A06492:589
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.
And out of this opinion did afterwards spring the most pestilent & pernicious doctrine that is in the whole Papacy, which is this: If thou wilt serve God, thou must merit forgiveness of sins and everlasting life, and must also help others to attain salvation: Thou must enter into a Monastery, vow obedience, chastity, poverty &c. Monks and Friars,1 and the rest of that religious rabble being puffed up with this opinion of their own holiness, dreamed that they only were in the life and state of perfection, and that other Christians led but a common life, for they did no undue works, or more then they were bound to do, that is, they did not vow and keep chastity, poverty, obedience &c. they were but only baptised and kept the ten commandments: But as for them selves, besides that which was common as well to them as to other Christians, they kept also the works of* supererogation, and the counsels of Christ: wherefore they hoped to have merit and a place in heaven amongst the principal Saints, far above the common sort of Christians.
And out of this opinion did afterwards spring the most pestilent & pernicious doctrine that is in the whole Papacie, which is this: If thou wilt serue God, thou must merite forgeuenes of sinnes and euerlasting life, and must also helpe others to attaine saluation: Thou must enter into a Monasterie, vow obedience, chastitie, pouertie &c. Monks and Friers,1 and the rest of that religious rable being puffed vp with this opinion of their owne holines, dreamed that they onely were in the life and state of perfection, and that other Christians led but a common life, for they did no vndue workes, or more then they were bounde to doe, that is, they did not vowe and keepe chastitie, pouertie, obedience &c. they were but onely baptised and kept the ten commaundements: But as for them selues, besides that which was common as wel to them as to other Christians, they kept also the works of* supererogation, and the counsels of Christ: wherfore they hoped to haue merite and a place in heauen amongs the principall Saintes, farre aboue the common sort of Christians.