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

Now forasmuch as these things, and the right means to attain unto them, are in these Sermons of that most learned Divine Martin Luther most learnedly, yea even divinely set forth, they may undoubtedly be a singular mean, not only to instruct them which be ignorant in matters of salvation, but also to increase and confirm the knowledge of such, as have already well profited in Christian religion. Howbeit there is annexed hereunto sound and absolute doctrine concerning good works and godly conversation, as being most necessary to be of all Christians perfectly known, and effectually followed. For Christians through Christ being become the Sons of God, how unmeet, yea how ⟨image 6⟩abominable a thing is it that they should resemble Satan in their doings? being now made the members of Christ, how detestable a thing is it that they should be instruments of iniquity? being now the temple of the holy Ghost, how beastly a thing were it to defile the same with the filthiness of sin? Finally having received so many and so great benefits of God through Christ, how wicked and shameful a thing should it be, to be unthankful to so gracious a God, to be disobedient to so loving a Father, in any wise to displease so merciful a Saviour? But it shall be needless much to stand upon this point, seeing it is not unknown to the faithful with how great endeavour they ought to avoid that which is evil, and embrace that which is good, and therefore shall sincere & perfect doctrine concerning good works be unto them no less commodious and profitable, then needful and necessary.

Novv forasmuch as these thinges, and the right meanes to attaine vnto them, are in these Sermons of that most learned Diuine Martin Luther most learnedly, yea euen diuinely set forth, they may vndoutedly be a singular meane, not onely to instruct them vvhich be ignorant in matters of saluation, but also to increase and confirme the knovvledge of such, as haue already vvell profited in Christian religion. Hovvbeit there is annexed hereunto sound and absolute doctrine concerning good vvorkes and godly conuersation, as being most necessary to be of all Christiās perfectly knovvne, and effectually follovved. For Christians through Christ being become the Sonnes of God, hovv vnmeete, yea hovv ⟨image 6⟩abhominable a thinge is it that they should resemble Satan in their doinges? being novv made the members of Christ, hovv detestable a thing is it that they should be instruments of iniquitie? being novv the temple of the holy Ghost, hovv beastly a thinge vvere it to defyle the same vvith the filthines of synne? Finally hauing receiued so many and so great benefites of God through Christ, hovv vvicked and shamefull a thinge should it be, to be vnthankefull to so gracious a God, to be disobedient to so louing a Father, in any vvise to displease so mercifull a Sauiour? But it shalbe needelesse much to stand vpon this point, seeing it is not vnknovvne to the faithfull vvith hovv great endeuour they ought to auoyde that vvhich is euill, and embrace that vvhich is good, and therefore shall syncere & perfect doctrine concerning good vvorkes be vnto them no lesse commodious and profitable, then needefull and necessarie.