#27 Art. IV “Justification” of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.Our opponents have no certainty, nor can they correctly tell us, or state, in clear and intelligible terms, how the Holy Spirit is given. They dream, that by the simple bodily reception and use of the sacraments, ex opere operato,* we obtain grace and receive the Holy Ghost; although the heart be entirely absent, as if the light of the Holy Ghost were so worthless, weak, and futile. When we speak of faith, as being not an idle fancy, but a new light, life, and power in the heart, that renews the heart and disposition, transforms man into a new creature, namely, a new light and work of the Holy Ghost—everyone knows, that we do not mean faith accompanied by mortal sin, as our opponents speak of it. For how can light and darkness exist together? Faith, wherever, and while it exists, bears good fruit, as we shall hereafter show. This is certainly a clear and simple exposition of the sinner’s true conversion, and of regeneration. Now we defy all the Sententiaries to produce, from their innumerable commentaries, glossaries, and writings on doctrinal opinions, even one, that in the least correctly sets forth the conversion of the sinner. (Henkel Translation, p. 169, *That is, when merely the external act is performed.).
