Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

To be short, Faith is conceived by teaching: for thereby the mind is instructed what the truth is. Hope is conceived by exhortation: for by exhortation hope is stirred up in afflictions, which con firmeth him that is already justified by Faith, that he be not overcome by adversities, but that he may be able more strongly to resist them. Notwithstanding if the spark of Faith should not give light to the will, it could not be persuaded to lay hold upon hope. We have Faith then, whereby we are taught, understand, and know the heavenly wisdom, apprehend Christ and continue in his grace. But as soon as we lay hold upon Christ by Faith and confess him, forthwith our enemies, ⟨p. 232⟩the world, the flesh and the Devil rise up against us,¹ hating and persecuting us most cruelly both in body and spirit. Wherefore we thus believing and justified by Faith in spirit, do wait for the hope of our righteousness: And we wait through patience: for we see & feel the flat contrary. For the world with his Prince the Devil, assaileth us mightily both within and without. Moreover, sin yet still remaineth in us, which driveth us into heaviness. Notwithstanding we give not over for all this, but raise up our mind strongly through Faith, which lighteneth, teacheth & guideth the same. And thus we abide firm and constant, and overcome all adversities through him which hath loved us, until our righteousness which we believe and wait for, be revealed. By Faith therefore we began, by hope we continue, and by revelation we shall obtain the whole. In the mean time whilst we live here, because we believe, we teach the word, and publish the knowledge of Christ unto others. Thus doing we suffer persecution (according to this text: I believed and therefore did I speak: ²and I was fore troubled) with patience, being strengthened and encouraged through hope: whereunto the Scripture exhorteth us with most sweet and comfortable promises taught and revealed unto us by Faith. And thus doth hope spring up & increase in us, Rō. 15. That through patience and comfort of the Scripture we may have hope.³

To be short, Faith is conceaued by teaching: for thereby the minde is instructed what the truthe is. Hope is conceaued by exhortation: for by exhortation hope is stirred vppe in afflictions, which cō firmeth him that is alredy iustified by Faith, that he be not ouercome by aduersities, but that he may be able more strongly to resist them. Notwtstanding if the sparke of Faith should not geue light to ye will, it could not be perswaded to lay holde vpon hope. We haue Faith then, wherby we are taught, vnderstand, and know the heauenly wisedom, apprehende Christe and continue in his grace. But as soone as we lay hold vpon Christe by Faith and confesse him, forthwith our enemies,