A06502:52
A commentary or exposition upon the two Epistles general of Saint Peter, and that…A commentarie or exposition vppon the twoo Epistles generall of Sainct Peter, and that…
A commentary or exposition upon the two Epistles general of Saint Peter, and that of Saint Jude. First faithfully gathered out of the lectures and preachings of that worthy instrument in God's Church, Doctor Martin Luther. And now out of Latin, for the singular benefit and comfort of the godly, familiarly translated into English by Thomas NewtonA commentarie or exposition vppon the twoo Epistles generall of Sainct Peter, and that of Sainct Jude. First faithfullie gathered out of the lectures and preachinges of that worthie instrumente in Goddes Churche, Doctour Martine Luther. And now out of Latine, for the singuler benefite and comfort of the godlie, familiarlie translated into Englishe by Thomas Newton
London: printed by John Kingston for Abraham Veale dwelling, 1581London: printed by John Kingston for Abraham Veale dwellyng, 1581
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.
The Apostle here expressly sayeth: Ye are by the power of God kept unto salvation. There are many who having heard the Gospel, how that faith only doeth justify without works, do by and by burst forth and say: We also do believe: thinking that that bare opinion, which they feign unto them selves, is right faith. We have already taught, and that out of the Scriptures, that it is not in our power to do even the least good work that is, without the especial assistance of Gods Spirit, how then shall we by our own strength arrogate that, which of all other is most excellent, namely to believe? These cogitations therefore are a mere dream, and things vain and fond: Gods power must be present to work in us, as Saint Paul writeth, Ephes. 1.17. God give unto you the Spirit of wisdom, that ye may know what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward which believe, according to the working of his mighty power. &c. For it is not only by the will of God, but also by a certain Power of his, that we do believe: whereby we are to learn, that it is no less matter to make faith in one, then it is to create again heaven and earth.
The Apostle here expressely saieth: Ye are by the power of God kepte vnto saluation. There are many who hauyng heard the Gospell, how that faithe onely doeth iustifie without woorkes, doe by and by burst forthe and saie: Wee also doe beleeue: thinkyng that that bare opinion, whiche thei feine vnto theim selues, is right faithe. Wee haue alreadie taught, and that out of the Scriptures, that it is not in our power to dooe euen the least good woorke that is, without the especiall assistaunce of Gods Spirite, how then shall wee by our owne strength arrogate that, whiche of all other is moste excellent, namely to beleeue? These cogitations therefore are a mere dreame, and thinges vaine and fonde: Gods power must bee present to woorke in vs, as Sainct Paule writeth, Ephes. 1.17. God giue vnto you the Spirite of wisedome, that yee maie knowe what is the exceadyng greatnesse of his power to vs warde whiche beleeue, accordyng to the woorkyng of his mightie power. &c. For it is not onely by the will of God, but also by a certaine Power of his, that we doe beleue: wherby wee are to learne, that it is no lesse matter to make faithe in one, then it is to create againe heauen and earth.