ain to that for the sake of which the works are done. As
the Apostle says, they are "ever learning and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. iii. 7). They appear to wish to build,
they make preparations, and yet they never do build; and thus they
continue in a show of godliness, but never attain to its power.

Meanwhile they please themselves with this zealous pursuit, and even
dare to judge all others, whom they do not see adorned with such a
glittering display of works; while, if they had been imbued with faith,
they might have done great things for their own and others' salvation,
at the same cost which they now waste in abuse of the gifts of God. But
since human nature and natural reason, as they call it, are naturally
superstitious, and quick to believe that justification can be attained
by any laws or works proposed to them, and since nature is also
exercised and confirmed in the same view by the practice of all earthly
lawgivers, she can never of her own power free herself from this bondage
to works, and come to a recognition of the liberty of faith.

We have therefore need to pray that God will lead us and make us taught
of God, that is, ready to learn from God; and will Himself, as He has
promised, write His law in our hearts; otherwise there is no hope for
us. For unless He himself teach us inwardly this wisdom hidden in a
mystery, nature cannot but condemn it and judge it to be heretical. She
takes offence at it, and it seems folly to her, just as we see that it
happened of old in the case of the prophets and Apostles, and just as
blind and impious pontiffs, with their flatterers, do now in my case and
that of those who are like me, upon whom, together with ourselves, may
God at length have mercy, and lift up the light of His countenance upon
them, that we may know His way upon earth and His saving health among
all nations, who is blessed for evermore. Amen. In the year of the Lord
MDXX.

End of Project Gutenberg's Concerning Christian Liberty, by Martin Luther

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