A06521:190
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.
Ye have now oftentimes heard, that God hath instituted and ordained in the world two manner of preachings:1 One is, when the word of God is preached, which saith Exod. 20: Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Also: Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, & doth also threaten, that he which doth not keep those precepts shall dye. But that preaching doth justify no man. For although a man be thereby compelled to show him self godly outwardly before men, notwithstanding inwardly his hart is offended at the law,2 and had lever there were no law. The other ministry of the word is the Gospel, which showeth where that is to be received, which the law requireth, it neither urgeth nor threateneth, but allureth men gently, it saith not: do this or that, but it saith thus: Go too, I will show where thou mayst receive and take, whereby thou mayst become righteous: Behold, here is Jesus Christ, he will give it thee. Wherefore these two disagree one with an other, as much as to receive and give, to exact and reward. And this difference is to be well understood and marked. To hardened and untractable men,3 which feel not the Gospel, the law is to be preached, and they are so long to be urged, till they begin to be mollified and humbled, and do acknowledge their disease, which when it is done, there is then place to begin ⟨p. 81⟩to preach the Gospel. These two sorts of preachings were instituted and ordained of God, besides these there are other which were not ordained of God, but are traditions invented by men, ordained of the Pope and his Prelates, wherewith they have perverted the Gospel. These are not worthy to be called either shepherds or hirelings, but they are those which Christ calleth thieves, robbers and wolves. For if we will rule and guide men rightly and well, that must needs be done by the word of God: whereby if it be not done, we surely labour in vain. Furthermore Christ entreateth here of that second ministry of the word, and describeth of what sort it is: he maketh him self the chief, yea the only shepherd, for that which he doth not feed, doth surely remain unfed.