When a poor soul is somewhat awakened by the terrors of…
““When a poor soul is somewhat awakened by the terrors of the Lord, then the poor creature, being born under the covenant of works, flies directly to a covenant of works again. And as Adam and Eve hid themselves… and sewed fig leaves… so the poor sinner, when awakened, flies to his duties and to his performances, to hide himself from God, and goes to patch up a righteousness of his own. Says he, I will be mighty good now–I will reform–I will do all I can; and then certainly Jesus Christ will have mercy on me.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A sinner, once frightened of God's holiness, reverts to self‑righteous works, believing good deeds will earn mercy.
In simple terms: People hide from God by over‑relying on their own efforts.
Key Takeaway
True repentance requires humility, not self‑justification.
Themes
religion
humility
self‑righteousness
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
theological
didactic
When to use this quote
- personal confession
- church preaching
- self‑examination
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
spiritualism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek God's grace or your own merit?
- How does self‑reliance hinder true faith?
A Different Perspective
Relying on works can breed pride and false security.