A07407:69
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.
¶ Faith.
¶ Faythe.
ABOUT THIS Vocable and word of faith: many do make much a do against us, which maketh us to marvel that there hath been and is so great darkness in the church, that the very natural signification of this word, which is in every mans mouth, that all mens ears are full of it, is so lost, forgotten, and unknown, that few do understand it aright. The which loss of the right meaning of faith being much to be lamented: hath associated to it another greater and more evil: that it is hard and almost unpossible, to pluck the inveterate and old erroneous opinion out of mens heads. The which certain railers, as Cocleus and certain other (which do show them self to be ⟨p. xxxiiii⟩of a more sad and demure sort) do most stiffly and strongly defend and maintain, with whom because they seek not for the knowledge of the truth, but how they may serve their own appetite and foolish blind disease: we intend not for to brawl and scold: referring us to the judgement of virtuous and learned men. For the Prophets and the Apostle do declare and show so plainly the very true signification of faith, that of no man which hath his right wits it can be denied. Faith therefore is not only a knowledge of the history of Christ: but it is a steadfast trust also in the mercy of God promised to us for Christ sake.1 And to believe that likewise grace which is the free mercy of God: the gift of the holy Ghost, and life ever lasting is promised to us and that even so it shall be performed. Thus to believe and to be agreeable to the promise coveting and desiring this heavenly comfort, and there in for to have our repose and rest: when we do hear that god will be merciful to us for Jesus Christ sake, it pertaineth to the inward part of man the heart and mind. Wherefore when we do hear say that by faith we are justified, we may not imagine and think that we are justified because that ⟨image 35⟩