justification has been given us for Christ's sake, who was given for
us in order that He might make satisfaction for the sins of the world,
and has been appointed as the [only] Mediator and Propitiator. And
this promise has not the condition of our merits [it does not read
thus: Through Christ you have grace salvation, etc., if you merit it],
but freely offers the remission of sins and justification, as Paul
says, Rom. 11, 6: If it be of works, then is it no more grace. And
in another place, Rom. 3, 21: The righteousness of God without the
Law is manifested, i.e., the remission of sins is freely offered.
Nor does reconciliation depend upon our merits. Because, if the
remission of sins were to depend upon our merits, and reconciliation
were from the Law, it would be useless. For, as we do not fulfil the
Law, it would also follow that we would never obtain the promise of
reconciliation. Thus Paul reasons, Rom. 4, 14: For if they which are
of the Law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none
effect. For if the promise would require the condition of our merits
and the Law, which we never fulfil, it would follow that the promise
would be useless.

But since justification is obtained through the free promise, it
follows that we cannot justify ourselves. Otherwise, wherefore would
there be need to promise? [And why should Paul so highly extol and
praise grace?] For since the promise cannot be received except by
faith, the Gospel, which is properly the promise of the remission of
sins and of justification for Christ's sake, proclaims the
righteousness of faith in Christ, which the Law does not teach. Nor
is this the righteousness of the Law. For the Law requires of us our
works and our perfection. But the Gospel freely offers, for Christ's
sake, to us, who have been vanquished by sin and death,
reconciliation, which is received, not by works, but by faith alone.