This is my absolute opinion: he that will maintain that man’s free will is able to do or work anything in spiritual cases, be they never so small, denies Christ. This I have always maintained in my writings, especially in those against Erasmus, one of the learnedest men in the whole world, and thereby will I remain, for I know it to be the truth, though all the world should be against it; yea, the decree of Divine Majesty must stand fast against the gates of hell.
I confess that mankind has a free will, but it is to milk kine, to build houses, etc., and no further; for so long as a man is at ease and in safety, and is in no want, so long he thinks he has a free will which is able to do something; but when want and need appear, so that there is neither meat, drink, or money, where is then free will? It is utterly lost and cannot stand when it comes to the pinch. Faith only stands fast and sure and seeks Christ. Therefore, faith is far another thing than free will; nay, free will is nothing at all, but faith is all in all. Art thou bold and stout, and canst thou carry it lustily with thy free will when plague, wars, and times of dearth and famine are at hand? No: in time of plague, thou knowest not what to do for fear; thou wishest thyself a hundred miles off. In times of dearth thou thinkest: Where shall I find to eat? Thy will cannot so much as give thy heart the smallest comfort in these times of need, but the longer thou strivest, the more it makes thy heart faint and feeble, insomuch that it is affrighted even at the rushing and shaking of a leaf. These are the valiant acts our free will can achieve.