For
in that part in which he is free he does no works, but in that in which
he is a servant he does all works. Let us see on what principle this is
so.
Although, as I have said, inwardly, and according to the spirit, a man
is amply enough justified by faith, having all that he requires to have,
except that this very faith and abundance ought to increase from day
to day, even till the future life, still he remains in this mortal life
upon earth, in which it is necessary that he should rule his own body
and have intercourse with men. Here then works begin; here he must not
take his ease; here he must give heed to exercise his body by fastings,
watchings, labour, and other regular discipline, so that it may be
subdued to the spirit, and obey and conform itself to the inner man and
faith, and not rebel against them nor hinder them, as is its nature to
do if it is not kept under. For the inner man, being conformed to God
and created after the image of God through faith, rejoices and delights
itself in Christ, in whom such blessings have been conferred on it, and
hence has only this task before it: to serve God with joy and for nought
in free love.
But in doing this he comes into collision with that contrary will in
his own flesh, which is striving to serve the world and to seek its own
gratification. This the spirit of faith cannot and will not bear, but
applies itself with cheerfulness and zeal to keep it down and restrain
it, as Paul says, "I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but
I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin" (Rom.
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