M. I hope for justification through the blood of the cross.
W. Dost thou hope for justification, while thy sins remain? Thou shouldst not hope for what is wrong.
M. Is it wrong to hope for justification through faith?
W. It is not wrong to hope for justification, when thou hast repented of all thy sins; but thou wilt not find justification in thy wrongs.
M. Then faith will not justify the mind.
W. Faith will not justify without works of good.
M. Will works justify without faith?
W. Works will not justify, unless they are good; and good works will justify.
M. How can they justify without faith?
W. They justify themselves, because they do not contradict each other. They are consistent with good, and in harmony with the law of God. They will justify the mind who acts well, because mind will not work a wrong, when good is done. When mind obeys God, by obeying the law which God has established in the wisdom of nature, he will not be condemned. God will not condemn a mind in opposition to his law. But nature will afford no justification without repentance. In vain is faith without works, because it is dead, and does no one any good.