A06492:219
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.
This argument therefore of the false apostles had a goodly show,1 and seemed to be very strong. Which also at this day moveth many, namely that the Apostles, the holy fathers and their successors have so taught: that the Church so thinketh and believeth: Moreover that it is impossible that Christ should suffer his Church so long time to err. Art thou alone (say they) wiser then so many holy men? wiser then the whole church? After this manner the devil being changed into an Angel of light, setteth upon us craftily at this day by certain pestiferous hypocrites, who say: We pass not for the Pope, nor for the Bishops those great persecutors and contemners of Gods word: we abhor also the hypocrisy & deceitfulness of Monks & such like: but we would have the authority of holy Church to remain untouched. The ⟨image 41⟩Church hath thus believed and taught this long time. So have all the Doctors of the primitive Church,2 holy men, more ancient and better learned then thou. Who art thou, that darest dissent from all these, and bring unto us a contrary doctrine? When Satan reasoneth thus, conspiring with the flesh and reason, then is thy conscience terrified and utterly despaireth, unless thou constantly return to thy self again, and say: Whether it be Cyprian, Ambrose, Augustine, either S. Peter, Paul or John, yea or an Angel from heaven that teacheth otherwise, yet this I know assuredly, that I teach not the things of men, but of God: that is to say, I attribute all things to God alone, and nothing to man.
This argument therefore of the false apostles had a goodly shew,1 and seemed to be very strong. Which also at this day moueth many, namely that the Apostles, the holy fathers and their successours haue so taught: that the Church so thinketh and beleeueth: Moreouer that it is impossible that Christ should suffer his Church so long time to erre. Art thou alone (say they) wiser then so many holy men? wiser then ye whole church? After this maner the deuil being chaunged into an Angell of light, setteth vpon vs craftely at this day by certaine pestiferous hypocrites, who say: We passe not for the Pope, nor for the Bishops those great persecutors and contemners of Gods word: we abhorre also ye hypocrisie & deceitfulnes of Monkes & such like: but we would haue the aucthoritie of holy Church to remaine vntouched. The