A06492:1425
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.
Wherefore let not them which feel the lust of the flesh, despair of their salvation. Let them feel it and all the force thereof, so that they consent not to it. Let the passions of lust, wrath and such other vices shake them, so that they do not overthrow them. Let sin assail them, so that they do not accomplish it. Yea the more godly a man is, the more doth he feel that battle. And hereof come those lamentable complaints of the faithful in the Psalms and in the whole Scripture. Of this battle the Hermits, the Monks and the Schoolmen, and all that seek righteousness and salvation by works, know nothing at all.
Wherfore let not them which feele the lust of the flesh, despaire of their saluation. Lette them feele it and all the force thereof, so that they consent not to it. Lette the passions of lust, wrath and such other vices shake them, so that they doe not ouerthrow them. Let sinne assaile them, so that they doe not accōplish it. Yea the more godly a man is, the more doth he feele that battaile. And hereof come those lamentable complaintes of the faithfull in the Psalmes and in the whole Scripture. Of this battaile the Heremites, the Monkes and the Schoolemen, and all that seeke righteousnes and saluation by workes, know nothing at all.
But here may some man say: that it is a dangerous matter to teach that a man is not condemned, if by and by he overcome not the motions and passions of the flesh which he feeleth. For when this doctrine is taught amongst the common people, it maketh them careless, negligent and slothful.1 This is it which I said a little before, that if we teach Faith, then carnal men neglect and reject works: If works be required, then is Faith and consolation of conscience lost. Here no man can be compelled, neither can there be any certain rule prescribed. But let every man diligently try him self to ⟨image 257⟩what passion of the flesh he is most subject, and when he findeth that, let him not be careless, nor flatter him self: but let him watch and wrestle in spirit against it, that if he can not altogether bridle it, yet at the least he do not fulfil the lust thereof.