A06492:1252
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. 1. Stand fast therefore in that liberty wherein Christ hath made us free.
Verse. 1. Stand fast therefore in that libertie vvherein Christe hath made vs free.
That is to say: Be ye steadfast. So Peter sayeth: Be sober and watch, for your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about, 1seeking whom he may devour, whom resist, being steadfast in the Faith. Be ye not careless (saith he) but steadfast and constant. Lie not down and sleep, but stand up. As if he would say: It standeth you in hand to be watchful and constant,2 that ye may keep and hold fast that liberty wherein Christ hath made you free. They that are secure and negligent can not keep this liberty. For Satan most deadly hateth the light of the Gospel, that is to say, the doctrine of grace, liberty, consolation and life.3 Therefore when he seeth that it beginneth once to appear, forthwith he fighteth against it with all might and main, stirring up storms and tempests to hinder the course thereof, and utterly to overthrow it. Wherefore Paul warneth the Faithful not to sleep, not to be negligent: but constantly and valiantly to resist Satan, that he spoil them not of that liberty which Christ hath purchased for them.
That is to say: Be ye stedfast. So Peter sayeth: Be sober and vvatch, for your aduersarie the Deuill as a roaring Lion vvalketh about, 1seeking vvhom he may deuoure, vvhom resist, being stedfast in the Faith. Be ye not carelesse (sayth he) but stedfast and constant. Lie not downe and sleepe, but stand vp. As if he would say: It standeth you in hand to be watchfull and constant,2