A06492:926
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.
Ver. 23. But before Faith came, we were under the law, shut up unto the Faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Ver. 23. But before Faith came, vve vvere vnder the lavv, shut vppe vnto the Faith vvhich should aftervvardes be reuealed.
That is to say, before the time of the Gospel and grace came, the office of the law was, that we should be shut up and kept under the same, as it were in prison. This is a goodly and a fit similitude, showing the effect of the law, and how righteous it maketh men: therefore it is diligently to be weighed.1 No thief, no murderer, no adulterer, or other malefactor loveth the chains and fetters, the dark and loathsome prison wherein he lieth fast bound: but rather, if he could, he would break and beat in to powder the prison, with his irons and fetters. In deed whiles he is in prison he refraineth from doing of evil: but not of a good will or for righteousness sake: but because the prison restraineth him that he can not do it. And now being fast fettered he hateth not his theft and his murder: (yea he is sorry with all his heart that he can not rob and steal, cut and slay) but he hateth the prison, and if he could escape, he would rob and kill as he did before.
That is to say, before the time of the Gospell and grace came, the office of the law was, that we should be shutte vppe and kept vnder the same, as it were in prison. This is a goodly and a fitte similitude, shewing the effect of the law, and how righteous it maketh men: therefore it is diligently to be weyed.1