A06492:742
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.
1So it is said of Abel in the same Epistle: that through Faith he offered up a better sacrifice unto God then Cain. If the Schoolmen fall into this place as it is read in Genesis (where it is simply set out, how that both Cain & Abel offered up their gifts, and that the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offerings) by and by they take hold of these words. ⟨p. 123⟩They offered their oblations unto the Lord. The Lord had respect to the offerings of Abel, and cry out, saying: Here ye see that God had respect to offerings: therefore works do justify. So that these filthy swine do think that righteousness is but a moral thing, only beholding the visor or outward show of the work, and not the heart of him that doth the work:2 whereas notwithstanding even in Philosophy they are constrained, not to look upon the bare work, but the good will of the worker. But here they stand altogether upon these words: They offered up gifts: The Lord had respect unto Habel and to his offerings, and see not that the text saith plainly in Genesis, that the Lord had respect first to the person of Habel, which pleased the Lord because of his Faith, and afterwards to his offerings. Therefore in Divinity we speak of faithful works, sacrifices, oblations and gifts, that is to say, which are offered up and done in Faith,3 as the Epistle to the Hebrews declareth, saying: Through Faith Habel offered up a better sacrifice: Through Faith Enoch was taken away: Through Faith Abraham obeyed God, &c. We have here then a rule set forth in the .11. to the Hebrews,4 how we should simply answer to the arguments objected of the adversaries as touching the law and works, that is to say: this or that man did this or ye work in Faith. And by this means thou givest a solution to all their arguments, and so stoppest their mouths, that they can have nothing to reply again.
1So it is sayd of Abell in the same Epistle: that through Faith he offred vp a better sacrifice vnto God then Caine. If ye Schoolemē fall into this place as it is read in Genesis (where it is simplie set out, how yt both Caine & Abell offred vp their gifts, and yt the Lord had respect vnto Abell and his offrings) by and by they take hold of these wordes.