A06492:523
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.
Moreover, they say that nature is corrupt, but the qualities of nature notwithstanding are sound and uncorrupt: which also they attribute even unto Devils. Upon this ground they reason after this manner. If the natural qualities of man be sound and uncorrupt,1 then is his understanding and his will sound and uncorrupt, and so consequently all other qualities of nature are pure and perfect in him. To know these things it is necessary for you, that ye may hold the sincerity of the doctrine of faith. Where they say then that the natural qualities of man are sound and uncorrupt, and thereof do infer, that a man is able of him self to fulfil the law, and to love God with all his heart, applying these qualities to the spiritual kingdom, I deny the consequence. And here I make a distinction between the natural and the spiritual qualities (which they confound and mingle together), & I say that the spiritual qualities are not sound but corrupt, yea utterly quenched through sin both in man and devil, so that there is in them nothing else but corrupt understanding and a will continually striving against the will of God, which can think nothing else but that which is altogether against god. ⟨p. 82⟩Notwithstanding, I grant that the natural qualities are uncorrupt. But what qualities are they? That a man being drowned in sin and iniquity, and a bondslave of Satan, hath will, reason, and power notwithstanding to execute the office of a magistrate, to govern a family, to guide a ship, to build a house, and to do such other things as are subject unto man: for these things are not taken from him. We do not then deny but that these sentences are true in the corporal kingdom: But if ye wrest them to the spiritual kingdom, I utterly deny them: for there (as I said) we are clean overwhelmed and drowned in sin. Whatsoever is in our will, is evil: whatsoever is in our understanding, is error. Wherefore in spiritual matters man hath nothing but darkness, errors, ignorance, malice, and perverseness both of will and understanding. How then should he work well, fulfil the law, and love God?
Moreouer, they say that nature is corrupt, but the qualities of nature notwithstanding are sound and vncorrupt: which also they attribute euen vnto Deuils. Vpon this groūd they reason after this maner. If the naturall qualities of man be sound and vncorrupt,1