Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

In the time of Abraham God did somewhat show forth his mercy, he declared that he would send a Saviour, who should deliver us again from death both of body and soul: for albeit the body should dye, yet it should not always remain in death, but rise again with the Lord Christ: The words which God spake to Abraham Gen. 22. are thus: In thy seed shall all the nations ⟨p. 38⟩of the earth be blessed. Here miserable men had a cause to hope and look for a Saviour which should deliver them. From that time all the Prophets did diversly foretell of this above measure flowing fountain of all mercy, that is, of this seed, of the Lord Christ, how that he at the last should come, that all which believed in him, might obtain salvation by that promise which can not be revoked. If so be that men would now open their eyes, they must needs confess and say, that a strange and incredible thing is done with us, that man being in the state of damnation, cursed, & desperate, should be restored by the nativity of one man. Hereupon the Prophets cried out with ardent prayers and unspeakable groaning, that God would vouchsafe to send the Saviour whom he had promised. By faith in this Saviour the Israelites afterward obtained the law, and this honour before all people, that they were called the elect people of God. By which ordinances written of Moses the anointed was plainly figured and signified, whom this text which we have now in hand setteth forth, what he is, from whence he is, and by the afore said faith all obtained salvation from Abraham unto David, even as many as were saved.

In the time of Abraham God did somewhat shewe forth his mercy, he declared that he would send a Sauiour, who should deliuer vs againe from death both of body and soule: for albeit the body should dye, yet it should not alwayes remayne in death, but rise againe with the Lord Christ: The wordes which God spake to Abraham Gen. 22. are thus: In thy seede shall all the nations ⟨p. 38⟩of the earth be blessed. Here miserable men had a cause to hope and looke for a Sauiour which should deliuer them. From that time all the Prophets did diuersly foretell of this aboue measure flowing fountaine of all mercy, that is, of this seede, of the Lord Christ, how that he at the last should come, that all which beleued in him, might obtaine saluation by that promise which can not be reuoked. If so be that men would now open their eyes, they must needes confesse and say, that a straunge and incredible thinge is done with vs, that man being in the state of damnation, cursed, & desperate, should be restored by the natiuitie of one man. Hereupon the Prophets cryed out with ardent prayers and vnspeakeable groning, that God would vouchsafe to sende the Sauiour whom he had promised. By faith in this Sauiour the Israelites afterward obtained the lawe, and this honour before all people, that they were called the elect people of God. By which ordinances written of Moses the anointed was plainely figured and signified, whom this text which we haue now in hand setteth forth, what he is, from whence he is, and by the afore sayd faith all obtayned saluation from Abraham vnto Dauid, euen as many as were saued.