A06492:722
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.
It is impossible therefore that we should do the law in such forte as they imagine, much less that we should be justified thereby. This thing first the law it self specifieth, which hath a clean contrary effect:1 For it increaseth sin, it worketh wrath, it accuseth, it terrifieth and condemneth. How then should it justify? Moreover, the promise also showeth the very same thing. For it was said unto Abraham: In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 2There is no blessing therefore but in the promise of Abraham: and if thou be without that promise, thou art under the Curse. If thou be under the Curse, thou fulfillest not the law, because thou art under sin, the Devil, and everlasting death: all which do assuredly follow the Curse. To conclude. If righteousness should come by the law, then should the promise of God be in vain, and in vain should he pour out his blessing in so great abundance. Therefore when God saw that we could not fulfil the law, he provided for this long before the law, and promised the Blessing to Abraham, saying: In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. And so hath he testified that all the nations should be blessed, not by the law, but through the promise made unto Abraham. They therefore that lay hold on the law, and seek to be justified thereby, despising the promise, are accursed.
It is impossible therfore that we should doe the law in such forte as they imagine, much lesse yt we should be iustified therby. This thing first the lawe it selfe specifieth, which hath a cleane contrary effecte:1 For it increaseth sinne, it worketh wrath, it accuseth, it terrifieth and condemneth. How then should it iustifie? Moreouer, the promise also sheweth ye very same thing. For it was sayd vnto Abraham: In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 2There is no blessing therfore but in the promise of Abraham: and if thou be without that promise, thou art vnder the Curse. If thou be vnder the Curse, thou fulfillest not the lawe, because thou art vnder sinne, the Deuill, and euerlasting death: all which doe assuredly follow the Curse. To conclude. If righteousnes should come by the lawe, then should the promise of God be in vaine, and in vaine should he poure out his blessing in so great aboundance. Therefore when God sawe that we could not fulfill the lawe, he prouided for this long before the lawe, and promised the Blessing to Abraham, saying: In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. And so hath he testified that all the nations should be blessed, not by the lawe, but through the promise made vnto Abraham. They therefore that lay holde on the lawe, and seeke to be iustified therby, despising the promise, are accursed.