Preface.

and adultery—do not have the true faith in Christ, nor can they have it; and therefore such people cannot be regarded as Christians or children of God, for true faith in Christ cannot exist alongside such hideous disgrace and vices. And those who do such things are children of unbelief and wrath, as the Holy Scripture calls them.

And since we know the aforementioned points from God's holy and only saving Word, and also proclaim and present the same daily and publicly in all our sermons to our listeners, how can it be attributed to us by our adversaries with truth or fairness that we forbid good works? We do not forbid the works, but the false trust in the works.

IX. Which are right and proper good works.

Concerning the ninth, we must also learn here which are the right and proper good works. Namely, not those devised and invented by men, such as: living in celibacy, distinction of foods, pilgrimages, vigils, offering masses, cowls, tonsures, ropes, wooden shoes, and the like. For about such works, Christ, the Son of God, says Himself:

In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15.

Likewise:

Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

And Paul the Apostle attributes some of these works to the Devil, especially enforced celibacy and the forbidding of foods.