A07407:91
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.
1TO THE FIRST Question, what works are to be done, wherein it is right that we do lead the minds of men to the word of God, that they may know that all their life as well concerning the conflict of conscience as their outward deeds must be governed and ruled by the word of God, as witnesseth the Prophet, saying. The candle or lantern to my feet is the word of God. I do answer therefore to this ⟨p. xlvi⟩question,2 that those works which are commanded to us of God are to be kept and done: and that by the manifest word of God. As the ten commandments in manner and form as they be declared and also expounded in the new testament: yea and also if there be any other precepts or commandments pertaining to the outward life: in the teachings and lessons of Christ and his Apostles. This I do say because I would not that men should make and feign no new worshippings and works with out the word and commandment of God. As did the Monks, Canons and Fryers, Nuns,3 with other Popish prelates, and now of late the Anabaptists, which not taking the word of God to counsel, did invent and pike out for them selves, works after their own judgement and phantasies, making men believe afterward. that they were stirred thereto by the holy spirit. The which may in no case be resisted or contraried, but obeyed by always, right & reason. This was the cause of the dissolute and unlawful living of the Anabaptists.4 Wherefore here after it shall be declared to you: what is to be understand and meant by this words (to be delivered from the Law) purposing now in ⟨image 47⟩few words to show, that they which be regenerated and new borne by Faith as I have said, do receive the holy Ghost, that there may be begun in them a new obedience or better manner of living, a new light, and life eternal, which is a beginning and an entrance into the law of God.
1TO THE FIRST QVEstion, what workes are to be done, wherin it is right that we do lede the mindes of mē to the worde of God, that they may know that al theyr life as wel concerninge the conflicte of conscience as their outwarde dedes must be gouerned and ruled by the worde of God, as witnesseth the Prophete, saienge. The candle or lanterne to my fete is ye worde of God. I do aunswere therfore to thys