A06492:1080
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.
In like manner the Jew keeping the law with this opinion, that he by this obedience will please God, serveth not the true God, but is an Idolater,1 worshipping a dream & an idol of his own heart, which is no where to be found. For the God of his fathers, whom he saith he worshippeth, promised to Abraham a Seed, thorough the which all nations should be blessed. Therefore God is known & the Blessing is given, not by the law, but by the Gospel of Christ. Although Paul speak these words: Then when ye knew not God, ye did service &c. properly & prim cipally to the Galatians, which were Gentiles: yet notwithstanding by the same words he also toucheth the Jews, who though they had rejected their Idols outwardly, yet in their hearts they worshipped them more then did the Gentiles,2 as it is said. Rom. 2. Thou abhorrest Idols, & committest sacrilege. The Gentiles were not the people of God, they had not his word, and therefore their Idolatry was gross. But the Idolatrous Jews cloaked their Idolatry with the name and word of God (as all Justiciaries which seek righteousness by works, are wont to do) and so with this outward show of holiness they deceived many. Therefore Idolatry the more holy and spiritual it is, the more hurtful it is.
In like maner the Iewe keping the law with this opinion, that he by this obediēce wil please God, serueth not the true God, but is an Idolater,1 worshipping a dreame & an idoll of his owne heart, which is no where to be found. For ye God of his fathers, whom he saith he worshippeth, promised to Abraham a Seede, thorough ye which all nations should be blessed. Therfore God is knowen & the Blessing is geuē, not by the lawe, but by the Gospel of Christ. Although Paule speake these words: Thē vvhē ye knevv not God, ye did seruice &c. properly & prī cipally to the Galathians, which were Gentiles: yet notwtstanding by ye same words he also toucheth ye Iewes, who though they had reiected their Idols outwardly, yet in their hearts they worshipped them more then did the Gentiles,2 as it is sayd.