A06521:174
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.
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.
- 1We must not despair or cease, though at the first we obtain not that we pray for.We must not despeire or cease, though at the first we obtayne not that we pray for.
Twelfthly, when as a man thus knowing his sin doth wholly tremble in him self, he must especially endeavour, that sins do not still remain in his conscience, otherwise mere desperation will come thereupon, but he must shake them of and cast them upon Christ, and so unburden his conscience. Therefore see again and again that thou do not that which perverse men do, which within the secrets of their hart do vex & disquiet them selves because of their sins, & strive with them, that by good works or satisfactions, by far going on pilgrimage, or else by pardons they may become safe, and may be made free from sins, which can not be. And (alas) such a false confidence in satisfactions and pardons hath prevailed very far.