Thus he that believeth shall be saved; but he that worketh
without faith is condemned; as Christ saith, he that doth not believe
shall be condemned, from which no works shall deliver him. Some say, I
will now endeavor to become honest. It is meet surely that we study to
lead an honest life, and to do good works. But if one ask them how we
may apply ourselves unto honesty, and by what means we may attain it,
they answer, that we must fast, pray, frequent temples, avoid sins, etc.
Whereby one becomes a Carthusian monk, another chooses some other order
of monks, and another is consecrated a priest; some torment their flesh
by wearing hair-cloth, others scourge their bodies with whips, others
afflict themselves in a different manner; but these are of Cain's
progeny, and their works are no better than his; for they continue the
same that they were before, ungodly, and without justification: there is
a change made of outward works only, of apparel, of place, etc.
They scarce think of faith, they presume only on such works as seem good
to themselves, thinking by them to get to heaven. But Christ said,
"Enter in at the strait gate, for I say unto you, many seek to enter in,
and can not.
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