Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Wherefore I say (as I have often times said) that there is no remedy against Sects or power to resist them, but this only article of Christian righteousness. If we lose this article, it is impossible for us to withstand any errors or Sects: As we may see at this day in the fanatical spirits the Anabaptists and such like: ⟨p. 83⟩who being fallen away from this article of justification, will never cease to fall, err, and seduce until they come to the fullness of all iniquity. There is no doubt, but they will raise up innumerable sects, and still devise new works. But what are all these things (though they have never so goodly a show of holiness) if ye compare them to the death and blood of the son of God, who gave himself for me. Consider well, I pray you, who this son of God is, how glorious he is, how mighty he is. What is heaven and earth in comparison of him? Let all the Papists and all the authors of sects, yea though the whole world take their part, be thrown down into hell, withal their righteousness, works, and merits, rather then the truth of the Gospel should be blemished, and the glory of Christ perish. What mean they they then, to brag so much of works and merits? If I being a wretched and a damned sinner could be redeemed by any other price, what needed the son of God to be given for me? But because there was no other price, either in heaven or in earth, but Christ the son of God, therefore it was most necessary that he should be delivered for me. Moreover this he did of inestimable love: For Paul saith, which loved me.

Wherefore I say (as I haue often times said) that there is no remedie against Sectes or power to resist them, but this onely article of Christian righteousnes. If we lose this article, it is impossible for vs to withstand any errours or Sectes: As we may see at this daye in the phanaticall spirites the Anabaptistes and such like: ⟨p. 83⟩who being fallen away from this article of iustification, will neuer cease to fall, erre, and seduce vntill they come to the fulnes of all iniquitie. There is no dout, but they will raise vp innumerable sectes, and still deuise new workes. But what are al these things (though they haue neuer so goodly a shew of holines) if ye compare them to the death and bloud of the sonne of God, vvho gaue himselfe for me. Consider well, I pray you, who this sonne of God is, how glorious he is, how mightie he is. What is heauen and earth in comparison of him? Let all the Papistes and all the authors of sectes, yea though the whole world take their part, be throwne downe into hell, withall their righteousnes, workes, and merits, rather then the truth of the Gospell should be blemished, and the glory of Christ perish. What meane they they then, to bragge so much of workes and merits? If I being a wretched and a damned sinner could be redemed by any other price, what needed the sonne of God to be geuen for me? But because there was no other price, either in heauen or in earth, but Christ the sonne of God, therefore it was most necessary yt he should be deliuered for me. Moreouer this he did of inestimable loue: For Paule sayth, vvhich loued me.