the sheep and the quotes

The true cure for self-righteousness is self-knowledge.  Once let the eyes of our understanding be opened by the Spirit, and we shall talk no more of our own goodness.  Once let us see what there is in our own hearts, and what the holy God requires, and self-conceit will die.  We shall lay our hand on our mouths, and cry with the leper, ‘Unclean, unclean’ (Lev 13:45).

- JC Ryle, on Luke 18:9-14

O, it is a living, busy, active thing, this faith. It is impossible for it not to be doing things incessantly. It does not ask whether good works are to be done, but before the question is asked, it has already done this, and is constantly doing them. Whoever does not do such works, however, is an unbeliever. He gropes and looks around for faith and good works, but knows neither what faith is nor what good works are.

- Martin Luther (from the preface to his commentary on Romans)