A06492:720
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.
1He that considereth this, shall easily understand, that to perform the law, is not to do that which is commanded in the law in outward show only (as the hypocrites imagine) but in spirit: that is to say, truly and perfectly.2 But where shall we find him that will so accomplish the law? Let us see him and we will praise him. Here our adversaries have their answer ready, saying: The doers of the law, shall be justified. Rom. 2. Very well. But let us first define who be these doers of the law.3 They call him a doer of the law, which doeth the works of the law, and so by those works going before, is made righteous. This is not to do the law according to Paul: for (as I have said) to be of the works of the law, and to be of faith are contrary things. Therefore to seek to be justified by the works of the law, is to deny the righteousness of faith. Wherefore these Justiciaries and Law-workers when they do the law, even in so doing deny the righteousness of Faith, and sin against the first, the second, and third commandment,4 yea even against the whole law. For God commandeth that we should worship him in Faith, and in the fear of his name. These, on the contrary make righteousness of works without faith and against faith: therefore in that they do the law, they do clean contrary to the law, and sin most deadly. For they deny the righteousness of God, his mercy & his promises: they deny Christ withal his benefits,5 & in their heart they stablish, not the righteousness of the law (which they understand not, and much less do it): but a mere fantasy and Idol of the law. Therefore we must needs say, that not only in doing of the law they perform it not, but also they sin, and deny the divine Majesty in all his promises. And to this end the law was not given.
1He that considereth this, shall easely vnderstand, that to performe the lawe, is not to do that which is commaunded in the law in outward shew only (as the hypocrites imagine) but in spirit: that is to say, truly and perfectly.