In Germany to the Leipsic Disputation - James Aitken Wylie

distinction on which Protestant theologians have
always and justly laid great stress, the distinction
between the rational and the spiritual powers of
man.
Is it not matter of experience, the Romanists
have argued, that men of themselves — that is, by
the promptings and powers of their unrenewed
nature — have done good actions? Does not
ancient history show us many noble, generous, and
virtuous achievements accomplished by the
heathen? Did they not love and die for their
country? All enlightened Protestant theologians
have most cheerfully granted this. Man even
unrenewed by the Spirit of God may be truthful,
benevolent, loving, patriotic; and by the exercise of
these qualities, he may invest his own character
with singular gracefulness and glory, and to a very
large degree benefit his species. But the question
here is one regarding a higher good, even that
which the Bible denominates holiness — "without
which no man can see God" — actions done
conformably to the highest standard, which is the
Divine law, and from the motive of the highest end,
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