A06492:836
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.
Verse. 18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more by the promise. &c.
Verse. 18. For if the inheritaunce be of the lavve, it is no more by the promise. &c.
1So he saith in the .4. to the Romans: For if they which be of the law be heirs, then is Faith but vain, and the promise of none effect. And it can not otherwise be: for this distinction is plain, that the law is a thing far differing from the promise.2 Yea natural reason, although it be never so blind, is compelled to confess, that it is one thing to promise, and an other thing to require: one thing to give, and an other thing to take.3 The law doth require and exact of us our works: the promise of the Seed doth offer unto us the spiritual and everlasting benefits of God, and that freely for Christs sake. Therefore we obtain the inheritance or Blessing through the promise, and not through the law. For the promise sayeth: In thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed. 4Therefore he that hath the law, hath not enough, because he hath not yet the Blessing, without the which he is compelled to abide under the Curse. The law therefore can not justify because the Blessing is not joined unto it. Moreover, if the inheritance were of the law, then should God be found a liar, and the promise should be in vain. Again, if the law could obtain the Blessing, why did God