Gerhard and Walther

Anyone who has been called into the fellowship of Christ’s kingdom, and then still does not want to take pains to apply himself to holiness and godliness, flies in the face of God’s ordinance and does not understand the end result ordained by God for his calling: to interverti [to be turned around, i.e., in genuine repentance and conversion].—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis I:79

So, then, let us take courage at this time of an almost universal falling away. Christ still lives and His Church will remain even if the whole world should conspire against Him. Therefore, let us faithfully follow Him, though He may lead us through the wilderness and desert, knowing we will arrive with Him at our true fatherland.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 96.