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 shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call
on Him in whom they have not believed? and, how shall they believe in
Him of whom they have not heard? and, how shall they hear without a
preacher? and, how shall they preach except they be sent?"
Christ teaches us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers
into His harvest; that is, sincere preachers. When we hear these preach
the true Word of God, we may believe; which faith justifies a man, and
makes him godly indeed, so that he now calls upon God in the spirit of
holiness, and works nothing but that which is good, and thus becomes a
saved man.
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