e children, although that has now ceased, for good
reasons? Christ permitted the children to come to Him, and would
not suffer any one to forbid them [Mark 10:13 ff.]. And in like
manner He has withheld His blessings neither from dumb or blind,
nor from the lame; why should not His sacrament also be for those
who heartily and in a Christian spirit desire it?

[Sidenote: Conclusion]

40. Thus we see with how very few laws and works Christ has
weighed down His holy Church, and with how many promises He has
lifted it up to faith; although now, alas! all is turned about,
and we are driven by many long and burdensome laws and works to
become pious; and nothing comes of it. But Christ's burden is
light [Matt. 11:30] and soon produces an abundant piety, which
consists in faith and trust, and fulfils what Isaiah says: "A
little perfection shall bring a flood full of all piety." [Isa.
10:32 (Vulgate)] That burden is faith, which is a little thing,
to which belong neither laws nor works, nay it cuts off all laws
and works and fulfils all laws and works. Therefore there flows
from it nothing but righteousness. For so perfect is faith, that
without any other labor and law, it makes everything that man
does acceptable and well-pleasing to God. As I have further said
of it in my little book "Of Good Works." [37]

Therefore, let us beware of sins, but much more of laws and good
works, and only give heed to the divine promise and to faith;
then good works will come of themselves. To this may God help
us. Amen.

FOOTNOTES

[1] See above, p. 25, note 1.

[2] Luther's customary term for the law of the Church, or "Canon
Law."

[3] For the application of this principle to the sacrament of
penance, see the _Discussion of Confession_ above, p. 82 f.

[4] Luther quotes from the Vulgate, St. Jerome's Latin version of
the Bible.

[5] The bread of the Lord's Supper.

[6] The _Sanctus_ in the mass.

[7] Luther says "feathers."

[8] _Darinnen die Messe steht und geht_.

[9] _Gelubde_, literally "vow."

[10] On the mode of baptism see the _Treatise on Baptism_ in this
volume. Cf. _Small Catechism_, Part IV, 4, and _Large Catechism_,
Part IV.

[11] _Tropffruchtlein_.

[12] "Not a benefit received, but a benefit conferred."

[13] See p. 309.

[14] i. e., Blessing and Thanksgiving at Table; cf. Appendix II.
of the _Small Catechism_.

[15] Called the "still" mass because said without music.

[16] See p. 302.

[17] Luther