6. I wonder that. He beginneth with chiding, which chiding is somewhat more gentle than they deserved: but his vehement chiding he had rather bestow upon the false Apostles, as we shall see. He reprehendeth them for their shrinking away, not from his doctrine only, but from Christ. For they might not otherwise hold Christ, than to acknowledge us by his benefit to be set at liberty from the bondage of the Law: but the necessity which the ⟨p. 8⟩false Apostles did put in ceremonies was utterly contrary, and so they were carried over from Christ, not because they did altogether cast away Christianity, but because in such corruption there was only left unto them a counterfeit Christ. So at these days the Papists, because they will have a half Christ, and a torn Christ, have no Christ: and therefore they are carried over from Christ, for they are full of superstitious, which are directly contrary with the nature of Christ. This must be diligently marked, That we are carried over from Christ, when we fall unto those things which are contrary to his office: for light cannot be mingled with darkness. After the same reason is it, that he calleth it another gospel, that is, contrary to the true gospel: & yet the false apostles did profess themselves to preach the gospel of Christ: but whereas they did mingle their feigned devises, wherewith they destroy the principal force of the Gospel, therefore they had a false, a corrupt, and a counterfeit gospel. He useth the word of the present time, as though their fall were now in the doing: as though he should say, I say not that ye are already carried over, for then it were more hard for you to return into the way: but now, whilst you are yet in the middest of your course, draw back your feet rather than go forward. Some read, From him that hath called you in the grace of Christ, meaning of the father: but the reading which I follow is more plain. In that he saith, that they were called of Christ by grace, it serveth to upbraid their unthankfulness. To fall from the Son of God, of it self is evil & wicked, but to fall from him when he hath called us freely to salvation, is much more hateful, for his goodness towards us augmenteth the greatness of our wickedness, if we be unthankful. Soon. He augmenteth the foulness of their inconstancy.
6. I wonder that. He beginneth with chiding, which chiding is somewhat more gentle than they deserued: but his vehement chiding he had rather bestowe vpon the false Apostles, as we shal see. He reprehendeth them for theyr shrinking away, not from his doctrine only, but from Christ. For they might not otherwise hold Christe, than to acknowledge vs by his benefite to be set at liberty from the bondage of the Law: but the necessity which the ⟨p. 8⟩false Apostles did put in ceremonies was vtterly contrary, and so they were caried ouer from Christe, not because they did altogether cast away Christianitie, but because in suche corruption there was only left vnto thē a counterfeite Christ. So at these dayes the Papistes, because they will haue a halfe Christ, and a torne Christ, haue no Christ: and therefore they are caried ouer from Christ, for they are full of superstitious, which are directly contrary wyth the nature of Christ. This must be dilligently marked, That we are caried ouer frō Christ, when we fal vnto those thinges which are contrary to his office: for light cannot be mingled with darkenes. After the same reason is it, that hee calleth it another gospell, that is, contrary to the true gospell: & yet the false apostles did professe themselues to preach the gospell of Christ: but whereas they did mingle their fayned deuises, wherewith they destroye the principall force of the Gospell, therefore they had a false, a corrupt, and a counterfeyte gospell. He vseth the word of the present time, as though their fall were now in ye doing: as though he should say, I say not that ye are already carried ouer, for then it were more hard for you to returne into the way: but now, whilest you are yet in the middest of your course, drawe backe your feet rather than go forward. Some reade, From him that hath called you in the grace of Christ, meaning of the father: but the reading which I followe is more playn. In that he saith, that they were called of Christ by grace, it serueth to vpbrayde theyr vnthankfulnesse. To fall from the Sonne of God, of it selfe is euill & wycked, but to fall from hyme when hee hath called vs freely to saluation, is much more hatefull, for his goodnesse towards vs augmenteth the greatnesse of our wyckednes, if we be vnthankefull. Soone. He augmenteth the foulenes of their inconstancye.
