A06492:216
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.
Moreover, the matter of justification is brittle: not of it self (for of it self it is most sure and certain) but in respect of us. Whereof I my self have good experience. For I know in what hours of darkness I sometimes wrestle. I know how often suddenly I lose the beams of the gospel and grace, as being shadowed from me with thick and dark clouds.1 Briefly I know in what a slippery place even such also do stand, as are well exercised, and seem to have sure footing in matters of faith. We have good experience of this matter: For we are able to teach it unto others, and this is a sure token that we understand it. But when in the very conflict we should use the gospel, which is the word of grace, consolation and life, there doth the law, the word of wrath, heaviness and death prevent the gospel, and beginneth to rage: and the terrors which it raiseth up in the conscience,2 are no less then was that horrible show in the mount Sinai. 3So that even one place out of the scripture containing some threatening of the law,4 drowneth and beareth down all consolations besides, and so shaketh all our inward powers, that it maketh us to forget Justification, Grace, Christ, the gospel, and altogether.
Moreouer, the matter of iustification is brickle: not of it selfe (for of it selfe it is most sure and certaine) but in respect of vs. Whereof I my selfe haue good experience. For I know in what houres of darknes I sometimes wrastle. I know how often sodenly I lose the beames of the gospell and grace, as being shadowed from me with thicke and darke cloudes.1 Briefly I know in what a slippery place euen such also do stand, as are well exercised, and seeme to haue sure footing in matters of faith. We haue good experience of this matter: For we are able to teach it vnto others, and this is a sure token that we vnderstand it. But when in the very conflict we should vse the gospell, which is the word of grace, consolation and life, there doth the law, the worde of wrath, heauines and death preuent the gospell, and beginneth to rage: and the terrours which it raiseth vp in the conscience,