A07407:62
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.
¶ Grace.
GRACE DOETH SIGNIFY the free acceptation and mercy of God, promised to us for Christ sake, wherewith is joined the gift of the holy Ghost, as witnesseth Paul Rom̄. v. cap, how much more the grace of God and the gift in grace, by the which grace is understanded the free reconciliation and by the gift in grace is meant the gift of the holy Ghost, with the renewing and beginning of a new and eternal life. For in the forgiveness of sin as I have said is contained the gift of the holy Ghost. It is the profane and ungodly Philosophy of Pelagian to be detested, which holdeth opinion,1 that without the operation of the holy ghost men are made the sons of God and heirs of life eternal. Oftentimes therefore under the vocable of grace, is signified the help and work of the holy Ghost.2 But the principal signification of grace is free acceptation, as is said. Paul by Grace obtained remission of sin, being as much to say as Paul for Christ sake obtained forgiveness of sin. Wherefore the Monkish and Popish ⟨image 31⟩exposition is clean to be refused,3 which inventing and devising a declaration clean contrary to the mind of Paul saying that by grace we do purchase remission of sin, which is as they say, for our own virtues.
GRACE DOETH SIGnifie the fre acceptation and mercy of God, promysed to vs for Christ sake, wherwith is ioyned the gyft of the holye Ghost, as witnesseth Paul Rom̄. v. cap, howe muche more the grace of God and the gyft in grace, by the which grace is vnderstanded the free reconciliation and by the gyfte in grace is mente the gyft of the holy Ghost, with the renewynge and begynnyng of a newe and eternall lyfe. For in the forgiuenes of sinne as I haue sayde is conteyned the gyft of the holy Ghost. It is the prophane and vngodly Philosophy of Pelagian to be detested, whiche holdeth opinion,