eed and that a holy people should spring
from him, but it does not therefore follow that all who are born of
Abraham are the children of God. He also promised that the Gentiles
should be saved, but he has not said that he would save _all_ the
Gentiles.

But here now a question arises: When we say that God saves us alone
by faith, without regard to works, why does St. Peter say that He
judges not according to the person, but according to works? Answer.
What we have taught as to faith alone justifying before God, is true
beyond doubt, since it is so clear from Scripture that it cannot be
denied. That which the Apostle here says, that God judges according
to the works, is also true; but we must certainly hold, therefore,
that where there is no faith, there can be no good work; and on the
other hand, that there is no faith where there are no good works.
Therefore join together faith and good works, since it is in both
that the sum of the whole christian life consists. As you now live,
so will it be with you, for thereafter God will judge you. Therefore,
although God judges us according to our works, still it remains true
that works are only the fruits of faith, by which we perceive when
there is faith or unbelief; therefore God will sentence you from your
works and convict you, either that you have or have not believed. So
it is that no one can convict and judge a liar, except from his
words. Yet it is evident that he is not made a liar by the word, but
became a liar before he spoke the lie, for the lie must come from the
heart into the mouth. Therefore, understand this passage thus, in the
plainest way: that works are fruits and signs of faith, and that God
judges men according to such fruits which must certainly follow it,
so that it shall be openly seen whether there is faith or unbelief in
the heart. God will not judge by this whether you are _called_ a
Christian, or have been baptized, but will ask you, "_Art_ thou a
Christian? then tell me where are the fruits by which you can
evidence your faith."

Therefore St. Peter goes on to say: Since ye have such a Father, who
judges not after the person, pass the time of your pilgrimage in
fear; that is, stand in fear before the Father, not of pain and
punishment,--as the Christless, and even the devil, is afraid,--but
lest He forsake you and withdraw His hand; just as a dutiful child is
afraid lest he provoke his father, and do something that might not
please him. Such a f