A06492:299
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.
Wherefore those things which the Sophisters & Schoolmen have taught concerning the justifying faith being furnished with charity,1 are no thing else but mere dreams. For that faith which apprehendeth Christ the son of God & is furnished with him, is the same faith that justifieth, and not that faith which includeth charity. For a true & a steadfast faith must lay hold upon nothing else but Christ alone, and in the afflictions and terrors of conscience it hath nothing else to lean unto, but this Diamond Christ Jesus. Wherefore he that apprehendeth Christ by faith,2 although he be never so much terrified with the law, & pressed down with the weight of his sins, yet may he be bold to glory that he is righteous. How or by what means? Even by that precious Pearl Christ which he possesseth by faith. This our adversaries understand not, and therefore they cast away this precious Pearl Christ, & in his place they set charity, which they say is their precious Diamond. Now, when they can not tell what Faith is, it is unpossible that they should have faith: much less can they teach it unto others. And as for that which they will seem to have, it is nothing else but a very dream, an opinion, and natural reason, and not faith.
Wherfore those things which the Sophisters & Scholemen haue taught cōcerning the iustifying faith being furnished wt charitie,1 are no thing else but mere dreames. For that faith which apprehēdeth Christ the sonne of God & is furnished wt him, is the same faith that iustifieth, and not that faith which includeth charitie. For a true & a stedfast faith must lay hold vpon nothing else but Christ alone, and in the afflictions and terrours of conscience it hath nothing else to leane vnto, but this Diamond Christ Iesus. Wherfore he yt apprehendeth Christ by faith,2 although he be neuer so much terrified with the law, & pressed downe with the weight of his sinnes, yet may he be bold to glory that he is righteous. How or by what meanes? Euen by that precious Pearle Christ which he possesseth by faith. This our aduersaries vnderstand not, and therfore they cast away this precious Pearle Christ, & in his place they set charitie, which they say is their precious Diamund. Now, when they can not tell what Faith is, it is vnpossible that they should haue faith: much lesse can they teach it vnto others. And as for that which they will seme to haue, it is nothing else but a very dreame, an opinion, and naturall reason, and not faith.