A07407:96
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.
TO the second question: by what reason and how may so great works: both the inward and the outward works be performed and done, our weakness being so great as it is. Although that the outward works by mans power and diligence may be somewhat likely, and scant so so performed, yet the inward discipline & work being in the spiritual motions agreeing to the word of God: without the working of the holy Ghost can by no means be done as they ought to be. Therefore when that with Faith the hearts of men are erected and lift up with comfort, ⟨image 49⟩then is given the holy Ghost to kindle in the minds of men godly motions respondent to th• law of God, according to the saying of Paul, that we may receive the promise of the spirit by faith Zechariah the .iiii. cap. I will pour out upon the dwellers of Jerusalem the spirit of my grace, favour, and pardon. Very godly forsooth did this Prophet set forth and declare, the office & works of the holy Ghost in the hearts of the virtuous, and also the right worshippings that we ought to do. He doeth name the spirit of Grace because that when by Faith we are lift up: then we are holpen of the holy Ghost, whereby we are persuaded that God is merciful to us, and again that we are acceptable to him.
TO the seconde question: by what reason and howe maye so greate workes: both the inward and the outwarde workes be perfourmed and done, our weakenes being so great as it is. Although that the outwarde workes by mannes power and diligence may be somewha• likely, and skant so so performed, yet the inwarde discipline & worke being in the spiritual motions agreing to the worde of God: without the working of ye holy Ghost can by no meanes be done as they ought to be. Therefore when that with Fayth the hertes of mē are erected and lifte vp with comforte, ⟨image 49⟩then is giuen the holye Ghost to kindle in the mindes of men godly motions respondent to th• lawe of God, according to the sayinge of Paul, that we may receyue the promise of the spirite by faith Zachary the .iiii. cap. I wyl poure oute vpon the dwellers of Ierusalem the spirite of my grace, fauoure, and pardone. Very godly forsothe did this Prophete set forth and declare, the office & workes of the holye Ghoste in the hertes of the vertuouse, and also the righte worshippinges that we oughte to do. He doethe name the spirite of Grace bicause that when by Fayth we are lyfte vp: then we are holpen of the holy Ghoste, whereby we are persuaded that God is mercifull to vs, and againe that we are acceptable to him.