A06492:938
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.
These words: to be kept under, and to be shut up, 1are not vain and unprofitable, but true and of great importance. This keeping under and this prison signifieth the true and spiritual terrors, whereby the conscience is so shut up, that in the wide world it can find no place where it may be in safety. Yea as long as these terrors endure, the conscience feeleth such anguish and sorrow, that it thinketh heaven and earth, yea if they were ten times more wide and large then they are, to be straiter and narrower then a mouse hole. Here is a man utterly destitute of all wisdom, strength, righteousness, counsel and succour. For the conscience is a marvellous tender thing,2 and therefore when it is so shut up under the prison of the law, it seeth no way how to get out: and this straitness seemeth daily so to increase, as though it would never have an end. For then doth it feel the wrath of God which is infinite and inestimable, whose hand he can not escape, as the Psalm. 139. witnesseth:3 Whether shall I fly from thy presence? &c.
These words: to be kept vnder, and to be shut vppe, 1are not vaine and vnprofitable, but true and of great importaunce. This keeping vnder and this prison signifieth the true and spirituall terrours, wherby the conscience is so shutte vppe, that in the wide world it can finde no place where it may be in safetie. Yea as long as these terrours endure, the conscience feeleth such anguish and sorrowe, that it thinketh heauen and earth, yea if they were ten times more wide and large then they are, to be straiter and narrower then a mouse hole. Here is a man vtterly destitute of all wisedome, strength, righteousnes, counsell and succour. For the conscience is a maruelous tender thing,2 and therfore when it is so shutte vppe vnder the prison of the lawe, it seeth no way howe to gette out: and this streitnes seemeth daily so to encrease, as though it would neuer haue an ende. For then doth it feele the wrath of God which is infinite and inestimable, whose hand he can not escape, as the