A06492:60
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.
Therefore do we so often repeat, and so earnestly set forth this doctrine of Faith or Christian righteousness, that by this means it may be kept in continual exercise, and may be plainly discerned from ⟨p. 7⟩the active righteousness of the law. Otherwise we shall never be able to hold the true divinity (for by this only doctrine yt Church is built, and in this it consisteth) but by & by we shall either become Canonists, observers of Ceremonies, observers of the law, or papists,1 and Christ so darkened, that none in the Church shall be either rightly taught or comforted. Wherefore, if we will be teachers and leaders of other, it behoveth us to have a great care of these matters, and to mark well this distinction between the righteousness of the law, and the righteousness of Christ. And this distinction is easy to be uttered in words: but in use and experience it is very hard, although it be never so diligently exercised and practised, for that in the hour of death, or in other agonies of the conscience, these two sorts of righteousness do encounter more near together, then thou wouldest wish or desire. Wherefore I do admonish you, especially such as shall become instructors and guiders of consciences, and also every one apart, that ye exercise your selves continually by study, by reading, by meditation of the word, and by prayer, that in the time of temptation ye may be able to instruct and comfort both your own consciences and others, and to bring them from the law to grace, from the active and working righteousness, to the passive and received righteousness: and to conclude, from Moses to Christ. For the devil is wont in affliction, and in the conflict of conscience, by the law to make us afraid, and to lay against us the conscience of sin, our wicked life past, the wrath and judgement of God, hell and eternal death, that by this means he may drive us to desperation, make us bondslaves to him self, & pluck us from Christ. Furthermore, he is wont to set against us those places of the gospel, wherein Christ him self requireth works of us, & with plain words threateneth damnation to those that do them not. Now, if here we be not able to judge between these two kinds of righteousness:
Therfore doe we so often repeate, and so earnestly set forthe this doctrine of Faith or Christian righteousnesse, that by this meanes it may be kept in continuall exercise, and may be plainly discerned from