A07407:33
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.
¶ AND here I do most heartily desire ⟨p. xv⟩and pray all virtuous and charitable men diligently to expend and mark, what on both parts may be said and alleged. Our adversaries do confess, that there must needs be terrors and torments of the mind: but as concerning faith they be of a contrary opinion. They be content also, and confess the historical knowledge of Christ: but as touching the remission of sin,1 they do bid and command: that men should not have to much confidence: but rather to doubt. And if perchance a man doth obtain the remission of sin (say they) it is not for faith sake, but for thy merits. By the which words they do utterly extinct and abolish the light and comfort of the Gospel, which teacheth us that for Christ the benefit of remission of sin, is obtained. Being thereto (to make us the more certain and sure) added a promise, where God commandeth us both to give trust, and also to clean steadfastly thereto: as men thoroughly persuaded, that that same promise doeth pertain to us. That this is the true, and sincere meaning through out all the Gospel: will we, or nil we, we must needs grant. For Paul his self doeth refute and reprove that foul & erroneous opinion ⟨image 16⟩of dubitation or doubting whether thy sin be forgiven the yea or nay,2 saying: that the promise is none other way to be received but by faith: Rom̄. iiii. cap. And therefore by faith freely (sayeth he) that the promise may be made firm and out of all doubt. He commandeth also that we should give and ascribe to God only the praise and commendation of all verity and truth. Likewise as Abraham did not doubt with any mistrust, and John 1. the .5. cap. Who that doeth believe in the Son of God, beareth witness in him self: who that doeth not believe God, he maketh God a liar. &c Ergo, when we do say, that by faith the benefits of Christ are obtained, we must needs understand that we have them for Christ his sake. To the which promise of God there is no remedy but we must give our whole assent and consent and full belief, that god for his sons sake will perform all that he hath promised. Wherefore faith doeth not signify only the knowledge of Christ historically: that is to say, that Christ was borne of a virgin immaculate, that he lived here in earth most poorly: that he preached: that he fasted and prayed: