A06492:1522
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.
He that diligently wayeth the words of the Apostle, may plainly perceive that he speaketh not of errors and offences against doctrine,1 but of far lesser sins, into the which a man falleth not wilfully and of set purpose, but of infirmity. And hereof it cometh that he useth so gentle and fatherly words, not calling it error or sin, but a fault. Again, to the intent to diminish, & as it were to excuse the sin, and to remove the whole fault from man, he addeth: If any man be overtaken, that is to say, be beguiled of the Devil or of the flesh. Yea and this term or name of Man helpeth something also to diminish and qualify the matter. As if he should say: What is so proper unto man as to fall, to be deceived, & to err? So saith Moses in Le. They are wont to sin like men. 2Wherefore this is a sentence full of heavenly comfort: Which once in a terrible conflict delivered me from death. For as much then as the Saints in this life do not only live in the flesh,3 but now and then also through the enticement of the Devil, fulfil ⟨p. 267⟩the lusts of the flesh, that is to say, fall into impatience, envy, wrath, error, doubting, distrust and such like: for Satan always assaileth both, that is, as well the purity of doctrine,4 which he laboureth to take away by Sects and dissensions, as also the soundness of life, which he corrupteth with daily offences. Therefore Paul teacheth how such men that are fallen should be dealt withal, namely that they which are strong, should raise up & restore them again with the spirit of meekness.
He that diligently wayeth the words of the Apostle, may plainly perceaue that he speaketh not of errours and offences against doctrine,1 but of farre lesser sinnes, into the which a man falleth not wilfully and of set purpose, but of infirmitie. And hereof it cometh that he vseth so gentle and fatherly wordes, not calling it errour or sinne, but a fault. Againe, to the intent to diminish, & as it were to excuse the sinne, and to remoue the whole fault from man, he addeth: If any man be ouertaken, that is to say, be beguiled of the Deuill or of the flesh. Yea and this terme or name of Manne helpeth something also to diminish and qualifie the matter. As if he should say: What is so proper vnto man as to fall, to be deceaued, & to erre? So sayth Moises in Le. They are vvont to sinne like mē.