A07407:58
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.
¶ Justification.
¶ Iustification.
NOW TO COME TO justification, and to declare that this word, to justify after the Hebrew Phrase is used commonly for to pronounce or to repute just. As if a man would say after the manner of speaking of the Hebrews. The Romans did justify Scipio, which was accused of the tribunes, which is as much to say, as: the Romans did quite Scipio pronouncing him just, and wrongfully accused. After the self same manner in Paul his reasoning must we understand justification, to signify remission of since, and free receiving or acceptation unto life everlasting, as it is manifest the .iiii. cap. to the Romans. In the which place he doeth define justification to be the remission and forgiveness of sin. So that this sentence by faith we are justified: is as much to say as we are reputed of God just, for Christ sake: when we do believe. And this word justice doeth not mean in this place the justice of the law, or the obedience universal and our own qualities 1when we do say (by faith justice ⟨p. xxix⟩is given). But it doeth signify the imputation of justice, and acceptation of God, that is to say, though we be not of our own worthiness clean and just: yet, it doeth please God for Christ sake to take in good worth our unworthiness calling and making us just if we do believe, and so accepteth our good will,2 making his justice our justice, his worthiness our worthiness. So that by this understanding a just man is taken respectively for him that is accepted of God to life everlasting. We must note also that as soon as we do obtain remission of sin, we have also given to us the holy Ghost, when with faith we do comfort us after our fall. So that to our justification is annexed and joined the gift of the holy Ghost, which doeth not begin to work in us one virtue only, but also all other virtues, as the fear and love of God: the love to the truth, pureness of life, patience, right dealing with our neighbour, as here after I will declare more when I do speak of works.