Untitled - Rore Sanctifica

Iviii
subject of
Introductory Essay.
controversy,
between faith and
works ; for here there is, in fact, no contrast,
since faith which did not "work by love," a
faith unensouled
but a dead faith.
by love, were not a
The characteristic
saving
of the
Lutheran faith
is, that
" men are justified
freely for Christ s sake," then and then only,
"
when they believe themselves to be received
into grace, and that their sins are remitted to
them for CHRIST S sake."* This faith as to
one s self becomes the centre of the whole
religion. The objects of the Word and Sacra
ments are not, that through the Word GOD
speaks to the soul, through the sacraments
CHRIST unites us with Himself, but that GOD
through them generates in the soul this special
faith, viz. : that they themselves are received
"
into grace for CHRIST S sake. That we may
obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the
Gospel and of extending Sacraments was insti
tuted. For through the Word and Sacraments,
as instruments, [no otherwise, according to
Luther, through the Sacraments than through
the Word] the HOLY SPIRIT is given, Who,
where and when GOD willeth, worketh faith in
them who hear the
Gospel,
that GOD, not for
our merits but for CHRIST, justifies those who
believe that they are received into grace for
* Conf. Aug., Art. iv., de Justif.