The Italian Reformer

AONIO PALEARIO (1500-1570) is a little known Italian Reformer and a teacher of Greek and Hebrew when he came to embrace the doctrine of Jusfificfation by faith alone in Christ alone. In addition to the exicitng life of Aonio Paleario and his friends, this edition contains his most famous book THE BENEFIT OF CHRIST'S DEATH, which he wrote to teach his fellow contrymen that "those who turn with their souls to Christ crucified, commit themselves to him by faith, acquiesce in the promises and cleave with assured faith to him who cannot deceive, are delivered from all evil, and enjoy a full pardon of all their sins." The book was soon sought for and eagerly read in all parts of Italy. Forty-thousand copies are said to have been sold in six years. Of course it attracted the attention of the Inquisition, and was speedily prohibited, and burned by the tens of thousands.