his experience was no more than
that he had heard this, and was able to preach of it. But the Holy
Spirit must also come and strengthen him, that he may believe in it,
and preach and confess it cheerfully. The former thing belongs only
to the office of the preacher, not to the soul; but this belongs to
the Spirit.

V. 19. _We have also a sure word of Prophecy, and ye do well in that
ye give heed to it, as to a light that shines in a dark place, till
the day break and the morning star rise in your hearts._ There St.
Peter grasps right hold upon the matter, and would say this much: all
that I preach is to subserve this end, that your conscience may be
assured, and your heart may stand firm on this, and not let itself be
torn therefrom, and that thus both I and you may be certain that we
have God's word. For it is an important matter as respects the Gospel
that we should receive and hold it clean and pure, without addition
and false doctrine. Therefore Peter begins henceforth to write
against human doctrines.

But why does he say we have a sure word of prophecy? Answer: I hold,
indeed, that we shall have no more prophets, such as the Jews had in
former times in the Old Testament. But a prophet eminently should he
be who preaches of Jesus Christ. Therefore, although many prophets in
the Old Testament have foretold concerning things to come, yet they
came and were sent by God, for this reason especially, that they
should foretell Christ. Those, then, who believe on Christ are all
prophets, for they have the true head-article that the prophets
should have, although they have not the gift of making known things
to come; for as we, through the faith of our Master, are Christ's
brethren, are kings and priests, so are we prophets also, all of us
through Christ. For we can all say what belongs to salvation and
God's honor and a christian life, besides of future things, so much
as this is necessarily known to us, viz., that the Last Day shall
come, and that we shall rise from the dead; besides, we understand
the whole substance of Scripture. Whereof Paul also says, I. Cor.
xiv.: "Ye can all prophecy, one after another."

This now, is, what Peter says: we have such a word of prophecy as is
sure in itself; see to it only that it be sure to you; and ye do well
in paying heed to it:--as though he should say: It will be a thing of
necessity to you to hold firmly by it; for it is in regard to the
Gospel as though one were imprisone