Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

Gal. 4. Verse 1. Then I say, that the heir as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, ⟨p. 275⟩2. But is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. 3. Even so, we when we were children, were in bondage under the rudiments of the world. 4. But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, and made under the Law, 5. That he might redeem them which were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of the sons. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, which crieth, Abba, Father. 7. Wherefore now thou art not a servant, but a son: if thou be a son, thou art also an heir of God through Christ.

Gal. 4. Verse 1. THen I saye, that the heire as long as he is a childe, differeth nothing from a seruaunt, though he be Lord of all, ⟨p. 275⟩2. But is vnder tuters and gouerners, vntill the time appointed of the father. 3. Euen so, we when we were children, were in bondage vnder the rudiments of the world. 4. But when the fulnes of time was come, God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman, and made vnder the Lawe, 5. That he might redeeme them which were vnder the Lawe, that we might receiue the adoption of the sonnes. 6. And because ye are sonnes, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts, which cryeth, Abba, Father. 7. Wherefore now thou art not a seruaunt, but a sonne: if thou be a sonne, thou art also an heire of God through Christ.

This text toucheth the very pith of Pauls chief doctrine, the cause why it is well understood of so few, is not, for that it is so obscure and hard, but because there is almost no knowledge of faith left in the world, without which it can not be that one should rightly understand Paul, who every where entreateth of faith with such force of the spirit as he is able. I must therefore speak somewhat, that this text may be made plain, and that I may more conveniently bring light unto it in expounding it, I will speak a few words in manner of a preface. First therefore we must understand that that treatise, wherein is entreated of good works, doth far differ from that wherein is entreated of justification, as there is very great difference between the substance and the working, between a man & his work. Now justification is of man, and not of works: for man is either justified and saved, or judged and condemned, and not works. Neither is it in controversy among the godly, that man is justified by no work, but righteousness must come unto him from some other where, then from his own works. For Moses writeth of Abel after this sort: The Lord had respect unto Abel, and to