A06492:1072
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.
But why sayeth Paul that the Galatians turned back again to weak and beggarly rudiments or ceremonies, that is to say,1 to the law, whereas they never had the law: for they were Gentiles (notwithstanding he wrote these things to the Jews also, as afterwards we will declare): or why speaketh he not rather after this manner? Once when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature were no gods: but now, seeing ye know God, why turn ye back again, forsaking the true God, to worship Idols? Doth Paul take it to be all one thing, to fall from the promise to the law, from faith to works: and to do service unto Gods which by nature are no Gods? I answer: Whosoever is fallen from the article of justification, is ignorant of God & an Idolater. Therefore it is all one thing whether he afterwards turn again to the law, or to the worshipping of Idols: it is all one, whether he be called a Monk, a Turk, a Jew or an Anabaptist. For when this article is taken away, there remaineth nothing else but error, hypocrisy, impiety and idolatry, how much so ever it seem in outward appearance to be the very truth, the true service of God, and true holiness. &c.
But why sayeth Paule that the Galathians turned backe againe to weake and beggerly rudiments or ceremonies, that is to say,1 to the law, wheras they neuer had the law: for they were Gentiles (notwithstanding he wrote these things to ye Iewes also, as afterwardes we wil declare): or why speaketh he not rather after this maner? Once vvhen ye knevve not God, ye did seruice vnto them vvhich by nature vvere no gods: but now, seing ye know God, why turne ye back again, forsaking the true God, to worship Idols? Doth Paule take it to be all one thing, to fall from the promise to the law, frō faith to works: and to do seruice vnto Gods which by nature are no Gods? I answer: Whosoeuer is falne from the article of iustification, is ignorant of God & an Idolater. Therfore it is all one thing whether he afterwards turne againe to the law, or to the worshipping of Idols: it is all one, whether he be called a Monke, a Turke, a Iew or an Anabaptist. For whē this article is taken away, there remaineth nothing else but errour, hypocrisie, impietie and idolatry, how much so euer it seeme in outward appearance to be the very truth, the true seruice of God, and true holines. &c.