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Seeing that we haue diuers gifts according to the grace that is giuen vnto vs, &c.
a 1.1 LVther is of opinion, that this Epistle should be ca∣pite breuior, & sine prolixior; shorter in the begin∣ning, longer at the end. For the beginning appertaines vnto the conclusion of the Epistle for Sunday before; and the end to be the beginning of the Epistle for Sun∣day following: yet so, that it may be both read and ex∣pounded, as a text absolute in it selfe. The summe where∣of is, that wee must imploy and improue the manifold gifts of God vnto the glory of his name, and good of his people.
This exhortation is inferred vpon a familiar compari∣son vsed in the words immediatly before: for as we haue many members in one body, and all members haue not one of∣fice; so we being many, are one body in Christ, and euery man among our selues, one anothers members. In which, obserue foure instructions.
First, as the members are not made by their owne ver∣tue, but created by Gods almighty power, before they could execute any function in the body; not members because working, but on the contrary, working because members: In like sort, Christians are not members of Christ through their owne good works, but they doe good works because they be members, and inserted in∣to Christ: as the tree brings forth the fruit, and not the fruit the tree. The Papists then in their works of congrui∣tie, run too much vpon the figure called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; set∣ting the cart before the horse; merit before mercy. Potes à te de ficere (saith b 1.2 Augustine) sed teipsum reficere non potes; ille reficit, qui te fecit.
Secondly, the members are well c 1.3 content with their