Gerhard and Walther

What one learns from cross has solidity, and thereby a man becomes wise before God. That which is heard from God’s Word apart from the cross generally sweeps only over the tongue.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis, III:183.

We are sick in our souls, fatally and eternally sick; and Christ came as a physician to restore us to health.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 525.