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

These of Cains brood want the faith of sons, which they them selves confess for they think it a most absurd thing, & wicked arrogance, to affirm them selves to be the sons of God and holy, therefore as they believe, even so are they counted before God, they never become the sons of God, or holy, nevertheless they are exercised with the works of the law, and are well wearied, wherefore they are and remain servants for ever. And they receive no other reward, but these temporal things, namely, quietness of life, abundance of goods, dignity and honours, &c. Which we see to be usual among the followers of Popish religion, then whom there is none at this day that liveth more pleasantly, more wealthily, more gloriously and honourably. But this is their reward, they are servants and not sons, wherefore in death they shall be thrust from all good things, neither shall any portion of eternal inheritance come unto them, who in this present life would believe nothing thereof. So therefore it is that servants and sons are not much unlike in works, but in mind and faith they are most unlike.

These of Cains broode want the faith of sonnes, which they them selues confesse for they thinke it a most absurd thing, & wicked arrogancie, to affirme them selues to be the sonnes of God and holy, therefore as they beleeue, euen so are they counted before God, they neuer become the sonnes of God, or holy, neuertheles they are exercised with the workes of the law, and are well wearied, wherefore they are and remaine seruaunts for euer. And they receiue no other reward, but these temporall things, namely, quietnes of life, aboundance of goods, dignitie and honours, &c. Which we see to be vsuall among the followers of Popish religion, then whom there is none at this day that liueth more pleasauntly, more welthily, more gloriously and honorably. But this is their reward, they are seruaunts and not sonnes, wherefore in death they shall be thrust from all good thinges, neither shall any portion of eternall inheritance come vnto them, who in this present life would beleeue nothing thereof. So therefore it is that seruaunts and sonnes are not much vnlike in workes, but in minde and faith they are most vnlike.

Now the Apostle endeavoureth here to prove, (which in deed is the very matter) that the law with all the works thereof doth make us no other then servants, if this faith in Christ, whereof we have spoken, be away. For that alone doth make us the sons