Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

I My self can scarcely believe that I was so plentiful in words when I did publicly expound this Epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians, as this book showeth me to have been. Notwithstanding, I perceive all the cogitations which I find in this treatise by so great diligence of the brethren gathered together, to be mine: so that I must needs confess either all, or perhaps more, to have been uttered by me in this public treatise. For in my heart this one article reigneth, even the faith of Christ. From whom, by whom, and unto whom all my divine studies day and night have recourse to and fro continually. And yet I perceive that I could not reach any thing near unto the height, breadth, and depth of such high and inestimable wisdom: only certain bare and poor beginnings, & as it were fragments do appear. Wherefore I am ashamed that my so barren and simple Commentaries should be set forth upon so worthy an Apostle, and elect vessel of God. But when I consider again the infinite and horrible abuses and abominations which always have raged in the Church of God, and yet at this day cease not to rage against this only and grounded rock, which we hold to be the article of our justification, (that is to say, how, not by our selves, neither by our works, which are less then our selves, but by an other help, even the son of God Jesus Christ, we are redeemed from sin, death, the devil, and made partakers of eternal life) I am compelled to cast of all shame, & to be bold above measure.

I My selfe can scarcely beleeue that I was so plentifull in wordes when I did publikely expounde this Epistle of S. Paule to the Galathians, as this booke sheweth me to haue bene. Notwithstanding, I perceaue all the cogitations which I finde in this treatise by so great diligence of the brethren gathered together, to be mine: so yt I must needes confesse either all, or perhaps more, to haue bene vttered by me in this publike treatise. For in my heart this one article raigneth, euen the faith of Christ. From whom, by whom, and vnto whom all my diuine studies day and night haue recourse to and froe continually. And yet I perceaue that I coulde not reache any thing neare vnto the heighte, bredth, and depth of suche highe and inestimable wisedome: onely certaine bare and poore beginnings, & as it were fragments doe appeare. Wherfore I am ashamed that my so barren and simple Commētaries should be set forthe vpon so worthy an Apostle, and elect vessel of God. But when I consider againe the infinite and horrible abuses and abominations which alwayes haue raged in the Churche of God, and yet at this day cease not to rage against this onely and grounded rocke, which we holde to be ye article of our iustification, (that is to say, howe, not by our selues, neither by our workes, which are lesse then oure selues, but by an other helpe, euen the sonne of God Iesus Christ, we are redemed from sinne, death, ye deuell, and made partakers of eternal life) I am compelled to cast of all shame, & to be bolde aboue measure.