A06492:1424
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.
The faithful therefore receive great consolation by this doctrine of Paul, in that they know them selves to have part of the ⟨p. 252⟩flesh and part of the spirit,1 but yet so notwithstanding that the spirit ruleth and the flesh is subdued and kept under awe, that righteousness reigneth and sin serveth. He that knoweth not this doctrine, and thinketh that the faithful ought to be without all fault, and yet seeth the contrary in him self, must needs at the length be swallowed up by the spirit of heaviness, and fall into desperation. But who so knoweth this doctrine well and useth it rightly, to him the things that are evil turn unto good.2 For when the flesh provoketh him to sin, by occasion thereof he is stirred up and enforced to seek forgiveness of sins by Christ, and to embrace the righteousness of Faith, which else he would not so greatly esteem, nor seek for the same with so great desire. Therefore it profiteth us very much to feel sometimes the wickedness of our nature and corruption of our flesh, that yet by this means we may be waked and stirred up to Faith, and to call upon Christ.3 And by this occasion a Christian becometh a mighty workman and a wonderful creator, which of heaviness can make joy, of terror comfort, of sin righteousness, and of death life, when he by this means repressing and bridling the flesh, maketh it subject to the spirit.
The faithfull therefore receaue great consolation by this doctrine of Paule, in that they know them selues to haue part of the ⟨p. 252⟩flesh and part of the spirite,1 but yet so notwithstanding that the spirite ruleth and the flesh is subdued and kept vnder awe, that righteousnes raigneth and sinne serueth. He that knoweth not this doctrine, and thinketh that the faithfull ought to be without all fault, and yet seeth the contrary in him selfe, must needes at the length be swalowed vppe by the spirite of heauines, and fall into desperation. But who so knoweth this doctrine well and vseth it rightly, to him the things that are euil turne vnto good.