Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

¹But herein the whole force of the matter consisteth, that we do again and again take heed, that our faith be not false, or as Paul speaketh, feigned. For if this err, and deceive us, all things deceive us. For there have bin many in all ages, as there be also at this day, which can speak many things of faith, and will be masters not only of the law, but even of the Gospel also. Who say the same that we do, that faith performeth & doth all things, but that the Law and good works are also to be joined unto it, and that otherwise, if these be not added, faith availeth nothing. In which words they mix & mingle together our life & works, and Christ. But this is not purely and sincerely to have taught faith, but to have coloured, defiled and corrupted faith, so that it can no more be called faith, but a feigned colour & counterfeiting of faith, the trust and confidence of the heart standing not purely toward Christ, as the only mercy seat, but being grounded upon our one holiness, as being able to stand before the judgement seat. Wherefore doing thus, we are most rightly cast of before God, and condemned unto destruction whereof we are most worthy. For if faith must be pure and void of all counterfeiting and feigning, then these two things, Christ and my works must be rightly discerned and severed one from the other. For this is plain even to him that is blind, that Christ and his works are not my life and my works, but are separated from the Law and from the works of all men, yea and that by a greater distance, then man is unlike or differeth from man. For neither can I say, that I and Cesar or the Bishop of Rome are the same thing, yet I am much nearer and liker unto either of them, then a mortal man and a sinner is unto Christ the Lord, who is not only a pure and holy man, free from all spot and blot, but is moreover ⟨p. 205⟩God also. Therefore let the Law and the pureness of thy heart, yea and thy good conscience avail in earth only toward men: But where the mercy seat is, to wit at the right hand of the father, and the Mediator between thee & God, thither no mans works & merits ought to have access, much less be they there of any force or value.

¹But herein the whole force of the matter consisteth, that we do againe and againe take heede, that our faith be not false, or as Paul speaketh, fained. For if this erre, and deceiue vs, all things deceiue vs. For there haue bin many in all ages, as there be also at this day, which can speake many thinges of faith, and wilbe maisters not onely of the law, but euen of the Gospell also. Who say the same that we do, that faith performeth & doth all things, but that the Law and good workes are also to be ioyned vnto it, and that otherwise, if these be not added, faith auaileth nothing. In which words they mixe & mingle togither our life & workes, and Christ. But this is not purely and syncerely to haue taught faith, but to haue coloured, defiled and corrupted faith, so that it can no more be called faith, but a feined colour & counterfecting of faith, the trust and confidence of the heart standing not purely toward Christ, as the onely mercy seate, but being grounded vpon our one holines, as being able to stand before the iudgemēt seat. Wherefore doing thus, we are most rightly cast of before God, and condemned vnto destruction whereof we are most worthie. For if faith must be pure and voyd of all counterfecting and faining, then these two thinges, Christ and my workes must be rightly discerned and seuered one from the other. For this is plaine euen to him that is blinde, that Christ and his workes are not my life and my workes, but are separated from the Law and from the workes of all men, yea and that by a greater distaunce, then man is vnlike or differeth from man. For neither can I say, that I and Cesar or the Bishop of Rome are the same thing, yet I am much neerer and liker vnto either of them, then a mortall man and a sinner is vnto Christ the Lord, whoe is not onely a pure and holy man, free from all spot and blot, but is moreouer