A06492:542
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.
Moreover take even the law of the ten commandments, wherein is contained the true religion and the highest service of God:1 that is to say, faith, the fear of God, the love of God, and the love of our neighbour, and show me any man that hath been justified thereby: yet is it true notwithstanding that Christ died in vain. For he that is justified by the law, hath power in himself to obtain righteousness. For in that he doth what in him lieth, he deserveth grace, & the holy Ghost is poured into him, whereby he is now able to love God and his neighbour. This being granted, it must needs follow that Christ died in vain. For what need of Christ hath he which both loveth Christ and giveth himself for him, so that he is able by the merit of congruence before grace to obtain grace, and then to do such works as by the merit of ⟨image 93⟩worthiness after grace he is able to deserve eternal life? Then take away Christ withal his benefits, for he is utterly unprofitable. But why was he borne? why was he crucified? why did he suffer? why was he made my high Priest loving me and giving Himself an inestimable sacrifice for me? In vain (no doubt) and to no purpose at all if righteousness come by no other means then the Papists teach: for I find no righteousness but either in my self or in the law, without grace and without Christ.
Moreouer take euen the law of the ten commaundements, wherin is contained the true religion and the highest seruice of God:1 that is to say, faith, the feare of God, the loue of God, and the loue of our neighbour, and shew me any man that hath bene iustified therby: yet is it true notwithstanding that Christ died in vaine. For he that is iustified by the law, hath power in himselfe to obtaine righteousnes. For in that he doth what in him lieth, he deserueth grace, & the holy Ghost is powred into him, wherby he is now able to loue God and his neighbour. This being graunted, it must needes follow that Christ died in vaine. For what neede of Christ hath he which both loueth Christ and geueth himselfe for him, so that he is able by the merite of congruence before grace to obtaine grace, and then to doe such works as by the merite of ⟨image 93⟩