A06492:268
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.
We see at this day how obstinate the Papists be in defending their traditions and doctrines of Devils. Wherefore it was much less to be marvelled, that the Jews did so vehemently and zealously strive for the maintenance of their law, which they had received from god. Custom is of such force, that where as nature is of it self inclined to the observation of the law, by long continuance it so confirmeth nature that now it becometh a double nature.1 Therefore it was impossible for the Jews which were newly converted to Christ, suddenly to forsake the law: who though they had received the faith of Christ, thought it necessary notwithstanding to observe the law. And with this their weakness God did bear for a time, until the doctrine of the Gospel might be plainly discerned from the law.2 So he bare with the infirmity of Israel in the time of King Ahab, when the people halted between two religions. He bare also with our weakness, while we were under the blindness of the Pope: For he is long suffering and full of mercy. But we must not abuse this goodness and patience of the Lord, nor continue still in our weakness and error, sithens the truth is now revealed by the clear light of the Gospel.
We see at this day how obstinate the Papists be in defending their traditions and doctrines of Deuils. Wherefore it was much lesse to be maruelled, that the Iewes did so vehemently and zelously striue for the maintenance of their law, which they had receaued from god. Custome is of such force, that where as nature is of it selfe inclined to the obseruation of the law, by long continuance it so confirmeth nature that now it becommeth a double nature.1 Therefore it was impossible for the Ievves which were newly conuerted to Christ, sodenly to forsake the lawe: who though they had receaued the faith of Christ, thought it necessary notwithstanding to obserue the lawe. And with this their weakenes God did beare for a time, vntill the doctrine of the Gospell might be plainely discerned from the lawe.2 So he bare with the infirmitie of Israell in the time of King Achab, when the people halted betwene two religions. He bare also with our weakenes, while we were vnder the blindnes of the Pope: For he is long suffering and full of mercy. But we must not abuse this goodnes and patience of the Lord, nor continue still in our weakenes and errour, sithens the truth is nowe reueiled by the cleare light of the Gospell.