Of the Church

1] We do not concede to them that they are the Church, and [in truth] they are not [the Church]; nor will

we listen to those things which, under the name of Church, they enjoin or forbid. 2] For, thank God,

[to-day] a child seven years old knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who

hear the voice of their Shepherd. For the children pray thus: I believe in one holy [catholic or] Christian

Church. 3] This holiness does not consist in albs, tonsures, long gowns, and other of their ceremonies

devised by them beyond Holy Scripture, but in the Word of God and true faith.

Smalcald Articles

XIII. How One is Justified before God, and of Good Works.

1] What I have hitherto and constantly taught concerning this I know not how to change in the least,

namely, that by faith, as St. Peter says, we acquire a new and clean heart, and God will and does account

us entirely righteous and holy for the sake of Christ, our Mediator. And although sin in the flesh has not

yet been altogether removed or become dead, yet He will not punish or remember it.

2] And such faith, renewal, and forgiveness of sins is followed by good works. And what there is still

sinful or imperfect also in them shall not be accounted as sin or defect, even [and that, too] for Christ’s

sake; but the entire man, both as to his person and his works, is to be called and to be righteous and holy

from pure grace and mercy, shed upon us [unfolded] and spread over us in Christ. 3] Therefore we

cannot boast of many merits and works, if they are viewed apart from grace and mercy, but as it is

written, 1 Cor. 1, 31: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, namely, that he has a gracious God. For

thus all is well. 4] We say, besides, that if good works do not follow, faith is false and not true.