A06492:1098
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.
Now, who would have thought that the Galatians,1 which had learned so sound and so pure a doctrine of such an excellent Apostle and teacher, could be so suddenly led away from the same, and utterly perverted by the false Apostles? It is not without cause that I repeat this so often: that to fall away from the truth of the Gospel is an easy matter. The reason is, because men do not sufficiently consider, no not the very faithful, what an excellent and a precious treasure the true knowledge of Christ is. Therefore they do not labour so diligently & so carefully as they should do, to obtain & to retain the same. Moreover, the greater part of those that hear the word, are exercised with no cross or affliction: they wrestle not against sin, death & the Devil, but live in security without any conflict. Such men,2 because they are not proved and tried with tentations, and therefore are not armed with the word of God against the subtleties of the Devil, never feel the use and power of the word. In deed whilst they are among faithful ministers and preachers, they can follow their words & say as they say, persuading themselves that they perfectly understand the matter of justification. But when they are gone,3 & wolves in sheep's clothing are come in their place, it happeneth unto them as it did to the Galatians: that is to say, they are suddenly seduced & easily turned back to weak and beggarly rudiments.
Now, who would haue thought that the Galathians,1 which had learned so sound and so pure a doctrine of such an excellent Apostle and teacher, could be so suddenly ledde away from the same, and vtterly peruerted by the false Apostles? It is not wtout cause that I repete this so often: that to fall away from the truth of the Gospel is an easie matter. The reason is, because men doe not sufficiently consider, no not the very faithfull, what an excellent and a precious treasure the true knowledge of Christ is. Therefore they doe not labour so diligently & so carefully as they should doe, to obtaine & to retaine the same. Moreouer, the greater part of those that heare the word, are exercised with no crosse or affliction: they wrastle not against sinne, death & the Deuill, but liue in securitie without any conflict. Such men,