A06521:135
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.
Verse 71. That he would deliver us from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us.
Verse 71. That he would deliuer vs from our enemies, and from the handes of all that hate vs.
The Evangelist hath hitherto generally rehearsed, what that kingdom of Christ is, whereof the Prophets prophesied.1 Now he speaketh of it also, but particularly, declaring wherein it consisteth. First in this, that he delivereth us from the hands of our enemies, yea and from all them that hate us. Ye see here and understand, most dearly beloved, that this verse doth witness & most ⟨p. 54⟩plainly declare, that we which are his people and kingdom, do live amongst enemies, and that no other is to be looked for of us but to be hated of them: That also the force, quality, and nature of this kingdom consisteth in this, that it delivereth us out of the hands of all them that hate us, as the Prophet David saith Psal. 110. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Zion: be thou ruler in the midst of thine enemies. And Psal. 45. Thine arrows are very sharp, even in the midst of the Kings enemies. It is a delight unto Christ that his kingdom is set in the midst of the fight, yea and in the midst of the haters thereof. These things are written for our comfort, that we which mind to serve under the Prince of this kingdom, be so instructed, that we look for no other then is here prescribed and set forth unto us:2 that we seek not here to get unto us the favour of the world, neither that we serve the world, and labour to have no enemies therein. For the words of Zechariah declare that it is the quality of this kingdom to deliver from enemies. Now if it delivereth us from enemies, and as it were draweth us out of the hands of them that hate us, surely it can not be a kingdom of peace, but such a kingdom as is subject to the hatred and malice of the world. As ye see at this day, that our enemies bear a deadly hatred unto the light, which hath a little shined forth, thanks be to Christ therefore. No man is any where so hated as a Christian. Both the Pope, and the furious Bishops with their false Apostles, also the raging Princes, moreover the holy, learned, and wise of the world, all at this day do most bitterly hate Christians. Neither are they content, that they be killed & slain, but they would have them extinguished and utterly rooted out, that there may be no memory of them, as they think, left among men. And this is the state, these are the badges, and cognisances of Christians: