A06502:143
A commentary or exposition upon the two Epistles general of Saint Peter, and that…A commentarie or exposition vppon the twoo Epistles generall of Sainct Peter, and that…
A commentary or exposition upon the two Epistles general of Saint Peter, and that of Saint Jude. First faithfully gathered out of the lectures and preachings of that worthy instrument in God's Church, Doctor Martin Luther. And now out of Latin, for the singular benefit and comfort of the godly, familiarly translated into English by Thomas NewtonA commentarie or exposition vppon the twoo Epistles generall of Sainct Peter, and that of Sainct Jude. First faithfullie gathered out of the lectures and preachinges of that worthie instrumente in Goddes Churche, Doctour Martine Luther. And now out of Latine, for the singuler benefite and comfort of the godlie, familiarlie translated into Englishe by Thomas Newton
London: printed by John Kingston for Abraham Veale dwelling, 1581London: printed by John Kingston for Abraham Veale dwellyng, 1581
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But Faith is able to quench them, and so to keep them under, that they shall be brought to give place and yield unto the Spirit.
But Faithe is able to quenche them, and so to keepe them vnder, that thei shall bee brought to giue place and yeeld vnto the Spirite.
So also speaketh the Prophet Zechariah in his 9. Chapter, of wine, whereof Christ first drinketh, which maketh them maidens, to whom he drinketh and forecasteth. Then arare of other wine is wont to enkindle and stir up naughty desires: but this wine, to wit, the Gospel, represseth the same and maketh the heart chaste. And this is it that S. Peter here meaneth, when he sayeth, where Truth is bolden fast in the heart, and obedience thereunto given through the spirit, that that and none but that, is the truest cure & presentest remedy against ⟨p. 30⟩this dangerous evil and mischief▪ beside which, there is none other that can be found so able to drive away and qualify these evil cogitations and vain thoughts. For when this remedy (the Gospel I mean) is entered and taken possession within the heart, all naughty lewd motions do straightways give place and vanish away. Let him that will, try this matter, and he shall duly find it so to be, as all they that have made trial thereof, do very well know. But the Devil doth not easily suffer any man to come to that point, as in heart so to embrace the Word of God, that he may feel what a good taste and savour it hath: because he knoweth full well, what great power and mighty efficacy is in it, to subdue and beat down all naughty desires and evil thoughts. Therefore, that which saint Peter here speaketh, is as though he should thus say: If you be desirous to remain and continue chaste, it standeth you in hand, to embrace and show your obedience to the truth through the Spirit: that is to say, It necessarily behooveth you not only to read and hear the Word of God, but to embrace the same in your hearts. And therefore, it is not enough, that the Gospel be once preached or once heard, but thou must continually cleave unto it and follow it. For, this grace hath the Word, that the oftener a man tasteth it, the sweeter it still wareth, and the pleasanter it relisheth. For albeit it always teacheth one and the same doctrine concerning Faith, yet can it never be to the godly and well disposed minds sufficiently and enough heard. Now addeth the Apostle further.