A Golden Chain

and as a man need not bid a tree bring forth fruit, so is there no law put to him that believeth and is justified through faith, to force him to obedience, neither is it needful. For the Law is written and graven in his heart, his pleasure is daily therein, & as without commandment even of his own nature he eateth, drinketh, seeth, heareth, talketh, goeth: even so of his own nature without any compulsion ⟨p. 627⟩of the law, he bringeth forth good works: and as a whole man when he is a thirst tarrieth but for drink, & when he hungereth abideth but for meat, & then drinketh and eateth naturally: even so is the faithful ever a thirst, and an hungered after the will of God, and tarrieth but for an occasion: & whensoever an occasion is given he worketh naturally the will of God. For this blessing is given them that trust in Christs blood, that they thirst and hunger to do Gods will. He that hath not this faith, is but an unprofitable babbler of faith and works, and neither wotteth what he babbleth, nor whereunto his words tend. For he feeleth not the power of faith nor the working of the spirit in his heart, but interpreteth the Scriptures which speak of faith and works after his own blind reason, and foolish fantasies, not having any experience in himself.

and as a man need not bid a tree bring forth fruit, so is there no law put to him that beleeueth and is iustified through faith, to force him to obedience, neither is it needefull. For the Law is written and grauen in his heart, his pleasure is daily therein, & as without commandement euen of his own nature he eateth, drinketh, seeth, heareth, talketh, goeth: euen so of his own nature without any compulsion ⟨p. 627⟩of the law, he bringeth forth good works: and as a whole man whē he is a thirst tarieth but for drinke, & when he hungreth abideth but for meat, & then drinketh and eateth naturally: euen so is the faithfull euer a thirst, and an hungred after the will of God, and tarieth but for an occasion: & whensoeuer an occasion is giuen he worketh naturally the will of God. For this blessing is giuen them that trust in Christs bloode, that they thirst and hunger to doe Gods wil. He that hath not this faith, is but an vnprofitable babler of faith and works, and neither wotteth what he bableth, nor whereunto his words tende. For he feeleth not the power of faith nor the working of the spirit in his heart, but interpreteth the Scriptures which speak of faith and works after his owne blind reason, and foolish fantasies, not hauing any experience in himselfe.