Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Yea,¹ the very Sophisters and popish Schoolmen are compelled to confess, and so they teach also, that a moral work outwardly done, if it be not done with a pure heart, a good will, and true intent, it is but hypocrisy. And hereof cometh the proverb among the Germans: Such a cowl covereth many a knave. For the vilest and the wickedst knave in the world may counterfeit the same works that a godly man worketh by faith. Judas did the same works that the other Apostles did. What fault was there in the works of Judas, seeing he did the self same works that the other Apostles did? Here mark what the Sophister answereth out of his moral Philosophy. Although he did the self same works (saith he) which the other Apostles did, notwithstanding, because the person was reprobate, & the judgement of reason perverse, therefore his works were hypocritical and not true, as were the works of the other Apostles, how like soever they seemed to be in outward show. Wherefore they them selves are constrained to grant that in politic and external matters works do not justify unless there be joined withal an upright heart, will, and judgement.² Howe much more are they compelled to confess the same in spiritual matters, where, before all things, there must be a knowledge of God and faith which may purify the heart? They walk therefore in works and in the righteousness of the law, as Judas did in the works of the Apostles: not understanding what they say or what they affirm. And although Paul saith plainly every where that the law justifieth not,³ but causeth wrath, uttereth sin, revealeth the indignation and judgement of God, and threateneth everlasting death: yet notwithstanding reading these things they see them not, much less do they understand them. Therefore they deserve not to be called hypocrites, but visors and shadows of disguised hypocrites, most miserably bewitched in that they dream that they are made righteous by the works of the law. Wherefore (as I have said) this word [Doer of the law] as they define it, is an imagined term, a very monster, and no where to be found.

Yea,¹ the very Sophisters and popish Scholemen are compelled to confesse, and so they teach also, that a morall worke outwardly done, if it be not done with a pure heart, a good will, and true intent, it is but hypocrisie. And hereof cometh the prouerbe among the Germaines: Such a cowle couereth many a knaue. For the vilest and the wickedst knaue in the world may counterfeit the same works that a godly man worketh by faith. Iudas did the same workes that the other Apostles did. What fault was there in the works of Iudas, seing he did the selfe same workes that the other Apostles did? Here marke what the Sophister aunswereth out of his morall Philosophie. Although he did the selfe same works (saith he) which the other Apostles did, notwithstanding, because the person was reprobate, & the iudgemēt of reason peruerse, therefore his workes were hypocriticall and not true, as were the workes of the other Apostles, how like soeuer they seemed to be in outward shewe. Wherfore they them selues are constrained to graunt that in politike and externall matters workes doe not iustifie vnlesse there be ioyned withall an vpright heart, will, and iudgement.