But where evil life ensue good words, there is a foul discord. But I, alas! most wretched wight, whereas I did presume That I had got a perfect faith, did holy life disdain: And though I did to other preach good life, I did consume, My life in wickedness and sin, in sport and pleasures vain. No, neither did I once contend from them flesh to refrain. Behold, therefore, the judgments just of God doth me annoy, Not for amendment of my life, but me for to destroy. EUSEBIUS. We do not altogether like of this your exhortation. Whereas you warn us not to trust so much unto our faith, But that good works we should prepare unto our preservation: There are two kinds of righteousness, as Paul to Romans saith; The one dependeth of good works, the other hangs of faith. The former, which the world allows, God counts it least of twain, As by good proof it shall to you in words be proved plain, For Socrates and Cato both did purchase great renown, And Aristides, surnamed Just, this righteousness fulfilled, Wherefore he was as justest man expell'd his native town; Yet are their souls with infidels in hell for ever spilled, Because they sought not righteousness that way that God them willed. The other righteousness comes from faith, which God regards alone, And makes us seem immaculate before his heavenly throne. Wherefore there is no cause you should send us to outward act, As to the anchor or refuge of our preservation. THEOLOGUS. The meaning of Philologus is not here so exact, As do his words make it to seem by your allegation. He doth not mean between good works and faith to make relation, As though works were equivalent salvation to attain, As is true faith; but what he meant, I will set down more plain. He did exhort the young men here by him for to beware, Lest, as he did, so they, abuse God's gospel pure, And without good advice usurp of faith the gift so rare: Whereby they think, whatso they do, themselves from torments free, And by this proud presumption God's anger should procure: And where they boast and vaunt themselves good faithful men to be, Yet in their lives they do deny their faith in each degree. Wherefore he saith, as Peter said: see that you do make known Your own election by your works. Again St James doth say, Show me thy faith, and by my works my faith shall thee be shown. And whereupon his own offence he doth to them bewray, Whereas he did vaingloriously upon a dead faith stay; Which for the inward righteousness he alway did suspect, And hereupon all godliness of life he did neglect. PHILOLOGUS. That was the meaning of my words, however I them spake: The truth, alas! vile wretch, my soul and Conscience too true feel. THEOLOGUS. What, do you not, Philologus, with us no comfort take, When all these things so godlily to you I do reveal. Especially sith that yourself in them are seen so well? Some hope unto us of your health and safety yet is left: We do not think that all God's grace from you is wholly reft.