ot indeed great, although by no
means contemptible, for the quick sagacity of the Reformer in
detecting the meaning and the force of the Scriptural argument, is
evident on every page, and is rarely at fault; but his clear views of
the Gospel, his untrammeled freedom of thought, his strong good
sense, and his most effective energy of application are everywhere
conspicuous. His language is uniformly simple and direct. The
exposition contained in this volume was first delivered from the
pulpit. According to the title-page, it is Scripture "preached and
explained," and in addressing it to the people, Luther did not fail
to keep in view the object upon which he set so high an estimate,
when he said, "I preach as simply as possible. I want the common
people, and children, and servants, to understand me."

The care with which he fortifies his positions with Scriptural
citations is likewise obvious. He rarely presents views upon any
theme from which one who acknowledges the authority of Scripture will
feel forced to dissent, unless, with some, the subject of baptism
should an exception. In regard to this, he speaks like one who as yet
sees "men as trees walking."

Considerable space is given up to an exposure of the errors and
abuses of the Papacy, but the exposure is made uniformly by the light
of Scripture. Vehement as are Luther's occasional bursts of
indignation, he never wanders from the subject, and never ventures
beyond where he is sustained by the clear warrant of the word of God.

In the purpose of presenting this translation to English readers, I
have been encouraged by the prospect of affording to others the same
opportunity of acquaintance with Luther's modes of thought and
feeling which I have myself enjoyed. I believe, moreover, that his
exposition has a high value, apart from the interest which attaches
to it as the production of the great hero of the Reformation.
Occasionally, the views presented have seemed to be such as required
some explanatory note or correction, and in a few instances this has
been appended, but the necessity has rarely occurred, and Luther is
left throughout to speak for himself. The translation is strictly
literal, and almost the only variations from the original are so
marked, by being inclosed in parentheses. These will readily be
distinguished from the passages or words included in parentheses of
the original text, by their explanatory character.

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