A06492:443
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 this is a strong argument, which I have oftentimes used to my great comfort:1 If then while we seek to be made righteous by Christ. &c. As though Paul should say:2 If we being justified by Christ, are counted yet as not justified and righteous, but as sinners which are yet to be justified by the law, then may we not seek justification in Christ but in the law. But if justification cometh by the law, then cometh it not by grace. Now, if justification cometh not by grace, but by the law, what hath Christ done and wrought by his death, by his preaching, by his victory which he hath obtained over the law, sin and death, and by sending the holy Ghost? We must conclude therefore, that either we are justified by Christ, or else that we are made sinners, culpable, and guilty through him. But if the law do justify, then can it not be avoided, but needs it must follow that we are made sinners through Christ, and so Christ is a minister of sin. The case standing thus, let us then set down this proposition: Every one that believeth in the Lord Jesus Christ is a sinner and is guilty of eternal death, and if he fly not unto the law doing the works thereof, he shall not be saved.
Wherfore this is a strong argument, which I haue oftentimes vsed to my great comfort:1 If then vvhile vve seeke to be made righteous by Christ. &c. As though Paule should say:2 If we being iustified by Christ, are counted yet as not iustified and righteous, but as sinners which are yet to be iustified by the lawe, then may we not seeke iustification in Christ but in the law. But if iustification cometh by the lawe, then cometh it not by grace. Now, if iustification cometh not by grace, but by the lawe, what hath Christ done and wrought by his death, by his preaching, by his victorie which he hath obtained ouer the lawe, sinne and death, and by sending the holy Ghost? We must cōclude therfore, that either we are iustified by Christ, or else that we are made sinners, culpable, and giltie through him. But if the lawe doe iustifie, then can it not be auoided, but needes it must folowe that we are made sinners through Christ, and so Christ is a minister of sinne. The case standing thus, let vs then set downe this proposition: Euery one that beleueth in the Lord Iesus Christ is a sinner and is giltie of eternall death, and if he flie not vnto the lawe doing the workes thereof, he shall not be saued.