A07407:78
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.
☞ THUS for to think that the merits of Christ pertaineth to none but to them, which of them self have sufficiently merited, doeth not minish the terrors of our conscience, but increaseth them. Ergo,1 then it followeth that if faith doeth work this Godly feat and deed of comfort in lifting up and comforting of the diseased and sick conscience, why should not we then call this faith to be, and to signify the confidence and trust of mercy. And for as much as Paul his self doeth show and declare that he doth speak of that faith which doth fight and strive with the fear and torments of the mind: how can our adversaries say that by this faith is understand the knowledge historical of ⟨image 39⟩Christ. The fourth testimony. To the Colossians. In whom you are also risen again through faith, which is wrought by the operation of God. He doeth say that we are sanctified through faith, that is as much to say, that God through a sure and steadfast confidence in his mercy is effectually in us.2 John also the v. cap. Who that believe the not in the Lord his promise maketh him a liar because he believeth not the testimony and witness of God, that God hath given us everlasting life, and eternal felicity. Wherein he doeth remit and refer faith to the promise, requiring us to give faith and trust to the promise which who that believeth not maketh God a liar. As though the lord would not perform that which he hath promised.3 To agree to the promise is nothing else but to have confidence and trust of mercy for Christ sake. The sixth testimony. And to the Romans .iiii. Which against all hope, where nothing was to hope, believed upon hope. I pray the most gentle reader, can in this place this word faith and belief be otherwise expounded, than of the confidence and trust of mercy by the promise. We need not go far about to seek the signification of the word. Abraham is commended ⟨p. xxxix⟩because he believed that God would perform his promise,4 although to him naturally it seemed unpossible. On this manner must the good and Godly christians be instructed and taught in their faith, that when we be most destitute of mans help, we may look most surest after the help and aid of God, and so to keep and hold God fast. It doeth follow afterward in the self same chapter,