A06492:1131
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.
Verse. 15. What was then your felicity?
Verse. 15. VVhat vvas then your felicitie?
As if he would say: How happy were ye counted: how much were ye then praised and commended? The like manner of speech we have in the song of the virgin Mary:1 All generations shall call me blessed: And these words: What was then your felicity? contain in them a certain vehemency. As if he would say: ye were not only blessed, but in all things most blessed & highly commended. Thus he goeth about to qualify & mitigate his bitter potion, that is to say, his sharp chiding, fearing lest the Galatians should be offended therewith: especially knowing that the false apostles would slander him and most spitefully interpret his words.2 For this is the quality and nature of these Vipers, that they will slander & maliciously pervert those words which proceed from a simple and sincere heart, and wrest them clean contrary to the true sense and meaning thereof. They are marvellous cunning workmen in this matter, far passing all the wit and eloquence of all the Rhetoricians in the world. For they are led with a wicked spirit, which so bewitcheth them, that they being inflamed with a devilish rage against the Faithful, can no otherwise do, but maliciously interpret and wickedly pervert their words and writings. Therefore they are like unto the spider, which sucketh venom out of sweet and pleasant flowers: and this proceedeth not of the flowers, but of their own venomous nature, which turneth that into poison which of it self is good and wholesome. Paul therefore by these mild and sweet words goeth about to prevent the false apostles, to the end they should have no occasion to slander and pervert his words after this manner: Paul handleth you very ungently, he calleth you foolish, bewitched, and disobedient to the truth: which is a sure token that he seeketh not your salvation, but accounteth you as damned and rejected from Christ.