A06492:1447
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.
So the ministers of the word, the Magistrates of common weals, parents, children, masters, servants, &c. are true Saints, if first and before all things they assure themselves that Christ is their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption: Secondly, if every one do his duty in his vocation according to the rule of Gods word, and obey not the flesh, but repress the lusts and desires thereof by the spirit. Now, where as all be not of like strength to resist temptations, but many infirmities and offences are seen in the most part of men: this nothing hindereth their holiness, so that their sins proceed not of an obstinate wilfulness, but only of frailty and infirmity. For (as I have said before) the godly do feel the desires and lusts of the flesh, but they resist them, to the end that they accomplish them not. Also if they at any time unadvisedly fall into sin, yet notwithstanding they obtain forgiveness thereof, if by Faith in Christ they be raised up again: who would not that we should drive away, but seek out and bring whom the straying and lost sheep,1 &c. Therefore God forbid that I should straight way judge those which are weak in Faith and manners, to be profane or unholy, if I see that they love & reverence the word of God, to come to the supper of the Lord, &c. For these God hath received, & counteth them righteous thorough the remission of sins: to him they stand or fall. &c.
So the ministers of the worde, the Magistrates of common weales, parents, children, maisters, seruauntes, &c. are true Saincts, if first and before all things they assure themselues that Christ is their wisedom, righteousnes, sanctification and redemption: Secondly, if euery one doe his duetie in his vocation according to the rule of Gods word, and obey not the flesh, but represse the lustes and desires thereof by the spirite. Now, where as all be not of like strength to resist temptatiōs, but many infirmities and offences are seene in the most part of men: this nothing hindereth their holines, so that their sinnes procede not of an obstinate wilfulnes, but onely of frailtie and infirmitie. For (as I haue sayd before) the godly doe feele the desires and lusts of the flesh, but they resist them, to the ende that they accomplish them not. Also if they at any time vnaduisedly fall into sinne, yet notwithstāding they obtaine forgeuenes thereof, if by Faith in Christe they be raised vppe againe: who would not that we should driue away, but seeke out and bring whom the straying and lost sheepe,