A06492:1395
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.
True it is that we ought to fulfil the law, and to be justified through the fulfilling thereof: but sin hindereth us. In deed the law prescribeth and commandeth that we should love God with all our heart,1 &c. and that we should love our neighbour as our selves, but it followeth not: this is written, therefore it is done: the law commandeth love, therefore we love. There is not one man to be found upon the whole earth, which so loveth God and his neighbour, as the law requireth. But in the life to come, where we shall be throughly cleansed from all vices and sins, and shall be made as pure & as clear as the Sun: we shall love perfectly and shall be righteous through perfect love. But in this life that purity is hindered by the flesh: for as long as ⟨p. 247⟩we live, sin remaineth in our flesh.2 By reason whereof the corrupt love of our selves is so mighty, that it far surmounteth the love of god & of our neighbour. In the mean time notwithstanding, that we may be righteous in this life also,3 we have Christ the Mercy seat and throne of grace, and because we believe in him, sin is not imputed unto us. Faith therefore is our righteousness in this life. But in the life to come, when we shall be thoroughly cleansed and delivered from all sins and concupiscence, we shall have no more need of Faith and hope, but we shall then love perfectly.
True it is that we ought to fulfill the lawe, and to be iustified through the fulfilling thereof: but sinne hindreth vs. In deede the law prescribeth and commaundeth that we should loue God with all our heart,1 &c. and that we should loue our neighbour as our selues, but it foloweth not: this is wrytten, therfore it is done: the law commaundeth loue, therefore we loue. There is not one man to be found vppon the whole earth, which so loueth God and his neighbour, as the lawe requireth. But in the life to come, where we shall be throughly clensed from all vices and sinnes, and shall be made as pure & as cleare as the Sunne: we shall loue perfectly and shall be righteous through perfect loue. But in this life that puritie is hindred by the flesh: for as long as