#45 Art. IV “Justification” of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.It is really strange, that our adversaries can be so blind, and overlook so many plain passages which clearly state that we are justified by faith and not by works. What can these deluded men be thinking of ? Do they suppose, that the Scriptures so often and so plainly repeat these things without design ? Do they imagine, that the word of the Holy Spirit is doubtful and inconsiderate, or that he knows not what he says ?
On this subject these ungodly men have fabricated the sophistry, that the passages of Scripture which speak of faith, must be applied to fide formata, which is to say, that faith makes no one godly or righteous, except on account of love or works. In short, according to their view, it is not faith that justifies us, but love alone ; for they say, that faith is compatible with mortal sin. What is this but overthrowing all the promises of God and the pledges of grace, and preaching works and the law ?
If faith obtains grace and the remission of sins on account of love, the forgiveness of sin must always be uncertain ; because we never love God as fervently as we ought ; nay, we cannot love God, until we are assured that our sins are remitted. Hence, when our opponents teach us to rely on such love to God as we are capable of, and upon our works, they entirely set aside the Gospel, which preaches the forgiveness of sins, while no one can really feel or understand such love to God, except he believe, that by grace he obtains remission of sins through Christ, without price. (Henkel Translation, p. 178).
