Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

¹These are marvellous words and unknown kinds of speech, which mans reason can in no wise understand. And although they be but few, yet are they uttered with great zeal and vehemency of spirit, and as it were in great displeasure. As if he should say: why do ye boast so much of the law? whereof in this case I will be ignorant. But if ye will needs have the law, I also have the law. Wherefore, as though he were moved through indignation of the holy Ghost,² he calleth grace it self the law, giving a new name to the effect and working of grace, in contempt of the law of Moses and the false Apostles, which contended that the law was necessary to justification:³ and so he setteth the law against the law. And this is a sweet kind of speech and full of consolation, when in the scriptures, and specially in Paul, the law is set against the law, sin against sin, death against death, captivity against captivity, hell against hell, the altar against the altar, the lamb against the lamb, the passover against the passover.

¹These are maruelous words and vnknowne kindes of speach, which mans reason can in no wise vnderstand. And although they be but few, yet are they vttered with greate zeale and vehemencie of spirite, and as it were in greate displeasure. As if he should say: why doe ye boast so much of the law? wherof in this case I will be ignoraunt. But if ye will needes haue the law, I also haue the law. Wherfore, as though he were moued through indignation of the holy Ghost,