Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

¹Thus the Monk in the end of his life is more weak, more beggarly, more faithless and fearful then he was at the beginning when he first entered into his order. The reason is, because he would strengthen himself through weakness, and enrich him self through poverty. The law or mens traditions, or the Rule of his order should have healed him when he was sick, and enriched him when he was poor: but he is become more feeble & more poor than the Publicans and harlots. The Publicans and harlots have not an heap of good works to trust unto as the Monks have: but although they feel their sins never so much,² yet they can say with the Publican: O Lord be merciful to me a sinner. But contrariwise the Monk which hath spent all his time in weak & beggarly elements, is confirmed in this opinion:³ If thou keep thy rule thou shalt be saved, &c. With this false persuasion he is so deluded & bewitched, that he can not apprehend grace, no nor once remember grace. Thus, notwithstanding all the works which either he doth or hath done, be they never so many and so great, he thinketh that he hath never done enough, but hath still an eye to moe works, and so by heaping up of works he goeth about to appease the wrath of God and to justify him self, until he be driven to utter desperation.⁴ Wherefore, whosoever falleth from Faith, and followeth the law, is like to Aesop's dog, which forgoeth the flesh, and snatcheth at the shadow. Wherefore it is impossible that such as seek righteousness & salvation by the law (whereunto men are naturally inclined) should ever find quietness and peace of conscience: yea they do nothing else but heap laws upon laws, whereby they torment both themselves and others, and afflict mens consciences so miserably, that through extreme anguish of heart many die before their time. For one law always bringeth forth ten moe, and so they increase without number and ⟨p. 193⟩without end.

¹Thus the Monke in the ende of his life is more weake, more beggerly, more faithles and fearfull then he was at the beginning when he first entred into his order. The reason is, because he would strengthen himselfe through weaknes, and enrich him selfe through pouertie. The law or mens traditions, or the Rule of his order should haue healed him when he was sicke, and enriched him when he was poore: but he is become more feeble & more poore thē the Publicanes and harlots. The Publicanes and harlots haue not an heape of good works to trust vnto as the Monks haue: but although they feele theyr sinnes neuer so much,