A06492:945
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.
1The time of grace is when the heart is raised up again by the promise of the free mercy of God, and sayeth: Why art thou heavy O my soul, 2and why doest thou trouble me? Doest thou see nothing but the law, sin, terror, heaviness, desperation, death, hell and the Devil? Is there not also grace, remission of sins, righteousness, consolation, joy, peace, life, heaven, Christ and God? Trouble me no more, O my soul. What is the law, what is sin, what are all evils in comparison of these things? Trust in God, who hath not spared his own dear son, but hath given him to the death of the cross for thy sins. This is then to be shut up under the law after the flesh: not for ever, but till Christ be revealed. Therefore when thou art beaten down,3 tormented and afflicted by the law, then say: Lady law, Thou art not alone, neither art thou all things: but besides thee there are yet other things much greater and better then thou art, namely grace, faith, and blessing. This grace, this faith and this blessing do not accuse me, terrify me, condemn me: but they comfort me, they bid me trust in the Lord, and promise unto me victory and salvation in Christ. There is no cause therefore why I should despair.
1The time of grace is when the heart is raised vppe againe by the promise of the free mercy of God, and sayeth: VVhy art thou heauie O my soule, 2and vvhy doest thou trouble me? Doest thou see nothing but the lawe, sinne, terrour, heauines, desperation, death, hell and the Deuill? Is there not also grace, remission of sinnes, righteousnes, consolation, ioy, peace, life, heauen, Christe and God? Trouble me no more, O my soule. What is the lawe, what is sinne, what are all euils in comparison of these things? Trust in God, who hath not spared his owne deare sonne, but hath geuen him to the death of the crosse for thy sinnes. This is then to be shutte vppe vnder the lawe after the flesh: not for euer, but till Christe be reuealed. Therefore when thou art beaten downe,3 tormented and afflicted by the law, then say: Lady law, Thou art not alone, neither art thou all things: but besides thee there are yet other things much greater and better then thou art, namely grace, faith, and blessing. This grace, this faith and this blessing doe not accuse me, terrifie me, condemne me: but they comfort me, they bid me trust in the Lord, and promise vnto me victorie and saluation in Christe. There is no cause therfore why I should despaire.