Here we should remember that man in Holy Writ is divided into two parts in an inner and outer man.The outer man is called according to his outward,visible bodily life and conversation;the inner man according to his heart and conscience
The outer man can be forced to do the good and quit the bad by law pain,punishment or shame,or attracted by favor,money,honor and reward.
The inner man cannot be forced to do out of his own free will, what he should do, except the grace of God change the heart and make it willing.
Hence the Scriptures say all men are liars, no man does good of his own free will,but everyone seeks his own and does nothing out of love for virtue.
The outer man can be forced to do the good and quit the bad by law pain,punishment or shame,or attracted by favor,money,honor and reward.
The inner man cannot be forced to do out of his own free will, what he should do, except the grace of God change the heart and make it willing.
Hence the Scriptures say all men are liars, no man does good of his own free will,but everyone seeks his own and does nothing out of love for virtue.
- Martin Luther
The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, Volume 1
The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, Volume 1
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