A06492:768
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.
Paul therefore calleth them only righteous,1 which are justified through the promise, or through faith in the promise, without the law. Wherefore, they that are of the works of the law, and will seem to do the law, do it not.2 For the Apostle simply concludeth that all they which are of the works of the law, are under the Curse, under the which they should not be, if they fulfilled the law. In deed it is true, that a man doing the works of the law, shall live in them: that is, shall be blessed: but such a one can not be found. Now, seeing there is a double use of the law,3 the one politic and the other spiritual, he that will understand this sentence civilly, may do it after this sort: He that shall do those things shall live in them: that is, if a man obey the magistrate outwardly and in the politic government, he shall avoid punishment and death: For the civill magistrate hath no power over him. This is the politic use of the law, which serveth to bridle those that are rude and untractable. But Paul here speaketh not of this use, but entreateth of this place like a Divine: therefore there is a condition necessarily included. As if he said: If men could keep the law, they should be happy. But where are they? They are not therefore Doers of the law, except they be first made righteous before and without the law through faith.
Paule therefore calleth them onely righteous,1 which are iustified through the promise, or through faith in the promise, without the lawe. Wherefore, they that are of the workes of the lawe, and will seeme to doe the lawe, doe it not.2 For the Apostle simply concludeth that all they which are of the workes of the lawe, are vnder the Curse, vnder the which they shoulde not be, if they fulfilled the lawe. In deede it is true, that a man doing the workes of the law, shall liue in them: that is, shall be blessed: but such a one can not be founde. Now, seeing there is a double vse of the lawe,3