Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

This is therefore an hard question, wherewith reason is stricken dumb, and can not answer, but is greatly offended with it. Reason after a sort understandeth the righteousness of the law,¹ which also it teacheth and urgeth, and imagineth that the doers of it are righteous: but it understandeth not the office and end of the law. Therefore when it heareth this sentence of Paul, which is strange and unknown to the world: That the law was given for transgressions, thus it judgeth: Paul abolisheth the law, for he saith, that we are not justified through it: Yea he is a blasphemer against God which gave the law, when he saith: that the law was given for transgressions. Let us live therefore as Gentiles which have no law. Yea, let us sin & abide in sin, that grace may abound: Also, let us do evil, that good may come thereof. This happened to the Apostle Paul: and the self same happeneth at this day unto us. For when the common people hear out of the Gospel, that righteousness cometh by the mere grace of God through Faith only, without the law and without works, they gather by and by of it, as did the Jews in times past: If the law do not justify, then let us work nothing: and surely they perform this excellently well.

This is therfore an hard question, wherewith reason is stricken dumme, and can not aunswere, but is greatly offended with it. Reason after a sorte vnderstandeth the righteousnes of the lawe,¹ which also it teacheth and vrgeth, and imagineth that the doers of it are righteous: but it vnderstandeth not the office and ende of the law. Therfore when it heareth this sentence of Paule, which is straunge and vnknowne to the world: That the lavve vvas geuen for transgressions, thus it iudgeth: Paule abolisheth the lawe, for he sayth, that we are not iustified through it: Yea he is a blasphemer against God which gaue the lawe, whē he sayth: that the lavve vvas geuen for transgressions. Let vs liue therfore as Gentiles which haue no lawe. Yea, let vs sinne & abide in sinne, that grace may abounde: Also, let vs doe euill, that good may come therof. This happened to the Apostle Paule: and the selfe same happeneth at this day vnto vs. For when the common people heare out of the Gospell, that righteousnes cometh by the mere grace of God through Faith onely, without the law and without workes, they gather by and by of it, as did the Iewes in times past: If the lawe doe not iustifie, then let vs worke nothing: and surely they performe this excellently well.