Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

¹Before time, when nothing else was taught but errors and wicked doctrine, they had such plenty of all things, that of Peters patrimony (which denied that he had either silver or gold), and of spiritual goods (as they called them) the Pope was become an Emperor, the Cardinals and Bishops were made kings and Princes of the world. But now since the Gospel hath been preached and published, the professors thereof be as rich as sometime Christ and his Apostles were. We find then by experience, how well this commandment of nourishing and maintaining the pastors and ministers of Gods word is observed, which Paul here and in other places so diligently repeateth and beateth into the heads of his hearers. There is now no City, which is known unto us, that nourisheth and maintaineth her pastors and preachers: but they are all entertained with those goods which were given, not unto Christ, to whom no man giveth any thing (for when he was borne he was laid in a manger in stead of a bed, because there was no room for him in the Inn: afterwards being conversant among men, he had not whereon to lay his head: and briefly being spoiled of his garments and hanging naked on the cross between two thieves,² he died most miserably): but to the Pope for the maintenance of his abominations,³ and because he oppressing the Gospel, taught the doctrines and traditions of men and set up idolatry.

¹Before time, when nothing else was taught but errours and wicked doctrine, they had such plentie of all things, that of Peters patrimonie (which denied that he had either siluer or gold), and of spirituall goods (as they called them) the Pope was become an Emperour, the Cardinals and Bishops were made kings and Princes of the world. But now since the Gospell hath bene preached and published, the professors therof be as rich as sometime Christe and his Apostles were. We finde then by experience, how well this commaundement of nourishing and maintaining the pastours and ministers of Gods word is obserued, which Paule here and in other places so diligently repeateth and beateth into ye heads of his hearers. There is now no City, which is knowen vnto vs, that nourisheth and maintaineth her pastours and preachers: but they are all entertained with those goodes which were geuen, not vnto Christ, to whom no man geueth any thing (for whē he was borne he was laid in a maunger in steede of a bedde, because there was no roome for him in the Inne: afterwards being conuersant amōg men, he had not whereon to lay his head: and briefly being spoyled of his garmentes and hanging naked on the crosse betwene two theeues,