A06492:138
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.
By these words then: That he might deliver us &c. Paul showeth what is the argument of this Epistle: to wit, that we have need of grace and of Christ, and that no other creature,1 neither man nor Angel, can deliver man out of this present evil world. For these works are only belonging to the divine Majesty, and are not in the power of any, either man or Angel, that Christ hath put away sin, and hath delivered us from the tyranny and kingdom of the Devil, that is to say, from this wicked world, which is an obedient servant, and a willing follower of the Devil his God. Whatsoever that murderer and father of lies either doth or speaketh, that the world,2 as his most loyal and obedient son, diligently followeth and performeth. And therefore it is full of the ignorance of God, of hatred, lying, errors, blasphemy, and of the contempt of God: Moreover of gross sins, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, robberies,3 and such like, because he followeth his father the devil, who is a liar and a murderer. And the more wise, righteous and holy men are without Christ, so much the more hurt they do to the gospel. So we also that were religious men, were double wicked in the Papacy, before God did lighten us with the knowledge of his gospel, and yet notwithstanding under the colour of true piety and holiness.
By these wordes then: That he might deliuer vs &c. Paule sheweth what is the argument of this Epistle: to wit, that we haue neede of grace and of Christ, and that no other creature,1 neither man nor Angell, can deliuer man out of this present euill world. For these workes are onely belonging to the diuine Maiestie, and are not in the power of any, either man or Angell, that Christ hath put away sinne, and hath deliuered vs from the tyrannie and kingdom of the Deuill, that is to say, from this wicked world, which is an obedient seruaunt, and a willing follower of the Deuill his God. Whatsoeuer that murtherer and father of lies either doth or speaketh, that the world,2 as his most loyall and obedient sonne, diligently followeth and performeth. And therfore it is full of the ignoraunce of God, of hatred, lying, errours, blasphemie, and of the contempt of God: Moreouer of grosse sinnes, murthers, adulteries, fornications, theftes, robberies,