A06492:1129
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, this infirmity of the flesh in the Godly doth wonderfully offend reason. Therefore Paul so highly commendeth the Galatians, for that they were not offended with this great infirmity, and with this vile and contemptible form of the cross which they saw in him: but received him as an angel, yea as Christ him self. And Christ also armeth the Faithful against this base and contemptible form of the cross in which he appeared,1 when he sayeth: Blessed is he that is not offended in me. And surely it is a great matter that they which believe in him do acknowledge him to be the Lord of all, and Saviour of the world: whom notwithstanding they hear to have been the most miserable of all others,2 the last of men, yea a very scorn of men, and a contempt of the world: briefly, despised and hated of all men, and condemned to the death of the cross, and even of his own people, and especially of those that were esteemed the best, the wisest, and holiest of all other. This is a great matter (I say), not to be moved with these great offences, and to be able, not only to contemn them, but also to esteem this pore Christ so spitefully scorned, spit upon, whipped and crucified, more then the riches of all the richest, the strength of all the strongest, the wisdom of all the wisest, the holiness of all the holiest men, with all the crowns & sceptres of all the Kings and Princes of the whole world. They therefore are worthily called blessed of Christ, which are not offended in him.
Now, this infirmitie of the flesh in the Godly doth wonderfully offend reason. Therfore Paule so highly commendeth the Galathians, for that they were not offended with this great infirmitie, and wt this vile and contemptible forme of the crosse which they saw in him: but receaued him as an angell, yea as Christ him selfe. And Christ also armeth the Faithfull against this base and contemptible forme of the crosse in which he appeared,1 when he sayeth: Blessed is he that is not offended in me. And surely it is a great matter that they which beleue in him doe acknowledge him to be the Lord of all, and Sauiour of the world: whom notwithstanding they heare to haue bene the most miserable of all others,2