A07407:72
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.
For faith, and confidence, although I grant them to be qualities: yet they be as all other vocables and words of affections to be taken relatively, that is to say, to be referred having respect to an other thing beside it self. As by this example. This word love, is respectively taken to that thing which is loved. Fear hath his abject that thing which is feared. So the abject of faith or confidence is that thing which is trusted and hoped after. This manner of dialectical reasoning and proof, not so much as children but do know it to be true. The which that unshame fast and foul mouthed person Mensenger as bold as Gawain within tempest audacity and out of all season did reprehend. But I do appeal to the whole judgement of them that be learned ⟨p. xxxv⟩men which know that vocables. relative, are to be understand respectively, as it is said in latyne. Secundum dici, perceyuynge how necessary is the use of these small and trifling (to seem to) precepts in matters which be of great import and weight.
For faith, and confidence, although I graunt them to be qualities: yet they be as all other vocables and wordes of affections to be taken relatiuely, that is to say, to be referred hauynge respect to an other thynge beside it selfe. As by thys example. Thys worde loue, is respectyuely taken to that thynge whiche is loued. Feare hathe hys abiecte that thynge which is feared. So the abiecte of faythe or confidence is that thynge which is trusted and hoped after. Thys maner of dialecticall reasonynge and profe, nat so muche as chyldren but do knowe it to be true. The which that vnshame faste and foule mouthed personne Mensenger as bolde as Gawyn within tempest audacitie and oute of all season dyd reprehende. But I do appeale to the whole iudgemente of them that be learned ⟨p. xxxv⟩men whiche knowe that vocables. relatyue, are to be vnderstande respectiuely, as it is sayde in latyne. Secundum dici, perceyuynge howe necessary is the vse of these smal and tryfelynge (to seme to) preceptes in matters whiche be of great import and weyght.