A06492:1203
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.
Now, if the Moral law it self or the ten commandments of God, can do nothing else but gender servants, that is to say, can not justify, but only terrify, accuse, condemn, and drive mens consciences to desperation:1 how then (I pray you) shall the laws of men, or the laws of the Pope justify, which are the doctrines of Devils? They therefore that teach and set forth either the traditions of men, or the law of God as necessary to obtain righteousness before God: do nothing else but gender servants.2 Notwithstanding such teachers are counted the best men: they obtain the favour of the world, and are most fruitful mothers: for they have an infinite number of disciples. For mans reason understandeth not what Faith and true godliness is,3 and therefore it neglecteth and despiseth it, and is naturally addicted to superstition and hypocrisy, that is to say, to the righteousness of works. Now, because this righteousness shineth and flourisheth every where, therefore ⟨image 217⟩it is as a mighty Empress of the whole world. They therefore which teach the righteousness of works by the law, beget many children which outwardly seem to be free, and have a glorious show of excellent virtues, but in conscience they are servants and bondslaves of sin: therefore they are to be cast out of the house and condemned.
Now, if the Morall lawe it selfe or the ten commaundementes of God, can doe nothing else but gender seruauntes, that is to say, can not iustifie, but onely terrifie, accuse, condemne, and driue mens consciences to desperation:1 how then (I pray you) shall the lawes of men, or the lawes of the Pope iustifie, which are the doctrines of Deuils? They therefore that teach and sette forth either the traditions of men, or the lawe of God as necessary to obtaine righteousnes before God: doe nothing else but gender seruauntes.2 Notwithstanding such teachers are counted the best men: they obtaine the fauoure of the world, and are most frutefull mothers: for they haue an infinite number of disciples. For mans reason vnderstandeth not what Faith and true godlines is,