A06492:47
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.
This is a righteousness hidden in a mystery, which the world doth not know, yea Christians them selves do not throughly understand it, and can hardly take hold of it in their tentations. Therefore it must be diligently taught and continually practised. And who so doth not understand or apprehend this righteousness in afflictions and terrors of conscience, must needs be overthrown. For there is no comfort of conscience so firm and so sure as this passive righteousness is.
This is a righteousnes hidden in a mistery, which the world doth not know, yea Christians them selues doe not throughly vnderstand it, and can hardly take hold of it in their tentations. Therefore it must be diligently taught and continually practised. And who so doth not vnderstand or apprehend this righteousnesse in afflictions and terrors of conscience, must neades be ouerthrowne. For there is no comfort of conscience so firme and so sure as this passiue righteousnesse is.
1But mans weakness and misery is so great, that in the terrors of conscience & danger of death, we behold nothing else but our works, our worthiness and the law: which when it showeth unto us our sin, by and by cure evil life past cometh to remembrance. Then the poor sinner with great anguish of spirit groaneth, and thus thinketh with him self: Alas how desperately have I lived? would to God I might live longer: Then would I amend my life. Thus mans reason can not restrain it self from the sight and beholding of this active or working righteousness, that is to say, her own righteousness: nor lift up her eyes to the beholding of the passive or christian righteousness, but resteth altogether in the active righteousness: So deeply is this evil rooted in us.
1But mannes weakenes and misery is so great, that in the terrors of conscience & daunger of death, we behold nothing els but our workes, our worthines and the lawe: which when it sheweth vnto vs our sinne, by and by cure euill life past commeth to remembraunce. Then the poore sinner with greate anguish of spirite groneth, and thus thinketh wt him selfe: Alas how desperatly haue I liued? would to God I might liue longer: Then would I amend my life. Thus mans reason can not restraine it selfe from the sight and beholding of this actiue or working righteousnes, that is to say, her owne righteousnes: nor lift vp her eyes to the beholding of the passiue or christian righteousnesse, but resteth altogether in the actiue righteousnesse: So deepely is this euell rooted in vs.