A06521:150
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.
But there is an other manner of righteousness then this whereof God esteemeth & accepteth, which also we must consider,1 now it is of this sort: It consisteth not in a grey garment, not in a black or white coal, but in a pure conscience. To wit, when I believe, that Christ is my salvation, and that my works can prevail nothing hereunto: but that he doth all things which God hath regard unto. Then I say no more: a grey garment is holy, a red garment is profane, forasmuch as I know, that not in a grey or any other garment, but in Christ all things consist. For no man can attain to this, that a grey garment may cleanse his hart from filth, or that a monastery may purify it: for it is necessary that God only purify the hart by faith, and the holy Ghost, as Peter witnesseth Act. 15. When the hart is now pure, the house is unto it as the field, and the field as the house: The market is as much esteemed of it as the Monastery, and contrariwise. Neither remaineth there unto me any work, place, or garment, which I count profane: for all things are alike unto me, after that holiness hath fully possessed my hart. That even God saith unto me: Thou art godly, I am thy father, thou art my son. And herein we ought to persist, that we be holy, and without fear do obey and serve him. Here the title and badges ⟨p. 62⟩of a Christian are seen, & this is his cognisance, to wit, that being holy, he is the Minister of God without fear. But what sinner is there which dareth challenge to him self this title? Let one come forth, which dareth avouch him self to be godly, righteous, holy, and the servant of God, destitute of no good things either of mind or body. Now he that can not glory of these things, is not a Christian. For of these things must a sincere Christian be partaker. But what letteth that one dareth not challenge to him self this title? Even a timorous conscience: for we always feel sin, and our life is ever frail. I see nothing but an honest life, although God require this also of us, yet he will not be content therewith, but there is need that there be yet a certain higher thing, that I dare be bold to say:
But there is an other maner of righteousnes then this whereof God esteemeth & accepteth, which also we must consider,1