A06492:858
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.
This, as it is the proper and the principal use of the law: so is it very profitable and also most necessary. For if any be not a murderer, an adulterer, a thief, and outwardly refrain from sin, as the Pharisee did which is mentioned in the Gospel, he would swear (because he is possessed with the Devil) that he is righteous, and therefore he conceiveth an opinion of righteousness, and presumeth of his good works and merits. Such a one God can not otherwise mollify and humble, that he may acknowledge his misery and damnation,1 but by the law. For that is the hammer of death, the thundering of hell, and lightning of Gods wrath, that beateth to powder the obstinate and senseless hypocrites. Wherefore this is the proper and true use of the law, by lightning, by tempest & by the sound of the trump (as in the Mount Sinai) to terrify, and by thundering to beat down and rent in pieces this beast which is called the opinion of righteousness.2 Therefore sayeth God by Jeremiah his Prophet: My word is a hammer breaking rocks. For as long as the opinion of righteousness abideth in man, so long there abideth also in him incomprehensible pride, presumption, security, hatred of God, contempt of grace and mercy, ignorance of the promises, and of Christ. The preaching of free remission of sins through Christ, can not enter in to the heart of such a one, neither can he feel any taste or savour thereof. For that mighty rock and adamant wall: to wit, the opinion of righteousness, wherewith the heart is environed, doth resist it.
This, as it is the proper and the principall vse of the lawe: so is it very profitable and also most necessary. For if any be not a murtherer, an adulterer, a theefe, and outwardly refraine from sinne, as the Pharisey did which is mentioned in the Gospell, he would sweare (because he is possessed with the Deuill) that he is righteous, and therefore he conceaueth an opinion of righteousnes, and presumeth of his good workes and merites. Such a one God can not otherwise mollifie and humble, that he may acknowledge his miserie and damnation,1 but by the lawe. For that is the hammer of death, the thundring of hell, and lightning of Gods wrath, that beateth to pouder the obstinate and senseles hypocrites. Wherefore this is the proper and true vse of the lawe, by lightning, by tempest & by the sound of the trumpe (as in the Mount Sina) to terrifie, and by thundering to beate downe and rent in peeces this beast which is called the opinion of righteousnes.