#47 Art. IV “Justification” of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.We have hitherto presented abundant testimony from the Fathers and the Scriptures, for the purpose of showing more clearly, that through faith alone we obtain the remission of sin for Christ’s sake and are justified ; that is, that the unrighteous are sanctified and regenerated. Pious souls may observe here, that this doctrine of faith is indispensable ; for by it alone we learn to know Christ and his benefits, and in it alone the heart and conscience find true and indubitable rest and consolation. If there is to be a Christian church, and a Christian faith, they must preach and teach a doctrine, which places the soul, not upon error or sand, but on a foundation, on which it may firmly rely and trust.
Our adversaries, therefore, are truly unfaithful bishops, preachers, and doctors ; they have hitherto given evil advice to men, and still continue to do so, by advancing doctrines, which leave them in doubt and suspense, as to the remission of their sins. For how is it possible, that those, who have not heard or do no not know this important doctrine of Christ—who yet waver, and doubt whether they have forgiveness of their sins—should sustain themselves in the peril of death, and in the last gasp and agony ? Again, , if there is to be a Christian Church, the Gospel of Christ must ever remain in it, namely, the divine promise that our sins are remitted without merit, for Christ’s sake. Those, who do not inculcate the faith of which we have been speaking, suppress this holy Gospel entirely.
Now it is shocking to hear, that the scholastics have not written a particle about faith. And these our adversaries follow, rejecting this most important doctrine of faith ; and they are so hardened and blind, as not to perceive, that they are thus trampling under foot the whole Gospel, the divine promises concerning the remission of sins, and Jesus Christ himself.
(Henkel Translation, p. 179-180).
