From this it is evident, that we cannot keep the law of God without faith, without Christ, without the Holy Ghost. For this reason also we assert, that the law must be kept, and that every believer begins to keep it, and increases more and more in the love and fear of God, which is fulfilling the commandments of God indeed. And when we speak of the keeping of the law, or of good works, we include both, the good heart internally and good works externally.
Wherefore, our adversaries do us wrong, in charging us with being silent on the subject of good works ; while we not only assert, that men must do good works, but also in particular point out, that the heart must be engaged therein, if they are not in vain, empty, cold, hypocritical works. Experience teaches, that although the hypocrites undertake to keep the law by their own strength, they are unable to do so, or to prove it by their deeds. For to what extent are they free from hatred, from envy, contention, rage, anger, avarice, adultery, &c.? Can greater vices be found any where, than in monasteries? Human nature is much too weak, by its own strength, to resist the devil, his artifices and power ; for he holds all those captive, who are not redeemed by Christ. Divine strength and the resurrection of Christ are necessary to overcome the devil. And since we know that we become participants of Christ’s strength and victory through faith, we can pray God, upon the promise given, to protect and govern us by his Spirit, that the devil may not over throw or ruin us ; else we shall constantly fall into error and abominable vices.
Paul therefore says, not of us, but of Christ, Eph. 4:8 : “He led captivity captive ;” for Christ conquered the devil, and promised the Holy Ghost through the Gospel, that by his assistance we may overcome every evil. And in 1 John 3:8, it is written : “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (Henkel Translation, p. 182-183).