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

Here we must note moreover, that the Law can be fulfilled of no man, but of him which being free from the Law, is no more under it. We must accustom our selves also to the manner of Pauls speech, that we may know assuredly who is under the Law,¹ and who is not under the Law. As many therefore as work good works, because the Law hath so commanded, being brought thereunto either with fear of punishment, or hope of reward, are under the Law, and are compelled to do good things and to be honest, being not brought hereunto of their own voluntary will. Wherefore the Law hath dominion over them, whose servants and captives they are. Now such are all men, that are not yet regenerate by Christ, which every one may easily learn with himself by experience, every mans own conscience showing it unto him. We all find our selves so affected, that if no Law did urge us, & both the fear of punishment, and hope of reward were away, and it were plainly free for us to do what we list, we would do altogether those things that are evil, and omit the things that are good, especially either tentation moving us, or occasion provoking us. But now, forasmuch as the Law stayeth us with the threatenings and promises thereof, we do oftentimes abstain from evil things, and do those things that be good, howbeit we do them not for the love of goodness, and hatred of evil, but only for fear of punishment, and respect of reward: wherefore being left wholly to our selves, we are servants of the Law, neither do we hear it any otherwise, then servants do their hard and cruel master.

Here we must note moreouer, that the Lawe can be fulfilled of no man, but of him which being free from the Lawe, is no more vnder it. We must accustome our selues also to the maner of Paules speeche, that we may know assuredly who is vnder the Lawe,¹ and who is not vnder the Lawe. As many therefore as worke good workes, because the Lawe hath so commaunded, being brought thereunto either with feare of punishmēt, or hope of reward, are vnder the Lawe, and are compelled to do good thinges and to be honest, being not brought hereunto of their owne voluntarie will. Wherefore the Lawe hath dominion ouer them, whose seruaunts and captiues they are. Now such are all men, that are not yet regenerate by Christ, which euerie one may easily learne with himselfe by experience, euerie mans own conscience shewing it vnto him. We all finde our selues so affected, that if no Lawe did vrge vs, & both the feare of punishment, and hope of reward were awaye, and it were plainly free for vs to do what we list, we would do altogether those thinges that are euell, and omit the thinges that are good, especially either tentation mouing vs, or occasion prouoking vs. But now, forasmuch as the Law stayeth vs with the threatninges and promises thereof, we do oftentimes abstaine from euell thinges, and do those thinges that be good, howbeit we do them not for the loue of goodnes, and hatred of euel, but onely for feare of punishment, and respect of reward: wherefore being left wholy to our selues, we are seruaunts of the Lawe, neither do we heare it any otherwise, then seruaunts do their hard and cruell maister.