aring and anxious consciences find by experience that
it brings the greatest consolation, because consciences cannot be set
at rest through any works, but only by faith, when they take the sure
ground that for Christ's sake they have a reconciled God. As Paul
teaches Rom. 5, 1: Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.
This whole doctrine is to be referred to that conflict of the terrified
conscience, neither can it be understood apart from that conflict.
Therefore inexperienced and profane men judge ill concerning this
matter, who dream that Christian righteousness is nothing but civil and
philosophical righteousness.

Heretofore consciences were plagued with the doctrine of works, they did
not hear the consolation from the Gospel. Some persons were driven by
conscience into the desert, into monasteries hoping there to merit grace
by a monastic life. Some also devised other works whereby to merit grace
and make satisfaction for sins. Hence there was very great need to treat
of, and renew, this doctrine of faith in Christ, to the end that anxious
consciences should not be without consolation but that they might know
that grace and forgiveness of sins and justification are apprehended by
faith in Christ.

Men are also admonished that here the term "faith" does not signify
merely the knowledge of the history, such as is in the ungodly and in
the devil, but signifies a faith which believes, not merely the
history, but also the effect of the history--namely, this Article: the
forgiveness of sins, to wit, that we have grace, righteousness, and
forgiveness of sins through Christ.

Now he that knows that he has a Father gracious to him through Christ,
truly knows God; he knows also that God cares for him, and calls upon
God; in a word, he is not without God, as the heathen. For devils and
the ungodly are not able to believe this Article: the forgiveness of
sins. Hence, they hate God as an enemy, call not upon Him, and expect no
good from Him. Augustine also admonishes his readers concerning the word
"faith," and teaches that the term "faith" is accepted in the Scriptures
not for knowledge such as is in the ungodly but for confidence which
consoles and encourages the terrified mind.

Furthermore, it is taught on our part that it is necessary to do good
works, not that we should trust to merit grace by them, but because
it is the will of God. It is only by faith that forgiveness of sins is
apprehended, and that, for