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).

These things cannot take place, before we are justified by faith and born anew through the Holy Spirit ; because, in the first place, no one can keep the law, without the knowledge of Christ, nor can any one fulfil the law, without the Holy Spirit. But we cannot receive the Holy Ghost, except through faith, as Paul says to the Galatians 3:14 : “That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

It is, moreover, impossible for the human heart to love God by the agency of the law or works alone. The law manifests nothing but the wrath and severity of God, it accuses us, and shows how fearfully he will chastise sin with punishments both temporal and eternal. Hence, what the scholastics teach concerning the love of God, is a wild conceit ; it being impossible to love God, before we know and embrace his mercy through faith. Then only does God become (objectum amabile) object amiable, lovely.

Although reason may, to some extent enable us, by its innate light, to lead an honest life, and to perform the external works of the law, without Christ and the Holy Spirit, yet it is true, as we stated above, the principal parts of the divine law, that is, turning the whole heart to God, and reverencing him sincerely, (as required in the first table, and in the first and highest commandment,) cannot be kept without the Holy Spirit. (Henkel Translation, p. 180-181).

III.—OF LOVE AND THE FULFILMENT OF THE LAW. On this point our opponents meet us with the declarations, Matt. 19:17 : “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments ;” and Rom. 2:13 : “Not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified ;” besides many similar passages, relative to the law and to works. Before we reply to this, it is necessary for us to state our views concerning love and the fulfilment of the law.

It is written in the Prophet Jer. 31:33 : “I will put my law in their inward parts ;” and Rom. 3:31, Paul says : “Do we then make void the law through faith ? God forbid : yea, we establish the law.” Again, Christ says, Matt. 19:17 : “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Paul also says to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 13:3 : “If I have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” These and similar passages show that we must keep the law, when we are justified by faith, and thus increase more and more in the Spirit. We are not, however speaking of the Mosaic ceremonies, but the Ten Commandments, which require us to fear and love God truly, from the bottom of our hearts. Now, since faith is accompanied by the Holy Spirit, and produces in the heart a new light and life, it is true, and necessarily follows, that faith renews and changes the heart. What kind of a renovation of the heart this is, we learn from the Prophet, when he says : “I will put my law in their inward parts.”

Accordingly, when we are born anew by faith, and know, that God will be merciful to us, and be our father and our helper, we begin to fear, love, thank, and praise him, to entreat and look to him for assistance, and to submit to his will in afflictions ; then we also being to love our neighbor. Then there is, within us a new heart, mind, and soul, through the Spirit of Christ.

(Henkel Translation, p. 180).

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).

We also say, that love must follow faith, as Paul tells us, Gal. 5:6 : “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision ; but faith, which worketh by love.” But we must not, therefore, put our trust in love, or build upon it, as if we obtain the remission of sins and reconciliation with God on account of love or through it. Neither do we obtain forgiveness of sins for the sake of other works which follow, but through faith alone. The promises of God cannot be taken hold of by works, but by faith alone. Faith, properly speaking, or fides proprie dicta, is, when our hearts and the Holy Ghost in us, declare that the promises of God are true and certain ; this is the faith, of which the Scriptures speak. Now, before we perform or accomplish any thing, faith does nothing but receive and accept gifts ; it is therefore counted to us for righteousness, as it was to Abraham, before we love, before we keep the law, or do any work.

Nevertheless it is true, that fruits and works follow, and that faith is not a mere historical knowledge, but a new light in the heart, and an energetic operation of the Holy Spirit, by which we are regenerated, and which gives comfort and life to the affrighted conscience. Since this faith alone obtains remission of sin, and renders us acceptable in the sight of God, it is accompanied by the Holy Ghost, and it should be styled, rather than the love which follows, gratia gratum faciens ; that is, the grace which renders acceptable. (Henkel Translation, p. 178-179).