By this and other places above mentioned, it is evident that monasteries and colleges, whereby we measure the state of spiritual men as we call them, plainly disagree with the Gospel and Christian liberty:  and therefore it is much more dangerous to live in this kind of life than among the most profane men.  All their works are nothing but rudiments and ordinances of the world; neither are they Christians but in name, wherefore all their life and holiness are sinful and most detestable hypocrisy.  The fair show of feigned holiness which is in those ordinances does, in a marvelous and secret manner, withdraw from faith more than those manifest and gross sins of which open sinners are guilty.  Now this false and servile opinion faith alone takes away, and teaches us to trust in, and rest upon, the grace of God, whereby is given freely that which is needful to work all things.

Verse 4.  “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”  After Paul had taught us that righteousness and faith can not come to us by the law, neither can we deserve it by nature, he shows us by whom we obtain it; and who is the author of our justification.  The apostle saith, “When the fulness of the time was come”; here Paul speaks of the time which was appointed by the Father to the Son, wherein He should live under tutors, etc.  This time being come to the Jews, and ended, Christ came in the flesh; so it is daily fulfilled to others, when they come to the knowledge of Christ, and change the servitude of the law for the faith of sons.  Christ for this cause came unto us, that believing in Him we may be restored to true liberty; by which faith they of ancient times also obtained the liberty of the Spirit.

As soon as thou believest in Christ, He comes to thee, a deliverer and Savior; and now the time of bondage is ended; as the apostle saith, the fulness thereof is come.

Verse 6.  “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”  Here we see plainly that the Holy Ghost cometh to the saints, not by works, but by faith alone.  Sons believe, while servants only work; sons are free from the law, servants are held under the law, as appears by those things that have been before spoken.  But how comes it to pass that he saith “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit,” etc., seeing it is before said that by the coming of the Spirit we are changed from servants to sons:  but here, as tho we could be sons before the coming of the Spirit, he saith “because ye are sons,” etc.  To this question we must answer, that Paul speaks here in the same manner that he did before, that is, before the fulness of the time came, we were in bondage under the rudiments of the world:  all that shall become sons are counted in the place of sons with God:  therefore he saith rightly, “because ye are sons,” that is, because the state of sons is appointed to you from everlasting, “God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son,” to wit, that He might finish it in you, and make you such as He hath long since of His goodness determined that He would make you.