Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Therefore it is most true, that they which do the law, do it not: For the more they go about to fulfil the law, the more they transgress it. Even so we say and judge of mens traditions. The more a man striveth to pacify his conscience thereby, the more he troubleth and tormenteth it. When I was a Monk, I endeavoured as much as was possible, to live after the strait rule of mine Order. I was wont to shrive my self with great devotion, and to reckon up all my sins (yet being always very contrite before): and I returned to confession very often, and throughly performed the penance that was enjoined unto me: Yet for all this my conscience could never be fully certified, but was always in doubt, and said: This or that thou hast not done rightly: thou wast not contrite and sorrowful enough: this sin thou diddest omit in thy confession, &c. Therefore the more I went about to help my weak, wavering and afflicted conscience by mens traditions, the more weak and doubtful, and the more afflicted I was. And thus, the more I observed mens traditions, the more I transgressed them, and in seeking after righteousness by mine Order, I could never attain unto it. For it is impossible (as Paul sayeth) that the conscience should be pacified by the works of the law, and much ⟨image 232⟩less by mens traditions, without the promise and glad tidings concerning Christ.

Therefore it is most true, that they which doe the lawe, doe it not: For the more they goe about to fulfill the lawe, the more they transgresse it. Euen so we say and iudge of mens traditions. The more a man striueth to pacifie his conscience therby, the more he troubleth and tormenteth it. When I was a Monke, I endeuored as much as was possible, to liue after the streit rule of mine Order. I was wont to shriue my selfe with great deuotion, and to recken vp all my sinnes (yet being alwayes very contrite before): and I returned to confession very often, and throughly performed the penaunce that was enioyned vnto me: Yet for all this my conscience could neuer be fully certified, but was alwayes in doubt, and sayd: This or that thou hast not done rightly: thou wast not contrite and sorrowfull inough: this sinne thou diddest omitte in thy confession, &c. Therefore the more I went about to helpe my weake, wauering and afflicted conscience by mens traditiōs, the more weake and doubtfull, and the more afflicted I was. And thus, the more I obserued mens traditions, the more I transgressed them, and in seeking after righteousnes by mine Order, I could neuer attaine vnto it. For it is impossible (as Paule sayeth) that the conscience should be pacified by the workes of the lawe, and much