s Epistle is true Gospel. Now comes the second
chapter, that will instruct us in matter of works, how we should
conduct ourselves toward our neighbor.

CHAPTER II.

V. 1-5. _Wherefore lay aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and hatred, and all evil speakings, and desire the
sincere milk of the word, as new-born babes, that ye may grow
thereby, if ye have besides tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom
ye are come as to a living stone, which indeed is rejected by men,
but before God is elect and precious. And be ye also as living stones
built up into a spiritual house, and a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ._

Here he begins to show what the characteristic and fruit of a
christian life should be. For we have said often enough that a
christian life consists in two things,--faith toward God and love
toward our neighbor. Besides, although christian faith has been given
us, yet as long as we live many evil lusts remain in the flesh, since
every saint must be in the flesh, but what is in the flesh cannot be
entirely pure. Therefore St. Peter says, be ye armed, that ye may
guard yourselves against the sins which still cleave to you, and
strive continually against them. For the worst enemies that we have
hide themselves in our bosoms, and in our very flesh and blood, wake,
sleep, and live with us, like a wicked spirit which we have brought
home with us and cannot send off. Wherefore, since through faith
Jesus Christ is entirely yours, and ye have obtained salvation and
all His blessings, let it be your aim henceforth to lay aside all
wickedness, or all that is evil, and all guile, so that no one act
toward another deceitfully or falsely; as with the world it has
become a common expression to say, the world is full of falsehood,
which is indeed so. But we Christians should not act with such
deceit, but uprightly and with pure hearts, toward men as toward God,
fairly and justly, so that none take the advantage of another in
sale, purchase or promise, and the like.

Likewise also St. Paul says to the Ephesians, ch. iv., "Lay aside
lying, and speak truth every one with his neighbor." Truth is, that
yea be yea, and nay, nay,--but hypocrisy, when any one represents
himself by his outward mien as being what he is not in his thoughts.
For solemn is the obligation that we should show ourselves to be what
we are at heart. A Christian should so act that he c