astray, with these blind ones, must look
further than to the works of the law or the doctrine of works; nay,
must turn away his sight from works, and look to the person, and to the
manner in which it may be justified. Now it is justified and saved, not
by works or laws, but by the word of God--that is, by the promise of His
grace--so that the glory may be to the Divine majesty, which has saved
us who believe, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy, by the word of His grace.

From all this it is easy to perceive on what principle good works are
to be cast aside or embraced, and by what rule all teachings put forth
concerning works are to be understood. For if works are brought forward
as grounds of justification, and are done under the false persuasion
that we can pretend to be justified by them, they lay on us the yoke
of necessity, and extinguish liberty along with faith, and by this very
addition to their use they become no longer good, but really worthy of
condemnation. For such works are not free, but blaspheme the grace of
God, to which alone it belongs to justify and save through faith. Works
cannot accomplish this, and yet, with impious presumption, through
our folly, they take it on themselves to do so; and thus break in with
violence upon the office and glory of grace.

We do not then reject good works; nay, we embrace them and teach them in
the highest degree. It is not on their own account that we condemn them,
but on account of this impious addition to them and the perverse notion
of seeking justification by them. These things cause them to be only
good in outward show, but in reality not good, since by them men are
deceived and deceive others, like ravening wolves in sheep's clothing.

Now this leviathan, this perverted notion about works, is invincible
when sincere faith is wanting. For those sanctified doers of works
cannot but hold it till faith, which destroys it, comes and reigns in
the heart. Nature cannot expel it by her own power; nay, cannot even see
it for what it is, but considers it as a most holy will. And when
custom steps in besides, and strengthens this pravity of nature, as has
happened by means of impious teachers, then the evil is incurable, and
leads astray multitudes to irreparable ruin. Therefore, though it is
good to preach and write about penitence, confession, and satisfaction,
yet if we stop there, and do not go on to teach faith, such teachi