times of troubles and vexations, it teacheth how these virtues
should light and shine; it teacheth, also, that after this poor and
miserable life there is another which is eternal and everlasting.


What we ought chiefly to seek for in the Bible, and how we ought to
study and learn the Holy Scriptures.

The chief lesson and study in Divinity, said Luther, is well and
rightly to learn to know Christ, for he is therein very friendly and
familiarly pictured unto us. From hence St. Peter saith, "Grow up
in the knowledge of Christ;" and Christ himself also teacheth that
we should learn to know him only out of the Scriptures, where he
saith, "Search the Scriptures, for they do testify of me."

We ought not, said Luther, to measure, censure, and understand the
Scriptures according to our own natural sense and reason, but we
ought diligently by prayer to meditate therein, and to search after
the same. The devil and temptations also do give occasion unto us
somewhat to learn and understand the Scriptures by experience and
practice. Without trials and temptations we should never understand
anything thereof; no, not although we diligently read and heard the
same. The Holy Ghost must be the only master and tutor to teach us
therein, and let youth and scholars not be ashamed to learn of this
tutor. When I find myself in temptation, then I quickly lay hold
and fasten on some text in the Bible which Christ Jesus layeth
before me, namely, THAT HE DIED FOR ME, from whence I have and
receive comfort.