Paul then did not reject circumcision as a damnable thing, neither did he by word or deed enforce the Jews to forsake it. For in the .1. Cor. 7. he saith: If any man be called being circumcised, 1let him not add uncircumcision. But he rejected circumcision as a thing not necessary to righteousness, seeing the fathers themselves were not justified thereby, but it was unto them as a sign only or a seal of righteousness, whereby they testified and exercised their faith. Notwithstanding the believing Jews which were yet weak, & bare a zeal to the law, hearing that circumcision was not necessary to righteousness, could understand this no otherwise, but that it was altogether unprofitable and damnable. And this fond opinion of the weak Jews that false apostles did increase, to the end that the hearts of the people being stirred up against Paul, by this occasion, they might throughly discredit his doctrine.2 So we at this day do not reject fasting & other good exercises as damnable things: but we teach that by these exercises we do not obtain remission of sins. When the people hear this, by & by they judge us to speak against good works. The Papists also do confirm & increase this opinion in their preachings & writings. But they lie, & do us great wrong. For many years past there hath ben none that hath more truly and faithfully taught concerning good works, then we do at this day.
Paule then did not reiect circumcision as a damnable thing, neither did he by word or deede enforce the Iewes to forsake it. For in the .1. Cor. 7. he sayth: If any man be called being circumcised, 1let him not adde vncircumcision. But he reiected circumcision as a thing not necessary to righteousnes, seing the fathers themselues were not iustified therby, but it was vnto thē as a signe onely or a seale of righteousnes, wherby they testified and exercised their faith. Notwithstāding the beleuing Iewes which were yet weake, & bare a zeale to the law, hearing that circumcision was not necessary to righteousnes, could vnderstand this no otherwise, but yt it was altogither vnprofitable and damnable. And this fond opiniō of the weake Iewes yt false apostles did encrease, to the end that the hearts of the people being stirred vp against Paule, by this occasiō, they might throughly discredite his doctrine.2 So we at this day do not reiect fasting & other good exercises as dānable things: but we teach yt by these exercises we do not obtaine remission of sinnes. When the people heare this, by & by they iudge vs to speake against good workes. The Papists also do confirme & encrease this opinion in their preachings & wrytings. But they lie, & doe vs great wrong. For many yeres past there hath ben none that hath more truely and faithfully taught concerning good workes, then we doe at this day.
- 1How Paul refused circumcision. 1. Cor. 7.18.Hovv Paule refused circumcision. 1. Cor. 7.18.
- 2How we teach fasting and other Christian exercises now a days.Hovv vve teach fasting and other Christian exercises novv a dayes.
