A06492:882
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.
So, when sin is discovered, as it were by certain bright beams which the law striketh into the heart,1 there is nothing more odious & more intolerable to man, then the law is. Here he would rather chose death, than be constrained to bear these terrors of the law, be it never so little a time: which is a most certain token that the law justifieth not. For if the law did justify, then (no doubt) men would love it, they would delight ⟨image 158⟩was raised up and comforted by the gracious and free mercy of God. Therefore the law justifieth not.
So, when sinne is discouered, as it were by certaine bright beames which the law striketh into the heart,1 there is nothing more odious & more intolerable to mā, then ye law is. Here he wold rather chose death, thē be cōstraind to bear these terrors of ye law, be it neuer so litle a time: which is a most certaine token that the lawe iustifieth not. For if the lawe did iustifie, then (no dout) men would loue it, they would delite ⟨image 158⟩was raised vppe and comforted by the gratious and free mercy of God. Therefore the lawe iustifieth not.
- 1Nothing is more intolerable to man then the law,Nothing is more intolerable to man then the lavv,
If the law should serve mine affections: that is to say, if it should approve my hypocrisy,1 my opinion and confidence of mine own righteousness: if it should say that without the mercy of God and faith in Christ through the help of it alone (as all the world naturally judgeth of the law) I might be justified before God: and moreover, if it should say that God is pacified and overcome by works, and is bound to reward the doers thereof, that so I having no need of God, might be a God unto my self, & merit grace by my works, & setting my Saviour Christ apart, might save my self by mine own merits: If (I say) the law should thus serve mine affections, then should it be sweet, delectable, and pleasant in deed: So well can reason flatter it self. Notwithstanding this should no longer continue, but until the law should come to his own proper use and office: then should it appear that reason can not suffer those bright beams of the law. There some Moses must needs come between as a Mediator, and yet notwithstanding without any fruit, as I will declare hereafter.