A06492:1177
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.
Verse. 24. The which things are spoken by allegories.
Verse. 24. The vvhich things are spoken by allegories.
1Allegories do not strongly prove and persuade in Divinity, but as certain pictures they beautify and set out the matter. For if Paul had not proved the righteousness of Faith against the righteousness of works by strong and pithy arguments, he should have little prevailed by this allegory. But because he had fortified his cause before with invincible arguments taken of experience,2 of the example of Abraham, the testimonies of the Scripture, and similitudes: now, in the end of his disputation he addeth an allegory, to give a beauty to all the rest. For it is a seemly thing sometime to add an allegory when the foundation is well laid and the matter thoroughly proved. For as painting is an ornament to set forth and garnish an house already builded: so is an allegory the light of a matter which is already otherwise proved and confirmed.
1Allegories doe not strongly proue and perswade in Diuinitie, but as certaine pictures they beutifie and sette out the matter. For if Paule had not proued the righteousnes of Faith against the righteousnes of workes by strong and pithie arguments, he should haue litle preuailed by this allegorie. But because he had fortified his cause before with inuincible arguments taken of experience,2