Part 10 (1/2)
Human reason comprehendeth not, nor understandeth that Christ is our brother.
Christ is given unto us that believe with all his benefits and works.
Christ cometh unto us by preaching, so that he is in the midst of us.
Without the Cross we cannot attain to glory.
The Gospel cannot be truly preached without offence and tumult.
The Holy Ghost maketh one not instantly complete, but he must grow and increase.
We lose nothing by the Gospel, therefore we should venture thereupon all we have.
To believe the Gospel, delivereth from sins.
Works belong to the neighbour, faith to G.o.d.
Those that censure and judge others, condemn themselves.
Such as is the Faith, such is also the benefit.
To doubt is sin and everlasting death.
We know Christ when he himself is a schoolmaster in our hearts, and breaketh bread unto us.
G.o.d's Word kindleth Faith in the heart.
Faith is to build certainly on G.o.d's mercy.
Christ requireth no seeming G.o.dliness, no hypocrisy nor dissembling, but the G.o.dliness of the heart.
We are saved merely by grace and mercy, if we trust thereupon, but G.o.d must alter our hearts.
The Law is nothing but a looking-gla.s.s.
Christ carrieth us upon his back before his Father.
Love regardeth not unthankfulness.
OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.
That we ought to beware of Sophistry.
If, said Luther, we diligently mark the world and the course thereof, we shall find that it is governed merely by weenings or conceits, Mundus regitur opinionibus. Therefore sophistry, hypocrisy, and tyranny do rule and have the government in the world.
The upright, pure, and clear Divine Word must be their handmaid, and be by them controlled; this the world will have. Therefore let us beware of sophistry, which consisteth not only in a double tongue, in doubtful and screwed words, which may be construed any way, but also it blossometh, and flourisheth in all arts and vocations; it will likewise have room and place in religion; it hath usurped and got a fine painted colour, under the name of holy writ.