A06521:140
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.
He will deliver us, not only from all evil both of body and especially of soul, but also from our enemies, Satan, and men, & as a Christian must be as it were overwhelmed with all evils together, so also he shall be again wholly delivered from all evils. And he showeth that this grace and blessing was promised to their fathers. Such is the manner of the Apostles also, that they often times have recourse to the old Testament, as I have said before, that God spake and promised by the mouth of the Prophets, &c. even as Zechariah doth in this place.1 Some man may now say: They are dead, how therefore will he show mercy unto them? Again, what need is there to rehearse, that he would show mercy to the fathers, when as it is declared in the Prophets? But this is therefore done,2 that the truth of God may be showed forth, and may be also approved unto us, that we should not be ignorant, that those things are not due to our merits. In the first book of Moses is mentioned, how God promised to Abraham,3 that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed. That is, that by Christ should come peace, grace, and blessing to all nations. Which promise was differed so long a time, that it appeared, that it was in vain and abolished. So unwise, as it seemeth to the world, doth God show him self in his matters, as though all things went backward. Notwithstanding howsoever it was delayed and seemed, yet it is fulfilled and performed whatsoever was promised to Abraham, and God hath not only delivered him from his enemies, but hath bestowed upon him all good things, yea hath given him self unto him, and all that he hath. And all this is therefore done, for that (as Zechariah here ⟨p. 56⟩saith) this mercy and goodness was before promised and confirmed by an oath unto them, which are long since dead, when as we yet were not. He is merciful therefore and favourable, not because of our merits, as though he did owe it unto our righteousness, but of his only grace, favour, and mercy.
He will deliuer vs, not onely from all euill both of body and especially of soule, but also from our enemies, Satan, and men, & as a Christian must be as it were ouerwhelmed with all euills together, so also he shal be againe wholy deliuered from all euils. And he sheweth that this grace and blessing was promised to their fathers. Such is the maner of the Apostles also, that they often times haue recourse to the old Testament, as I haue sayd before, that God spake and promised by the mouth of the Prophets, &c. euen as Zacharias doth in this place.