A06492:490
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.
Since Christ is risen from death, why should he now fear the ⟨image 84⟩grave? Since Peter is delivered from the prison, why should he now fear it? When the maiden was at the point of death, then might she in deed fear the bed: but being now raised up, why should she fear it? In like manner, why should a Christian which enjoyeth and possesseth Christ by faith, fear the law? True it is that he feeleth the terrors of the law, but he is not overcome of them: but staying upon the liberty which he hath in Christ, he saith: I hear thee murmuring O law, that thou wouldest accuse and condemn me: but this troubleth me nothing at all. Thou art to me as the grave was unto Christ. For I see that thou art fast bound hand and foot: and this hath my law done.1 What law is that? liberty, which is called the law, not because it bindeth me, but because it bindeth my law. The law of the ten commandments did bind me. But against that law I have an other law, even the law of grace:2 which notwithstanding is to me no law, neither doth it bind me, but setteth me at liberty. And this is a law against that accusing and condemning law: which law it so bindeth, that it hath no power to hurt me any more. So against my death which bindeth me, I have an other death,3 that is to say, life, which quickeneth me in Christ: and this death looseth and freeth me from the bonds of my death, and with the same bonds bindeth my death. So death which bound me, is now fast bound, which killed me, is now killed by death, that is to say, by life it self.
Since Christ is risen from death, why should he nowe feare the ⟨image 84⟩graue? Since Peter is deliuered from the prison, why should he now feare it? When the maiden was at the point of death, then might she in deede feare the bedde: but being now reised vp, why should she feare it? In like maner, why should a Christian which enioyeth and possesseth Christ by faith, feare the law? True it is that he feeleth the terrours of the law, but he is not ouercome of them: but staying vpon the libertie which he hath in Christ, he saith: I heare thee murmuring O law, that thou wouldest accuse and condemne me: but this troubleth me nothing at all. Thou art to me as the graue was vnto Christ. For I see that thou art fast bound hand and foote: and this hath my lawe done.