A06492:1504
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.
But when this poison creepeth into the Church or spiritual kingdom, it can not be expressed how hurtful it is. For there is no contention as touching learning, wit, beauty, riches, kingdoms, Empires and such like: but as touching salvation or damnation, eternal life or eternal death. Therefore Paul earnestly exhorteth the ministers of the word to fly this vice, saying: If we live in the spirit, &c. As if he should say: If it be true that we live in the spirit, let us also proceed and walk in the spirit. For where the spirit is, it reneweth men, and worketh in them new motions: that is to say, whereas they were before vainglorious, wrathful and envious, it maketh them now humble, gentle and patient. Such men seek not their own glory, but the glory of God:1 they do not provoke or envy one an other, but give place one to an other, & in giving honour prevent one an other. Contrariwise they that be desirous of glory & envy one an other, may boast that they have ⟨p. 264⟩the spirit and live after the spirit: but they deceive themselves, they follow the flesh and do the works thereof, and they have their judgement already, that they shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But when this poyson creepeth into the Church or spirituall kingdom, it can not be expressed how hurtfull it is. For there is no contention as touching learning, witte, beautie, riches, kingdoms, Empires and such like: but as touching saluation or damnation, eternall life or eternall death. Therfore Paul earnestly exhorteth the ministers of the word to flie this vice, saying: If vve liue in the spirit, &c. As if he should say: If it be true that we liue in the spirite, let vs also procede and walke in the spirit. For where the spirite is, it reneweth men, and worketh in them new motions: that is to say, wheras they were before vaineglorious, wrathfull and enuious, it maketh them now humble, gentle and patient. Such men seeke not their owne glory, but the glory of God:1 they doe not prouoke or enuie one an other, but geue place one to an other, & in geuing honour preuēt one an other. Contrariwise they yt be desirous of glory & enuie one an other, may bost yt they haue ⟨p. 264⟩