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said； 〃Faith cometh by hearing； and hearing by the word of God〃
（Rom。 x。 17）； whence it comes that a man； when humbled and
brought to the knowledge of himself by the threatenings and
terrors of the law； is consoled and raised up by faith in the
Divine promise。 Thus 〃weeping may endure for a night； but joy
cometh in the morning〃 （Psalm xxx。 5）。 Thus much we say
concerning works in general； and also concerning those which the
Christian practises with regard to his own body。
Lastly； we will speak also of those works which he performs
towards his neighbour。 For man does not live for himself alone in
this mortal body； in order to work on its account； but also for
all men on earth； nay； he lives only for others； and not for
himself。 For it is to this end that he brings his own body into
subjection； that he may be able to serve others more sincerely
and more freely； as Paul says； 〃None of us liveth to himself； and
no man dieth to himself。 For whether we live； we live unto the
Lord； and whether we die； we die unto the Lord〃 （Rom。 xiv。 7； 8）。
Thus it is impossible that he should take his ease in this life；
and not work for the good of his neighbours； since he must needs
speak； act； and converse among men； just as Christ was made in
the likeness of men and found in fashion as a man； and had His
conversation among men。
Yet a Christian has need of none of these things for
justification and salvation； but in all his works he ought to
entertain this view and look only to this objectthat he may
serve and be useful to others in all that he does； having nothing
before his eyes but the necessities and the advantage of his
neighbour。 Thus the Apostle commands us to work with our own
hands； that we may have to give to those that need。 He might have
said； that we may support ourselves； but he tells us to give to
those that need。 It is the part of a Christian to take care of
his own body for the very purpose that； by its soundness and
well…being； he may be enabled to labour； and to acquire and
preserve property； for the aid of those who are in want； that
thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member； and we may
be children of God； thoughtful and busy one for another； bearing
one another's burdens； and so fulfilling the law of Christ。
Here is the truly Christian life； here is faith really working by
love； when a man applies himself with joy and love to the works
of that freest servitude in which he serves others voluntarily
and for nought； himself abundantly satisfied in the fulness and
riches of his own faith。
Thus； when Paul had taught the Philippians how they had been made
rich by that faith in Christ in which they had obtained all
things； he teaches them further in these words： 〃If there be
therefore any consolation in Christ； if any comfort of love； if
any fellowship of the Spirit； if any bowels and mercies； fulfil
ye my joy； that ye be like…minded； having the same love； being of
one accord； of one mind。 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory； but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves。 Look not every man on his own things； but every
man also on the things of others〃 （Phil。 ii。 1…4）。
In this we see clearly that the Apostle lays down this rule for a
Christian life： that all our works should be directed to the
advantage of others； since every Christian has such abundance
through his faith that all his other works and his whole life
remain over and above wherewith to serve and benefit his
neighbour of spontaneous goodwill。
To this end he brings forward Christ as an example； saying； 〃Let
this mind be in you； which was also in Christ Jesus； who； being
in the form of God； thought it not robbery to be equal with God；
but made Himself of no reputation； and took upon Him the form of
a servant； and was made in the likeness of men； and being found
in fashion as a man； He humbled Himself； and became obedient unto
death〃 （Phil。 ii。 5…8）。 This most wholesome saying of the Apostle
has been darkened to us by men who； totally misunderstanding the
expressions 〃form of God；〃 〃form of a servant；〃 〃fashion；〃
〃likeness of men；〃 have transferred them to the natures of
Godhead and manhood。 Paul's meaning is this： Christ； when He was
full of the form of God and abounded in all good things； so that
He had no need of works or sufferings to be just and savedfor
all these things He had from the very beginningyet was not
puffed up with these things； and did not raise Himself above us
and arrogate to Himself power over us； though He might lawfully
have done so； but； on the contrary； so acted in labouring；
working； suffering； and dying； as to be like the rest of men； and
no otherwise than a man in fashion and in conduct； as if He were
in want of all things and had nothing of the form of God； and yet
all this He did for our sakes； that He might serve us； and that
all the works He should do under that form of a servant might
become ours。
Thus a Christian； like Christ his Head； being full and in
abundance through his faith； ought to be content with this form
of God； obtained by faith； except that； as I have said； he ought
to increase this faith till it be perfected。 For this faith is
his life； justification； and salvation； preserving his person
itself and making it pleasing to God； and bestowing on him all
that Christ has； as I have said above； and as Paul affirms： 〃The
life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God〃 （Gal。 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。 Its object is not to
lay men under obligations； nor does it distinguish between
friends and enemies； or look to gratitude or ing