Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

What care I, if the world hate me, when as I displease not him that dwelleth in heaven? if this hatred continue even daily, if sin rage, and the world talk and prate many things, what then? let it do so until it be weary, I will pass over these things as if I heard them not. This is in deed to forsake the world, and to die unto it, to live without fear, to be occupied about no other thing, but that which is according to Gods will, to speak nothing at all but that which shall please him, and which I shall know to be agreeable to his word: that I may live so, and do ⟨p. 60⟩those works, which I know certainly are acceptable before him, that in my whole life whatsoever I do either outwardly, or inwardly, I may be certain that I seek his glory, and endeavour to fulfil his will. So I am separated from the world, and notwithstanding do still live in the world. No man is less in the world then a sincere Christian: and again, no man is more occupied and hath to do with the world then an entire Christian. That is, the world doth more intentively look unto him, and Satan more often and vehemently assaileth him, then him that is ignorant of Christ, of grace, and of faith. Christ and Paul had experience hereof: they had combats & conflicts with the world: they were troubled and molested, yea the whole world was against them. Again, a true Christian is not in the world, albeit the world rage & fret cruelly against him: for he always trusteth in God, and saith: Lord, I am thine, thou shalt deal well with me, grant thou that my matters may go forward according to thy will, only be thou on my side, and I shall be in safety.

What care I, if the world hate me, when as I displease not him that dwelleth in heauen? if this hatred continue euen dayly, if sinne rage, and the worlde talke and prate many thinges, what then? let it do so vntill it be weary, I wil passe ouer these things as if I heard them not. This is in deede to forsake the world, and to die vnto it, to liue without feare, to be occupied about no other thing, but that which is according to Gods will, to speake nothing at all but that which shall please him, and which I shall know to be agreeable to his worde: that I may liue so, and doe ⟨p. 60⟩those workes, which I knowe certainly are acceptable before him, that in my whole life whatsoeuer I doe either outwardly, or inwardely, I may be certaine that I seeke his glorye, and endeuour to fulfill his will. So I am separated from the world, and notwithstanding doe still liue in the worlde. No man is lesse in the world then a sincere Christian: and againe, no man is more occupied and hath to doe with the world then an entire Christian. That is, the worlde doth more intentiuely looke vnto him, and Satan more often and vehemently assaileth him, then him that is ignorant of Christ, of grace, and of faith. Christ and Paule had experience hereof: they had combats & conflicts with the world: they were troubled and molested, yea the whole world was against them. Againe, a true Christian is not in the worlde, albeit the world rage & fret cruelly against him: for he alwayes trusteth in God, and sayth: Lord, I am thine, thou shalt deale wel with me, graunt thou that my matters may goe forward according to thy will, onely be thou on my side, and I shall be in safety.