A06492:724
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.
1There is not one therefore to be found in all the world, unto whom this title, to be called a doer of the law, appertaineth without the promise of the Gospel. Wherefore this word [doer of the law] is a feigned term, which no man understandeth unless he be without and above the law in the Blessing and faith of Abraham. So that the true doer of the law is he,2 who receiving the holy Ghost through faith in Christ, beginneth to love God & to do good unto his neighbour. So that this word [to do the law] must comprehend faith also which maketh the tree: and when the tree is made, then follow the fruits. The tree must be first, & then the fruit. For the apples make not the tree, but the tree maketh the apples. So faith first maketh the person, which afterwards bringeth forth works. Therefore to do the law without faith, is to make the apples of wood & earth without the tree: which is not to make apples, but mere fantasies.3 Contrariwise, if the tree be made, that is to say, the person or doer, which is made through faith in Christ, works will follow. For the doer must needs be before the things which are done, and not the things which are done before the doer.
1There is not one therefore to be found in all the world, vnto whom this title, to be called a doer of the law, appertaineth without the promise of the Gospell. Wherefore this word [doer of the law] is a fained terme, which no man vnderstandeth vnlesse he be without and aboue the law in the Blessing and faith of Abraham. So that the true doer of the law is he,2 who receauing ye holy Ghost through faith in Christ, beginneth to loue God & to do good vnto his neighbour. So yt this word [to do the lavv] must cōprehend faith also which maketh the tree: and when the tree is made, then follow the frutes. The tree must be first, & then the frute. For the apples make not the tree, but the tree maketh the apples. So faith first maketh the person, which afterwards bringeth forth works. Therfore to doe the law without faith, is to make the apples of wood & earth without the tree: which is not to make apples, but meere fantasies.