A06492:1074
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians
A commentary of M. Doctor Martin Luther upon the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians first collected and gathered word by word out of his preaching, and now out of Latin faithfully translated into English for the unlearned. Wherein is set forth most excellently the glorious riches of Gods grace ...A commentarie of M. Doctor Martin Luther vpon the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galathians first collected and gathered vvord by vvord out of his preaching, and novv out of Latine faithfully translated into English for the vnlearned. Wherein is set forth most excellently the glorious riches of Gods grace ...
London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier dwelling wihtin sic, 1575London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier dvvelling vvihtin sic, 1575
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.
He that is fallen from this knowledge, must needs conceive this fantasy in his heart: I will set up such a service of God: I will enter into such an order: I will choose this or that work, and so will I serve God, and I doubt not but God will accept this, and reward me with everlasting life for the same. For he is merciful ⟨image 195⟩and liberal, giving all good things even to the unworthy and unthankful: much more will he give unto me grace and everlasting life for my great and manifold good deeds and merits. This is the highest wisdom,1 righteousness and religion that reason can judge of: which is common to all nations, to the Papists, Jews, Turks, heretics &c. They can go no higher then that Pharisee did, of whom mention is made in the Gospel.2 They have no knowledge of the Christian righteousness,3 or of the righteousness of Faith. For the natural man perceiveth not the mysteries of God. Also: There is none that understā death, there is none that seeketh after God. &c. Therefore there is no difference at all between a Papist,4 a Jew, a Turk and an heretic. In deed there is a difference of the persons, the places, rites, religions, works and worshippings: notwithstanding there is all one and the same reason, the same heart, opinion, and cogitation in them all. For the Turk thinketh the self same thing that the Charterhouse monk doth: namely, if I do this or that work, God will be merciful unto me: if I do it not, he will be angry. There is no mean between mans working and the knowledge of Christ. If this knowledge be darkened or defaced, it is all one whether thou be a Monk, a Turk, a Jew. &c.
He that is falne from this knowledge, must nedes conceiue this fantasie in his heart: I will set vp such a seruice of God: I will enter into such an order: I will choose this or that worke, and so will I serue God, and I doute not but God will accepte this, and reward me wyth euerlasting life for the same. For he is mercifull ⟨image 195⟩