When they speak of love, or of their habitu dilectionis†, they introduce their own dreams, that men earn or merit this habitum by their works; but do not say a word about God’s promises and Word, like the Anabaptists of the present time. Now we cannot barter with God; he cannot be known, sought, or comprehended, except in and through his Word alone; as Paul says, Rom. 1:16: “The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth;” again, Rom. 10:17: “Faith cometh by hearing.” This, of itself, shows clearly enough, that we are justified before God by faith alone. For, if we come before God and are justified alone through his Word, and if no one can comprehend that word, except by faith, it follows, that faith justifies. There are other considerations, however, that better illustrate this subject. Thus far, I have endeavored to show, how we are born anew, and what the faith, of which we speak, is and is not.
(Henkel Translation, p. 169-170, † literally “habit of love” toward God ).