A06492:1258
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.
Therefore our conscience must be instructed and prepared before hand, that when we feel the accusation of the law, the terrors of ⟨p. 223⟩sin, the horror of death and the wrath of God, we may remove these heavy sights and fearful fantasies out of our minds,1 and set in the place thereof the freedom purchased by Christ, the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, life and the everlasting mercy of god. And albeit the feeling of the contrary be very strong, yet let us assure our selves that it shall not long endure: according to that saying of the Prophet:2 For a moment in mine anger I hid my face from thee for a little season: but with everlasting mercy I have compassion on thee. But this is very hard to do. Wherefore that liberty which Christ hath purchased for us, is not so soon believed as it is named. If it could be apprehended with a sure and a steadfast Faith, then no rage or terror of the word, of the law, sin, death or the Devil could be so great, but by & by it should be swallowed up as a little drop of water is swallowed of the main sea. And certainly this Christian liberty swalloweth up at once & taketh quite away the whole heap of evils, the law, sin, death, Gods wrath, and briefly the serpent him self, with his head and whole power, and in the stead thereof it placeth righteousness, peace & everlasting life,3 &c. But blessed is he that understandeth and believeth.
Therfore our conscience must be enstructed and prepared before hand, that when we feele the accusation of the lawe, the terrours of ⟨p. 223⟩sinne, the horrour of death and the wrath of God, we may remoue these heauie sightes and fearfull fantasies out of our mindes,1 and set in the place thereof ye freedome purchased by Christ, ye forgeuenes of sinnes, righteousnes, life and ye euerlasting mercy of god. And albeit ye feeling of the contrary be very strong, yet let vs assure our selues that it shall not long endure: according to that saying of the Prophet: