dually, to fast so that he remain sober and do not burden the
body with gluttony, to the end that he remain in possession of reason
and reflection, and consider how far it is necessary for him to hold
the body in check. For it is utterly idle to impose one and the same
command upon a whole congregation and church, since we are so unlike
one to the other; one strong, another weak in body,--so that one must
mortify it more, another less, provided the body is to remain sound
and in the best state for exertion.

But another multitude mistake here, determined that they will not
fast, and that they may eat flesh, and herein are wrong. For these
persons reject the Gospel also, and are unprofitable as well as the
others; doing no more than contemn the Pope's command, unwilling to
gird up their mind and spirit, as Peter says, leaving the body to its
own caprice, that it may become corrupt and wanton. It is well to
fast; but that only can be called true fasting, when we give the body
no more food than is needful for it that it may retain its health and
endure labor and watchfulness--that the old ass do not become too
obstinate, and going on the ice to dance, break a bone; but go on
subject to control, and following the spirit; not after the manner of
those who, whenever they fast, fill themselves so full of fish and
the best wine, that their bellies are puffed out. Thus St. Peter
directs us to be sober, and now says further:

_And fix your hope firmly (or with all deliberation) on the grace
which is offered you._ The christian faith is of such a nature that
it plants itself freely on the word of God with entire confidence,
ventures freely thereupon, and goes joyfully onward. Therefore Peter
would say: The loins of your mind are girt about, and your faith is
genuine, when you venture it thus on that Word, let it cost what it
will,--property, honor, limb, or life.

Thus has he with these words in truth well described a genuine and
unfeigned faith. It must not be a corrupt and sleepy faith, becoming
thus only a dream, but a living and active reality, that we may with
all deliberation devote ourselves to it and cleave to the Word, so
that, let God permit it to go with us as it will, we will yet press
onward through good and ill. Thus when I come to die I must venture
promptly on Christ, lift my head boldly, and rely upon the word of
God which cannot deceive me. Thus must faith go straight forward, in
nothing permit itself to be