A06492:790
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.
1Hereby we may plainly see how horrible the wickedness and blindness of the Papists was, which taught that these cruel and mighty Tyrants, sin, death and the Curse (which swallow up all mankind) must be vanquished, not by the righteousness of the law of God (which, although it be just, good, and holy, can do nothing but bring men under the Curse): but by the righteousness of mans own works, as by fasting, pilgrimages, masses, vows, & such other like paltry. But (I pray you) was there ever any found that being furnished with this armour, overcame sin, death and the Devil? Paul in the .6. 2chapter to the Ephesians describeth a far other manner of armour, which we must use against these most cruel and raging beasts. Therefore in that these blind buzzards and leaders of the blind, have set us naked and without armour before these invincible and most mighty Tyrants, they have not only delivered us unto them to be devoured, but also have made us ten times greater and more wicked sinners then either thieves, whores or murderers. For it belongeth only to the divine power to destroy sin and to abolish death,3 to create righteousness and to give life. They have attributed this divine power to our own works saying: If thou shalt do this work or that, thou shalt overcome sin, death and the wrath of God: And by this means they set us in Gods place, making us in very deed (if I may so say) even naturally God himself. And herein the Papists, under the name of Christ, have showed them selves to be seven fold more wicked Idolaters, then ever were the Gentiles. For it happeneth to them,4 as it doth to the Sow, which after she is washed, walloweth her self again in the mire. And as Christ saith: After they are fallen away from faith an evil spirit entereth again into the house,5 out of that which he was driven, and taketh unto him seven worse spirits then him self, and there dwelleth. And then the later end of that man is worse then the beginning.
1Hereby we may plainely se how horrible the wickednes and blindnes of the Papistes was, which taught that these cruell and mightie Tirauntes, sinne, death and the Curse (which swallowe vp all mankinde) must be vanquished, not by the righteousnes of the law of God (which, although it be iust, good, and holy, can doe nothing but bring men vnder the Curse): but by the righteousnes of mannes owne workes, as by fasting, pilgrimages, masses, vowes, & such other like paltrie. But (I pray you) was there euer any founde that being furnished with this armour, ouercame sinne, death and the Deuill? Paule in the .6.