Preface to the Epistle of Romans, Title page – To the reader
¶ A Methodicall Preface prefixed before the Epiſtle of S. Paule to the Romanes, very neceſſary and profitable for the better vnderstandyng of it.
Made by the right reuerend Father and faythfull ſeruaunt of Chriſt Ieſus, Martin Luther, nowe newly tranſlated out of Latin into Engliſh, by W.W. ſtudent.
Can there any good thyng come out of Nazareth? Come, and ſee. Iohn. 1.46.
Imprinted at London, for Thomas Woodcocke, dwellyng in Paules Churchyard, at the Signe of the blacke Beare.
To the Engliſh Chriſtian Reader, W. W. wiſheth grace, mercy, and peace, with a true and liuely knowledge of our onelyonly Lorde and omniſufficient Saueour and Redeemer Chriſt Ieſus.
I Doo offer and preſent vntounto thee (gentle Reader) here publiſhed in Print, this litle treatiſe, Ariſtotle ſay… that a good thyng, the more comm… it is made, the better it is.first written by that famous and godly learned Doctor in Chriſtes Schoole, Martin Luther, in the Germane or Duche tongue, for his owne Countreymen: afterwards tranſlated into Latine, by a learned man, named Iuſtus Ionas, that it might be common to moe then it was before: now alſo though plainly, yet faithfully turned into Engliſhe, for the benefite and commoditie of this our Iſraell, by one most ſtudiouſly carefull, The vſe of this Preface.and zelouſly deſirous of thy profite. This excellent Preface wyll leade thee as a Lanterne of light to the better vnderstanding of that moſt precious, most fruitfull and profitable Epistle of S. Paul to the Romanes, which when thou canst well and wiſely vnderſtand, first it wyll make thee ready armed, well furniſhed and instructed to withſtand and anſweare all the popiſh Romanistes (Cods greateſt aduerſaries, and enemies to his Gospell) who ſtoutly mainteyne and defend that mans woorkes doo merite and deſerue ſaluation, and ſo preſent vsus iust and righteous before God: Secondly it wyll teache thee a Chriſtian life and conuerſation: namely howe thou oughtest to bring foorth the woorthy fruites of Fayth, which alone doth iuſtifie vsus before God, becauſe it is (as it were) the hand wherby we apprehend and take hold faſt of the merits of Chriſtes bleſſed Paſſion to be ours. Other branches of doctrine and manners there be in that notable Epistle good ſtore. Ʋſe and peruſe this prologue, and then it willighten thine vnderſtanding very much in this weighty matter of our ſaluatiō in this chiefe and principal poynt of Christian religion: This high myterie of our ſaluation dou…ed of, and de…ed by the Papiſtes.to wyt, whether we be iustified by the workes of the Law, or by the mercy of God only, for the mediation of his ſonne, who was made a ſlaine ſacrifice vpō the Croſſe for vsus moſt wretched and miſerable ſinners. After that thou doest fully and perfitly attaine to the true meanyng of it, I doubt not but thou wilt (by the helpe of Gods holy ſpirite woorking mightily in thee) perſeuere and continue faithful vntounto the ende, in this doctrine of faith taught here by the Apostle. Only be ſtrong in the Lord, 1. Timoth. 1.19fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conſcience: then ſurely this godly doctrine wyll prepare thy hart in a ſtrong defence, that the fierie dartes of the Dyuels Ministers by errours and falſhood ſhal not wounde thee. Wherfore (gentle Reader) vſe this Introduction to thy comfort and commoditie: Reade and regard it, and geue God the glorye, who be prayſed for euer and euer. Amen. Farewel in the Lord, and pray for me, as I dayly doo for thee.
EPHES. 2. VERS. 8. &. 9.
¶ By grace are yee ſaued through fayth, and that not of your ſelues. For it is the gyfte of God, and commeth not of woorkes: leaſt any man ſhoulde boaſt hym ſelfe.