A06492:544
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.
1Wherefore, to reject the grace of God, is an horrible sin and commonly reigning throughout the world: whereof all they are guilty which seek righteousness by their own works. For whiles they seek to be justified by their own works and merits or by the law, they reject the grace of God and Christ,2 as I have said. And of all these abominations the Pope hath been the only author. For he hath not only defaced and trodden the Gospel of Christ under his feet, but hath also replenished the world with his cursed traditions. And hereof amongest other enormities,3 his bulls and pardons are a sufficient witness: whereby he absolveth, not such as believe, but such as are contrite, make confession to a Priest, and reach out their helping hand to the maintenance of his pomp and his traditions. Yet notwithstanding in this great light of the Gospel the blind and obstinate Papists do continue still in their damnable doting dreams, saying that the qualities of nature do remain sound and uncorrupt, & that men are able to prepare themselves to grace, or to deserve grace by their own works and merits. And so far of is it that they will acknowledge their error and impiety, that ⟨p. 86⟩they do yet still obstinately defend the same even against their own conscience.
1Wherfore, to reiect the grace of God, is an horrible sinne and commonly reigning throughout the world: wherof al they are giltie which seeke righteousnes by their owne workes. For whiles they seeke to be iustified by their owne works and merites or by the law, they reiect the grace of God and Christ,2 as I haue said. And of all these abhominations the Pope hath bene the only author. For he hath not onely defaced and troden the Gospell of Christ vnder his feete, but hath also replenished the world with his cursed traditions. And hereof amongest other enormities,3 his bulles and pardons are a sufficient witnes: wherby he absolueth, not such as beleue, but such as are contrite, make confession to a Priest, and reach out their helping hand to the maintenance of his pompe and his traditions. Yet notwithstanding in this greate light of the Gospell the blind and obstinate Papistes doe continue still in their damnable doting dreames, saying that the qualities of nature doe remaine sound and vncorrupt, & that men are able to prepare themselues to grace, or to deserue grace by their owne works and merits. And so farre of is it that they will acknowledge their errour and impietie, that