Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

This the blind Sophisters do not understand, and therefore they dream that Faith justifieth not except it do the works of charity. By this means Faith which believeth in Christ becometh unprofitable and of none effect: for the virtue of justifying is taken from it except it be furnished with charity. But let us now set apart the law and charity until an other time, & let us rest only upon the point of this present matter: which is this,¹ that Jesus Christ the son of God died upon the cross, did bear in his body my sins, the law, death, the Devil and hell. These invincible enemies and tyrants do oppress, vex, and trouble me, and therefore I am careful how I may be delivered out of their hands, justified and saved. Here I find neither law, work nor charity which is able to deliver me from their tyranny. There is none but the Lord Jesus only and alone, which taketh away the law, killeth and destroyeth my death in his body, and by this means spoileth hell, judgeth, and crucifieth the Devil, and throweth him down into hell. To be brief, all the enemies which did before torment and oppress me, Christ Jesus hath brought to naught: Hath spoiled them, and made a show of them openly, ²triumphing by him self over them, in such sort that they can now rule and reign no more over me, but are constrained to obey me.

This the blinde Sophisters doe not vnderstand, and therefore they dreame that Faith iustifieth not except it doe the workes of charitie. By this meanes Faith which beleueth in Christ becometh vnprofitable and of none effect: for the vertue of iustifying is taken from it except it be furnished with charitie. But let vs nowe set aparte the lawe and charitie vntil an other time, & let vs rest onely vpon the poynt of this present matter: which is this,¹ that Iesus Christ the sonne of God died vpon the crosse, did beare in his body my sinnes, the lawe, death, the Deuill and hell. These inuincible enemies and tyrannes doe oppresse, vexe, and trouble me, and therefore I am carefull howe I may be deliuered out of their handes, iustified and saued. Here I finde neither lawe, worke nor charitie which is able to deliuer me from their tyrannie. There is none but the Lord Iesus onely and alone, which taketh away the lawe, killeth and destroyeth my death in his body, and by this meanes spoyleth hell, iudgeth, and crucifieth the Deuill, and throweth him downe into hell. To be briefe, all the enemies which did before torment and oppresse me, Christ Iesus hath brought to naught: Hath spoyled them, and made a shevv of them openly,