When I write of justification before God from the dreadful curse of
the law, then I must speak of nothing but grace, Christ, the
promise, and faith; hut when I speak of our justification before
men, then I must join to these good works; for grace, Christ, and
faith are things invisible, and so not to be seen by another,
otherwise than through a life that befits so blessed a gospel as has
declared unto us the remission of our sins for the sake of Jesus
Christ. He then that would have forgiveness of sins, and so be
delivered from the curse of God, must believe in the righteousness
and blood of Christ; but he that would show to his neighbors that he
hath truly received this mercy of God, must do it by good works, for
all things else to them is but talk; as for example, a tree is known
to be what it is, whether of this or that kind, by its fruit. A tree
it is without fruit; but so long as it so abideth, there is
minisered occasion to doubt what manner of tree it is.