A06492:835
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.
Hereby it appeareth that Abraham obtained not righteousness before God through the law.1 For there was yet no law. If there were yet no law, then was there neither work nor merit. What then? Nothing else but the mere promise. This promise Abraham believed, and it was counted to him for righteousness. By the self same means then that the father obtained this promise, the children do also obtain it and hold it. So say we also at this day: Our sins were purged by the death of Christ above a thousand and five hundred years ago, when there were yet no religious Orders, no Canon or rule of Penance, no merits of congruence and worthiness. We can not now therefore begin to abolish the same by our own works and merits.
Hereby it appeareth that Abraham obteined not righteousnes before God through the lawe.1 For there was yet no law. If there were yet no lawe, then was there neither worke nor merite. What then? Nothing else but the mere promise. This promise Abraham beleued, and it was counted to him for righteousnes. By the selfe same meanes then that the father obteined this promise, the children doe also obteine it and holde it. So say we also at this day: Our sinnes were purged by the death of Christ aboue a thousand and fiue hundreth yeres agoe, when there were yet no religious Orders, no Canon or rule of Penance, no merites of congruence and worthines. We can not nowe therfore begin to abolish the same by our owne workes and merites.
- 1Abraham was not made righteous by the law, for when he lived, there was no law.Abrahā vvas not made righteous by the lavve, for vvhen he liued, ther vvas no lavve.
1Thus Paul gathereth arguments of similitudes, of a certain time, and of persons, so sure & strong on every side that no man can deny them. Let us therefore arm and fortify our consciences with such like arguments: For it helpeth us exceedingly, to have them always ready in tentations. For they lead us from the law and works, to the promise and to faith: from wrath to grace: from sin to righteousness, and from death to life. Therefore these two things (as I do often repeat): to wit, the law and the promise must be diligently distinguished. For in time,