Chap. XXXVII. p. 398.
To conclude, (said Luther), I never yet knew a troubled and perplexed man, that was right in his own wits.
A sound observation of great practical utility. Edward Irving should be aware of this in dealing with conscience-troubled (but in fact fancy-vexed) women.
Ib.
It was not a thorn in the flesh touching the unchaste love he bore towards Tecla, as the Papists dream.
I should like to know how high this strange legend can be traced. The other tradition that St. Paul was subject to epileptic fits, has a less legendary character. The phrase
thorn in the flesh
is scarcely reconcilable with Luther's hypothesis, otherwise than as doubts of the objectivity of his vision, and of his after revelations may have been consequences of the disease, whatever that might be.