Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

^5. Hear one seeing, who once was blind. Behold, against what a cross they have miserably stumbled, who would not confess their blindness to the Physician! The Law had continued with them. What serves the Law without grace? Unhappy men, what can the Law do without grace? What does the earth without the spittle of Christ? What does the Law without grace, but make them more guilty? Why? Because hearers of the Law and not doers, and hereby sinners, transgressors. The son of the hostess of the man of God was dead, and his staff was sent by his servant, and laid upon his face, but he did not revive. What does the Law without grace? What says the Apostle, now seeing, now of blind, enlightened? “For if there had been a Law given which could give life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law.” Take heed; let us answer and say; what is this that he has said? “If there had been a Law given which could give life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law.” If it could not give life, why was it given? He went on and added, “But the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” That the promise of illumination, the promise of love by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe, that Scripture, that is the Law, has concluded all under sin. What is, “has concluded all under sin”? “I had not known concupiscence, except the Law had said, You shall not lust.” What is, “has concluded all under sin”? Hath made the sinner a transgressor also. For it could not heal the sinner. “It has concluded all under sin;” but with what hope? The hope of grace, the hope of mercy. You have received the Law: you wished to keep it, you were not able; you have fallen from pride, hast seen your weakness. Run to the Physician, wash the face. Long for Christ, confess Christ, believe in Christ; the Spirit is added to the letter, and you will be saved. For if you take away the Spirit from the letter, “the letter kills;” if it kill, where is hope? “But the Spirit gives life.”