a treatise on good works-第8章
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who need no law; of whom St。 Paul says; I。 Timothy i; 〃The law
is not made for a righteous man;〃 that is; for the believer; but
believers of themselves do what they know and can do; only
because they firmly trust that God's favor and grace rests upon
them in all things。 The second class want to abuse this freedom;
put a false confidence in it; and grow lazy; of whom St。 Peter
says; I。 Peter ii; 〃Ye shall live as free men; but not using your
liberty for a cloak of maliciousness;〃 as if he said: The freedom
of faith does not permit sins; nor will it cover them; but it
sets us free to do all manner of good works and to endure all
things as they happen to us; so that a man is not bound only to
one work or to a few。 So also St。 Paul; Galatians v: 〃Use not
your liberty for an occasion to the flesh。〃 Such men must be
urged by laws and hemmed in by teaching and exhortation。 The
third class are wicked men; always ready for sins; these must be
constrained by spiritual and temporal laws; like wild horses and
dogs; and where this does not help; they must be put to death by
the worldly sword; as St。 Paul says; Romans xiii: 〃The worldly
ruler bears the sword; and serves God with it; not as a terror
to the good; but to the evil。〃 The fourth class; who are still
lusty; and childish in their understanding of faith and of the
spiritual life; must be coaxed like young children and tempted
with external; definite and prescribed decorations; with reading;
praying; fasting; singing; adorning of churches; organ playing;
and such other things as are commanded and observed in monastic
houses and churches; until they also learn to know the faith。
Although there is great danger here; when the rulers; as is now;
alas! the case; busy themselves with and insist upon such
ceremonies and external works as if they were the true works; and
neglect faith; which they ought always to teach along with these
works; just as a mother gives her child other food along with the
milk; until the child can eat the strong food by itself。
XV。 Since; then; we are not all alike; we must tolerate such
people; share their observances and burdens; and not despise
them; but teach them the true way of faith。 So St。 Paul teaches;
Romans xiv: 〃Him that is weak in the faith receive ye; to teach
him。〃 And so he did himself; I。 Corinthians ix: 〃To them that are
under the law; I became as under the law; although I was not
under the law。〃 And Christ; Matthew xvii; when He was asked to
pay tribute; which He was not obligated to pay; argues with St。
Peter; whether the children of kings must give tribute; or only
other people。 St。 Peter answers: 〃Only other people。〃 Christ
said: 〃Then are the children of kings free; notwithstanding; lest
we should offend them; go thou to the sea; and cast an hook; and
take up the fish that first cometh up; and in his mouth thou
shalt find a piece of money; take that and give it for me and
thee。〃
Here we see that all works and things are free to a Christian
through his faith; and yet; because the others do not yet
believe; he observes and bears with them what he is not obligated
to do。 But this he does freely; for he is certain that this is
pleasing to God; and he does it willingly; accepts it as any
other free work which comes to his hand without his choice;
because he desires and seeks no more than that he may in his
faith do works to please God。
But since in this discourse we have undertaken to teach what
righteous and good works are; and are now speaking of the highest
work; it is clear that we do not speak of the second; third and
fourth classes of men; but of the first; into whose likeness all
the others are to grow; and until they do so the first class must
endure and instruct them。 Therefore we must not despise; as if
they were hopeless; these men of weak faith; who would gladly do
right and learn; and yet cannot understand because of the
ceremonies to which they cling; we must rather blame their
ignorant; blind teachers; who have never taught them the faith;
and have led them so deeply into works。 They must be gently and
gradually led back again to faith; as a sick man is treated; and
must be allowed for a time; for their conscience sake; to cling
to some works and do them as necessary to salvation; so long as
they rightly grasp the faith; lest if we try to tear them out so
suddenly; their weak consciences be quite shattered and confused;
and retain neither faith nor works。 But the hardheaded; who;
hardened in their works; give no heed to what is said of faith;
and fight against it; these we must; as Christ did and taught;
let go their way; that the blind may lead the blind。
XVI。 But you say: How can I trust surely that all my works are
pleasing to God; when at times I fall; and talk; eat; drink and
sleep too much; or otherwise transgress; as I cannot help doing?
Answer: This question shows that you still regard faith as a work
among other works; and do not set it above all works。 For it is
the highest work for this very reason; because it remains and
blots out these daily sins by not doubting that God is so kind
to you as to wink at such daily transgression and weakness。 Aye;
even if a deadly sin should occur (which; however; never or
rarely happens to those who live in faith and trust toward God);
yet faith rises again and does not doubt that its sin is already
gone; as it is written I。 John ii: 〃My little children; these
things I write unto you; that ye sin not。 And if any man sin; we
have an Advocate with God the Father; Jesus Christ; Who is the
propitiation of all our sins。〃 And Wisdom xv: 〃For if we sin; we
are Thine; knowing Thy power。〃 And Proverbs xxiv: 〃For a just man
falleth seven times; and riseth up again。〃 Yes; this confidence
and faith must be so high and strong that the man knows that all
his life and works are nothing but damnable sins before God's
judgment; as it is written; Psalm cxliii: 〃In thy sight shall no
man living be justified〃; and he must entirely despair of his
works; believing that they cannot be good except through this
faith; which looks for no judgment; but only for pure grace;
favor; kindness and mercy; like David; Psalm xxvi: 〃Thy loving
kindness is ever before mine eyes; and I have trusted in Thy
truth〃; Psalm iv: 〃The light of Thy countenance is lift up upon
us (that is; the knowledge of Thy grace through faith); and
thereby hast Thou put gladness in my heart〃; for as faith trusts;
so it receives。
See; thus are works forgiven; are without guilt and are good; not
by their own nature; but by the mercy and grace of God because
of the faith which trusts on the mercy of God。 Therefore we must
fear because of the works; but comfort ourselves because of the
grace of God; as it is written; Psalm cxlvii: 〃The Lord taketh
pleasure in them that I fear Him; in those that hope in His
mercy。〃 So we pray with perfect confidence: 〃Our Father;〃 and yet
petition: 〃Forgive us our trespasses〃; we are children and yet
sinners; are acceptable and yet do not do enough; and all this
is the work of faith; firmly grounded in God's grace。
XVII。 But if you ask; where the faith and the confidence can be
found and whence they come; this it is certainly most necessary
to know。 First: Without doubt faith does not come from your works
or merit; but alone from Jesus Christ; and is freely promised and
given; as St。 Paul writes; Romans v: 〃God commendeth His love to
us as exceeding sweet and kindly; in that; while we were yet
sinners; Christ died for us〃; as if he said: 〃Ought not this give
us a strong unconquerable confidence; that before we prayed or
cared for it; yes; while we still continually walked in sins;
Christ dies for our sin?〃 St。 Paul concludes: 〃If while we were
yet sinners Christ died for us; how much more then; being
justified by His blood; shall we be saved from wrath through Him;
and if; when we were enemies; we were reconciled to God by