A06492:1096
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.
Whosoever then seeketh righteousness by the law, what can he imagine else, but ye god being angry, must needs be pacified with works? Now, when he hath once conceived this fantasy, he beginneth to work. But he can never find so many good works as are able to quiet his conscience: but still he desireth moe. Yea he findeth sins in those works that he hath don already. ⟨image 199⟩Therefore his conscience can never be certified,1 but must needs be always in doubt, and thus think with it self: Thou hast not sacrificed as thou shouldest do: thou hast not prayed aright: this thou hast left undone: this or that sin thou hast committed. Here the heart trembleth and feeleth it self oppressed with innumerable sins which still increase without end, so that he swerveth from righteousness more and more, until at length he fall to desperation. Hereof it cometh that many being at the point of death, have uttered these desperate words: O wretch that I am: I have not kept mine order: Whether shall I fly from the wrath of Christ, that angry judge? would to God I had ben made a swineherd or the vilest wretch in the whole world.
Whosoeuer thē seketh righteousnes by ye law, what cā he imagin else, but ye god being angry, must nedes be pacified wt works? Now, whē he hath once cōceiued this fantasy, he beginneth to work. But he cā neuer find so many good works as are able to quiet his cōsciēce: but stil he desireth moe. Yea he findeth sinnes in those works yt he hath don already. ⟨image 199⟩Therfore his conscience can neuer be certified,1 but must needes be alwayes in dout, and thus thinke with it selfe: Thou hast not sacrificed as thou shouldest doe: thou hast not prayed aright: this thou hast left vndone: this or that sinne thou hast committed. Here the heart trembleth and feeleth it selfe oppressed with innumerable sinnes which still encrease without end, so that he swarueth from righteousnes more and more, vntill at length he fall to desperation. Hereof it cometh that many being at the poynt of death, haue vttered these desperate words: O wretch that I am: I haue not kept mine order: Whether shall I flie from the wrath of Christ, that angry iudge? would to God I had ben made a swinheard or the vilest wretch in the whole world.