4. Who then can appear before such a judge, who is _extreme to mark what is done amiss_? How weak are they who desire to be tried at the bar, where _no flesh living can be justified_? None of the offspring of _Adam_. For suppose we did now keep every commandment with all our strength: yet one single breach which ever was, utterly destroys our whole claim to life. If we have ever offended, in any one point, this righteousness is at an end. For the law condemns all who do not perform uninterrupted as well as perfect obedience. So that according to the sentence of this, for him who hath once sinned, in any degree, _there remaineth only a fearful looking for of fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries_ of God. 5. Is it not then the very foolishness of folly, for fallen man to seek life by this righteousness? For man, who was _shapen in wickedness_, and _in sin did his mother conceive him_: man, who is by nature all _earthly, sensual, devilish_, altogether _corrupt and abominable_: in whom till he find grace, _dwelleth no good thing_; nay, who cannot of himself think one good thought? Who is indeed all sin, a mere lump of ungodliness, and who commits sin in every breath he draws; whose actual transgressions, in word and deed, are more in number than the hairs of his head! What stupidity, what senselesness must it be for such an unclean, guilty, helpless worm as this, to dream of seeking acceptance by _his own righteousness_, of living by _the righteousness which is of the law_?