A06492:624
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.
So we also at this day, convicted by the testimony of our own conscience, are constrained to confess, that the holy ghost is not given by the law but by the hearing of faith. For many heretofore in Popery have gone about with great labour and study, to keep the law, the decrees ⟨p. 92⟩of the fathers, and the traditions of the Pope: and some with painful and continual exercises in watching, fasting, and praying &c. did so wear and consume their bodies that they were able to sustain no labour: whereby notwithstanding they gained nothing else but that they miserably afflicted and tormented them selves. They could never attain to this, to have a quiet conscience and peace in Christ, but continually they doubted of Gods good will towards them. But now, since the Gospel teacheth that the law and works justify not, but faith alone in Jesus Christ, there followeth a most certain knowledge and understanding, a most joyful conscience and true judgement of every kind of life, and of all things else whatsoever. The believing man may now easily judge that the Papacy with all the orders and traditions thereof is wicked: which before he could not do.1 For so great blindness reigned in the world, that we thought those works which men had devised, not only without the will of God, but also contrary to his commandment, to be much better then those, which the magistrate, the householder, the child, the servant did at the commandment of God.
So we also at this day, conuicted by the testimony of our owne conscience, are cōstrained to cōfesse, yt the holy ghost is not geuen by ye law but by the hearinge of faith. For many heretofore in Poperie haue gone about with great labour and studie, to keepe the law, the decrees ⟨p. 92⟩of the fathers, and the traditions of the Pope: and some with painfull and continuall exercises in watching, fasting, and praying &c. did so weare and consume their bodies that they were able to sustaine no labour: wherby notwithstanding they gained nothing els but that they miserably afflicted and tormented them selues. They could neuer attaine to this, to haue a quiet conscience and peace in Christ, but continually they doubted of Gods good will towards them. But now, since the Gospel teacheth that the law and works iustifie not, but faith alone in Iesus Christ, there followeth a most certaine knowledge and vnderstanding, a most ioyfull conscience and true iudgement of euery kinde of life, and of all things els whatsoeuer. The beleuing man may now easily iudge that the Papacy with all the orders and traditions thereof is wicked: which before he could not do.