Our cause has not dropped to as low an ebb as did that of Christ in his own day, when even Peter denied him, when all the disciples fled from him, and when Judas betrayed and captured him.  Even if matters were to become that bad, our cause will not perish and Christ will not turn to dust. But I know and am convinced that this and anything else that may still come, happens as a general test and trial in which the strong will be confirmed, the weak strengthened, the confirmed praised, the false believers revealed; the enemies and those not worthy of recognizing and regarding it as God’s word are offended and hardened, as they indeed have deserved.  (Luther’s Works, v.43, p.66)

Picture: Art. VI  Das der Glaub sol gütte werck bringë, doch de wir nicht auff solche werck verfrawen.
“That faith should bring good works, but we do not rely on such works.”
Jac. 2, v. 17 ; Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James)
Luc 17, v. 19 ; And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]

We know that he who raised Christ from the dead and placed him at his right hand is strong and faithful enough to be a Lord over all things, without a doubt also over sin, death, devil, and hell, to say nothing of the papistic swine’s bladders with their threatening, noisy snapping.⁹ They will not quell this boast in us. And as long as that remains our boast, we will gleefully scorn them and see whether they can gobble up this Christ as easily as they think and replace him with another about whom the Father knows nothing. Therefore I hope that Christ will not only rectify matters again for us—even if they should subsequently devise something worse—but let these redound to our benefit and growth, in accord with the abundant riches of his wisdom and goodness, especially if you too assist with your intercession and your trust.  (Luther’s Works, v.43, p.65-66)

Picture: Art. V  Das Gott durche wort und Sacramenta den Glaube in uns wircket. 
“That God says through the Word and Sacraments faith works in us.”
Rom. 10, v. 17 ; So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Tit. 3. v. 5 ; Not by woks of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]