A07407:97
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.
❧ FIRST therefore he doth declare and signify to us that Faith is stirred up in us by the holy Ghost, in the which motion and stirring the holy ghost doth give us testimony and witness. As Paul sayeth. For as much (sayeth he) as by faith we do knowledge the mercy and presence of god, we do th•n also call on him, we do submit our selves to him beginning all other true worshippings which under the name of pra•e• the prophet doeth comprehend. For this is the ⟨p. xlix⟩chief honour that can be done and exhibited to god. It is therefore easy enough to be perceived, that Faith of the which we do speak, is the beginning of the inward obedience, good purpose or intents, (as men use to call it). Neither can the first precept which techeth of the wrath of God against sin, and also of his free pardon, have any root or beginning in us, except through the hearing of the word of God, which is the Gospel with a strong Faith we do certain our selves that for Christ sake. we do obtain remission of our sin. For Faith doeth behold the son of god in his kingdom, knowing perfectly that he is not idle: but alway giving bat tail to the Devil, which continually raging over mankind: never ceaseth with his cautels and giles to allure and provoke him to sin, and other misfortunes, for none other cause but to draw him into desperation, with divers kinds of errors and other epicuris opinions, which do flatter and deceive gentle and soft wits. On that other side he stirreth up tyrants for to put down and to suppress withal cruelty the name of Christ. For as much therefore that it is manifest that the nature of man is so weak and feeble, that without the ⟨image 50⟩heavenly help it is not able to vanquish and overcome so cruel & fierce an enemy, which never sleepeth. Therefore Faith calleth to remembrance the kingdom of Christ, believing steadfastly that he hath ben continually with his faithful even from the time of his first promise, which was,1 the seed of the woman shall tread to powder and dust the head of the Serpent. The which promise by John is made plain, saying. Christ appeared to destroy the works of the devil. The Lord was at hand with Jacob and blessed him with the holy Ghost: he was by Daniel, and talked with him: