Our adversaries think that faith, whereby we receive the Holy Ghost, is but a light matter; but how high and hard a matter it is, I myself do find by experience, and so do all they which with me do embrace the same. It is soon said, that by the hearing of faith the Holy Ghost is received, but not so easily laid hold of, believed and retained. Wherefore, if thou hear of me that Christ is that Lamb of God sacrificed for thy sins, see also that thou hear it effectually.
Paul, very aptly, call it “the hearing of faith,” and not the Word of faith (although there be but small difference), that is, such a Word, as thou hearing does believe, so that the Word be not only my voice, but may be heard of thee: then it is truly and indeed the hearing of faith, through the which thou receivest the Holy Ghost: which, after thou hast once received thou shalt also mortify the flesh.
Martin Luther, Kregel, Galatians 3:2, p. 119.
