Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Mark here diligently,¹ that every teacher of works and of the righteousness of the law, is a troubler of the Church, and of the consciences of men. And who would ever have believed that the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Monks, and that whole Synagogue of Satan, specially the Founders of those holy religious orders (of which number nevertheless God might save some by miracle) were troublers of consciences? Yea verily they be yet far worse then were those false Apostles. For the false Apostles taught, that besides faith in Christ, the works of the law of God were also necessary to salvation.² But the Papists omitting Faith, have taught mens traditions and works not commanded of God, but devised by themselves without and against the word of God: and these have they not only made equal with the word of God, but also exalted them far above it. But the more holy that the heretics seem to be in outward show, so much the more mischief they do. For if the false Apostles had not ben endued with notable gifts, with great authority, and a show of holiness, and had not vaunted themselves to be Christs ministers, the Apostles disciples, and sincere preachers of the gospel: they could not so easily have defaced Pauls authority, and led the Galatians out of the way.

Marke here diligently,¹ that euery teacher of workes and of the righteousnes of the law, is a troubler of the Church, and of the consciences of men. And who would euer haue beleeued that the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Monkes, and that whole Sinagoge of Satan, specially the Founders of those holy religious orders (of which number neuertheles God might saue some by miracle) were troublers of consciences? Yea verely they be yet farre worse then were those false Apostles. For the false Apostles taught, that besides faith in Christ, the workes of the law of God were also necessary to saluation.² But the Papistes omitting Faith, haue taught mens traditions and workes not commaunded of God, but deuised by themselues without and against the worde of God: and these haue they not only made equall with the word of God, but also exalted them farre aboue it. But the more holy that the heretikes seeme to be in outward shew, so much the more mischeefe they doe. For if the false Apostles had not ben endued with notable giftes, with great authoritie, and a shewe of holines, and had not vaunted themselues to be Christes ministers, the Apostles disciples, and sincere preachers of the gospel: they could not so easily haue defaced Paules authoritie, and led the Galathians out of the way.