o works, and do not accordingly esteem the worker, and sound
justification, go so far that they ascribe all merit and righteousness
to works done before justification, making no account of faith, alleging
that which James saith, that without works faith is dead. This sentence
of the apostle they do not rightly understand; making but little account
of faith, they always stick to works, whereby they think to merit
exceedingly, and are persuaded that for their work's sake they shall
obtain the favor of God: by this means they continually disagree with
God, showing themselves to be the posterity of Cain. God hath respect
unto man, then unto the works of man; God alloweth the work for the sake
of him that worketh, these require that for the work's sake the worker
may be crowned.

But here, perhaps, thou wilt say, what is needful to be done? By what
means shall I become righteous and acceptable to God? How shall I attain
to this perfect justification? Those the gospel answers, teaching that
it is necessary that thou hear Christ, and repose thyself wholly on Him,
denying thyself and distrusting thine own strength; by this means thou
shalt be changed from Cain to Abel, and being thyself acceptable, shalt
offer acceptable gifts to the Lord. It is faith that justifies thee,
thou being endued therewith; the Lord remitteth all thy sins by the
mediation of Christ His Son, in whom this faith believeth and trusteth.
Moreover, He giveth unto such a faith His Spirit, which changes the man
and makes him anew, giving him another reason and another will. Such a
one worketh nothing but good works. Wherefore nothing is required unto
justification but to hear Jesus Christ our Savior, and to believe in
Him. Howbeit these are not the works of nature, but of grace.

He, therefore, that endeavors to attain to these things by works
shutteth the way to the gospel, to faith, grace, Christ, God, and all
things that help unto salvation. Again, nothing is necessary in order to
accomplish good works but justification; and he that hath attained it
performs good works, and not any other. Hereof it sufficiently appears
that the beginning, the things following, and the order of man's
salvation are after this sort; first of all it is required that thou
hear the Word of God; next that thou believe; then that thou work; and
so at last become saved and happy. He that changes this order, without
doubt is not of God. Paul also describes this, saying, "Whosoever s