The Fourth Dialogue

among the Christians also no disputes, whether Christ has also done the things that are told of him in the Holy Scriptures, and whether he also Christ's commandments are the least believed. promises the things contained therein. But why do so few people believe the commandments?

Lod. Would fewer people believe the commandments than the histories and promises?

Vred. Do you doubt that? In the first place, the masters generally teach about the commandments of God, namely that they are not given so that we should perform them, but so that we should recognize our own weakness. What is that, if not to take faith away from the commandments of God, and not to believe them? Certainly, since the Lord has said: "All things are possible to the believer." And Paul says: "That he can do all things through him by whom he is strengthened." Thus it follows that those Matt. 22; 21; 17; 20. who not only do not obey the commandments, but also believe that one cannot obey them, do not truly believe the commandments. From which it is then also concluded that as few people as are obedient to the commandments (these are the very fewest), just as few people believe the commandments.

Lod. But that which you say, that all things are possible to the believer, does not seem to be spoken of obedience, but of miracles.

Vred. It is spoken in general of all the works of faith, of which we have spoken here before, as when I brought forward that passage from the Book to the Hebrews: "The holy ones have conquered kingdoms and practiced righteousness through faith."