominions on both side the Seas. Nicholas Less of London desireth good health both of body and mind with long continuance therein to the pleasure of the Lord.
❧ TO THE MYGHTIE AND VICTORIOVS PRINCE Edwarde by the grace of God duke of Somerset, Lorde gouernoure mooste fortunate of the Kynge hys hyghnesse owne proper persone, and Lorde Protector of the Realmes of Englande and Irelande, with the rest of the Kyng his dominions on bothe syde the Seas. Nicholas Lesse of London desyrethe good helth both of body and minde with long continuance therein to the plesure of the Lorde.
Considering and pondering with my self (most noble Lord and very friend of God) the great diversity of opinions not only in this Realm but in all other realms and dominions, risen and sprung for lack of the true knowledge of the word of God, concerning the justification of man, beside the great variance and mortal hatred, not only between man and man ⟨image 3⟩but also between Realm and Realm that almost no country, no region, or place, is void of this and such like kind of controversies, to no small destruction of Christians: the matter being in the time of Lent last past (which was in the year of our lord. 1547. by the King his grace his own subjects before his highness in his Chapel most clerkly and cunningly declared and made open that nothing could be desired more: it seemed to me a thing very necessary and expedient: among many, which have written on this article: according to good and sincere doctrine, to select and chose on […] doing: whose labour and pains should seem to me so fruitful: whose reasons so pl••ne, so mete for the capacity of all men to be perceived and understanded: that for the common profit and learning of all men (which are willing to know and learn the truth): it should seem to me no labour, no pain, but great pleasure and comfort, to translate it into this our mother tongue. That like wise as they have been instructed and taught by the lively voice of godly and learned preachers: so they may being at home in their houses, certify and confirm their own conscience,