A06492:1261
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. And be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Verse. 1. And be not entangled againe vvith the yoke of bondage.
Paul hath spoken most effectually and profoundly as concerning grace and Christian liberty, and with high and mighty words hath exhorted the Galatians to continue in the same: for it is easily lost. ⟨p. 224⟩Therefore he biddeth them stand fast, lest that through negligence or security they fall back again from grace and Faith, to the law and works. Now, because reason judgeth that there can be no danger in preferring the righteousness of the law before the righteousness of Faith: therefore with a certain indignation he inveigheth against the law, and with great contempt he calleth it a yoke, yea a yoke of bondage.1 So Peter calleth it also. Acts. 15: Why tempt ye God to lay a yoke on the disciples necks, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? And thus he turneth all things to the contrary. For the false Apostles did abase the promise, and magnified the law and the works thereof in this wise:2 If ye will be made free (say they) from sin and death and obtain righteousness and life, fulfil the law, be circumcised, observe days, months, times and years, offer sacrifices, and do such other like things: then shall this obedience of the law justify and save you. But Paul saith the contrary. They (saith he) that teach the law after this sort, do not set mens consciences at liberty, but snare and entangle them with a yoke, yea and that with a yoke of bondage.