Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Wherefore, this word Doing is one thing in nature,¹ an other in moral Philosophy, & an other in Divinity. In nature the tree must be first, and then the fruit. In moral Philosophy Doing requireth a good intent & sound reason to work well, to go before:² and here all the Philosophers stay & go no further. Therefore the Divines say, that moral Philosophy hath not God for the object, & final cause. For Aristotle, a Sadducee, or a man of any civil honesty, calleth this a right reason, & a good intent, if he seek the public commodity of the common wealth, & the quietness & honesty thereof. A Philosopher or Law-worker ascendeth no higher. He thinketh not through right reason & a good intent to obtain remission of sins & everlasting life, as the Sophister or the Monk doth. Therefore the heathen Philosopher is much better than such an hypocrite. For he abideth within his limits, having only consideration of the honesty and tranquillity of the common wealth, not mingling heavenly and earthly things together. Contrariwise that Sophister imagineth that God regardeth his good intent and works. Therefore he mingleth earthly and heavenly things together, and polluteth the name of God. And this imagination, he learneth out of moral Philosophy, saving that he abuseth it much worse then the Heathen man doth.

Wherfore, this word Doing is one thing in nature,¹ an other in moral Philosophy, & an other in Diuinitie. In nature ye tree must be first, and then the fruite. In moral Philosophie Doing requireth a good entent & sound reason to worke wel, to goe before:² and here all the Philosophers stay & go no further. Therfore ye Diuines say, yt moral Philosophie hath not God for ye obiect, & final cause. For Aristotle, a Sadduce, or a mā of any ciuile honesty, calleth this a right reason, & a good intēt, if he seeke the publike cōmoditie of ye cōmon wealth, & the quietnes & honestie therof. A Philosopher or Lawworker ascēdeth no higher. He thinketh not through right reason & a good intent to obtaine remission of sinnes & euerlasting life, as ye Sophister or ye Monke doth. Therfore the heathen Philosopher is much better thē such an hypocrite. For he abideth wtin his limites, hauing only consideration of the honestie and tranquillitie of the cōmon wealth, not mingling heauenly and earthly things together. Cōtrariwise yt Sophister imagineth that God regardeth his good intent and workes. Therefore he mingleth earthly and heauenly things together, and polluteth the name of God. And this imagination, he learneth out of morall Philosophie, sauing that he abuseth it much worse then the Heathen man doth.