A06492:906
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.
Moreover, although the law do reveal and increase sin, yet is it not against the promises of God, yea rather it confirmeth the promises.1 For as concerning his proper work and end, it humbleth and prepareth a man (so that he use it rightly) to sigh and seek for mercy. For when sin is revealed to a man and so increased by the law, then he beginneth to perceive the wickedness and hatred of mans heart against the law, and against God him self the author of the law. Then he feeleth in deed that, not only he loveth not God, but also hateth and blasphemeth God who is full of goodness & mercy, and his law which is just and holy. Then is he constrained to confess that there is no good thing in him. And thus, when he is thrown down and humbled by the law, he acknowledgeth him self to be most miserable and damnable. When the law therefore constraineth a man so to acknowledge his own corruption, and to confess his sin from the bottom of his heart, then hath it done his office truly,2 and his time is accomplished and ended. And now is the time of grace, that the blessed Seed may come to raise up and to comfort him that is so cast down and humbled by the law.
Moreouer, although the law doe reueile and encrease sinne, yet is it not against the promises of God, yea rather it confirmeth the promises.1 For as concerning his proper worke and ende, it humbleth and prepareth a man (so that he vse it rightly) to sigh and seeke for mercy. For when sinne is reueiled to a man and so encreased by the law, then he beginneth to perceaue the wickednes and hatred of mans hearte against the law, and against God him selfe the authour of the law. Then he feeleth in deede that, not only he loueth not God, but also hateth and blasphemeth God who is full of goodnes & mercy, and his lawe which is iust and holy. Then is he constrained to cōfesse that there is no good thing in him. And thus, when he is throwne downe and humbled by the lawe, he acknowledgeth him selfe to be most miserable and damnable. When the law therfore constraineth a man so to acknowledge his owne corruption, and to confesse his sinne from the bottome of his heart, then hath it done his office truely,2