A06521:173
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.
Tenthly, if one should through the grace of God meditate rightly upon the passion of Christ, by the space of one day, or of one hour, yea or the space of a quarter of an hour, we would faithfully pronounce of him, that he hath done better, then if he had pined him self with fasting the space of a whole year, or had run over the Psalter every day. For this manner of meditation doth as it were change a man, and almost regenerate him a new like unto baptism. Then in deed the Lords passion doth his natural, due and noble office, it killeth the old Adam, it driveth away all pleasure, joy and confidence, which may be had of creatures, even as Christ was forsaken of all, yea even of his father.
Tenthly, if one should through ye grace of God meditate rightly vpon the passion of Christ, by the space of one day, or of one hower, yea or the space of a quarter of an hower, we would faithfully pronounce of him, that he hath done better, then if he had pined him selfe with fasting the space of a whole yeare, or had runne ouer the Psalter euery day. For this maner of meditation doth as it were chaunge a man, and almost regenerate him a new like vnto baptisme. Then in deede the Lordes passion doth his naturall, due and noble office, it killeth the old Adam, it driueth away all pleasure, ioy and confidence, which may be had of creatures, euen as Christ was forsaken of all, yea euen of his father.
Eleventhly,1 seeing that such a thing is not in our own power, it cometh to pass that we do often times ask it, and yet do not by and by obtain it, notwithstanding we must not therefore despair or cease. For that is sometimes given for which we have not prayed, and that sometimes is not granted for which we have prayed, even as it is the pleasure of God, and as he knoweth to be best for us, for God will have this gift to be free & without constraint.
Eleuenthly,1 seeing that such a thing is not in our owne power, it commeth to passe that we doe often times aske it, and yet do not by and by obtaine it, notwithstanding we must not therefore dispeire or cease. For that is sometimes giuen for which we haue not prayed, and that sometimes is not graunted for which we haue prayed, euen as it is the pleasure of God, and as he knoweth to be best for vs, for God will haue this gift to be free & without constraint.