A06492:1355
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.
Hereby it may appear how great a matter Paul made of a little leaven, which for the same durst curse the false apostles, who in outward appearance were men of great authority and holiness. Let not us therefore make little account of the leaven of doctrine: For although it be never so little, yet if it be neglected, it will be the cause that by little and little the truth and our salvation shall be lost, and God himself be denied. For when the word is corrupted, and God denied and blasphemed (which must needs follow if the word be corrupted) there remaineth no hope of salvation. But for our parts, if we be cursed, railed upon and slain, there is yet one that can raise us up again, and deliver us from the curse, death and hell.
Hereby it may appeare how great a matter Paule made of a litle leauen, which for the same durst curse the false apostles, who in outward appearance were men of great authoritie and holines. Let not vs therefore make litle account of the leauen of doctrine: For although it be neuer so litle, yet if it be neglected, it will be the cause that by litle and litle the truth and our saluation shall be lost, and God himselfe be denied. For when the word is corrupted, and God denied and blasphemed (which must needes folow if the word be corrupted) there remaineth no hope of saluation. But for our partes, if we be cursed, railed vppon and slaine, there is yet one that can raise vs vppe againe, and deliuer vs from the curse, death and hell.
Wherefore let us learn to advance and extol the Majesty & authority of Gods word.1 For it is no small trifle (as brainsick heads surmise at this day): but every title thereof is greater then heaven and earth. Wherefore in this respect we have no regard of Christian charity or concord, but we sit as it were on the judgement seat, that is to say: we curse and condemn all men, which in the least point deface or corrupt the Majesty of Gods word: For a little leaven maketh sower the whole lump. But if they leave us Gods word entire and sound, we are not only ready to keep charity and peace with them: but also we offer our selves to be their servants, and to do for them what so ever we are able: If not, let them perish and be cast down into hell: and not only they, but even the whole world also: so that God and his pure word do remain. For as long as he remaineth, life, salvation, and the faithful shall also remain.