A06492:750
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.
Wherefore again I admonish you, that such sentences as the adversaries do allege out of the scriptures concerning works and rewards thereof, must be spiritually expounded. As if they allege this sentence out of Daniel .4. 1chap. Redeem thy sins by alms deeds, thou must not here expound these words after the moral sense, but after the meaning of the Gospel. So shall thou see that this word Redeem signifieth no moral but a spiritual Doing, that is to say, it comprehendeth faith. For in the Scriptures the work (as I have said) requireth also a good will and right judgement of reason to go before, not moral as they would have it, but divine and spiritual, which is faith.2 By this means thou shalt be able to stop the mouths of these peevish Sophisters. For they them selves are compelled to grant, and so they teach also out of Aristotle, that every good work proceedeth out of mans choice or free will. If this be true in Philosophy, much ⟨p. 125⟩more must this good will and right judgement of reason guided by faith, go before the work in Divinity and divine matters. And this do all words of the imperative mode, that is, all such words as are commanding, signify in the Scriptures: & all such words also as teach the law, as the Epistle to the Hebrews doth plainly declare: By Faith Abel offered. &c.
Wherefore againe I admonish you, that such sentences as the aduersaries doe alledge out of the scriptures concerning workes and rewards therof, must be spiritually expounded. As if they alledge this sentence out of Daniel .4. 1chap. Redeeme thy sinnes by almes deedes, thou must not here expounde these wordes after the morall sense, but after the meaning of the Gospell. So shall thou see that this word Redeme signifieth no moral but a spirituall Doing, that is to say, it comprehēdeth faith. For in the Scriptures the worke (as I haue said) requireth also a good will and right iudgement of reason to goe before, not morall as they would haue it, but diuine and spirituall, which is faith.