Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

This I say to the end that no man should think we reject or forbid ⟨p. 6⟩good works, as the Papists do most falsely slander us,¹ neither understanding what they themselves say, nor what we teach. They know nothing but the righteousness of the law, and yet they will judge of that doctrine which is far above the law: of which it is unpossible that the carnal man should be able to judge. Therefore they must needs be offended: for they can see no higher then the law. What so ever then is above the law, is to them a great offence. But we imagine, as it were two worlds: the one heavenly, and the other earthly. In these we place these two kinds of righteousness, being separate the one far from the other. The righteousness of the law is earthly and hath to do with earthly things, and by it we do good works. But as the earth bringeth not forth fruit except first it be watered and made fruitful from above: even so by the righteousness of the law in doing many things we do nothing, and in fulfilling of the law we fulfil it not, except first, without any merit or work of ours, we be made righteous by the Christian righteousness, which nothing pertaineth to the righteousness of the law or to the earthly and active righteousness. But this righteousness is heavenly: which (as is said) we have not of our selves,² but receive it from heaven: which we work not, but which by grace is wrought in us, and apprehended by faith: whereby we mount up above all laws and works. Wherefore like as we have borne (as S. Paul saith) the image of the earthly Adam: so let us bear the image of the heavenly, which is the new man in a new world, where is no law, no sin no remorse of conscience, no death, but perfect joy, righteousness, grace, peace, life, salvation and glory.

This I say to the end that no man should thinke we reiecte or forbid ⟨p. 6⟩good workes, as the Papistes doe most falsely sclaunder vs,¹ neither vnderstanding what they themselues say, nor what we teach. They knowe nothing but the righteousnes of the lawe, and yet they will iudge of that doctrine which is farre aboue the lawe: of which it is vnpossible that the carnall man should be able to iudge. Therefore they must needes be offended: for they can see no higher then the lawe. What so euer then is aboue the lawe, is to them a greate offence. But we imagine, as it were two worldes: the one heauenly, and the other earthly. In these we place these two kindes of righteousnes, being separate the one farre from the other. The righteousnes of the lawe is earthly and hathe to doe with earthly things, and by it we doe good workes. But as the earth bringeth not forthe frute except first it be watred and made frutefull from aboue: euen so by the righteousnes of the lawe in doing many thinges we doe nothing, and in fullfilling of the lawe we fulfill it not, except first, without any merite or worke of ours, we be made righteous by the Christian righteousnesse, which nothing pertaineth to the righteousnesse of the lawe or to the earthly and actiue righteousnesse. But this righteousnesse is heauenly: which (as is said) we haue not of our selues,