A06492:1067
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.
Vers. 8.9. But even then when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature were no Gods. But now seeing ye know God, yea rather are known of God: how turn you again ⟨image 194⟩unto impotent and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye vvill be in bondage again.
Vers. 8.9. But euen then vvhen ye knevv not God, ye did seruice vnto them vvhich by nature vvere no Gods. But novve seing ye knovv God, yea rather are knovvn of God: hovv turne you againe ⟨image 194⟩vnto impotent and beggerly rudiments, vvherevnto ye vvill be in bondage againe.
This is the conclusion of Pauls disputation. From this place unto the end of the Epistle he doth not much dispute, but only giveth precepts as touching manners. Notwithstanding he first reproveth the Galatians, being sore displeased that this divine and heavenly doctrine should be so suddenly and so easily removed out of their hearts. As if he would say: Ye have teachers which will bring you back again into the bondage of the law. This did not I: but by my doctrine I called you out of darkness & of the ignorance of God, into a wonderful light and knowledge of him.1 I brought you out of bondage, and set you in the freedom of the sons of God, not by preaching unto you the works of the law, or the merits of men, but the grace and righteousness of God, and the giving of heavenly & eternal blessings through Christ. Now, seeing this is true, why do ye so soon forsake the light and return to darkness? Why do ye suffer your selves so easily to be brought from grace unto the law, from freedom to bondage?