ii. 20). Though he is thus free from all
works, yet he ought to empty himself of this liberty, take on him the
form of a servant, be made in the likeness of men, be found in fashion
as a man, serve, help, and in every way act towards his neighbour as he
sees that God through Christ has acted and is acting towards him.
All this he should do freely, and with regard to nothing but the good
pleasure of God, and he should reason thus:--
Lo! my God, without merit on my part, of His pure and free mercy, has
given to me, an unworthy, condemned, and contemptible creature all the
riches of justification and salvation in Christ, so that I no longer
am in want of anything, except of faith to believe that this is so.
For such a Father, then, who has overwhelmed me with these inestimable
riches of His, why should I not freely, cheerfully, and with my whole
heart, and from voluntary zeal, do all that I know will be pleasing to
Him and acceptable in His sight? I will therefore give myself as a sort
of Christ, to my neighbour, as Christ has given Himself to me; and will
do nothing in this life except what I see will be needful, advantageous,
and wholesome for my neighbour, since by faith I abound in all good
things in Christ.
Thus from faith flow forth love and joy in the Lord, and from love
a cheerful, willing, free spirit, disposed to serve our neighbour
voluntarily, without taking any account of gratitude or ingratitude,
praise or blame, gain or loss.
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