The Gospel cometh of God, it showeth Christ, and requireth Faith. The Gospel is a light in the world, which lighteneth mankind, and maketh children of God. False Preachers are worse than deflowerers of virgins. Righteousness is obtained through faith, and not through works. Works make faith strong. A Preacher is made good through temptations. A Prince is venison in heaven. A person must be good before his works can be good. We must not be dejected, but believe and pray. No State or Calling is of any value to make one good before God. Faith endureth no human traditions in the conscience. The Saints oftentimes erred like men. We must distinguish offices from the persons. We hate punishment, but we love sin. God preserveth the sanctified, yea, even in the midst of errors. No great Saint lived without errors. A Christian’s life consisteth of three points—of faith, love, and the cross. We command a Christian in nothing, he is only admonished. We must curb ourselves in our own wills and minds. All revenge among Christians is taken away; they must grow up and increase in the fruits of the spirit, among which love is the greatest, for she goeth about with the people. Human reason comprehendeth not, nor understandeth that Christ is our brother. Christ is given unto us that believe with all his benefits and works. Christ cometh unto us by preaching, so that he is in the midst of us. Without the Cross we cannot attain to glory. The Gospel cannot be truly preached without offence and tumult. The Holy Ghost maketh one not instantly complete, but he must grow and increase. We lose nothing by the Gospel, therefore we should venture thereupon all we have. To believe the Gospel, delivereth from sins. Works belong to the neighbour, faith to God. Those that censure and judge others, condemn themselves. Such as is the Faith, such is also the benefit. To doubt is sin and everlasting death. We know Christ when he himself is a schoolmaster in our hearts, and breaketh bread unto us. God’s Word kindleth Faith in the heart. Faith is to build certainly on God’s mercy. Christ requireth no seeming godliness, no hypocrisy nor dissembling, but the godliness of the heart. We are saved merely by grace and mercy, if we trust thereupon, but God must alter our hearts. The Law is nothing but a looking-glass. Christ carrieth us upon his back before his Father. Love regardeth not unthankfulness. OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. _That we ought to beware of Sophistry_. If, said Luther, we diligently mark the world and the course thereof, we shall find that it is governed merely by weenings or conceits, _Mundus regitur opinionibus_. Therefore sophistry, hypocrisy, and tyranny do rule and have the government in the world.