A06492:957
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.
Verse. 24. That we may be made righteous by Faith.
Verse. 24. That vve may be made righteous by Faith.
The law is not a Schoolmaster to bring us unto an other lawgiver ⟨image 172⟩which requireth good works,1 but unto Christ our Justifier and Saviour, that by Faith in him we might be justified, and not by works. But when a man feeleth the force and strength of the law, he doth not understand nor believe this. Therefore he saith: I have lived wickedly: for I have transgressed all the commandments of God, and therefore I am guilty of eternal death. If God would prolong my life certain years, or at least certain months, I would amend my life, and live holily hereafter.2 Here, of the true use of the law he maketh an abuse. Reason being overtaken in these terrors and straits, is bold to promise unto God the fulfilling of all the works of the whole law. And hereof came so many sects and swarms of Monks and religious hypocrites, so many ceremonies, and so many works, devised to deserve grace and remission of sins. And they which devised these things, thought that the law was a Schoolmaster to lead them, not unto Christ, but to a new law, or unto Christ as a lawgiver, and not as one that hath abolished the law.
The lawe is not a Scholemaster to bring vs vnto an other lawgeuer ⟨image 172⟩which requireth good workes,1 but vnto Christ our Iustifier and Sauiour, that by Faith in him we might be iustified, and not by workes. But when a man feeleth the force and strength of the law, he doth not vnderstand nor beleue this. Therefore he sayth: I haue liued wickedly: for I haue transgressed all the commaundements of God, and therfore I am giltie of eternall death. If God would prolong my life certaine yeres, or at least certaine moneths, I would amend my life, and liue holily hereafter.