Consolation for the conscience plagued by works...

Until now, consciences were plagued with the doctrine of works.  They did not hear consolation from the Gospel.  Some people were driven by conscience into the desert and into monasteries, hoping to merit grace by a monastic life.  Some people came up with other works to merit grace and make satisfaction for sin.  That is why the need was so great for teaching and renewing the doctrine of faith in Christ, so that anxious consciences would not be without consolation but would know that grace, forgiveness of sins, and justification are received by faith in Christ.
~BOC, AC, XX, 19-22

Human righteousness is hypocrisy before God...

The entire notion that a person is righteous is mere hypocrisy before God.  We must acknowledge that our heart is, by nature, destitute of fear, love, and confidence in God.  For this reason, the prophet Jeremiah says, "After I was instructed, I slapped my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded" (31:19). Likewise, "I said in my alarm, 'All mankind are liars'" (Psalm 116:11). That is, they do not think correctly about God.
~BOC, AP, II (I), 33-34

Without His grace, all our willing and running, our planting, sowing and watering--are all nothing...

Also Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."  It is God's will that His Word should be heard and that a person's ears should not be closed.  With this Word the Holy Spirit is present and opens hearts, so that people pay attention to it and are converted only through the Holy Spirit's grace and power, who alone does the work of converting a person.  For without His grace, and if He does not grant the increase, all our willing and running, our planting, sowing, and watering--are all nothing.  As Christ says, in John 15:5 "Apart from me you can do nothing."  With these brief words the Spirit denies free will its powers and ascribes everything to God's grace, in order that no one may boast before God.
~BOC, FE, II, 5-6

The understanding and reason of mankind are completely blind and without understanding of spiritual matters...

This is our teaching, faith, and confession on this subject:  in spiritual matters the understanding and reason of mankind are completely blind and by their own powers understand nothing, as it is written in  I Corthinians 2:14, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
~BOC, FE, II, 2

The Living Word awakens within us understanding, pleasure, and devoutness...

On the other hand, the Word is so effective that whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, it is bound never to be without fruit.  It always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts.  For these words are not lazy or dead, but are creative, living words.  And even though no other interest or necessity moves us, this truth ought to urge everyone to the Word, because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away.
~BOC, LC, I, 101-102

Original sin precludes belief in, fear of, and love for God, as well as seeks fleshly things...

We are right in our description of original sin when we say that it is not being able to believe God and not being able to fear and love God.  We are right when we say that it includes concupiscense, which seeks fleshly things contrary to God's Word.  This means when it seeks not only the pleasures of the body, but also fleshly wisdom and righteousness.
~BOC, AP, II (I), 26

The Sacraments and Word are effective because of Christ's institution and command...

Strictly speaking, the Church is the congregation of saints and true believers.  However, because many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled within them in this life, it is lawful to use the Sacraments administered by evil men, according to the saying of Christ, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat" (Matthew 23:2). Both the Sacraments and Word are effective because of Christ's institution and command, even if they are administered by evil men.
~BOC, AC, VIII, 1-2