Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

¹This was undoubtedly an horrible illusion of the devil, whereby he hath bewitched almost the whole world. And every man, the more holy he would seem to be, the more he is snared with this witchery, that is to say, with that pestilent persuasion of his own righteousness. And this was the cause that we could not know that Jesus Christ was our Mediator & Saviour: but we did think that he was a severe judge, ⟨p. 93⟩which should be pacified by our own works:² which was nothing else but most horribly to blaspheme Christ, and as Paul said before, to reject the grace of God, to make the death of Christ of none effect, and not only to kill him, but also most shamefully to crucify him again. And this is the right meaning of that which Christ allegeth out of Daniel: that abomination standeth in the holy place. Wherefore every monk and religious person, and every Justiciary seeking remission of sins and righteousness by his own works or by his afflictions, is a crucifier of Christ now reigning and living, although not in the proper person of Christ, yet in his own heart and in the hearts of others. And whosoever do enter into Monasteries to the end, that by the keeping of their rule and order they may be justified, do enter into the dens of thieves and such as crucify Christ again.

¹This was vndoutedly an horrible illusion of the deuill, wherby he hath bewitched almost the whole world. And euery man, the more holy he would seeme to be, the more he is snared with this witcherie, that is to say, with that pestilent perswasion of his owne righteousnes. And this was the cause that we could not know that Iesus Christ was our Mediatour & Sauiour: but we did thinke that he was a seuere iudge, ⟨p. 93⟩which should be pacified by our owne workes:² which was nothing else but most horribly to blaspheme Christ, and as Paule said before, to reiect the grace of God, to make the death of Christ of none effect, and not onely to kill him, but also most shamefully to crucifie him againe. And this is the right meaning of that which Christ alledgeth out of Daniell: that abomination standeth in the holy place. Wherefore euery monke and religious person, and euery Iusticiarie seeking remission of sinnes and righteousnes by his owne works or by his afflictions, is a crucifier of Christ nowe raigning and liuing, although not in the proper person of Christ, yet in his owne heart and in the hearts of others. And whosoeuer doe enter into Monasteries to the ende, that by the keping of their rule and order they may be iustified, doe enter into the dennes of theeues and such as crucifie Christ againe.