Martin Luther on Galatians 3:16

Verſe. 16. Novv to Abraham and his ſeede vvere the promiſes made. He ſaith not: And to the Seedes, as ſpeaking of many: but and to thy Seede, as of one vvhich is Chriſt. Here by a newe name he calleth the promiſes of God made vnto Abraham concerninge Chriſte that ſhoulde bringe the Bleſſinge vnto all nations,Paule calleth the promiſe a Teſtament. a Teſtament. And in deede the promiſe is nothinge elſe but a Teſtament, not yet reuealed, but ſealed vppe. Nowe, a Teſtament is not a lawe, but a donation or free gifte. For heires looke not for lawes, exactions, or any burdens to be laide vpon them by the Teſtament, but they looke for the inheritaunce confirmed thereby. Firſt of all therefore he expoundeth the wordes: Afterwardes he applieth the ſimilitude, and ſtandeth vpon this worde Seede. There were no lawes geuen vnto Abraham (ſaith he), but a Teſtament was made and deliuered vnto him: that is to ſay, the promiſes were pronounced vnto him as touching the ſpirituall Bleſſing: therefore ſomewhat was promiſed and geuen vnto him.The Teſtamēt of man is a shadovve of Gods Teſtament. If then the Teſtament of a man be kept, why ſhoulde not rather the Teſtament of God be kept? whereof the Teſtament of man is but a ſhadowe? Againe, if we will keepe the ſignes, why doe we not rather keepe the things which they ſignifie? Now, the promiſes are made vnto him, not in all the Iewes, or in many Seedes, but in one Seede, which is Chriſt. The Iewes will not receaue this interpretation of Paule: For they ſay, that the ſingular number is here put for the plurall, one for many. But we gladly receaue this meaning and interpretation of Paule, who oftentimes repeteth this worde Seede, and expoundeth this Seede to be Chriſt:Chriſt the Seede promiſed to Abraham. and this he doth with a true Apoſtolicall ſpirite. Let the Iewes deny it as much as they will: we notwithſtanding haue argumentes ſtronge enough, which Paule hath before reherſed, which alſo confirme this thinge, and they can not deny them. Hitherto, as touching the ſimilitude of Gods ordinaunce, that is to ſay: of mans Teſtament. Now he expoundeth and amplifieth the ſame.