A06492:892
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.
Of this Mediator Paul speaketh briefly when he saith:1 A Mediator is not a Mediator of one. For this word Mediator properly signifieth such a one as doth the office of a Mediator between the party that is offended and the offender. We are the offenders: God with his law is he which is offended. And the offence is such,2 that God can not pardon it, neither can we satisfy for the same. Therefore between God, who of him self is but one, and us, there is wonderful discord. Moreover, God can not revoke his law, but he will have it observed and kept. And we which have transgressed the law, can not fly from the presence of God.3 Christ therefore hath seth him self a Mediator between two which are quite contrary and utterly separate asunder with an infinite and everlasting separation, and hath reconciled them together. And how hath he done this? He hath put away (as Paul saith in an other place) the handwriting which was against us, which by ordinances (that is, by the law) was contrary unto us, and he hath taken it and fastened it to the Cross, and hath spoiled principalities ⟨image 161⟩and powers, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them by him self. Therefore he is not a Mediator of one, but of two, utterly disagreeing between them selves.
Of this Mediatour Paule speaketh briefely when he saith:1 A Mediatour is not a Mediatour of one. For this word Mediatour properly signifieth such a one as doth the office of a Mediatour betwene the partie that is offended and the offender. We are the offenders: God with his law is he which is offended. And the offence is such,2 that God can not pardon it, neither can we satisfie for the same. Therefore betwene God, who of him selfe is but one, and vs, there is wonderfull discord. Moreouer, God can not reuoke his law, but he will haue it obserued and kept. And we which haue transgressed the law, can not flie from the presence of God.