A06492:178
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.
Sure it is that we persecute no man, oppress no man, put no man to death, neither doth our doctrine disquiet mens consciences, but delivereth them out of innumerable errors and snares of the Devil. For the truth hereof we have the testimony of many good men, who give thanks unto God, for that by our doctrine they have received certain and sure consolation to their consciences. Wherefore like as Paul at that time was not to be blamed that the Churches were troubled, but the false Apostles: so also at this day it is not our fault, but the fault of the Anabaptists and such fantastical spirits, that many and great troubles are in the Church.
Sure it is that we persecute no man, oppresse no man, put no man to death, neither doth our doctrine disquiet mens consciences, but deliuereth them out of innumerable errours and snares of the Deuill. For the truth hereof we haue the testimonie of many good men, who geue thankes vnto God, for that by our doctrine they haue receiued certaine and sure consolation to their consciences. Wherfore like as Paule at that time was not to be blamed that the Churches were troubled, but the false Apostles: so also at this day it is not our fault, but the fault of the Anabaptists and such fantastical spirits, that many and great troubles are in the Church.
Mark here diligently,1 that every teacher of works and of the righteousness of the law, is a troubler of the Church, and of the consciences of men. And who would ever have believed that the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Monks, and that whole Synagogue of Satan, specially the Founders of those holy religious orders (of which number nevertheless God might save some by miracle) were troublers of consciences? Yea verily they be yet far worse then were those false Apostles. For the false Apostles taught, that besides faith in Christ, the works of the law of God were also necessary to salvation.2 But the Papists omitting Faith, have taught mens traditions and works not commanded of God, but devised by themselves without and against the word of God: and these have they not only made equal with the word of God, but also exalted them far above it. But the more holy that the heretics seem to be in outward show, so much the more mischief they do. For if the false Apostles had not ben endued with notable gifts, with great authority, and a show of holiness, and had not vaunted themselves to be Christs ministers, the Apostles disciples, and sincere preachers of the gospel: they could not so easily have defaced Pauls authority, and led the Galatians out of the way.