A06492:1210
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.
I have often said before, and now I say again (for it can not be too often repeated), that a Christian laying hold of the benefit of Christ through Faith,1 hath no law, but all the law is to him abolished with all his terrors and torments. This place of Isaiah teacheth the same thing, and therefore it is very notable and full of comfort, stirring up the barren and forsaken to rejoice, which was counted worthy to be mocked or pitied according to the law. For such as were barren were accursed according to the law: but the holy Ghost turneth this sentence, and pronounceth the barren worthy of praise and Blessing: and ⟨p. 214⟩contrariwise the fruitful, and such as bring forth children, accursed, when he saith: Rejoice thou barren, which bearest not: 2Break forth into joy and rejoice thou that travailest not: For the desolate hath many moe children then the married wife. Howsoever then Sarah, that is to say, the Church seem to be forsaken and barren before the world, not having the righteousness and works of the law: yet notwithstanding she is a most fruitful mother, having an infinite number of children before God, as the Prophet witnesseth. Contrariwise, although Hagar seem never so fruitful,3 and to bring forth never so many children, yet notwithstanding she hath no issue remaining: for the children of the bondwoman are cast out of the house together with their mother and receive not the inheritance with the children of the freewoman, as Paul saith afterwards.
I haue often sayd before, and now I say againe (for it can not be too often repeted), that a Christian laying holde of the benefit of Christe through Faith,1 hath no lawe, but all the lawe is to him abolished with all his terrours and tormentes. This place of Esay teacheth the same thing, and therefore it is very notable and full of comfort, stirring vp the barren and forsaken to reioyce, which was counted worthy to be mocked or pitied according to the lawe. For such as were barren were accursed according to the lawe: but the holy Ghost turneth this sentence, and pronounceth the barren worthy of praise and Blessing: and