oner of them. Our teachers have proposed to relieve the matter in
this way (by directing,) that men should torture themselves until
they had no more evil thoughts, that they might be at last bold and
free. But you are to understand, if you are a Christian, that you
must experience all kinds of opposition and wicked dispositions in
the flesh. For wherever there is faith, there come a hundred evil
thoughts, a hundred strugglings more than before; only see to it that
you act the man, and not suffer yourself to be taken captive; and
continue to resist, and say, I will not, I will not. For we must here
confess, that the case is much like that of an ill-matched couple,
who are continually complaining of one another, and what one will do
the other will not.

That may yet be called a truly christian life that is never at
perfect rest, and has not so far attained as to feel no sin, provided
that sin be felt, indeed, but not favored. Thus we are to fast, pray,
labor, to subdue and suppress lust. So that you are not to imagine
that you are to become such a saint as these fools speak of. While
flesh and blood continue, so long sin remains; wherefore it is ever
to be struggled against. Whoever has not learned this by his own
experience, must not boast that he is a Christian.

Hitherto we have been taught, that when we made confession, or joined
ourselves to some spiritual institution, we were at once pure and
needed no longer to contend with sin. They have said, moreover, that
baptism purifies and makes holy, so that nothing evil remains in the
person. Then they have thought, "now will I have a pleasing rest,"
but the devil has come and assaulted them worse than before.
Therefore understand the thing well, though you confess and permit
yourselves to receive absolution, you must do even as the soldier,
who in battle runs upon the points (of the javelins); whenever the
critical moment approaches, and the conflict rages, compelling him to
strike right bravely, as if to repel outrage, then he must draw out
his sword and lay about him; but while the strife threatens only, so
long must there be untiring vigilance. So, although you have been
baptized, be on your guard, inasmuch as you are not safe for an hour
from the devil and from sin, even though you think you will have no
more assaults.

Therefore a christian life is nothing else but a conflict and
encampment, as the Scripture says; and therefore the Lord our God is
called the Lord