A06492:545
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.
But we do constantly affirm with Paul (for we will not reject the grace of God) that either Christ died in vain,1 or else the law justifieth not. But Christ died not in vain: therefore the law justifieth not. Christ the son of God of his own free grace and mercy hath justified us: therefore the law could not justify us: for if it could, then had Christ done unwisely in that he gave himself for our sins that we thereby might be justified. We conclude therefore that we are justified neither by our own works and merits before grace or after, neither yet by the law.
But we doe constantly affirme with Paule (for we will not reiect the grace of God) that either Christ died in vaine,1 or els the law iustifieth not. But Christ died not in vaine: therfore the law iustifieth not. Christ the sonne of God of his owne free grace and mercy hath iustified vs: therfore the law could not iustifie vs: for if it could, then had Christ done vnwisely in that he gaue himselfe for our sinnes that we therby might be iustified. We conclude therfore that we are iustified neither by our owne works and merites before grace or after, neither yet by the law.
- 1If the law justify, then is Christ died in vain.If the lavv iustifie, then is Christ died in vaine.
Now, if my salvation was so costly and dear a price unto Christ, that he was constrained to die for my sins, then all my works, with all the righteousness of the law,1 are but vile and nothing worth in comparison of this inestimable price. For how can I buy it for a farthing which cost many thousand talents of gold? Now the law (to speak nothing of other matters which are of much less value) with all the works and righteousness thereof, is but as a farthing if ye compare it unto Christ: who by his death hath vanquished my death and hath purchased righteousness and everlasting life. Should I then despise and reject this incomparable price, and by the law or by the works and merits of men (vile dross and dung, for so Paul calleth them, if they be compared unto Christ) seek that righteousness which Christ freely & of mere love hath given unto me already, & hath cost him so great a price that he was constrained to give himself and even his own hart blood for me? This (as I have said) the whole world doth, and specially such as will be counted more holy and religious then others. Whereby they plainly witness that Christ died in vain,