A06492:998
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.
1Wherefore the law of Moses giveth nothing but worldly things, that is to say, it doth but only show civilly and spiritually the evils that be in the world. Notwithstanding, if it be in his true use, it driveth the conscience by his terrors to seek and thirst after the promise of God,2 and to look unto Christ. But that thou mayest so do, thou hast need of the aide and assistance of the holy Ghost, which may say in thy heart: It is not the will of God, that after the law hath done his office in thee, thou shouldest only be terrified & killed: but that when thou art brought by the law to the knowledge of thy misery and damnation, thou shouldest not despair but believe in Christ: who is the end of the law to righteousness, 3to every one that believeth. Here is no worldly thing done, but here all worldly matters and all laws cease, and heavenly things begin now to appear. Therefore so long as we be under the rudiments of the world:4 that is to say, under the law, which giveth not only righteousness and peace of conscience, but revealeth and increaseth sins and engendereth wrath, we be servants, thrall and subject to the law, although we have the promise of the Blessing to come.5 In deed the law saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God: but that I may be able so to do, or to apprehend Christ, this can not the law give.
1Wherfore the law of Moises geueth nothing but worldly things, that is to say, it doth but onely shew ciuily and spiritually the euils that be in the world. Notwithstanding, if it be in his true vse, it driueth the conscience by his terrours to seeke and thirst after the promise of God,2 and to looke vnto Christ. But that thou maist so doe, thou hast neede of the aide and assistance of the holy Ghost, which may say in thy heart: It is not the will of God, that after the law hath done his office in thee, thou shouldest onely be terrified & killed: but that when thou art brought by the lawe to the knowledge of thy misery and damnation, thou shouldest not despaire but beleue in Christ: vvho is the end of the lavve to righteousnes,