A06492:712
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.
Hereby we may plainly see, that this argument is invincible. For ⟨p. 116⟩if we must hope to receive this blessing by Christ alone, then it must needs follow of the contrary that it is not received by the law. For the blessing was given to faithful Abraham before the law and without the law. Now, like as Abraham believed in Christ to come, the giver of the Blessing: so and by the same faith, we believe in Christ being come, and so are we now justified by faith, as Abraham was then justified by faith. They therefore which are under the law are not blessed, but do remain under the Curse.
Hereby we may plainely see, that this argument is inuincible. For ⟨p. 116⟩if we must hope to receaue this blessing by Christ alone, then it must needes followe of the contrary that it is not receaued by the law. For the blessing was geuen to faithful Abraham before the law and without the law. Now, like as Abraham beleued in Christ to come, the geuer of the Blessing: so and by the same faith, we beleue in Christ being come, and so are we now iustified by faith, as Abraham was then iustied by faith. They therfore which are vnder the lawe are not blessed, but doe remaine vnder the Curse.
This the Pope and his proud Prelates neither do nor can believe, neither can they abide this doctrine. Yet must we not hold our peace, but must confess the truth and say, that the Papacy is accursed: yea all the laws and civill ordinances of the Emperor are accursed: For according to Paul, whatsoever is without the promise and faith of Abraham, is accursed. When our adversaries hear this, by and by they pervert and slander our words,1 as though we taught that the Magistrates should not be honoured, but that we raise up seditions against the Emperor, that we condemn all laws, that we overthrow and destroy common weals &c. But they do us great wrong. For we put a difference between the corporal and the spiritual Blessing, and we say that the Emperor is blessed with a corporal blessing. For to have a kingdom, laws, and civill ordinances, to have a wife, children, house and lands is a blessing. For all these things are the good creatures and gifts of God.