A07407:74
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.
There be an other sort which passing not for God do think that there is no God at all, living like epicures as Pharaoh, which when they be in the stormysh and troublous brunts and dangers, do not regard, nay they do despise the ⟨p. xxxvi⟩word of God, and the heavenly comfort, not aiding them self with faith, but being as men broken and clean overcome, do give place to the Devil, which sayeth to them, there is no God which hath any power, and that the world with all the contents thereof is not governed by God, but that all things doeth live and dye again, come and go again naturally. Contrary wise they which do give ear to the Gospel, that, to be cast down into the extreme calamities and miseries, as it were into the bottom of Hell, and to be thence brought out and restored again, are the very works and ordinance of God. Those men do stay and comfort them selves with faith, they have their refuge unto their captain Christ. Him they know to be the conqueror: which breaketh the head of the Serpent, which (as is before said) doeth destroy the works of the Devil, being and continuing alway from the beginning with his faithful lovers. For they which be holpen of the Son of God, are they which do vanquish and overcome the Devil, not forsaking the Lord. And this is the thing, for the which the Devil doeth make all this stirring and great rumble, striving with us to make ⟨image 37⟩us to deny the Lord, our faith steadfastly withstanding, and commanding us to stick and to cleave fast to him, which is our captain, teaching us also that there is a Lord, which though he doth punish sometime, yet be giveth also a free promise of mercy for his Son sake whom he hath given to us to be our helper, and promising to his beloved everlasting life and felicity. God therefore is both seen and known in and by his words: whereon mans mind steadfastly with a perfect faith fired, doeth not forsake God but knowledgyng his mercy, doeth call on him looking for deliverance, submitting him self all together to the will of God. Who hath the praise of the victory but only Christ, which sayeth without me you can do nothing. Those men which have proved this by experience in their own living and invocation may understand this doctrine of faith, and also judge that we are just, that is to say accepted for Christ sake only.1
There be an other sort whiche passinge nat for God do thynke that there is no God at al, lyuing lyke epicures as Pharao, which when they be in the stormysh and troublous brontes and daungers, do nat regarde, naye they do dispise the