A06521:130
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.
Neither ought it to seem strange that this kingdom doth flourish in the midst of sins, the force of Satan & death, whereof Zechariah here singeth even from the bottom of his hart, and knoweth well how it cometh to pass, faith and the spirit revealing it. Concerning sin I have seen or known none in whom it is not.1 Whomsoever thou settest before thee, sin will by and by appear. Paul a most holy Apostle affirmeth of him self, that he feeleth sin in his members. VVill, saith he, is present with me, but I find no means to perform that which is good. For I do not the good thing which I would, but the evil which I would not, that do I. He wished in deed to be free from sins, but yet he could not but live in them. And I and such like are also desirous to be exempted from sins: but that can by no means be brought to pass, we do only repress and keep them under: when we have fallen into sin, we rise again. But as long as we are clothed with this flesh, and bear the burden thereof about with us, so long sin is not extinguished nor can be wholly subdued. We may well go about and endeavour to subdue it, notwithstanding old Adam will lead his life also, until he shall dye and come unto the grave. What shall I need to say any more? The kingdom of Christ is a certain special kingdom, wherein every one of the Saints is compelled to make this confession: Almighty God, unto whose power all things acknowledge them selves subject, I confess my self to be a miserable sinner, revenge not, I beseech thee my old iniquities. Al also must sing this song: Our father, &c. forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Other righteous & holy ones, which know no measure or end of their righteousness and holiness, do understand nothing hereof, and therefore this Gospel is not preached unto them, seeing that they think the kingdom of Christ to be ⟨p. 51⟩such, that there is no sin at all in it, but that all things in it are clean & pure: they require such a Christian as is wholly clean from all filth of sin, and without sin as Christ him self, such a one they shall never be able to find.
Neither ought it to seeme straunge that this kingdom doth flourish in the middes of sinnes, the force of Satan & death, wherof Zacharias here singeth euen from the bottom of his hart, and knoweth well how it commeth to passe, faith and the spirit reuealing it. Concerning sinne I haue seene or knowen none in whom it is not.