eam is faith, and that faith
may exist without good works. But we say, just as Peter says, that
faith is a divine power; when God produces faith, man must be born
again and become a new creature; good works, flowing from a purified
nature, must follow faith. So that we must not say to a Christian who
has faith, Do this or that work,--for he performs of himself and
unbidden, mere good works.

But this must be said to him, that he is not to deceive himself with
a false, imaginary faith. Wherefore let those rude babblers go, who
can say a great deal on the subject that is nothing after all but
mere scum and vain prating. Of whom Paul also speaks, 1 Cor. iv., "I
will come to you and will seek out not the speech of those that are
puffed up, but the power; for the kingdom of God does not stand in
word, but in power." Wherever this power of God is wanting, there is
neither genuine faith nor good works. So that they are mere liars,
who pride themselves on their Christian name and faith and yet lead a
wicked life. For if it were of God's power, they would certainly be
otherwise.

But what does St. Peter mean when he says, _ye are kept by the power
of God to salvation_? This is his meaning: So tender and precious a
matter is that which pertains to the faith which the power of God
(that is with us and with which we are filled) produces in us, that
He gives us a correct, clear understanding of all things that respect
salvation, so that we may judge all that is on earth, and say, this
doctrine is true, that is false; this conduct is right, that is not;
this work is good and acceptable, that is evil. And whatever such a
man determines is just and true, for he cannot be deceived; but he
will be kept, and preserved, and remains, a judge of all doctrines.

On the other hand, wherever faith and this power of God are wanting,
there is nothing but error and blindness; there reason suffers itself
to be led hither and thither, from one work to another, for it would
gladly reach heaven by its own works, and is ever imagining after
this sort, "Yes! this work will bring you to heaven: do it and you
shall be saved." Hence there are so many chapters, cloisters, altars,
popes, monks and nuns in the world. Into such blindness does God
permit the unbelieving to fall. But he keeps us, who believe, in a
just apprehension, so that we may not fall into condemnation, but
attain to salvation.

_Which is ready to be revealed in the last time._ That