A06492:1163
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. 20. And I would I were with you now, that I might change my voice. &c.
Verse. 20. And I vvould I vvere vvith you novv, that I might chaūge my voice. &c.
These are the true cares of an Apostle. It is a common saying,1 that a letter is a dead messenger: for it can give no more then it hath. And no Epistle or letter is written so exactly wherein there is not somewhat lacking. For the circumstances are divers: there is a diversity of times, places, persons, manners and affections: all which no Epistle can express: Therefore it moveth the reader diversly, making him now sad, now merry, as he him self is disposed. But if any thing be spoken sharply or out of time, the lively voice of a man ⟨image 211⟩may expound, mitigate, or correct the same. Therefore the Apostle wisheth that he were with them, to the end he might temper and change his voice, as he should see it needful by the qualities of their affections. As, if he should see any of them very much troubled he might so temper his words, that they should not be oppressed thereby, with more heaviness: Contrariwise if he should see others high minded, he might sharply reprehend them; lest they should be too secure and careless, and so at length become contemners of God.
These are the true cares of an Apostle. It is a common saying,1 that a letter is a dead messenger: for it can geue no more then it hath. And no Epistle or letter is wrytten so exactly wherein there is not somewhat lacking. For the circumstances are diuers: there is a diuersitie of times, places, persons, manners and affections: all which no Epistle can expresse: Therefore it moueth the reader diuersly, making him now sadde, now merry, as he him selfe is disposed. But if any thing be spoken sharpely or out of time, ye liuely voyce of a man