hen we are dressed up and bow,
kneel, pray the rosary and the Psalter, and all this not before an
idol, but before the holy cross of God or the pictures of His saints:
this we call honoring and worshiping God, and, according to the First
Commandment, "having no other gods"; although these things usurers,
adulterers and all manner of sinners can do too, and do them daily.

Of course, if these things are done with such faith that we believe
that they please God, then they are praiseworthy, not because of their
virtue, but because of such faith, for which all works are of equal
value, as has been said. But if we doubt or do not believe that God is
gracious to us and is pleased with us, or if we presumptuously expect
to please Him only through and after our works, then it is all pure
deception, outwardly honoring God, but inwardly setting up self as a
false god. This is the reason why I have so often spoken against the
display, magnificence and multitude of such works and have rejected
them, because it is as clear as day that they are not only done in
doubt or without faith, but there is not one in a thousand who does not
set his confidence upon the works, expecting by them to win God's favor
and anticipate His grace; and so they make a fair of them, a thing
which God cannot endure, since He has promised His grace freely, and
wills that we begin by trusting that grace, and in it perform all
works, whatever they may be.

XII. Note for yourself, then, how far apart these two are: keeping the
First Commandment with outward works only, and keeping it with inward
trust. For this last makes true, living children of God, the other only
makes worse idolatry and the most mischievous hypocrites on earth, who
with their apparent righteousness lead unnumbered people into their
way, and yet allow them to be without faith, so that they are miserably
misled, and are caught in the pitiable babbling and mummery. Of such
Christ says, Matthew xxiv: "Beware, if any man shall say unto you, Lo,
here is Christ, or there"; and John iv: "I say unto thee, the hour
cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem
worship God, for the Father seeketh spiritual worshipers."

These and similar passages have moved me and ought to move everyone to
reject the great display of bulls, seals, flags, indulgences, by which
the poor folk are led to build churches, to give, to endow, to pray,
and yet faith is not mentioned, and is even suppres