A07407:43
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.
¶WHEREFORE in our communication of justification we have nought ⟨image 21⟩to do with predestination. We must begin at the Gospel: which first rebuking sin doeth afterward extend and hold forth to us, the grace and pardon promised for Christ his sake: and that freely: so it be received with faith. Look we up therefore all and every one of us, on this general word, taking good heed that we be not with the speculations and reasoning of predestination separated and plucked away from the promise.1 For the will of God may not by any mans blind reason, but by his own word only be searched, judged, and deemed. And likewise as the promises be general, so do I understand this saying. God willed all men to be saved: the which salvation in his promises he doeth offer to all men. But mans foolish will in those things, which they will not believe doeth repugn, and goeth against the promises. And contrariwise those which do hold up and underset them selves with the promises, they do not doubt, but that the benefits of Christ doeth pertain to them, and be theirs, because they will not make God a liar. So that when in receiving of the Gospel, they do erect and courageously lift up them selves, comforting them therewith. Then worketh ⟨p. xxi⟩the holy ghost effectually in them through the voice of the Gospel, according to that saying. Faith is by hearing. And to the Galatians .iii. cap, that we may receive the promise of Christ by faith. And thus when the sick, feeble and fearful minds be comforted, holpen, and made strong by faith then do they receive the holy Ghost. The which is the true conversion, being called in the Gospel the regeneration or new birth, containing in it iii. things most notable, and for us expedient.2 Remission or forgiveness of sin. Our justification, that is, that we be accepted of God and imputed just. Thirdly the gift of the holy Ghost with life everlasting. I have now spoken of the sharp motions, torments & terrors of the conscience, and also of the comfort which we do receive by faith.
¶VVHERFORE in our communication of iustification we haue nought ⟨image 21⟩