A06492:1228
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.
Christ himself when he foresaw in spirit the great troubles which should follow his preaching, comforted himself after this manner: I came (saith he) to send fire upon the earth, 1and what vvil I but that it be kindled? In like manner we see at this day that great troubles follow the preaching of the Gospel through the persecution & blasphemy of our adversaries and the ingratitude of the world. This matter so grieveth us that oftentimes after the flesh and after the judgement of reason, we think it had been better that the doctrine of the Gospel had not been published, then that after the preaching thereof the public peace should be so troubled? But according to the spirit we say boldly with Christ: I came to send fire upon the earth, and what will I but that it should now be kindled? Now, after that this fire is kindled, there follow forthwith great commotions. For it is not a King or an Emperor that is thus provoked: but the God of this world,2 which is a most mighty spirit, and the Lord of the whole world. This weak word preaching Christ crucified, setteth upon this mighty and terrible adversary.* Behemoth feeling the divine power of this word, stirreth up all his members, shaketh his tail, and maketh the depth of the sea to boil like a pot. Job. 41. Hereof come all these tumults,4 all these furious and cruel rages of the world.
Christe himselfe when he foresaw in spirite the great troubles which should folow his preaching, cōforted himselfe after this maner: I came (sayth he) to send fire vpon the earth, 1and vvhat vvil I but that it be kindled? In like maner we see at this day that great troubles folowe the preaching of the Gospell through the persecution & blasphemie of our aduersaries and the ingratitude of the world. This matter so greueth vs that oftentimes after the flesh and after the iudgement of reason, we thinke it had bene better that the doctrine of the Gospell had not bene published, then that after ye preaching therof the publike peace should be so troubled? But according to the spirite we say boldly with Christe: I came to send fire vpon the earth, and what will I but that it should now be kindled? Now, after that this fire is kindled, ther folow forthwith great commotions. For it is not a King or an Emperour that is thus prouoked: but the God of this world,