Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Wherefore, rejecting this foolish and wicked opinion concerning the name of Saints (which in the time of Popery and ignorance we thought to pertain only to the Saints which are in heaven, and in earth to the Hermits and Monks which did certain great and strange works): let us now learn by the holy Scripture that all they which faithfully believe in Christ are Saints. The world hath in great admiration the holiness of Benedict, Gregory, Bernard, ¹Francis and such like, because it heareth that they have done in outward appearance and in the judgement of the world, certain great and excellent works. Doubtless Hillary, Cyril, Athanasius, Ambrose, Augustine and others were Saints also, which lived not so strait and severe a life as they did, but were conversant amongst men, and did eat common meats, drunk wine, and used cleanly and comely apparel, so that in a manner there was no difference between them & other honest men as touching the common custom, and the use of things necessary for this life, and yet were they to be preferred far above the other. These men taught the doctrine and faith of Christ sincerely & purely, without any superstition: they resisted heretics, they purged the church from innumerable errors: their company and familiarity was comfortable to many, and specially to those which were afflicted and heavy hearted, whom they raised up and comforted by the word of God. For they did not withdraw them selves from the company of men, but they executed their offices even where most resort of people was. Contrariwise, the other not only taught many things contrary to the Faith, but also were themselves the authors & first inventors of many superstitions, errors, abominable ceremonies and wicked worshippings. Therefore except at the hour of death they laid hold of Christ, and reposed their whole trust in his death and victory, their strait and painful life availed them nothing at all.

Wherfore, reiecting this foolish and wicked opinion concerning the name of Saincts (which in the time of Poperie and ignorance we thought to pertaine onely to the Sainctes which are in heauen, and in earth to the Heremites and Monkes which did certaine great and straunge workes): let vs now learne by the holy Scripture that all they which faithfully beleue in Christ are Saincts. The world hath in great admiration the holines of Benedict, Gregorie, Bernard, ¹Fraunces and such like, because it heareth that they haue done in outward appearance and in the iudgement of the world, certaine great and excellent workes. Doutles Hyllarie, Cyrill, Athanasius, Ambrose, Augustine and others were Saincts also, which liued not so strait and seuere a life as they did, but were conuersant amongs men, and did eate common meates, drunke wine, and vsed clenly and comely apparell, so that in a maner there was no difference betwene them & other honest men as touching the common custome, and the vse of things necessary for this life, and yet were they to be preferred farre aboue the other. These men taught the doctrine and faith of Christe sincerely & purely, without any superstition: they resisted heretikes, they purged the church from innumerable errours: their company and familiaritie was comfortable to many, and specially to those which were afflicted and heauie harted, whom they raised vppe and comforted by the word of God. For they did not withdraw them selues from the company of men, but they executed their offices euen where most resort of people was. Contrariwise, the other not onely taught many things contrary to the Faith, but also were themselues the authors & first inuentours of many superstitions, errours, abhominable ceremonies and wicked worshippings. Therefore except at the houre of death they laid hold of Christe, and reposed their whole trust in his death and victorie, theyr strait and painfull life auailed them nothing at all.