Preface to the Epistle of Romans 2, Title page – To the reader
A Methodicall preface prefixed befor… the Epiſtle of S. Paul to the R… …erie neceſſarie and … ſu…able for the be… vnderſtanding of it.
Made by the right reverend Father and faithfull ſervant of CHRIST IESUS, Martin … newly tranſlated out of … into Engliſh, by … student.
Can there any good thing come … Come, and ſee. IOHN 1.4….
… Anno Dom …
To the Coeleſtiall Chriſtian Reader, W. W. wiſheth grace, merciemercy, and peace, with a true and liuely knowledge of our onelyonly Lord omniſufficient Saviour and Redeemer CHRIST IESVS.
I Doe offer and preſent vntounto thee (gentle Reader) heere publiſhed in Print, this little Treatiſe, firſt written by that famous and godly learned Doctor in CHRISTS Schoole Martin Luther, Ariſtotle ſaith that a goode thing, the more common it is made, the better it is.in the Germane or Duche tongue, for his owne Countrey-men: afterwards tranſlated into Latine, by a learned man, named Iuſtus Ionas, that it might bee common to noe then it was before: now alſo …hough plainly, yet faithfully …urned into Engliſh, for the bene…ite and commoditie of this our Iſrael, by one most studiouſly carefull, and zealouſly deſirous of thy profite. This excellent Preface will leade thee as a Lanterne of light to the better vnderstanding of that moſt precious,The vſe of this Preface. most fruitfull and profitable Epiſtle of S. Paul to the Romans, which when thou canst well and wiſely vnderſtand, firſt it will make thee ready armed, well furniſhed and inſtructed to withſtand & anſwear all the popiſh Romaniſts (GODS greateſt adverſaries, and enemies to his Gospell) who stoutlie maintaine and defend that mans workes doe merite and deſerue ſalvation, and ſo preſent vsus juſt and righteous before GOD: Secondly it will teach thee a Chriſtian life & converſation: namely how thou oughteſt to bring forth the worthie fruits of Faith which alone doth justifie vsus before God, becauſe it is (as it were) the hand whereby wee apprehend and take hold fast of the merits of Chriſts bleſſed Paſſion to be ours Other branches of doctrine and manners there be in that notable Epiſtle good ſtore. Ʋſe and pervſe this prologue, and then it will lighten thy vnderſtanding verie much in this weighty matter of our ſalvation, in this chiefe and principall poynt of Chriſtian religion: to wit, whether wee bee juſtified by the works of the Law, or by the merciemercy of God only, for the mediation of his Sonne, who was made a ſlaine ſacrifice vponupon the Croſſe for vsus most wretched and miſerable ſinners. After that thou doeſt fully and perfitlie attaine to the true meaning of it, I doubt not but thou wilt (by the helpe of Gods holy Spirit working mightily in thee) perſevere and continue faithfull vntounto the ende in this doctrine of faith taught heereby the Apoſtle.Tim 1.19 OnelyOnly bee strong in the LORD, fight a gud fight, keeping faith and a good conſcience: then ſurelie this godly doctrine will prepare thy heart in a ſtrong defence, that the fiery darts of the Divels Ministers by errours and falſhood ſhall not wounde thee. Wherefore (gentle Reader) vſe this Introduction to thy comfort & commoditie: Read and regard it, and giuegive God the glorie, who bee praiſed for ever and ever. Amen. Farewell in the Lord, and pray for me, as I daylie doe for thee.
Epheſ. 2. v. 8. & 9. By grace are yee ſaved through faith, and that not of your ſelves. For it is the gift of God, & commeth not of workes: leaſt any man ſhould boaſt himſelfe.