Well, after many such longings in my mind, the God in
whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day
a book of Martin Luther's: it was his Comment on the Galatians; it
was also so old that it was ready to fall piece from piece, if I did
but turn it over. Now I was pleased much that such an old book had
fallen into my hands; the which when I had but a little way perused,
I found my condition in his experience so largely and profoundly
handled, as if this book had been written out of my heart. This made
me marvel; for thus thought I, this man could not know any thing of
the state of Christians now, but must needs write and speak the
experience of former days.
Besides, he doth most gravely also, in that book, debate of the rise
of these temptations, namely, blasphemy, desperation, and the like;
showing that the law of Moses, as well as the devil, death, and
hell, hath a very great hand therein: the which, at first, was very
strange to me; but considering and watching, I found it so indeed.
But of particulars here I intend nothing; only this methinks I must
let fall before all men, I do prefer this book of Martin Luther upon
the Galatians, excepting the Holy Bible, before all the books that
ever I have seen, as most fit for a wounded conscience.
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