A06521:13
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.
Wherefore there is great need to pray the Lord of the harvest, that he vvill send forth labourers into his harvest, whereby many moe then do may receive the Gospel of Christ Jesus even to the salvation of ⟨image 4⟩their souls.
VVherefore there is great neede to pray the Lord of the haruest, that he vvill send forth labourers into his haruest, vvhereby many moe then doe may receiue the Gospell of Christ Iesus euen to the saluation of ⟨image 4⟩their soules.
The premisses well weighed, I think (right Worshipful) there may a sufficient reason be gathered, why I did purpose the publishing of these Sermons of D. Martin Luther in our vulgar tongue, and why at the last I have by some labour and pains brought the said purposed publishing to pass. I was in deed at the first procured thereunto by a learned Father of this land, whose words and judgement I make no small account of, but afterward entering into deeper consideration of the matter, and weighing on the one side the great ignorance of many even in matters of salvation, together with the daily dishonouring of God by ungodly life: and on the other side the divine doctrine and most wholesome exhortations which these Sermons contain, I was more forcibly stirred up thereunto, and thought that the painful perusing of them, and fruitful following of that whereof they entreat, would be a sovereign salve to help to cure such dangerous diseases. For by them may they learn to know one only true God, and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches which are comprised in him, and offered unto us through him of God his Father: that he humbled him self to exalt us, that he became a servant to set us at liberty, that he was impoverished to make us rich, that he dyed for our sins, & rose again for our justification, that through his means mercy hath swallowed up misery, and bounty hath overcome all evil, finally that without him there is no joy nor consolation, no peace nor quietness, no felicity nor salvation, but that he is the only means by which all good things are attained: so that they which enjoy him receive not one gift alone, as with Solomon wisdom, with Samson strength, with Job patience, with Paul zeal, &c: but for poverty they receive riches, for weakness strength, for folly wisdom, for servitude freedom, for grief joy, for sin righteousness, for death life, yea all good things whatsoever.