A06492:303
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 like as our adversaries will not leave this free unto us, that only faith in Christ justifieth: so on the other side neither will we nor can we give place unto them, that faith furnished with charity justifieth.1 Here we will and we ought also to be rebellious and obstinate against them, for else we should lose the truth of the Gospel: we should lose our liberty which we have, not in the Emperor, not in Kings and Princes, not in that monster the Pope, not in the world, not in flesh, blood, reason &c: but which we have in Christ Jesus. We should lose faith in Christ, which (as before I have said) apprehendeth nothing else but that precious pearl Christ. This faith whereby we are regenerate, justified, and engrafted into Christ, if our adversaries will leave unto us sound and uncorrupt: we offer unto them that we will do all things, so that they be not contrary to this faith. But because we can not obtain this at their hands, we again for our part will not yield unto them one heares breadth▪ For here is a great and a weighty matter ⟨p. 45⟩in hand, namely touching the death of the son of God: who by the will and commandment of the father was made flesh,2 was crucified and died for the sins of the world. If faith here give place, then is this death and resurrection of the son of God in vain: then is it but a fable that Christ is the Saviour of the world:3 then is God also found a liar because he hath not performed that he promised. Our stoutness therefore in this matter is godly and holy: For by it we seek to preserve our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, and thereby to retain the truth of the Gospel: which if we lose, then do we also lose God, Christ, all the promises, faith, righteousness, and everlasting life.
Wherefore like as our aduersaries wil not leaue this free vnto vs, that onely faith in Christ iustifieth: so on the other side neither will we nor can we geue place vnto them, that faith furnished with charitie iustifieth.1