A06492:944
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.
Both these times then (of the law and the Gospel I mean) are in a Christian, as touching the affections and inward man. The time of the law is when the law exerciseth me, tormenteth me with heaviness of heart, oppresseth me, bringeth me to the knowledge of sin, and increaseth the same. Here the law is in his true use and perfect work: which a Christian oftentimes feeleth as long as he liveth. So there was given unto Paul a prick in the flesh, 1(that is) the angel of Satan to buffet him. He would gladly have felt every moment the joy of conscience, the* laughter of the heart, and the sweet taste of eternal life. Again, he would gladly have ben delivered from all trouble and anguish of spirit, and therefore he desired that this tentation might be taken from him. Notwithstanding this was not done, but the Lord said unto him: My grace is sufficient for thee: For my power is made ⟨image 169⟩perfect through weakness. 3This battle doth every Christian feel. To speak of my self, there are many hours in the which I chide and contend with God, and impatiently resist him. The wrath and judgement of God displeaseth me: and again, my impatience, my murmuring, and such like sins do displease him. And this is the time of the law, under the which a Christian man continually liveth as touching the flesh.4 For the flesh lusteth continually against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: but in some more, and in some less.
Both these times then (of the lawe and the Gospell I meane) are in a Christian, as touching the affections and inward man. The time of the lawe is when the lawe exerciseth me, tormenteth me with heauines of heart, oppresseth me, bringeth me to the knowledge of sinne, and encreaseth the same. Here the law is in his true vse and perfect worke: which a Christian oftentimes feeleth as long as he liueth. So there was geuen vnto Paule a pricke in the flesh, 1(that is) the angell of Satan to buffet him. He would gladly haue felt euery moment the ioy of conscience, the