secret will, which from us is hid; we ought not to desire to know
it. For "the wind bloweth where it listeth," as Christ saith; we
must not grabble nor search after the same.

If, said Luther, I were addicted to God's Word at all times alike,
and always had such love and desire thereunto as sometimes I have,
then should I account myself the most blessed man on earth. But the
loving Apostle St. Paul failed also thereof, as he complains with
sighs of heart, saying, "I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind," etc. Should the Word be false because
it bringeth not always fruit? Truly this art of determining and
knowing the Word hath been in great danger from the beginning of the
world, and hath endured much: few people there are that can hit it,
except God, through his Holy Spirit, teacheth it them in their
hearts. The Sectaries understand not the strength of God's Word. I
do wonder, said Luther, that they do write and teach so much of
God's Word, seeing they so little regard the same.

Ferdinand, Prince Elector of Saxony, used to say he had well
discerned that nothing could be propounded by human reason and
understanding, were it never so wise, cunning, or sharp, but that a
man, even out of the selfsame proposition, might be able to confute
and overthrow it; but God's Word only stood fast and sure, like a
mighty wall which neither can be battered nor beaten down.


Which are the best Preachers and the best Hearers.

I, said Luther, esteem those to be the best Preachers which teach
the common people and youth most plainly and simply, without