The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right. Next to faith this is the highest art - to be content with the calling in which God has placed you.

The law works fear and wrath; grace works hope and mercy.

When the Scripture speaks, God speaks

The defects of a preacher are soon spied.

Faith is the yes of the heart.

[Christ's] mission and work it is to help against sin and death, to justify and bring life. He has placed his help in baptism and the Sacrament [i.e., communion/Eucharist/Lord's supper], and incorporated it in the Word and preaching. To our eyes Baptism [capitalized in original] appears to be nothing more than ordinary water, and the Sacrament of Christ's body and blood simple bread and wine, like other bread and wine, and the sermon, hot air from a man's mouth. But we must not trust what our eyes see.

God doesn't slack his promises because of our sins or hasten them because of our righteousness. He pays no attention to either.