st, to work the righteousness of God, that
is, spiritual righteousness; since the natural man receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2,14; but this righteousness is
wrought in the heart when the Holy Ghost is received through the
Word. These things are said in as many words by Augustine in his
Hypognosticon, Book III: We grant that all men have a free will, free,
inasmuch as it has the judgment of reason; not that it is thereby
capable, without God, either to begin, or, at least, to complete aught
in things pertaining to God, but only in works of this life, whether
good or evil. "Good" I call those works which spring from the good in
nature, such as, willing to labor in the field, to eat and drink, to
have a friend, to clothe oneself, to build a house, to marry a wife, to
raise cattle, to learn divers useful arts, or whatsoever good pertains
to this life. For all of these things are not without dependence on the
providence of God; yea, of Him and through Him they are and have their
being. "Evil" I call such works as willing to worship an idol, to commit
murder, etc.

They condemn the Pelagians and others, who teach that without the Holy
Ghost, by the power of nature alone, we are able to love God above all
things; also to do the commandments of God as touching "the substance
of the act." For, although nature is able in a manner to do the outward
work, (for it is able to keep the hands from theft and murder,) yet it
cannot produce the inward motions, such as the fear of God, trust in
God, chastity, patience, etc.

Article XIX: Of the Cause of Sin.

Of the Cause of Sin they teach that, although God does create and
preserve nature, yet the cause of sin is the will of the wicked, that
is, of the devil and ungodly men; which will, unaided of God, turns
itself from God, as Christ says John 8, 44: When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own.

Article XX: Of Good Works.

Our teachers are falsely accused of forbidding good Works. For their
published writings on the Ten Commandments, and others of like import,
bear witness that they have taught to good purpose concerning all
estates and duties of life, as to what estates of life and what works
in every calling be pleasing to God. Concerning these things preachers
heretofore taught but little, and urged only childish and needless
works, as particular holy-days, particular fasts, brotherhoods,
pilgrimages, services in honor of saints, the use of