A06521:12
Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…
Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and preachings for the necessary instruction and edification of such, as hunger and seek after the perfect knowledge and inestimable glory which is in Christ Jesus, to the comfort and salvation of their souls. Englished by VV.G.Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and preachings for the necessary instruction and edification of such, as hunger and seeke after the perfect knowledge and inestimable glorie which is in Christ Iesu, to the comfort and saluation of their soules. Englished by VV.G.
London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier, 1578
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now mans understanding being blind, he is not able of him self to attain to the knowledge of God, and consequently without some other means or help can not be saved: for this, as our Saviour in the Gospel saith, is life everlasting, to know one only true God, and him whom he hath sent Jesus Christ. Again, mans vvill being corrupt, he is not ⟨image 4⟩able to serve God as his duty requireth, as to honour him as his Lord, to obey him as his father, to trust in him as his Protector and preserver, to be thankful to him for his infinite benefits, &c. Wherefore lest man being ignorant of God should be excluded from salvation, or lest through the wickedness of his vvill and inclination to evil, he should dishonour so high a Lord, disobey so good a father, distrust so careful a preserver, and be unthankful to so gracious a giver, who doth not see how requisite and needful it is, that he should by good instructions be brought to the knowledge of the Lord God, and by godly exhortations and admonitions be reclaimed from his wicked ways to the performance of his duty? Now forasmuch as God hath in his word revealed so much of him self as is expedient for man to know, & hath therein also prescribed that manner of serving him whereof be accepteth, man must out of it learn the true knowledge and right service of God, and therefore most necessary it is that this word be preached & taught, that thereby man may learn to know God, and truly to worship & serve him being known. So shall his mind be enlightened with divine knowledge, and his vvill reformed according to Gods vvil, so shall this word be a lantern unto his feet, and a light unto his paths, whereby he may be directed in all his ways. But (alas) this is a thing to be lamented, that the harvest is great, but the labourers are few. For among them which supply the places of labourers in the Lords harvest, some there be who do with diligence discharge their duty, many moe there are, who albeit they be able, yet do either quite neglect it, or very slenderly execute it, but greatest is the number of them, who for lack of skill & knowledge are not able at all to perform it.
Novv mans vnderstanding being blinde, he is not able of him selfe to attaine to the knovvledge of God, and consequently vvithout some other meanes or helpe can not be saued: for this, as our Sauiour in the Gospell sayth, is life euerlasting, to knovv one onely true God, and him vvhom he hath sent Iesus Christ. Againe, mans vvill being corrupt, he is not ⟨image 4⟩