[Address of D. Martin Luther to his listeners] *)
We have undertaken to interpret anew in the name of the Lord the epistle of Paul to the Galatians, not because we want to present something new or unknown, since by the grace of God the whole of Paul is now well known to you and has become common knowledge (vulgatus), but because, as I often remind you, this is a very great and obvious danger, that the devil may take away the pure doctrine of faith and again introduce doctrines of works and the statutes of men.
2 Therefore, it is of great benefit that this doctrine of faith be constantly read and heard in public. And however well one may know it and learn it thoroughly, the devil, our adversary, the
The evil spirit that always goes about and seeks to devour us is not dead, just as our flesh is still alive, and finally all temptations come at us from all sides and oppress us. Therefore, this doctrine can never be sufficiently acted upon and imprinted. When it lies and perishes, the whole knowledge of truth lies and perishes at the same time. But when it blossoms, all good things blossom, religion, right worship, the glory of God, the certain knowledge of all states and things. So that we are not completely inactive, let us begin again where we left off, according to the words [Sir. 18, 6. according to the Vulg.]: "When a man has left off, let him begin again."