For these reasons, we teach not only how the law may be kept, but also how all that we do becomes pleasing to God, not because we are able, in this life, to keep the law so perfectly and purely, but because we are in Christ, as we shall hereafter show. It is evident, then, that our divines teach the truth concerning good works, and we add, that it is impossible for true faith, which comforts the heart and receives the forgiveness of sins, to be without the love of God. For, through Christ we approach the Father, and when we are reconciled to God through Christ, then only do we believe and determine fully in our hearts, that there is a true and living God, and that we have a Father in heaven, who is constantly looking down upon us, who must be feared, and should be loved on account of his unspeakable favors. Him we should always thank sincerely, and to him accord praise and honor, who hears our prayers, our sighs, and our groanings, as John says in his first Epistle, 4:19 : “We love him, because he first loved us ;” for he gave his Son for us, and remitted our sins. Here John clearly shows, that faith goes before, and love follows. (Henkel Translation, p. 183).

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).

And Paul remarks, 2 Cor. 3:15, 16, 17, that the veil which covers the face of Moses, cannot be removed, except by faith in Christ the Lord, through whom the Holy Spirit is imparted. For thus he says : “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now, the Lord is that Spirit : and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” By the veil Paul means the opinions and misconceptions of men relative to the Ten Commandments and the ceremonies ; namely, that the hypocrites suppose that the law can be kept and fulfilled by the observance of external works, and that the offerings and the various services of God, ex opere operato, justify us in the sight of God. But this veil is drawn from our hearts, that is, our false views are removed, when God reveals our wretchedness to our hearts, and makes us sensible of his wrath and our sins. Then do we first observe, how far we are from fulfilling the law, how securely and blindly all men continue to live, and how destitute they are of the fear of God ; in short, how far they are from believing, that God created heaven, earth, and all creatures, that he sustains our breath, our life, and all creation continually, and protects them against Satan.

Here we first learn, that unbelief, security, and contempt of God, are so deeply concealed in us. Here we first experience, that we believe very feebly or not at all, that God forgives sins, that he hears prayer, &c. When we now hear the Word and the Gospel, and know Christ through faith, we receive the Holy Spirit, and obtain proper views of God, fear and believe in him, &c.  (Henkel Translation, p. 181-182).

But our opponents are rude, indolent, and ignorant theologians. They consider only the second table of Moses and its works ; the first table, however, in which are embraced the chief doctrines of theology, and on which all depends, they disregard entirely. Yes, this most important, exalted, and holy commandment, which exceeds all the understanding of men and angels, which concerns the highest service to God, yea, the Deity himself and the honor of the Eternal Majesty, and in which God commands us, sincerely to regard, fear, and love him, as our Lord and God, is treated by them as if it did not even belong to theology.

But Christ is given to us, that our sins may be forgiven and the Holy Spirit imparted to us, for his sake. This Spirit works new light, immortal life, and eternal righteousness in us, in order to manifest Christ in our hearts, as we find, John 16:14 : “For he shall receive of mine, and show it unto you.” He works other graces also, love, thanksgiving, chastity, patience, &c. No one is able, therefore, to fulfil the law without the Holy Ghost ; for this reason Paul says : “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid : yea, we establish the law,” Rom. 3:31 ; for we cannot fulfil and keep the law, until the Holy Spirit is given to us. (Henkel Translation, p. 181).