A06524:43
A Treatise Touching the Liberty of a Christian
A treatise, touching the liberty of a Christian. Written in Latin by Doctor Martin Luther. And translated into English by James BellA treatise, touching the libertie of a Christian. Written in Latin by Doctor Martine Luther. And translated into English by Iames Bell
London: printed by Ralph Newbery and H. Bynneman, 1579
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.
but is not such a soul by the same his faith most humbly obedient to God in all things? what commandment remaineth then, which this obedience hath not sufficiently satisfied? what fullness can be more absolute, than all manner of humble obedience? but this obedience cometh not by works, but by faith only, and believing the promises. On the other side, what Rebellion? what impiety?1 what greater reproach can there be unto God, than not to believe him when he promiseth? for what is this else, than either to make God a liar? or to be doubtful of his truth? that is to say, to ascribe truth to himself, and to condemn God of vanity & lying? wherein doth he not deny God, and make to himself an image of himself in his own heart? what avail deeds (I pray you) wrought in this unbelief? though they seem never so Angelical, or Apostolical? And therefore very well did God conclude all, not in wrath & lust, but in unbelief, ⟨p. 20⟩lest such as feign that they have fulfilled the law through chaste and meek works of the law (such be virtues humane and civill) should presume upon their salvation, when as being shut up in the sin of unbelief, they must either seek for mercy, or to be damned through justice. But when God doth see truth to be ascribed unto him,2 & that he is worshipped with the faith of our heart, which is as much honour as he desireth, then doth he honour us again, & imputeth unto us truth & righteousness for this faiths sake: for faith, in yielding to God his own, doth work truth & righteousness, and therefore God doth recompense our righteousness again with glory, for it is true and just, that God is true & just. So also, to ascribe unto God justice & truth, & to confess the same, is to be true and just.3 To this effect we read in the 1 of the Kings, the 5 Chapter, Whosoever doth honour me, I will glorify him: and whosoever doth despise me, shall be naught set by. The same also pronounceth Paul to the Romans,4 the 4 Chap. That to Abraham his own faith was imputed unto righteousness, ⟨p. 21⟩