to be free from it, and a longing to repent perfectly. The sensitive conscience of Luther, however, could not be satisfied with such easygoing religion and partial repentance. He looked upon it as a temptation of the devil to think that one should not take sin too seriously or be too strict and thorough in confession.69 Luther put forth his best in his attempt to love God and to repent of his sins out of love for righteousness, but he discovered that it was impossible. At its best his repentance