A06492:1053
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.
Moreover,1 this sentence of Solomon speaketh nothing at all of the hatred or favour of God towards men, but it is a moral sentence reproving the ingratitude of men. For such is the perverseness and ingratitude of the world, that the better a man deserveth, yt less thanks he shall have, and oftentimes he that should be his most friend,2 shall be his most enemy. Contrariwise, such as least deserve, shall be most esteemed. So David a holy man and a good King, was cast out of his kingdom. The Prophets, Christ and his Apostles were slain. To conclude, the histories of all nations witness, that many men well deserving of their country, were cast into banishment by their own Citizens, and there lived in great misery, and some also shamefully perished in prison. Wherefore Solomon in this place speaketh not of the conscience having to do with God, and of the favour and judgement of God, but of the judgements and affections of men among them selves. As though he would say: There are many just and wise men, by whom God worketh much good, and giveth peace and quietness unto men. But so far of are they from acknowledging the same, that oftentimes they requite them again very ilfavouredly for their well deservings. Therefore although a man do all things never so well, yet he knoweth not whether by this his diligence and faithfulness he deserve the hatred or favour of men.
Moreouer,1 this sentence of Salomon speaketh nothing at all of the hatred or fauour of God towardes men, but it is a morall sentēce reprouing the ingratitude of men. For such is the peruersnes and ingratitude of the world, that the better a man deserueth, yt lesse thāks he shall haue, and oftentimes he that should be his most friend,2 shall be his most enemie. Contrariwise, such as least deserue, shall be most estemed. So Dauid a holy man and a good King, was cast out of his kingdom. The Prophetes, Christe and his Apostles were slaine. To conclude, the hystories of all nations witnes, that many men well deseruing of their countrey, were cast into banishment by their owne Citizens, and there liued in great misery, and some also shamefully perished in prison. Wherefore Salomon in this place speaketh not of the conscience hauing to doe with God, and of the fauour and iudgement of God, but of the iudgementes and affections of men among them selues. As though he would say: There are many iust and wise men, by whom God worketh much good, and geueth peace and quietnes vnto men. But so farre of are they from acknowledging the same, that oftentimes they requite them againe very ilfauouredly for their well deseruings. Therefore although a man doe all things neuer so well, yet he knoweth not whether by this his diligence and faithfulnes he deserue the hatred or fauour of men.