DP 129 - something external cannot compel something internal

It is a law of Divine Providence
that a person not be compelled by external means to think and will,
thus to believe and love,
matters having to do with religion;
but that a person bring himself to do so and at times compel himself.

DP 129

(1) No one is reformed by miracles and signs, because they compel.

(2) No one is reformed by visions or by communications with the dead, because they compel.

(3) No one is reformed by threats and punishments, because they compel.

(4) No one is reformed in states devoid of rationality and freedom.

(5) It is not contrary to rationality and freedom to compel oneself.

(6) The outer self must be reformed by the inner self, and not the reverse.