PREFACE
BY
HENRY ATHERTON,
Minister of Grove Chapel, Camberwell, S. E.
AND
General Secretary of The Sovereign Grace Union.
HIS EXCELLENT WORK of that eminent servant of God, Martin Luther - one of the nobleReformers is acknowledged to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest of Luther'sproductions. Luther himself considered it his best publication.I had purposed writing a short account of each of the Opponents - Erasmus and Luther -who come before us in the book, and of the controversy, but from lack of time owing tomany calls, and wishing to get the volume into the hands of lovers of Luther as soon aspossible, I had to forego this privilege.I believe I have succeeded in producing the best English edition of this Masterpiece ofLuther that has been published. Cole's translation has been used with slight alterationsfrom Vaughan.My task has been a difficult one, especially as I am ignorant of the German Language.Luther's Scriptural quotations are of course in the German Tongue, and as he oftenseemed to quote them from memory and as no references to verses, and sometimes noneto chapters are given, and sometimes the wrong name of the Book is given, EnglishConcordances have been of very little help to me, and often no use at all; yet I trust thisedition will prove a success in spite of my handicaps.Although Luther used certain words that I should not employ, yet I have adhered faithfullyto his own phraseology as translated by Cole. Luther speaks for himself.This book is most needful at the present day. The teachings of many so-called Protestantsare more in accordance with the Dogmas of the Papists, or the ideas of Erasmus, thanwith the Principles of the Reformers; they are more in harmony with the Canons andDecrees of the Council of Trent than with any Protestant or Reformed Confessions ofFaith.If the Lord should be pleased to open the eyes and understanding of some of these so-called Protestants to whom I have referred - through the perusal of this work of the greatReformer - Luther - enabling them to see that they are at present believing and teachingawful delusions contrary to the Word of God, and the Protestant Reformed Religion, and
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