A06492:832
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.
1But let us suffer the law and the promise to encounter together, and then shall we see which of them is the stronger: that is to say, whether the promise be able to abolish the law, or the law the promise. If the law abolish the promise, then it followeth, that we by our works make God a liar and his promise of none effect. For if the law do justify us and deliver us from sin and death, and consequently our works and our own strength performing the law, then the promise made to Abraham is utterly void and unprofitable, and so consequently God is a liar and a dissembler.2 For when he which promiseth will not perform his promise, but maketh it of none effect, what doth he else but show himself to be a liar and a dissembler? But it is impossible that the law should make God a liar, or that our works should make the promise void, nay rather it must needs be firm & stable for ever (for God promiseth not in vain) although we were able to keep and fulfil the law. And let us admit that all men were as holy as Angels, so ⟨p. 140⟩that they should not need the promise (which notwithstanding is impossible): yet must we think that the same promise abideth most sure and certain: or else God should be found a liar, which either hath promised in vain, or else will not or can not perform his promises. Therefore, like as the promise was before the law, so is it far more excellent then the law.
1But let vs suffer the law and the promise to encounter together, and then shall we see which of them is the stronger: that is to say, whether the promise be able to abolish the lawe, or the lawe the promise. If the law abolish the promise, then it followeth, that we by our works make God a lier and his promise of none effect. For if the law doe iustifie vs and deliver vs from sinne and death, and consequently our workes and our owne strength performing the lawe, then the promise made to Abraham is vtterly voide and vnprofitable, and so consequently God is a lier and a dissembler.2 For when he which promiseth will not performe his promise, but maketh it of none effect, what doth he els but shew himselfe to be a lier and a dissembler? But it is impossible that the lawe should make God a lier, or that our workes should make the promise void, nay rather it must needes be firme & stable for euer (for God promiseth not in vaine) although we were able to keepe and fulfil the lawe. And let vs admitte that all men were as holy as Angels, so