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

Hereof also we may see, how fitly Paul calleth such constrained works the works of the law.¹ For they flow not from a ready and willing hart, but are enforced by the law, the heart declining an other way. Howbeit the law doth not require works alone, but much rather the heart it self, so that we might say, not only the works, but rather the heart of the law: not only the hands of the law, but rather the mind, will, and all the strength of the law. Whereupon it is said in the first Psalm of the blessed man: But his delight is in the law of God, and in his law doth he exercise him self day and night. Such a mind the law requireth in deed, but it giveth it not, neither can it give it of it own nature, whereby it cometh to pass that while the law continueth to exact it of a man, and to condemn him as long as he hath not such a mind, as disobedient to God, he is in anguish on every side, his conscience is grievously terrified and without all counsel and help. Then in deed he is most ready for grace, and this is that time appointed of the Father,² when his servitude should end, and he should enter into the state of the sons. For being thus in distress and terrified, seeing that by no other means he can avoid the condemnation of the law, he turneth him self wholly to pray to the Father for grace, he acknowledgeth his frailty, he confesseth his sin, he ceaseth to trust in works, and doth altogether, as it is meet, humble him self, perceiving now full well, that between him and a manifest sinner there is no difference at all but of works, that he hath a wicked heart, even as every other sinner hath. Yea it may be that such hypocrites do far more hate the law in their heart, then those famous sinners, which are even as it were drowned in sins.

Hereof also we may see, howe fitly Paule calleth such constrayned workes the workes of the lawe.¹ For they flowe not from a ready and willing hart, but are enforced by the lawe, the harte declyning an other waye. Howebeit the lawe dothe not require workes alone, but muche rather the harte it selfe, so that we might saye, not onely the workes, but rather the harte of the lawe: not onely the handes of the lawe, but rather the mynde, will, and all the strength of the lawe. Whereupon it is sayde in the first Psalme of the blessed man: But his delight is in the lawe of God, and in his lawe doth he exercise him selfe daye and night. Suche a mynde the lawe requireth in deede, but it giueth it not, neyther can it giue it of it owne nature, whereby it commeth to passe that whyle the lawe continueth to exact it of a man, and to condemne him as longe as he hath not suche a minde, as disobedient to God, he is in anguish on euery side, his conscience is grieuously terrified and without all counsell and helpe. Then in deede he is moste readye for grace, and this is that tyme appoynted of the Father,