Translating the Apology of the Augsburg Confession: Art. IV De Iustificatione (xvi)

Quod[1] Remissionem Peccatorum Sola Fide in Christum Consequamur.

Fateri etiam adversarios existimamus,[2] quod[3] in iustificatione primum necessaria sit remissio peccatorum. Omnes enim sub peccato sumus. Quare sic argumentamur: Consequi remissionem peccatorum est iustificari iuxta illud, Ps. 32, 1: Beati, quorum remissae sunt iniquitates. Sola fide in Christum, non per dilectionem, non propter dilectionem aut opera consequimur remissionem peccatorum, etsi dilectio sequitur fidem. Igitur sola fide iustificamur, intelligendo[4] iustificationem, ex iniusto iustum effici seu regenerari.

Minor ita facile poterit declarari, si sciamus, quomodo[5] fiat remissio peccatorum. Adversarii frigidissime disputant, utrum[6] sint una mutatio, remissio peccatorum et infusio gratiae. Otiosi homines, quid[7] dicerent, non habebant. In remissione peccatorum oportet[8] in cordibus vinci terrores peccati et mortis aeternae, sicut Paulus testatur 1 Cor. 15, 56 sq.: Aculeus mortis peccatum est, potentia vero peccati lex. Gratia autem Deo, qui dat nobis victoriam per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum. Id est, peccatum perterrefacit conscientias; id fit per legem, quae ostendit iram Dei adversus peccatum, sed vincimus per Christum. Quomodo? Fide, quum erigimus nos fiducia[9] promissae[10] misericordiae propter Christum. Sic igitur probamus minorem: Ira Dei non potest placari, si opponamus nostra opera, quia Christus propositus est propitiator,[11] ut[12] propter ipsum fiat nobis placatus Pater. Christus autem non apprehenditur tamquam mediator nisi fide. Igitur sola fide consequimur remissionem peccatorum, quum erigimus corda fiducia misericordiae propter Christum promissae.[13]

---

[1] A quod substantive clause

[2] Introduces the indirect statement Fateri etiam adversarios

[3] A quod substantive clause

[4] A gerund which introduces an indirect statement

[5] Introduces an indirect question

[6] Introduces an indirect question

[7] Introduces an indirect question

[8] Introduces an indirect question

[9] An ablative of means

[10] A perfect passive participle

[11] Apposition for Christus

[12] A purpose clause

[13] A perfect passive participle

Vocabulary
Aculeus, i, m.- sting, thorn; barb; pang	Minor, minoris, m.- minor, minor premise
Beatus, a, um- blessed	Mutatio, mutationis, f.- change, alteration
Existimo, are, avi, atus- to value; form an opinion, think; judge	Victoria, ae, f.- victory
Infusio, infusionis, f.- infusion, pouring in, addition

That we obtain the forgiveness of sins by faith alone in Christ

We think that the adversaries also confess that in justification first the forgiveness of sins is necessary. For everyone is under sin. Wherefore we argue thusly: to obtain the forgiveness of sins is to be justified. Concerning that Psalm 32:1 says, “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven.” We obtain the forgiveness of sins by faith alone in Christ, not through love, not on account of love or works even if love follows faith. Therefore, we are justified by faith alone, by understanding that justification is to be made just from the unjust or to be regenerated.

The minor premise will be able to be declared so easily, if we know how the forgiveness of sins happens. The adversaries very coldly dispute whether there is one change, forgiveness of sins and infusion of grace. Idle men do not know what they are saying. In the forgiveness of sins it is necessary that the terrors of sin and eternal death are conquered in hearts as Paul testifies in 1 Corinthians 15:56 and following, “The sting of death is sin but the power of sin is the law. However, grace is from God who gives victory to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.” That is sin terrifies consciences; it happens through the law which shows the wrath of God against sin, but we are conquerors through Christ. How? By faith, when we raise ourselves through trust in the promised mercy on account of Christ. Therefore, in this way we demonstrate the minor premise: the wrath of God cannot be placated if we oppose our works because Christ has been positioned as our mediator so that on account of Him the Father becomes kindly disposed towards us. Christ, however, is not grasped as our mediator except by faith. Therefore, by faith alone we obtain the forgiveness of sins when we raise our hearts in the mercy promised on account of Christ. 

CAVE EMPTOR, SELF PROMOTION: Check out my author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09F3PXYJY

---