A06492:522
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 is not then the true means to attain justification, to do that ⟨image 89⟩which in thee lieth:1 as the Sophisters and Scholedoctours do teach, which affirm that if a man do what in him lieth, God will undoubtedly give unto him his grace. But this saying may not be straitly urged, say they. For if we do those works which may be approved by the judgement of any good man, it is enough: for then grace shall surely follow, because god, in that he is good and just, must needs give grace as a recompense for such good works. And hereof cometh this verse: Vitra posse viri non vult Deus ulla requiri. That is, God vvill no more require of man, then of him self perform he can. In deed this is a good saying if it be used rightly & in place convenient: that is, in the government of common weals or families. And if I being in the kingdom of reason do execute the office of a magistrate or govern a family, doing that in me lieth, I am excused. This kingdom hath his bounds and limits:2 to the which also these sayings do pertain: To do what in us lieth: To do as much as we are able. But the Sophisters apply these sayings to the spiritual kingdom, wherein a man can do nothing else but sin: for he is sold under sin. But in external things (such I mean as pertain to civill and household government) he is not a servant, but a Lord and a ruler. Wherefore they have done wickedly in applying these sentences to the church, which properly pertain to the government of common weals & families. For the kingdom of mans reason and the spiritual kingdom must be separate far asunder.
This is not then the true meanes to attaine iustification, to do that ⟨image 89⟩which in thee lieth:1 as the Sophisters and Scholedoctours doe teache, which affirme that if a man do what in him lieth, God wil vndoubtedly geue vnto him his grace. But this saying may not be straitly vrged, say they. For if we doe those works which may be approued by the iudgement of any good man, it is enough: for then grace shall surely follow, because god, in that he is good and iust, must needes geue grace as a recompence for such good works. And hereof cometh this verse: Vitra posse viri non vult Deus vlla requiri. That is, God vvill no more require of man, then of him selfe performe he can. In dede this is a good saying if it be vsed rightly & in place cōuenient: yt is, in ye gouernment of cōmon weales or families. And if I being in ye kingdome of reason do execute ye office of a magistrate or gouerne a family, doing yt in me lieth, I am excused. This kingdom hath his boūds and limites: