Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

TO ALL AFFLICTED CONSCIENCES WHICH GROAN FOR SALVATION AND WRESTLE UNDER THE cross for the kingdom of Christ, grace peace and victory in the Lord Jesus our Saviour.

TO ALL AFFLICTED CONSCIENCES VVHICH GRONE FOR SALVATION AND VVRASTLE VNDER THE crosse for the kingdome of Christ, grace peace and victorie in the Lorde Iesu our Sauiour.

IN few words to declare what is to be said for the commendation of this work, although in few words all can not be expressed that may be said, yet briefly to signify that may suffice, this much we thought good to certify thee, godly reader: that amongest many other godly english books in these our days printed and translated, thou shalt find but few, wherein either thy time shall seem better bestowed, or thy labour better recompensed to the profit of thy soul, or wherein thou mayest see the spirit and vein of S. Paul more lively represented to thee, then in the diligent reading of this present commentary upon the epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians. In which, as in a mirror or glass, or rather as S. Stephen in the heavens being opened, thou mayst see and behold the admirable glory of the Lord and all the riches of heaven, thy salvation freely and only by faith in Christ, his love and grace toward thee so opened, thy victory and conquest in him so proved, the wrath of God so pacified, his law satisfied, the full kingdom of life set open, death, hell and hell gates, be they never so strong, with all the power of sin, flesh and the world vanquished, thy conscience discharged, all fears and terrors removed, thy spiritual man so refreshed and set at liberty, that either thy heart must be heavier then lead, or the reading hereof will lift thee up above thy self, and give thee to know that of Christ Jesus, that thy self shalt say thou never knewest before, though before thou knewest him right well.

IN fewe wordes to declare what is to be sayd for the commendation of this worke, although in fewe wordes all can not be expressed that may be said, yet briefly to signifie that may suffice, this much we thought good to certifie thee, godly reader: that amongest many other godly english bookes in these our daies printed and translated, thou shalt finde but fewe, wherein either thy time shall seeme better bestowed, or thy labour better recompensed to the profite of thy soule, or wherein thou mayest see the spirite and veine of S. Paule more liuely represented to thee, then in the diligent reading of this present commentary vpon the epistle of S. Paule to the Galathians. In which, as in a myrrour or glasse, or rather as S. Stephen in the heauens being opened, thou mayst see and behold the admirable glory of the Lord and all the riches of heauen, thy saluation freely and onely by faith in Christe, his loue and grace toward thee so opened, thy victory and conquest in him so proued, the wrath of God so pacified, his lawe satisfied, the full kingdome of life set open, death, hell and hell gates, be they neuer so stronge, with all the power of sinne, flesh and the world vanquished, thy conscience discharged, all feares and terrours remoued, thy spirituall man so refreshed and set at libertie, that either thy heart must be heuier then lead, or the reading hereof will lift thee vppe aboue thy selfe, and giue thee to knowe that of Christe Iesu, that thy selfe shalt say thou neuer knewest before, though before thou knewest him right well.