Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/204

 Thus they ascribe to man's doctrines and works that which belongs only to the Word and works of God. But the light of faith shows clearly that all this is nothing but thick and terrible darkness, is without God's grace in Christ, and lets go the merits Christ has with God. This is the way to heaven and the chief thing in a Christian life.

Afterwards you heard that such a man owes nothing except love to his neighbor, as St. Paul says,* and Christ says,* "This is my commandment, that ye love one another. For Christ's disciples can do nothing for themselves, for their own sins and their own salvation, but Christ's blood has already done everything and accomplished everything, and He has loved them, so that they cannot any more love themselves or seek or wish anything good for themselves, but what they might do and seek for themselves, they must now turn to their neigh- bor's good and do for others the good works they cannot do for themselves; just as Christ has done. Who did not give and pour out His blood for Himself, but for us. This is the sign, too, by which true Christians are known, as Christ says," "By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." This is the second thing in a Christian life.

These things teach and do, my beloved, and let no other wind of doctrine move you, whether it blow from Rome or from Jerusalem. Everything depends on faith in Christ and love to one's neighbor. Indulgences, the worship of saints, and all other works that are applied to ourselves and the good of our souls, these avoid as deadly poison. But if you hold to this pure doctrine and abide in it, you will not escape the Cross and persecution, for the evil spirit cannot endure it that his holiness, which he has established by works and through the clergy throughout the world, should thus be put to shame and brought to nought. But be steadfast, and re- member that you have no right to fare better than your Lord and Bishop, Christ, Who also suffered because of this doctrine, for He rebuked the work-righteousness of the Pharisees. Such a Cross is necessary and profitable for you, for it brings you a firm and assured hope, so that you hate this life and wait

^Romstts xiii, 8.

'John XT, 12, •John xiU, 35.

�� �