commandments, but those highest commandments of all, to love God and
our neighbor. The reason we are not justified is that we cannot keep
the commandments. We have reason, however, to challenge the impudence
of our opponents who set up the cry that we forbid good works and
condemn the Law of God because we deny that justification is by works.
This would be true if we did not admit that the raven was sent forth
from the ark by Noah. But we do say that the raven was sent out from
the ark. And this we deny, that it was not a raven, or that it was a
dove. All the clamor, the abuse, the blasphemy of our opponents have
no other purpose than to force us to declare that the raven was a
dove.

107. But now examine their books and carefully consider their
doctrine. Is it anything but a doctrine of works? This is good, this
is honorable, they say; this you must do; the other is dishonorable
and wicked, hence you must not do it. On the strength of such
teaching, they believe themselves to be true theologians and doctors.
But let them show us the person who either has done or will do all
those things, especially if you present, not only the second table of
the Law, as they do, but also the first one.

108. He who takes his stand upon this doctrine of the Law, then, is
truly nothing but a hearer. He does not learn anything except its
demands. Since such persons have no desire to learn anything further,
it should suffice for them if they are given the poem of Cato, or
given Esop, whom I consider a better teacher of morals. These two
writers are profitable reading for young men. Older persons should
study Cicero, who, to my astonishment, is considered by some as
inferior to Aristotle in the sphere of ethics. This would be a
rational course of study. So far as imparting moral precepts is
concerned, the good intentions and the assiduity of the heathen must
be commended. Yet they are inferior to Moses. He sets forth not only
morality, but also teaches the true worship of God. Nevertheless, he
who places his trust solely in Moses has nothing but the raven
wandering aimlessly about outside of the ark. Of the dove and the
olive branch, he has nothing.

109 The raven, then, represents not only the Law given by God, but all
laws and all philosophy which are the product of human reason and
wisdom. They tell us no more than what ought to be done and do not
provide the strength to do it. The judgment of Christ is true: "When
ye shall have don